Om! Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha!

Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha!

Om! Namo! Bhagavathe! Vasudevaya!

Om! Ham! Hanumathe! Sri Rama Doothaya Namaha!

RAKSHA BANDHAN (RAAKHI)

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 Raakhi.

What is Raakhi? Raakhi is a popular festival celebrated across the country especially in North

India, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Like Holi and Diwali, Raakhi 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 Raakhi 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 Raakhi 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 Raakhi 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 (Raakhi) 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 Raakhi 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.

Mythological 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 Raakhi 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

bhargavasarma