Raksha Bandhan : A Festival of Brother & Sister
Raksha
Bandhan is a Hindu festival that celebrates the love and duty between brothers
and sisters; the festival is also popularly used to celebrate any
brother-sister like loving protective relationship between men and women who
are relatives or biologically unrelated. It is called Rakhi Purnima, or simply
Rakhi, in many parts of India.The festival is observed by Hindus, Jains, and
many Sikhs. Raksha Bandhan is primarily observed in India, Mauritius and parts
of Nepal. It is also celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs in parts of Pakistan, and
by some people of Indian origin around the world.
Raksha
Bandhan is an ancient festival, and has many myths and historic legends linked
to it. For example, the Rajput queens practised the custom of sending rakhi
threads to neighbouring rulers as token of brotherhood. On Raksha Bandhan,
sisters tie a rakhi (sacred thread) on her brother's 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 festival falls on the full moon day (Shravan
Poornima) of the Shravan month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar.
Navneet Vishwas Celebrated Raksha Bandhan on 10th Aug, 2014
 |
| Navneet Vishwas Raksha Bandhan Celebration !! |
Significance
Raksha
Bandhan in Sanskrit literally means "the tie or knot
of protection".It is an ancient Hindu festival that ritually celebrates
the love and duty between brothers and their sisters. The sister performs a Rakhi ceremony, then prays to express her
love and her wish for the well being of her brother; in return, the brother
ritually pledges to protect and take care of his sister under all
circumstances. It is one of the several occasions in which family ties are affirmed
in India.
The
festival is also an occasion to celebrate brother-sister like family ties
between cousins or distant family members, sometimes
between biologically unrelated men and women. To
many, the festival transcends biological family, brings together men and women
across religions, diverse ethnic groups and ritually emphasizes harmony and
love. It is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Śrāvaṇa,
and typically falls in August every year.
Myths and parables
The
scriptures, epics and ancient fiction of Hinduism is peppered with stories of
Rakhi and Raksha Bandhan. Some of these include:
Indra Dev
According
to Hindu scripture Bhavishya Purana, in the war between Gods and demons, Indra
- the deity of sky, rains and thunderbolts - was disgraced by the powerful
demon King Bali. Indra’s wife Sachi consulted Vishnu, who gave her a bracelet
made of cotton thread, calling it holy. Sachi tied the holy thread around Indra
wrist, blessed with her prayers for his well being and success. Indra
successfully defeated the evil and recovered Amaravati. This story inspired the
protective power of holy thread.
King Bali and Goddess Laxmi
According
to this legend, credited to Hindu scriptures Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu
Purana, after Vishnu won the three worlds from the demon King Bali, he was
asked by Bali that Vishnu live in his palace, a request Vishnu granted.
Vishnu's wife, Goddess Lakshmi did not like the palace or his new found
friendship with Bali, and preferred that her husband and she return to
Vaikuntha. So she went to Bali, tied a Rakhi and made him a brother. Bali asked
her what gift she desired. Lakshmi asked that Vishnu be freed from the request
that he live in Bali's palace. Bali consented, as well accepted her as his
sister.
Santoshi Ma
Ganesh
had two sons, Shubh and Labh. On Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh's sister visited and
tied a Rakhi on Ganesh's wrist. The two boys become frustrated that they have
no sister to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with. They ask their father Ganesh for a
sister, but to no avail. Finally, saint Narada appears who persuades Ganesh
that a daughter will enrich him as well as his sons. Ganesh agreed, and created
a daughter named Santoshi Ma by divine flames that emerged from Ganesh's wives,
Rddhi (Amazing) and Siddhi (Perfection). Thereafter, Shubh Labh (literally
"Holy Profit") had a sister named Santoshi Ma (literally
"Goddess of Satisfaction"), who loved and protected each other.
Krishna and Draupadi
Raksha
Bandhan is celebrated in some Hindu, Jain and Sikh communities outside India.
Above, Rakhi tied to a man's wrist in Mauritius.
In the
epic Mahabharat, Draupadi tied a Rakhi to Krishna, while Kunti tied her Rakhi
to her grandson Abhimanyu, before the great war.
Yama and the Yamuna
According
to another legend, Yama, the god of Death had not visited his sister Yamuna for
12 years. Yamuna, the goddess of Yamuna river, was sad and consulted Ganga, the
goddess of Ganga river. Ganga reminded Yama of his sister, upon which Yama
visits her. Yamuna was overjoyed to see her brother, and prepared a bounty of
food for Yama. The god Yama was delighted, and asked Yamuna what she wanted for
gift. She wished that he, her brother should return and see her again soon.
Yama was moved by his sister's love, agreed and to be able to see her again,
made river Yamuna immortal. This legend is the basis for a Raksha Bandhan-like
festival called Bhai Duj in some parts of India, which also celebrates
brother-sister love, but near Diwali.
Navneet Vishwas Celebrated Raksha Bandhan
Navneet Vishwas Celebrated Raksha Bandhan
Source : Wikipedia.org
