Dear friends, All festivals have a symbolic meaning of togetherness and strong ties among the friends, family and society. They are the reflection of love, brotherhood and unity. Today a festival in India is celebrated with joy and happiness. Raksha Bandhan- ( The thread of Protection) is the festival of all brothers and sisters. It is celebrated on full moon night in 'Shravan' month.This day is dedicated to the relation between brother and sister. It is refreshing memories of their sibling time spent together in affection,
fraternity w/o any ego and falsehood. On this day, the sister ties a thread on the wrist of their brothers. She gifts him and brother also gives her return gift. They promise to protect and support their sisters whenever there will be any emergency. The sister also prays for long life of her brother. It is a friendly knot which unites two individual at one place. It is a relationship which always accepts the past and take care of future while living the present moment in happy note. the relationship between brother-sister helps in self-growth. It elaborates the relationship in rainbow colors. There are many stories which explain the importance of this day. Some of the stories I am sharing with you:
The story of KRISHNA and DRAUPADI :
Shishupal- a cousin of Krishna had an ill-will and jealousy for Krishna. in addition to that, Krishna also got married with Rukmani and Shishupal was interested in marrying her. Krishna was always welcomed by abuses by him wherever they met. Shishupal's mother had knowledge about her son's death with the hand of Krishna therefore she took a promise from Krishna that he would forgive him for 100 times in a day. When King Yudhistera did the 'Raj-Surya' yaghya , invited all other kings for joining and choose Krishna as the first man for paying his respect. Shishupal got annoyed and started abusing Krishna. All the gathered people tried to pacify him but in vain. Krishna kept control himself till he gave 100 abuses to him but he continued despite warnings of Krishna. Krishna attacked with his chakra for eliminating him. After cutting his throat when chakra came back to the little finger of Krishna, it hurt him and bleeding started from there. Queen Draupadi, who was witnessing it, immediately went to him and tore a bandage from her worn saree and tied over the wound to stop the bleeding. Sri Krishna took as the affection of a sister to her brother and declared it as Rakhi. He further promised that whenever she would need him, he would come to rescue her that is why when Dushashana pulled her saree to humiliate her in the court. She called Krishna for help and Krishna helped her by his divine power and protected her dignity.
The story of KING BALI and LAKSHMI:
King Bali- a demon king was the follower of Vishnu. As Vishnu had promised to safe guard his reign therefore he left his home i.e. Vaikuntha and his wife Lakshmi and started living in the state of King Bali. The goddess Lakshmi got sad by that and changed her appearance and went to King Bali for accepting her as a sister. King Bali agreed to do so and when Lakshmi tied the rakhi to him. He asked her what she wanted and needed most. Lakshmi asked for her husband-Vishnu to return to Vaikunth if he permitted. King Bali allowed Vishnu to go back and lived with Lakshmi. The symbol of yellow thread which she tied to Bali is still a custom on this day.
The story of King ALEXANDER and Great PURU- King :
King Alexander's wife Roxana when reached India and heard about King Puru and strength of his army felt that King Alexander might die with the hands of King Puru. She changed her appearance and went to King Puru and requested to tie rakhi to him. Puru accepted her as sister, got tied rakhi and promised not to kill King Alexander in the battlefield. He did not kill him despite losing the battle and kept his word. This had made King Alexander to changed his mind and he shed his wish for victory over the world and went back to his country.
The story of QUEEN KARMAVATI and KING HUMAYUN:
When Queen Karmavati of Chittor was attacked by another ruler Bahudur Shah, She send a rakhi to King Humayun who returned from Bengal for defending her but as he reached late, in between Queen did the 'JOHAR' ( Self immolation to save her honor). King Humayun fought a battle with him and restored the kingdom to her son Vikramjit and kept the honor of relation.
There are other famous stories too about this festival.
The importance of this band can be recognized as even Lord Indra got a rakhi tied by her wife-Shachi as band of protection before proceeding for war with demons.
This festival is a celebration of bindings among relations, establishing new relations, promises to take care, affection among siblings, unity and harmony among people, freedom of mind, thoughts, emotions and feelings. It spreads the message that even a spoken relation if forge is above any blood relation or family tie. It can bring change in the lives of people as well spread the message of permanent unconditional love and bond-ship.
Happy Raksha Bandhan to all brothers and sisters. May God protect and bring them good luck and prosperity.
No comments:
Post a Comment