Not just a Festival -Raksha Bandhan signifies everlasting love, emotions and eternal bonding between Brother and Sister. Not just Rakhi and Gifts, this ritual is all about a sacrosanct relationship, with many dimensions.
On the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, siblings celebrate the day as a symbol of love, affection, and responsibility towards each other while all sisters tie the thread of Rakhi on their brother’s wrists. At the same time, they pray for their well-being and long life. On the other hand, the brothers take a vow to protect their sisters from all kinds of evils and difficulties in life.
Legends and history attached to the festival
It is believed that Draupadi tied a rakhi on Krishna’s wrist when he had injured his finger while using his sudarshan chakra against Shishupalal. While Krishna’s hand was bleeding, Draupadi tore a piece from her sari and tied it around his finger. This is believed to be the reason why he saved her during her cheerharan by Kaurava.
According to another legend, the ritual of Raksha Bandhan was followed by Yama, the Lord of Death and Yamuna, the river that flows in India. Yamuna was sad as her brother Yama had not visited her for around 12 years. She shared her sorrow with Ganga. Ganga told Yama about it. On meeting Yamuna, Yama was happy to see all the hard work and preparation she had made for him. She tied a Rakhi on Yama’s wrist and, in return Yama blessed her with immortality.
As per the Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana, after Lord Vishnu defeated Bali, Bali requested him to stay with him in his palace. Lord Vishnu accepted Bali’s request, however, it did not go down well with Lord Vishnu’s wife, Goddess Lakshmi. She went to Bali in disguise and tied a Rakhi on his wrist. When Bali asked Goddess Lakshmi about what she wanted in return as a gift, she asked for Lord Vishnu to be freed from his request of staying with him in his palace. Bali agreed to it as he had made a promise to his now-sister, Lakshmi.
Rakhi saved Alexander- The Great’s life. When he had invaded India, his wife Roxana had sent a rakhi to the Katoch King Porus and he had vowed to protect her and her husband. So, on the battlefield when he was about to kill Alexander he saw the rakhi and refrained from killing him.
Shubh Raksha Bandhan.