RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE OF RAKSHA BANDHAN

The auspicious full moon day in the month of Shravan, observed as Raksha bandhan or Rakhi, marks the celebration of the unconditional love amongst brothers and sisters. On this day, sister ties Rakhi, a sacred thread of protection on her brother’s wrist and wishes for his well-being and prosperity. At the same time, brothers vow to protect their sisters from the evil and to support her in all good and bad times. Like other festivals, the festival of rakhi also has various religious significance associated with it.

RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE OF RAKSHA BANDHAN

• LORD KRISHNA-DRAUPADI – Once, Lord Krishna was injured His finger in a battlefield while beheading Shishupal. Draupadi, out of sisterly love and affection for Lord Krishna, immediately striped a piece of cloth from her sari to cover His wound. Lord Krishna was moved at this caring gesture of Draupadi. He, thus, accepted her as His sister and vowed to always protect her. Since then, Draupadi started the practice of tying the sacred thread ‘Rakhi’ to her brother, Lord Krishna.
• GODDESS LAKSHMI-KING BALI – As per Hindu scriptures, the grandson of Prahalad, King Bali, was a true devotee of Lord Vishnu. Although he was sent to nether lands due to his invincible powers and victory over all Devas, Lord Vishni was greatly impressed by immense faith and devotion of Demon King Bali and hence, brought him back to his kingdom. The Lord Himself promised him protection and immortality, and left both – His abode and His wife, Goddess Lakshmi – alone. Agitated, Goddess Lakshmi reached Bali’s kingdom disguised as a Brahmin lady and took shelter at the King’s palace. On the day of Shravan Purnima (full moon day in the month of Shravan), Goddess Lakshmi tied Rakhi to King Bali disclosing Her true identity and Her ardent wish to be with Lord Vishnu. This instance deeply touched Bali and he requested Lord Vishnu to accompany Devi Lakshmi back to His abode, Vaikunth. Hence, started the tradition of tying rakhi on Shravan Purnima.
• YAMA-YAMUNA – Yama (the Lord of death) also celebrated this pious occasion with His sister, Yamuna. It is believed that the occasion of Rakshabandhan provided so much joy, contentment and happiness to Yama that He declared to grant immortality to every man who gets rakhi tied from his sister and pledges for her protection.
• SANTOSHI MAA – Observing Lord Ganesha celebrating Rakshabandhan with His sister, Lord Ganesha’s sons, Shubh and Labh desired to have a sister too. Hence, they requested their father to grant them a sister. The Lord, then created a female form using the Divine flames emitted by His wives, Goddess Riddhi (Amazing) and Goddess Siddhi (Perfection) and named her, Santoshi (Goddess of Satisfaction). Since then, Goddess Santoshi was loved and protected by Her brothers, Shubh and Labh.
• LORD INDR DEV – Once, there ensued a brutal war between Devatas and Asuras in which the King of Devatas, Lord Indra was disgraced by the Asura King, Bali. Frightened at the approaching defeat of her husband, Lord Indra’s wife (Sachi) urged Lord Vishnu to protect her husband. Thus, Lord Vishnu gave a sacred cotton thread to Sachi, which she tied on the wrist of Devraj Indra in a hope to protect him from the enemies. Lord Indra, with the Holy blessings of the pious thread, finally defeated Asura in the war. This incident highlights yet another aspect of thread-tying ceremony in which women in ancient times used to tie thread to their husbands and children for their protection and victory in the battlefield.

The ritual of Rakhi in Hindu religion has become so important that come what may, siblings visit each other on this auspicious day in order to bring back the togetherness and pious bond of love in the family.