The festival of Raksha Bandhan is generally considered a festival of brothers and sisters.
Since ancient times, the festivals and celebrations of our country have been promoting social harmony and cultural values. Raksha Bandhan is a strong link in this tradition.
Raksha Bandhan is also called Shravani festival. In ancient times, Shravani festival was considered to be a festival related to education. At that time, due to the unavailability of easy means of transport during the rainy season in our country, the study centres (Gurukuls) which were located in forests far away from the cities, used to remain isolated. Educational institutions were closed during these days. At such times, the Acharyavrinds used to engage in self-study from Shravani Purnima to acquire more knowledge and perform Upakarma in the form of a large Yagna which started from Shravani and continued till Margashirsha month. The festival of Raksha Bandhan a festival of brothers and sisters.
With time, the form of this festival also changed. The beginning and end of this festival started on the same day. According to Skanda Purana, on Shravani Purnima, in the morning during Brahma Muhurta, learned people like Brahmins (scholar proficient in Shruti-Smriti knowledge) used to take bath in the lake and wear new Yagyopaveet and after offering water to ancestors, sages and gods, they used to tie pure golden thread on the hands of kings and other relatives and patrons and wish them well.
At present, the festival of Raksha Bandhan is generally considered a festival of brothers and sisters, but according to different places and folk traditions, the festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in different forms. However, this festival is related to protection. To show gratitude to the one who is going to protect you, you can tie a Raksha Sutra to him.
Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is considered to be the identity of the relationship between brother and sister. By tying the thread of Rakhi, the sister takes a vow from her brother to protect her.
Raksha Bandhan has historical and religious importance too. Lakshmiji had tied a Rakhi to King Bali :-
King Bali had tried to establish his authority over heaven by performing a yagya. Fearful of Bali’s penance, Devraj Indra prayed to Lord Vishnu. Vishnuji took the form of Vaman Brahmin and went to King Bali for alms. Despite Guru Shukracharya’s refusal, Bali did not give up his resolve and donated three steps of land.
Lord Vaman measured the sky, underworld and earth in three steps and sent King Bali to the abyss. On the strength of Bali’s devotion, he took a promise from Vishnuji to remain in front of him all the time. This worried Lakshmiji. On the advice of Narad, Lakshmiji went to Bali and made him her brother by tying a Raksha Sutra and in her resolve, she brought Vishnuji with her from Bali. From that time onwards, the tradition of tying Rakhi started which continues uninterrupted even today.
By tying a protective thread, Indrani had ensured victory in the war between gods and demons :-
The most important incident is that of Devasura Sangram. From which we get to know the importance of Raksha Sutra or Rakshabandhan. It is well known that the Dev-Demon war continued for twelve years. The defeat of the Gods seemed almost certain.
Devraj Indra was in a position to flee from the battlefield. His wife Shachi (Indrani) went and told this news to Devguru Brihaspati and asked for the solution to her husband Indra’s victory. On the advice of Guru Brihaspati, Indrani organized a Raksha Vrat and on the basis of her chastity, tied a powerful Raksha Sutra on Devraj Indra’s right hand and said Send feedback Side panels History Saved….
I tie you with the same protective thread (silk thread) that tied the mighty demon king Bali, may you always remain steadfast in your Dharma. In this way, due to the effect of the protective shield based on the power of chastity given by Shachi (Indrani), Devraj Indra won the war.
Draupati had tied a Rakhi to Lord Krishna :-
A story of Rakhi is famous from the Mahabharata period. Lord Krishna had told Yudhishthira about the Raksha Sutra that he should celebrate the festival of Raksha Bandhan with his army, this will protect the Pandavas and their army. Lord Krishna had also said that the Raksha Sutra has amazing power.
Sari cloth tied to stop bleeding :-
When Krishna’s index finger got hurt while killing Shishupal, Draupadi tore her sari and tied it on his finger to stop the bleeding. This was also the full moon day of Shravan month. God had repaid this debt by saving her honour at the time of disrobing. The tradition of tying Rakhi started from that time.
In fact, this festival is a festival of social equality and harmony. In this, all the men and women of the society, irrespective of class and discrimination, tie a Raksha-Sutra to each other and take a pledge that I will protect you (the one to whom the Raksha-Sutra is tied) on the basis of my strength and power. The festival of Raksha Bandhan a festival of brothers and sisters.
Each person has his own strength. For example – some have the strength of intellect, some have the strength of knowledge, similarly, everyone has their own strength of physical strength, financial strength, power of character, strength of chastity etc. Whoever has whatever strength or power, he will protect the other person with that strength.
The festival of Raksha Bandhan a festival of brothers and sisters.