Raksha Bandhan

RAKSHA BANDHAN

Raksha Bandhan 

 

The annual “festival” of Raksha Bandhan, which is meant to commemorate the abiding ties between siblings of opposite sex, is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan (August) and is marked by a very simple ceremony in which a woman ties a Raakhi – which may be a colorful thread, a simple bracelet, or a decorative string – around the wrist of her brother(s).

 

The word “Raksha” signifies protection, and “Bandhan” is an association signifying an enduring sort of bond; and so, when a woman ties a Raakhi around the wrist of her brother, she signifies her loving attachment to him. He, likewise, recognizes the special bonds between them, and by extending his wrist forward; he in fact extends the hand of his protection over her.

 

The woman conducts aarti before her brother, so that the blessings of God may be showered upon him. Sometimes the thread-tying ceremony precedes the accompaniment of her enunciation or chanting of a mantra, which may be in Sanskrit or one of the other Indian languages. In Punjabi, for instance, the mantra says: “Suraj shakhan chhodian / Mooli chhodia beej / Behen ne Raakhi bandhi / Bhai tu chir jug jee”, which can be roughly translated as follows: “The sun radiates its sunlight / the radish seeds / I (the sister) tied the Raakhi / brother, may you live long.” After the conclusion of the ceremony, she places a sweet in his mouth, and he might return the gesture. The brother bestows a small gift upon his sister, generally in the form of a small sum of money, such as Rupees 51, 101, 251, or 501.

 

The practice of tying thread was prevalent among the Rajputs and our history is full of instances related to the significance of this tradition. At the time of war when the brave Rajput soldiers prepared to go to the battlefield, the women folk followed the ritual of tying a thread around their wrist after applying a dash of vermilion powder on their forehead. This was considered a sign of good omen and the ladies believed that it would protect their men from the enemy’s blow and bring them victory. Today children and women all around the country filling the soilders with the zest to protect them against the dangers of the enemy tie Rakhi on the wrists of soldiers.

 

 

Rakshabandhan if taken in true sense has a much broader perspective; the festival encompasses true sense of peace and brotherhood. The values propagated by the occasion if inculcated by all human beings can bring the much-needed relief from the ongoing violence and mistrust.

 

The rich Indian Mythology provides a religious reason to celebrate the day in a specific way. Many epics are related to the day and the origin of Raksha Bandhan. The festival finds a mention in most of the epics and its origin can be traced back to the mythological Pouranik times.

 

But the real significance of Raksha Bandhan may lie elsewhere. Though it has been common in most societies, for the woman to leave her natal home at marriage for her husband’s home. In India this is firmly entrenched as a social practice, and has often had undesirable consequences. Women who are subjected to harassment or life-threatening behavior on account of dowry by the husband’s family have often been reluctant to return to their natal home, and similarly parents are reluctant to take back their married daughters on account of the immense stigma attached to the return of a married daughter. There is ample evidence to suggest that the problem of dowry has unquestionably been aggravated by the social sanction placed upon married daughters residing in their natal home. Consequently, Raksha Bandhan can be viewed as an occasion for reasserting a woman’s ties to her natal home. The brother conveys a message to his sister that she has not been abandoned by her biological kin; similarly, the woman conveys a message to her husband’s family that she can well count upon her natal family to come to her assistance.

 

The Significance

 

Though now it is considered as a brother and sister festival, it was not always so. There have been examples in history where in rakhi has just been a raksha or protection. It could be tied by wife, a daughter or mother. The Rishis tied rakhi to the people who came seeking their blessings. The sages tied the sacred thread to themselves to safe guard them from the evil. It is by all means the ‘Papa Todak, Punya Pradayak Parva’ or the day that bestows boons and ends all sins as it is mentioned in the scriptures.

 

Rakhi for many centuries encompassed the warmth shared between the siblings but now it goes way beyond it. Some tie rakhi to neighbors and close friends signifying a peaceful co-existence of every individual. Congregations like Rakhi Utsavs, popularized by Rabindranath Tagore, promote the feeling of unity and a commitment to all members of society to protect each other and encourage a harmonious Social life.

 

The day has a deeper perspective in today’s scenario. The occasion holds for a life long pledge to practice moral, spiritual and cultural values. The values and the sentiments attached to the rituals of this festival are worth inculcating by the whole human race, the sentiments of harmony and peaceful coexistence.

 

Raksha Bandhan assumes all forms of Raksha or protection, of righteousness and destroyer of all sin. The rakhi tying ritual has become so much a part of the families that come what, many brothers and sisters try to reach out to each other on this particular day bringing back the oneness of the family, binding the family together in an emotional bond.

 

The legend of King Bali and Goddess Laxmi

 

According to another legend Demon King Bali was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu had taken up the task to guard his kingdom leaving his own abode in Vaikunth. Goddess Laxmi wished to be with her lord back in her abode. She went to Bali disguised as a Brahmin woman to seek refuge till her husband came back.

 

During the Shravan Purnima celebrations, Laxmiji tied the sacred thread to the King. Upon being asked she revealed who she was and why she was there. The king was touched by her goodwill for his family and her purpose and requested the Lord to accompany her. He sacrificed all he had for the Lord and his devoted wife.

 

Thus the festival is also called Baleva that is Bali Raja’s devotion to the Lord. It is said that since then it has been a tradition to invite sisters in Shravan Purnima for the thread tying ceremony or the Raksha Bandhan.

 

Kindly convey my Love & Regards to your Family Members.

 

Thanking you and with Warmest Regards.

 

Mr. Ashok Harlalka

M/s. Balaji Infotech

[Personalised E Mails / Personalised Mailers / Data Processing / Pre Gummed – Address Labels]

E Mail: mailto:info@khojmumbai.com?cc=info2karm,ayog.org  /  khojmumbai@vsnl.net