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| Raksha Bandhan: Love, Affection And Protection |
08/18/2016
As the Rakhi is tied, a sacred mantra is chanted which says: Yena baddho balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah Tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshey maa chala maa chala.
This is a sacred protection mantra and it grants security and protection to the wearer.
INDIAN CULTURE - THE WORLD IS ONE FAMILY:
On Rakhi, the brothers and sisters do not have to be blood relatives. That is the beauty of Indian culture. Our tradition tells us that the world is our brother and sister. On this day of Raksha Bandan, a girl can tie a rakhi on the wrist of any boy or man to whom she feels a close bond. Then, from that day forth, they will call each other "sister" and "brother." In this way, relationships are strengthened, solidified and purified.
SACRED BEGINNING:
The holiday, like all Indian festivals, has a divine, sacred beginning. During the time of the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna threw a celestial weapon at Shishupala in order to punish him for his numerous sins. However, as Lord Krishna hurled the weapon at Shishupala, the Lord cut his own finger. Draupadi immediately tore off a piece from her sari and wrapped it around Lord Krishna's finger, stopping the bleeding. Lord Krishna asked her what she wanted in return for this favor. "Nothing, Oh Lord," she replied. "Just your holy presence in my life, at all times." So, from that moment forth, Lord Krishna promised Draupadi that He would always be with her and that she needed only to call upon Him. Later, as the Kauravas tried to dishonor Draupadi by removing her sari in a public hall, she called to Lord Krishna who immediately came to her rescue.
THE BOND OF RAKHI:
Additionally, the tradition of Rakhi has created a beautiful, sacred way for women and girls to be protected during times of political and social turmoil. Even as men injure and dishonor women, no one would injure his own sister. The bond of Rakhi is held so sacred that no man would dare leave his rakhi sister unprotected, let alone actually injure her himself. For example, the ancient Muslim ruler of India, Humayun, was obligated to protect the Hindu princess Karmavati, even in spite of all political and social sanctions against Karmavati and her family. Why? Because the princess had sent Humayun a rakhi.
BOND WITH GOD:
This shows us more than simply the bond between a brother and sister or the promise of security. This teaches us a valuable lesson about our own relationship with God. Draupadi gave to Lord Krishna one small strand from her sari. In return, Lord Krishna gave Draupadi an endless, infinite sari, one which could never be removed. When we come forward toward the Lord, even one small step, He comes toward us by miles. When we offer one small strand of our lives at His holy feet, the rewards are infinite.
NEW MILLENNIUM, NEW TRADITION
Today, we must realize that the only way the current world will survive is united as one family. We must vow to make the world our brothers and sisters - not only in theory, but also in practice. Let us use rakhi as a symbol of our universal brotherhood. May our girls and women lead the way toward this universal family as they tie rakhi bracelets on the wrists of not only their closest male friends, but also on the wrists of enemies. Let us use this holiday to reach out to those around us, embracing them as brother and sister.
THE TRUE RAKHSHA BANDHAN
Last and most importantly, may we all exchange vows of love, affection and protection not only with our human brothers and sisters. But, let us also offer at least a small thread to the Lord. For He is our true Brother, our true Sister, our true Protector. It is to Him that we want to be eternally tied. The divine rakhi that you offer to the Lord will never become untied, never become faded and will never break.
Legend-The Origin of Raksha Bandhan:
The origin of Raksha Bandhan is not really known but there is a popular legend, which goes like this. There was a fierce battle between Gods and Demons in which the Demons seemed to be in a favorable position. Indra, the king of gods, became anxious and asked Bruhaspathi to suggest a way out. Meanwhile, Indrani (wife of Indra) who was around at the time of consultation spoke her mind even before Bruhaspati could strike upon an idea. She assured them of turning the tables in the gods’ favor. Next day was the Sravan Poornima. She consulted some old scriptures and prepared a talisman, which she tied to her husband's wrist. Indra went to the battlefield again and the enemies, who had seemed so powerful, now beat a quick retreat and the gods were victorious. Ever since, on Sravan Poornima day, the tradition of tying the thread began and it was believed that the persons would be blessed with health, wealth, happiness and victories.
Significance Of The Tradition:
The practice of Raksha Bandhan was also conspicuous with the Rajputs and history is replete with 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.
Popular Stories:
According to a popular story, the Queen of Mewar, Maharani Karmavati, had to face the threat of Governor Bahadur Shah who laid siege on her kingdom. Unable to fight the army, she sent a Rakhi to the Mughal king, Humayun. The Muslim emperor, who under normal circumstances would not have preferred to help a Hindu ruler, decided to protect her from the threat. Humayun reached Mewar at the nick of time when the queen was preparing for self- immolation. He chased Bahadur Shah and his men and restored the kingdom back to the queen of Mewar.
In another incident, when King Porous' (Purushottam) wife tied a Rakhi to the mighty Alexander who fought with her husband, Alexander ended fierce battle in a treaty. That is the significance and power of the flimsy “threadâ€!
Raksha Bandhan-The Bond of Affection:
Over time however, the significance of Rakhi moved on from battlefields to personal relations reflecting the bond of affection. Sisters tie Rakhis to their brothers asking for protection. While the sisters also prayed for their brothers' welfare, the latter vowed to take care of them even if it called for some sacrifice on their part.
On the day of Raksha Bandhan, there is a lot of excitement among the girls. After an early bath, the sister invites her brother to wear the Rakhi and reaffirm the bond of love. She applies `Tilak' or vermilion powder on his forehead and ties the Rakhi on the right hand. She then performs Aarti and offers her brother some sweets. After she completes the traditional formalities, the brother gives her a gift as a token of his love and affection. It could be in the form of Jewellery, new clothes, money or blessings too!
But its value is immeasurable!! Brahmins and Purohits similarly tie amulets round the wrists of their patrons and receive gifts. A Mantra is recited when the Rakhi or the silken thread is tied. The silken thread is charged with the power of the Mantra, which is as follows:
"Yena baddho balee raajaa, daanavendro mahaabalah;
Tena twaam anubadhnaami, rakshey maa cchala maa chala."
The power of this Mantra protects the wearer from evil influences.
The Celebrations:
Happiness and excitement mark the celebration of Raksha Bandhan especially for young girls and women. Preparations for the festival begin well in advance. The markets wear a festive look with the colorful, ornate and dazzling 'Rakhis' hanging loose or put on display for sale in shops that specially come up for this occasion. You find them heaped on pushcarts too. Sweet marts also sell a variety of sweets for the festival.
The Rakhi thread, which was simple and unostentatious, gradually began to be embellished with beads, semi-precious stones, colored or golden/silver threads, satin ribbons, floral motifs etc. Some of the Rakhis are very ostentatious and others have a simple, yet aesthetic look. Rakhis are available in different sizes, colors and shapes from the typical round ones to heart shaped, symbolizing the bond of love.
Every year some novel ideas are introduced in the design of Rakhis. They come with small painted faces or made of spices like cardamoms and cloves or grains of rice, corn etc, perhaps to add more spice, color, and variety to the traditional Rakhi. Sometimes Rakhis have tiny dolls made of fabric, straw or paper stuck on them. The myriad range of Rakhis is breathtaking and often the buyers who flock to these shops are left dazed at the display. The girls want to make the best choice and pick the most ornate pieces. After all it will adorn their brothers' wrists!
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