Raksha Bandhan (RAAKHI)

Om! Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha!
Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha!
Om! Namo! Bhagavathe! Vasudevaya!
Om! Ham! Hanumathe! Sri Rama Doothaya Namaha!

India is a country flooded with spirituality, culture, heritage, traditions, myths, emotions, and faiths. Ever since the Epic days, all these features are reflected through festivals with a message always hidden behind them. Thus these festivals and events have become navigators of the great Hindu culture and traditions. One such tradition which is celebrated as a festival is Raksha Bandhan popularly called as Rakhi.

What is Rakhi?

Rakhi is a popular festival celebrated across the country especially in North India, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Like Holi and Diwali, Rakhi is also celebrated as a national festival. Irrespective of caste and creed people from all walks of life participate in this festival. It is celebrated on the full moon day (Sravana Poornima) of the lunar Month Sravana which also coincide with Upakarma and Hayagreeva Jayanthi. The festival is also called as Rakhi Poornima, Nariyal Poornima, Kajari Poornima, and Sravana Poornima according to the celebrations in different states.

On the occasion of this festival generally we observe sisters tie the sacred thread called Rakhi to the wrist of their brothers, in turn brothers give gifts to their sisters and exchange sweets to mark the occasion. While etymology of the word Rakhi could not be traced, the word Raka in Sanskrit is referred to as a woman, full moon day, sentiment, affection. Perhaps, women tying the sacred thread (Rakhi) on the full Moon day on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan out of sentimental affection to their brothers connect to the meaning of the word Raka. In India we find people from all walks of life meet the President and Prime Minister on this occasion and tie Rakhi to their hands and exchange greetings. We also find people sending Rakhis to the army jawans (soldiers) on this occasion.

ORIGIN & HISTORY OF RAKSHA BANDHAN

While exact origin of the festival Rakhi could not be traced, there are certain historical and mythological references that connects to the festival of Raksha Bandhan. It also seems to have roots in the ancient rituals and tradition of India.

Pouranic references

Indra–Sachi Devi–Brihaspathi: It is said as per Bhavishya Purana that, Indra the King of Devathas was advised by Deva Guru Bruhaspathi to wear a Raksha Bandhan as a protection against enemies (Demons) when he was getting defeated at the hands of Vritra. Accordingly Sachi Devi (consort of Indra) and Brihaspathi tie the Raksha Bandhan to Indra on this full moon day in the month of Sravana.

Lord Sri Krishna–Yudhistira: It is said that Lord Sri Krishna had advised Yudhistira (Dharma Raja) to get a Raksha Bandhan tied to his hand as a protection against the impending evils.

Bali Chakravarthi & Goddess Lakshmi: It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi had tied the Raksha Bandhan on this day of Sravana Poornima to King Bali (Bali Chakravarthi) in her efforts to make Lord Vishnu return to his abode Vaikunta while he was managing the affairs of Bali’s kingdom.

Historical References

Alexander–Porus: It is said that when Alexander got defeated at the hands of the great Hindu King Porus (Purushotham), Alexander’s wife tied Raksha Bandhan to Porus to protect her husband from getting slained at the hands of Porus.

Rani Karnawathi–Emperor Humayun: It is said that historically this tradition of Raksha Bandhan was in vogue even during Mughal Period. During the days of Emperor Humayun, it is believed that Rani Karnawathi (Queen of Chittor) had sent a Raakhi to emperor Humayun in order to get protected from the invasion of Bahadur Shah.

These references show that the festival of Rakhi and the tradition of Raksha Bandhan is an Aryan tradition which is not of recent origin.

Concept & Significance Of Raksha Bandhan

Raksha means protection or defense and Bandhan means a bond. Raksha Bandhan means tying of sacred band as a symbol of protection or defense against all evils. The concept of Raksha Bandhan is mainly that of a protection against the impending evils. Though popularly depicted as a festival among brother and sister (biological siblings), if one looks back into history or mythology it is not confined to only Raakhi festival or is it

confined to only between a sister and brother. It could be by a wife or a Mother, or a Guru or a saint/sage. We also find people adopting for this purpose brothers in the neighborhood when own brothers are not available.

Commonly we find people going to the priests in temples and getting sacred thread tied to their hands especially on the new moon day (Amavasya). Such tradition we find in the temple of Kala Bhairava at Kasi (Varanasi) where people get a black thread (Kasi thread) tied to their wrist. Similarly at Sri Vaishnodevi Temple (Jammu) also we find people tying red band to their forehead after worshipping the Goddess. The belief is that they will act as a protection against evils. In Hindu religious functions we observe the purohit tying sacred thread to the wrist of person/s performing the sacred ritual before its commencement.

It is believed and said that even Yagnopaveetham acts as a Raksha (protection) to the wearer if one maintain its sanctity and spirituality. In the concept of Marriage, Suthra Dharana (Mangala Suthra) and Kankana Bandhana (tying of sacred thread to the wrist of bride and bridegroom by each other) also indicates the inner significance and meaning Raksha Bandhan. There are many such similar traditions that Indians follow in their day to day life and all these signify the concept of Raksha Bandhan (protection). What is being celebrated now is just an extension of the ancient tradition.

As per Dharma Sindhu, we find the significance of Raksha Bandhan from a sloka that is recited while tying the Rakhi.

! Yena baddho Balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah

tena twaam anubadhnaami Raksha maa chala maa chala!!

(I am tying a Rakhi on you, like the one on mighty demon king Bali. Be firm, O Rakhi, do not falter). Raksha Bandhan is also known by various other names viz. Vish tarak (destroyer of evil), Punya Pradayak (bestower of merits), Papa Nashak (destroyer of sins).

MESSAGE OF RAAKHI FESTIVAL

Apparently, Raksha Bandhan symbolizes the unmatched bondage of love, care and respect between a brother and a sister which is renewed through the Rakhi festival. But in a broader perspective the festival of Rakhi (Raksha Bandhan) conveys an intrinsic message of universal brotherhood and sisterhood. Raksha Bandhan escalates the need for both men and women, young and old to cultivate pious feelings for each other and live in a harmonious co-existence as brothers and sisters in the society. Thus the festival of Rakhi conveys a message that has socio spiritual significance underscoring the need for nurturing of positive qualities, purity in thought, word and deed.

Om Sahanaa Vavatu 
Sahanau Bhunaktu 
Saha Veeryam Karavaavahai 
Tejasvi Naavadheetamastu 
Maa Vidvishaavahai 
Om Shantih Shantih Shantih

May the Almighty protect us together! May He nourish us together! May we work together uniting our strength for the good of humanity! May our learning be luminous and purposeful! May we never hate one another! May there be peace, peace, and perfect peace.

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu