‘RAKSHA_BANDHANA’

Jyotikar Pattni, 01 August 2006 ©

“We meet in time to create loving memories, we part to cherish those moments of love. We tie our lives with a bond of eternal divine friendship that never says goodbye!”

Jyotikar Pattni

‘Raksha-Bandhana’ [aka Rakhi] is an everlasting friendship bond, between Brother and Sister, between one brother and another brother, between Husband and Wife, between sibling and guiding parent, between Guru and disciple, between mother and child, between one friend and another soul mate, between loved ones.

Rakhi Festival is celebrated with faith and enthusiasm all over India and across the globe by Hindus. Following the traditions, sister ties ‘Rakhi’ friendship/protection/love/affectionate band] on brother's wrist, performs rituals of ‘aarti’ [lamp made cotton of cotton wick] upon him and pray for his longevity, welfare, health, wealth and happiness. Brothers' reciprocate the friendship band tied on to his right wrist with presenting to the sister Rakhi Gifts and in turn blesses the sister with a promise to protect her always in all prevailing life circumstances of the sister’s. This divine blessing is not only a wishful blessing but a commitment, a solemn vow to the higher order that no matter where the sister may be, the brother will always ensure that he stands by her in times of need. This simple custom of Rakhi is being carried forward since ancient Vedic times.

Rakhi holds immense significance in Indian cultural ethos. The custom of celebrating Rakhi started in Vedic times and even today brothers and sisters consider it a must necessity to celebrate and to commemorate the occasion of ‘Raksha-Bandhana’ in traditional manner. When brothers are away sisters send Rakhi to them and express their love by post and convey most benevolent wishes and prayers to each other. Accepting the Rakhi with grace brothers send to acknowledge by return mail, monetary gifts to their sisters. This loving affectionate gesture goes a long way in strengthening the brother sister relationship and building stronger family ties with friendship, compassion, and love. The importance of ‘Raksha-Bandhana’ is almost as grand as ‘Deepavali’ festival in India [the festival of lights].

‘Raksha Bandhana’ is not only for meant for siblings, but for protection for any loved one. 'Raksha' means protection and 'bandhana' means bond. Hence the festival does not signify bond between a brother and sister only. Once Indra, the God of Heaven was about to go into battle and was feeling a little apprehensive. When his wife tied a sacred thread to his arm for his protection and assurance that all his fears would vanish and he was successful in all his endeavours as a result of the ‘Raksha’ [spiritual protection]. From then on began the tradition of celebrating ‘Raksha-Bandhana’ - A festival of protection for our beloved ones. Raksha-Bandhana is a time to reflect, time to love, time to give, and time to bring together families.

I think people are being led away from the true meanings of some happenings because they follow traditions, instead of finding the true meaning and stems of these beautiful Vedic traditions. In essence, Raksha is for righteous protection – a boon given to the recipient of it.

While tying the ‘Rakhi’, the girls chant:

"Yena baddho Balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshe maa chala maa chala"

Meaning:

"I am tying a Rakhi on you, like the one on mighty demon king Bali. Be firm, O Rakhi, do not falter."

The legend relates that the mighty Demon king Raja Bali was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. When lord Indra could not counter Bali, he went to Lord Vishnu for help. Vishnu overthrew Bali to the nether world. Lord Vishnu promised King Bali immortality till he would be crowned as Indra and also that he would guard the kingdom of ‘Pattalla’ leaving his own abode in ‘Vaikunth’. Goddess Laxshmee, the consort of Lord Vishnu, wished the Lord to be back at ‘Vaikunth’. Disguised as a Brahmin woman she went to Bali to seek refuge till her husband returned home after finishing some important task. King Bali obliged. With her came the happiness and wealth. All auspicious things happened. On the Shravan Purnima Goddess tied the sacred thread to Bali and prayed for his well being. Bali was touched by the gesture. He accepted her as her sister and requested her to make a wish. At this juncture, Maa Laxshmee revealed herself and told that it was Narayan Vishnoo himself guarding his Kingdom. King Bali immediately requested the Lord to return to his abode. From that day on, girls tie rakhi to their brothers and seek blessings. Today we relate more to the historical events rather than the mythological tales. The once we heard as parts of our history in schools are the base of the festivities today. The most ancient incident refers to the invasion of Alexander the Great. It is said that Puru was a mighty king. Alexander had to face a great resistance from him. Worried about her husband’s safety, Alexander’s wife sought audience with King Puru. She requested him to accept her as his sister. Puru obliged her and promised not to harm Alexander. The Rakhi on Puru’s hand is said to be the saviour of Alexander. In the medieval times, rakhi meant a call for help. The Rajput kingdoms were being attacked by the Muslim rulers. The Royal ladies solicited help from the fellow Rajput rulers sending them Rakhi. The Rajputs considered it their responsibility to respond to the request and help them. A famous incident relates how the widowed queen of Chittor, Rani Karnawati sent rakhi to Emperor Humayun to help her save the honour of the dependent Ladies. Humayun immediately followed the request and reached there with his troops. He despite all his efforts reached there late and the royal ladies had already performed the Jauhar. All these legendary gospels signify that Rakhi was not always an only brother-sister festival. It was to fulfil the basic need of spiritual protection. It was a un- maligned prayer for good will and protection.

It is said that at one time the Sages tied the sacred thread for protection to themselves and their followers.

Rabindranath Tagore started Rakhi Utsavas, a congregation signifying the harmonious relationship amongst the community. It was a vow for peaceful existence and commitment to all the members of society. This was Raksha Bandhan’s universal outlook.
Rakhi in today’s scenario though celebrated, as a sibling’s festival, if taken in true sense has a much broader perspective. The festival encompasses true sense of peace and brotherhood. The values propagated by the occasion if inculcated by all human beings can bring the much-needed relief from the ongoing violence and mistrust.

‘Raksha-Bandhana’ originates primarily from Northern India and is a festival kindling the deepest emotions of love and affection amongst the siblings. Just like all Indian festivals, this is also celebrated with lots of dynamism. The mirth that surrounds the festival is unsurpassed. Amidst the merriment the rituals are also followed with great devotion. The ‘Rakhis’ and the sweets are bought and prepared generally before the Purnima. As per the tradition the family members get ready for the rituals early. They take a bath to purify mind and body before starting any preparations. The sisters prepare the thali for the pooja. It contains the ‘Rakhi’ threads, ‘kumkum’ powder, rice grains, lamp of cotton wick ‘diya’ (an earthen or a metal lamp used for worshiping), ‘agarbattis’ (incense sticks) and sweets. First of all the offerings are made to the deities of the family. The sister then performs the aarti of the brother and ties the rakhi. She then honours the brother with ‘kumkum’ ‘tilak’ (puts kumkum powder on the forehead) him and offers sweets.

“Rakhi” falls in the month of Shravana, the month when the rains are receding, sea is calming down and weather is pleasant. The month is important to the farmers, to the fishermen and to the voyagers and businessmen alike. In India all such days and months are a matter of celebration. These celebrations are in other words a kind of thanks giving to the Gods.

Full moon day Shravani poornima is considered to be an auspicious day and an auspicious day of this holy month is of great importance. The Shravana Purnima is celebrated all over the country in one form or the other. Most commonly it is celebrated as the Rakhi Purnima or Raksha Bandhan, the festival signifying sisterly love and brotherly affection. The day has significance beyond this, not known to all. The day is called Naryali Purnima in the coastal regions of India. The day is devoted to the Rain God Indra and the Sea God Varuna. The nariyal i.e. coconuts are offered to the Gods to please them and seek their blessings. The offering is made by throwing the coconut in the sea or any other near by water body. It is said that Lord Rama started for Lanka to rescue Sita on this day. He crossed the sea from the bridge made by the Vanar Sena by throwing stones in water. Coconut is considered to be a symbol of three-eyed God Lord Shiva. For the fishermen the fishing season starts now people begin their voyages on this day, assured that the seas have calmed down and it is an auspicious day.

For the farmers it is Kajri Purnima. The farmers start the sowing of Wheat on this day and pray for a good crop. The day is very important for the Brahmins. This is called Rishi Tarpan or the Shravani Ceremony. On this day they change their holy thread called the Janeyu or the Yajnopavit amidst the chanting of mantras. The Janeyu represents adherence to Vedic culture, observance of Hindu traditions and service to humanity. After the ceremony sweets made of coconut are served. The day is all about Raksha or protection, not just for self but for the dear ones, for peaceful existence of the human race. Each ritual that is followed has a deep divine significance. The sisters seek love from their brothers; the brothers seek courage and endurance. People worship the Gods of water, the basis of life.

Rakhi has been promoted as a way of harmonious life by many a social workers and philosophers. It is a festival that dictates the values of brotherhood and self-perseverance.

While performing the rituals the Sister chants:

"Suraj shakhan chhodian, Mooli chhodia beej Behen ne rakhi bandhi / Bhai tu chir jug jee.”

Meaning:

"The sun radiates its sunlight, the radish spreads its seeds, I tie the rakhi to you O brother and wish that may you live long."

After her prayer for a long life for her brother, she says that she is tying the ever-protective Raksha to her brother chanting:

"Yena baddho Balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshe maa chala maa chala"

Meaning:

"I tie you the rakhi that was tied to king Bali, the king of Demons, O Rakhi I pray that you never falter in protecting your devotee.”

The brother in turn blesses the sister and promises to protect her from the evils of the world. He grants gifts and blessings and some monetary ornaments and cloths to her as a token of his love and affection. The rituals may differ a little from region to region but generally carry the same aura. The relationships are the essence of celebration. This holds true for any Indian festival. Each festival brings the families together. That mere togetherness is celebration. It calls for a total festive environment. ‘Raksha-Bandhana’ is a festival celebrating the bond of affection between brothers and sisters; the day when the siblings pray for each others' well being and wish for each others' happiness and goodwill. As the name 'Raksha Bandhana' suggests, 'a bond of protection', it is a pledge from brothers to protect the sister from all harms and troubles and a prayer from the sister to protect the brother from all evil. The occasion holds for a life long pledge to practice moral, spiritual and cultural values. The values and the sentiments attached to the rituals of this festival are worth inculcating by the whole human race, the sentiments of harmony and peaceful coexistence.

In ancient Vedic times a woman would tie a 'Raksha' on her husband's wrist to protect him from evil. Gradually this changed; she tied a 'Raksha' on her brother's right wrist, to protect him from evil influence and those factors which may taint his character, and to strengthen the bond of sibling love between them. On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan she visits her brother's home and performs his 'puja' by applying kumkum and rice grains on his forehead. In return the brother gives her a gift and vows to protect her too. The 'rakhadi' for Raksha bandhana itself ranges from a coloured cotton string to exquisitely decorated balls of various sizes and materials such as fluffy cotton, 'zari' paper, tinsel, beads and so on. On Raksha Bandhan a second importance relates to 'Baleva' and our devotion to the Lord. Just as Bali Raja offered devotion to Lord Narayan by sacrificing his kingdom and himself, devotees should endeavour to emulate him. That is the true spirit of Baleva. Raksha bandhana day is important for the priests too, as they tie rakhis on their patron’s wrist and in return receive offerings from them. In some parts of the country it is customary to draw figures on the walls of their home and worship them with offerings of vermilion and cheer. The imprints of palms are also put on either side of the entrance and rakhis are stuck on them as part of Raksha bandhana rituals. Some parts of India also reserve Raksha Bandhan day importance for the sacred thread changing ceremony when the young Brahmin boys discard the old one and don a new one ritualistically. However, on Raksha bandhana it is the emotions which are important. The Raksha bandhana ceremony performed is the symbolic everlasting bond between brothers and sisters that reinforces ties between them even across continents, and it is the one which has the most importance on this auspicious day.

Rakhi Purnima

The month of Shravana is the month of gods and pujans (worships), the full moon day being the most important day of all. The Rakhi Purnima is important in more than one way. It is celebrated differently throughout the country. The reasons may be different, the names altered, the rituals, deviant but one thing that does not change is the prayer and pledge for protection 'Raksha'. In the Western Ghats the rakhi is considered to be an offering to Lord Varuna, The Lord of the sea. Lord Varuna is offered Coconuts. As a ritual coconuts are thrown into the sea on this day. The festival here is known as Nariyal Purnima. It also marks the beginning of the fishing season. This festival is called Avani Avittam in South India. It is an important day for the Brahmins. The first take a holy bath and then change their holy thread (Janeyu) chanting the mantras. They take a vow to perform the brahmanik duties as prescribed in the holy books and adopt a good conduct and dignity. The Janeyu represents the vow for adherence to Vedic culture, observance of Hindu traditions and service to humanity. The ceremony is called Shravani or Rishi Tarpan.

All Brahmans celebrate it in the same way. In Northern India, Rakhi Purnima is also called Kajri Purnima or Kajri Navami, when wheat or barley is sown.

Goddess Bhagwattee is worshiped and farmers seek her blessings for a good crop. The name Baleva signifies the might of King Bali and his devotion to lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxshmee. In Gujarat people offer water to Shiva Lingam every Monday of the year. On the Rakhi Purnima they offer water and pray to God for forgiveness. In one ceremony known as Pavitropana, a few twisted filaments of cotton are soaked in panchagaivya (mixture of cow's ghee, milk, curd, urine and excreta) and then fastened around a shivalinga. Raksha Bandhan in scriptures is described as the 'Punya Pradayak', the day that bestows boons to the generous 'Vish Tarak' the destroyer of venom or the vicious 'Pap Nashak' the destroyer of sins.

Astrologically speaking, couple or brother and sister or friends or soul mates or friends who observe the poornima-vratt [full moon fasting] commencing shravani poornima will accomplish their inner most desires and wishes. Mata Laxshmee may be worshipped together with Vishnoo-Narayana and Laxshmee-narayana puja may be carried out on full moon of Shravani. The results of poornima puja or full moon puja (provided there is no solar or lunar eclipse) are immense.

“Love is a fruit of all seasons at all times within the reach of each one of us. Let us gather the nectar of love [premm] and all together rejoice the beautiful most divine delight of life of life here and now, in the spirit of true friendship!” - Jyotikar

Jaya Laxshmee-Narayana

Hari Aum Tat Swaha

Jyotikar Pattni