Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan. This festival depicts the affection of piousness of the bond of the brother and sister. Rakhi depicts sister’s immense affection toward her brother and sense of responsibility of the brother toward the sister. If we go into the mythological history when Draupadi was being shunned, she urged Lord Krishna to protect her dignity, and the same was done by him.
There was a close relationship between Lord Krishna and Draupadi, as per scriptures, both of them were brother-sister in their previous lives.
Importance of Raksha Bandhan
The festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated with a with lots of joy, not only in India, but all across the world, where there are Indians. Tagore raised awareness among public on the occasion of this festival against the disbanding of Bengal and made this a symbol of brotherhood. There is a tradition of tying Rakhi to trees in order to protect nature.
Mythological and Historical Significance
The context of this festival is found in the legend of the incarnation of Vamana by Lord Vishnu. King Bali tried take control of the heaven by performing a sacred yajna, then Indra, the lord of the sura’s prayed to Vishnu. Then, Vishnu came as a Vamana Brahmin to ask for charities from Bali.
Bali pledged to donate three steps of land. Lord Vamana measured the sky, the underworld, and the earth in three steps and sent King Bali to the chasm. Owing to his devotion, he took a promise from Vishnu to be with him at all times. Goddess Lakshmi was anxious about this. On the advice of Narad, she went to king Bali and tied the Raksha sutra and made him her brother. In return, she brought Vishnu with her.
Karnavati, the queen of Mewar sent Rakhi to Humayun and wished for protection. Though Humayun was a Muslim, but still he honored the Rakhi. It is said that Alexander’s wife tied a Rakhi to her husband’s enemy Porus and made him her brother, and took a promise from him that he would not kill Alexander during the war. He spared Alexander by honoring the promise he made to his sister by wearing a Rakhi in his hand during the war.
Raksha Bandhan Mantra
As per the Vedic culture, there is a special significance of tying the Raksha thread at the time of many sacred rituals. There are 3 threads of protection that are wrapped thrice and tied with this mantra.
येन बद्धो बलि राजा, दानवेन्द्रो महाबलः |
तेन त्वां मनुबध्नामि, रक्षंमाचल माचल ||
While tying Rakhi, chanting this mantra is considered auspicious; in this mantra, it is said that, from the protection with which the brave demon king Bali was bound, I warp the same around you, this will protect you against all evils.
Muhurata (Auspicious Time) of Tying Rakhi
This year Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi will be celebrated on 30th August and it will go till 7:05 am on 31st of August 2023 as per the Hindu Panchang. As far as the Shubh Muhurta or the auspicious time for performing the rituals is concerned, the time will be after 9:01 PM, as there will be a Bhadra of Prithvi Lok from 10:58 AM till 9:01 PM, and this time, it is not good to perform the rituals of Raksha Bandhan.
The families, which do not celebrate Rakhi at night, they can do it on the morning of 31st August till 7:05 AM
The Traditional Way of Tying Rakhi
- Rakhi, rice, roli, or vermilion, all should be placed in a brass, silver, or copper plate.
- While tying Rakhi, the face of the brother should be in the East direction.
- While tying Rakhi, all the brothers should keep a clean cloth on their heads.
- Vermilion tika should be done by the sister on the brother’s forehead.
- Apply raw rice over the Tika and sprinkle some rice on the brother as a blessing.
- Tie the Rakhi around the wrist of the right hand of the brother while reciting the mantra.
- Brothers and sisters should feed sweets to each other.
- Brother should present some gifts, clothes, jewelry or money to mark this auspicious occasion.
Conclusion
The festival of Raksha Bandhan has a special significance for brother and sister. In today’s time, this festival has become the symbol of the distinctiveness of our culture. In consort with celebrating this festival, we should also pledge to live in harmony with each other.