Raksha Bandhan: A Bond that Protects

  •   Mon, Aug 19 2013
  •   By Deepti Rai

August 20, 2013


One of the first few things that strike our mind, when we think of India, is its festivals. Bright, colorful, vibrant and grand celebrations! And in India we don’t just celebrate festivals, we celebrate relationships. Raksha Bandhan is one such festival that celebrates the love and bond between brothers and sisters.

Every festival has a story to tell, and Raksha Bandhan is no different. Its historical significance can be attributed to the story of Lord Krishna and Draupadi. Lord Krishna had hurt his hand after a fearsome fight with the evil King Shishupal. On seeing this, Draupadi tore a piece of her saree, and covered his wound. Touched by this, Lord Krishna declared himself to be Draupadi’s brother and promised to help her whenever she was in need. And after several years, when the Pandavas loses Draupadi in the game of dice, Dushasana tries to disrobe her of her saree. Draupadi prays to Krishna for help, and miraculously, how much ever Dushasana tries undraping the saree, it seems unending. This shows the bond between a brother and a sister and the promise of security.

‘Raksha Bandhan’ literally means ‘a bond of protection’.  The festival is also called Rakhi Purnima, since it falls on the full moon day of the Shravana month of the Hindu lunar calendar.

Rakhi, the sacred thread, which the sister ties on her brother’s hand on this day, is of great importance. The thread signifies the bond between the brother and the sister. It is a symbol of the promise the brother makes to protect his sister from all evils.

Though Rakhi Purnima is more prominently celebrated in north India, it is celebrated in other parts of the country as well, with different names and different rituals. In North India, the festival is popularly celebrated as Raksha Bandhan. On this day sisters tie a sacred thread of Rakhi on brother's wrist and pray for his long life. And the brothers bless their sisters and give them gifts and promise to protect them. Some others celebrate this day as Nariyal Purnima. The rain God, Indra and the sea God, Varuna are worshiped on Nariyal purnima. Devotees offer coconuts to the Gods to please them and seek their blessings. The offerings are made by throwing the coconuts into a sea.

Today Raksha Bandhan has crossed boundaries of being a ritual that is meant only for siblings. Now people tie rakhis to their colleagues, classmates, neighbours as a symbol of peace and protection.  It is believed that Rakhi Utsav was popularized by Rabindranath Tagore, who used it as an instrument of peace to inspire social harmony between Hindus and Muslims.

Rakhi celebration is an epitome of peace and faith that binds people and a celebration of brotherhood and respect for humankind.

 

 
By Deepti Rai
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Comment on this article

  • Joyce veena, Kankanady

    Sun, Aug 25 2013

    I do not understand this western culture syndrome.. Any problem blame the western culture....let us look into ourselves before pointing to someone else

  • Harish Kodi, Dubai

    Sat, Aug 24 2013

    I totally disagree with Rosarios comments...present days you dont know about the story or the importance of Raakhi, they are influenced by western culture. had they known about it, defenitely I agree with you there would not have been any Rape cases. the author has tried to convey the message by this article, please spread the message so our youth are aware of Raakhi and our sisters will remain safe.

  • Rosario Fernandes, Kallianpur

    Sat, Aug 24 2013

    If all the youth knew this story, or/and believed it, there would not have been not a single rape/gangrape in India.!!!
    All fictisious.

  • kurt waschnig, Oldenburg Germany

    Thu, Aug 22 2013

    A very nice and touching article. I had the pleasure to celebrate Raksha Bandhan several times in my life with friends from India.
    Nowadays people tie rakhis to their colleagues friends, neighbours as a symbol of peace and protection.
    Raksha Bandhan symbolizes the bond of love, care and respect. In a broader perspective the festival of Rakhi conveys a message of universal brotherhood and sisterhood. The bond of love between a brother and a sister is one of the most wonderful relationships of life. Rakhi is a special occasion to celebrate this emotional bonding by tying a holy thread around the wrist. The thread signifies sisterly love and sublime sentiments, thus it is called the Rakhi. It is a bond of protection, and Raksha Bandhan signifies that the strong must protect the weak from all that is evil in the world. The ritual is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of “Shravan” on which sisters tie the sacred Rakhi string on their brothers´ right wrists, and pray for their long life. Rakhis are ideally made of silk with gold and silver threads, beautifully crafted embroidered sequins, and studded with semi precious stones.
    Yes Rakhi celebration is an epitome of peace and faith that binds people and a celebration of brotherhood and respect for humankind.
    Yes Indian festivals are bright, colourful, vibrant and grand. I will continue to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with my Indian friends because it really symbolizes the bond of love,care and respect.



    Best regards


    Kurt Waschnig Oldenburg Germany

    email: oldenburg1952@yahoo.de

  • Ranjith, Mangalore

    Thu, Aug 22 2013

    hats off to the writer, because the present youth doesn't know why this "Bond of Protection" came into existence, or what is its signifinacne.. Very informative :-)

  • dayana, udupi

    Tue, Aug 20 2013

    on this ouspicious occasion of Raksha Bhandhan praying 4 ur good health and wishing u wealth and prosperity

  • Bollu, Mangalore

    Tue, Aug 20 2013

    Resham ki dori se....
    Resham ki dori se....
    Resham ki dori se....
    Sansaar bandha hai...

    We don't have sisters..
    Every home should require sister/brother's combine..otherwise do not aware bondage of same..

    Happy Raksha Bandan...to one and all


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