The significance and true meaning of Raksha Bandhan

Dear Friends,

Greetings to all for the festive occasion of Raksha Bhandan which is on 18th August 2016. It is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Śrāvaṇa, and typically falls in August every year.

Are we actually aware of the significance and true meaning of Raksha Bandhan?  Well I am penning down a gist, so who all do not know will be enlightened by it:

A more formal Aarti plate for Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan as a religious festival focuses on performing the aarti and saying prayers prior to tying the rakhi. The prayers draw inspiration from the Hindu scriptures. The other religious feature is the application of the tilak on the forehead of the person wearing the rakhi.

Significance

Raksha Bandhan in Sanskrit literally means "the tie or knot of protection". The word Raksha means protection, whilst Bandhan is the verb to tie. 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.

Rakhi ritual

On the morning of Raksha Bandhan the brothers and sisters get together, often in nice dress in the presence of surviving parents, grandparents and other family members. If the sister and brother are geographically separated, the sister may mail the Rakhi ahead of the Raksha Bandhan day, along with a greeting card or letter wishing her brother well. The ritual typically begins in front of a lighted lamp (diya) or candle, which signifies fire deity. The sister and brother face each other. The sister ties the Rakhi on her brother's wrist.

Prayer, aarti, promise and food

Once the Rakhi has been tied, the sister says a prayer for the wellbeing - good health, prosperity and happiness - for her brother. This ritual sometimes involves an aarti, where a tray with lighted lamp or candle is ritually rotated around the brother's face, along with the prayer and well wishes.

The prayer is a self composed note, or one of many published Rakhi poems and prose.

After the prayer, the sister applies a tilak (Tikka), a colorful mark on the forehead of the brother. After the tilak, the brother pledges to protect her and take care of his sister under all circumstances.

The sister then feeds the brother, with her hands, one or more bites of sweets (desserts), dry fruits and other seasonal delicacies.

The brother gives his sister(s) gifts.The brother may also feed his sister, with his hands, one or more bites of sweets, dry fruits and other seasonal delicacies. The larger family ritually congratulate the festive celebration of brother-sister love and protection.The brother(s) wear the Rakhi for the entire day, at school or work, as a reminder of their sister(s) and to mark the festival of Raksha Bandhan.

Raksha Bandhan is not an isolated festival, but it is an activity in a major event in the world cycle, for the purification of all souls as well as the elements.

This event begins with Shiva Ratri. The Religious aspect of Raksha Bandhan is a promise by a brother for the protection of a sister.

This is done to the extent of defending her honour even at the expense of his life. Here, the sister shows respect to the brother in the form of adoration or worship. The sacred thread of Rakhi, tied on a brother's wrist by the affectionate sister, is the ceremonial expression of her pious hope and wish that her brother be guided by spiritual vision.

This symbolic thread is a token of remembrance and inspiration for the brother. History is replete with examples where brothers died in defence of their sister's honour. Rani Karnavati of Chittor sent a Rakhi to the Mughal Emperor Humayun when she was threatened by Bahadur Shah of Mewar. Humayun abandoned an ongoing military campaign to ride to her rescue".

However, in today's time when one feels that humanity has lost its moral and spiritual bearings and society has become so degraded and impure, that not even a mother, daughter or sister is protected from the criminal eyes of even close family relations. The sacred filial covenant of love is in real danger as promiscuity is beamed electronically into your sacred homes with or without your permission, much to the delight of the policy makers.

It is a reminder of the vow of purity in thoughts, words and actions with lord Shiva. Yellow rakhi represents newness, the freshness of spring, and the beginning of a new era, and it is the colour of Saraswati, the world mother of purity.

In conclusion, the main aspect of the festival of Raksha Bandhan is therefore connected with the sacred vow of purity and a pledge to obtain and impart divine knowledge and attributes. Its origin is the confluence age and the purpose is the purification of all souls and transformation of the world.

Rakhi: The Thread of Love

A love between a brother and a sister is one of the deepest and noblest of human emotions.

‘Raksha Bandhan’ is a special occasion to celebrate this emotional bonding when a sister ties a Rakhi – a holy thread – around her brother’s wrist, prays for his long life and the brother reciprocates by offering her the gifts she loves the most.

Happy Raksha Bandhan …

Parsan Narang

15th August 2016