Raksha Bandhan- The bond of love and responsibility: Why do we celebrate, and what is its importance in our life?

Raksha Bandhan- The bond of love and responsibility between brother and sister. Why do we celebrate, and what is its importance in our Life? There is a lot to know about this beautiful festival. Raksha Bandhan festival is the most awaited one for brothers and sisters. The brothers are eagerly waiting for tying the colorful rakhis. And the sisters are waiting for their desired gifts, which the brother has to give. The importance of Raksha Bandhan is still refreshing as was decades back. Only slightly the way of celebration has slightly recast over the time. This year Raksha Bandhan, the festival of gifts is on August 22, Sunday. Every year this festival will fall on the full-moon day (Poornima) in the Hindu calendar month of Shravan.

Raksha Bandhan is the festival of reinforcing the bond of love and trust between brothers and sisters. The name itself symbolizes the “Bond of Protection”. This word carries a lot of strength in it, it is the bond of love for protection of it. If we think over it, it seems that even a husband also loves his wife and becomes his protector. Even at some places in India, Wifes used to tie the Raksha Bandhan to their husband. However, generally during the marriage itself, the sacred knot tied between the wife and husband is for love and protection of the wife by the husband.

So, usually, the Raksha Bandhan cite to the bond of brother and sister. It is celebrated in most parts of India except in some southern Indian states. There are so many festivals in India, where Raksha Bandhan is having very special importance in every family of India.

Why do we Celebrate Raksha Bandhan

The festival of gifts- Raksha Bandhan, why do we celebrate it? How it is started? Whether it is from mythology? There are many conundrums about it. The Raksha Bandhan is mentioned around 326 BCE in legends of Alexander the Great. There are also several mentions in Hindu scriptures:

The story of Lakshmi and Bali- The importance of Raksha Bandhan

There is mention of a story of Vamana avatar in Bhagvat Puran and Vishnu Puran. When the Vishnu in his Vamana avatar conquers the three worlds from King Bali. Then Bali requested Lord Vishnu to stay with him in his palace. Lord Vishnu agreed to it. But goddess Lakshmi was not happy without Lord Vishnu. Then she tied the rakhi to King Bali and made him brother. As a return gift, she asks Bali to return Lord Vishnu and he agreed to it. The importance and power of the sacred thread is so much that for it the brother can give anything to his sister.

The story of Sachi and Indra- Importance and versatility of Raksha Bandhan

In the Bhavishya Puran, Sachi the wife of Indra tied a thread on Indra’s wrist to protect him in the battle against demon king Bali. This holy thread depicts the love and trust of the wife which provides protection to their husband. In many stories, we have observed that the love and trust of the wife have protected the husband. In ancient India, women used to tie a sacred thread to protect men on the battlefield. This sacred thread over the years is a symbol of protection and was not limited to brother and sister.

The story from Mahabharata- Krishna and Draupadi

It is said that the Mahabharata is the epitome of knowledge of the world. We can get anything and everything in Mahabharata, which is also true with Raksha Bandhan. Krishna and Draupadi were good friends. Once to chastize Sisupal, Lord Krishna took his Sudarshan Chakra and thrown at Sisupal, due to which he died. In due action, Krishna’s fingers got cut due to the chakra itself and blood was oozing out. To stop the blood, Draupadi immediately torn off his saree and tied it on Krishna’s finger. Lord Krishna was moved by her action and promised to provide her protection. Krishna fulfills his promise and valiantly rescues Draupadi in time of need.

All of these stories mainly depict the Raksha Bandhan as a thread of protection that is nourished by love and trust. The love and trust of the sister and the responsibility of the brother towards the sister. Even during the independence war against Britishers, when Rani Lakshmibai died showing her valor against Britishers. Her last rites were done by Ali Bahadur, who always stood by her. Ali Bahadur was not any direct relative of Lakshmibai. However, she used to tie rakhi from childhood to Ali Bahadur. That’s why this festival is the festival of brothers and sisters.

What is its importance in Today’s Life

Now after so many years of Rakhi, which is now also is celebrated everywhere in India. The sisters put the tilak on the brother’s head and tie rakhi to him. In return, the sister will ask for a gift that the brother has to give. Now when we are living in an era of showing off. The costly gifts have taken over true love and trust. We are celebrating Raksha Bandhan but now we are giving more importance to monetary happiness than emotional and true happiness, which comes through love and trust. We can put more effort into love and trust than gifts. In this manner, only the true color of Rakhi will be revealed. #Happy Raksha Bandhan to all Brothers and Sisters.