Shree Swaminarayano Vijaytetram

|| Shree Swaminarayano Vijaytetram ||

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is the festival, which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters Shravan Sud Poornima (15). The central ceremony involves the tying of a rakhi (sacred thread) by a sister on her brother's right wrist. This symbolizes the sister's love and prayers for her brother's well-being, and the brother's lifelong vow to protect her.

The Bhavishya Purana narrates the legend behind Raksha Bandhan. A fierce battle emerged between the gods and demons, and continued for twelve years. In the end the Devs, including the king of devs Indra lost. The Devs decided to wage war again to acquire back what rightfully belonged to them. Indra stood almost vanquished in this long drawn battle against the demons and ran to seek advice from his Guru Brihaspati. At that time, Indra’s wife Sachi also known as Indrani informed Indra that it is Shravan Sud Purnima and tied a raksha (sacred thread) on the right wrist of Indra. Through the strength of this thread, Indra attacked the demons with renewed force and conquered his enemies. He attained victory over the three lokas.

The Vedas also narrates the story of King Bali, a great devotee who was granted a boon from Lord Vishnu to forever be present at his doorsteps. For this task, Lord Vishnu had to leave his wife Goddess Lakshmi behind at His heavenly abode. Seeing this, Goddess Lakshmi was very distressed that she was unable to spend time with her Lord. In response she assumed a form a poor Brahmin’s wife and went to the kingdom of Bali. She asked for refuge until her husband returned and touched by her devotion to her husband King Bali offered her shelter.She accepted King Bali as her brother and on Shravan Sud Purnima tied a raksha on him. In return King Bali granted her a boon. She told him the truth and asked for Lord Vishnu to return with her to Vaikunth. King Bali fulfilled Her wish and happily asked Lord Vishnu to return to his respective abode with His consort.

Since then till today this festival is celebrated. In ancient times if a woman tied a rakhi on the hand of any man, then it became imperative for him, as his religious duty of the highest order, to protect that woman. That man would put his life at stake to protect the honour of that woman. Gradually this has changed; and the woman now ties a rakhi on her brother's right wrist, to protect him from evil influences and those factors which may taint his character.

References:

Bhavishya Puran - Bhavishyottara Puran : 137/20
http://www.bhujmandir.org/library/read/festivals/raksha-bandhan.aspx

|| Shree Swaminarayano Vijaytetram ||