“There’s no other love like the love for a brother. There’s no other love like the love of a brother.” If there’s one occasion that captures and celebrates the truth behind these words, it’s Rakhi.
Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is a popular Hindu festival observed across the country in Shravana, mostly in August. Celebrating a brother's unconditional love and protective urges toward his sister, the highlight of this occasion is the sister tying a holy thread or Rakhi around her brother’s wrist to symbolize her affection and prayers for her brother’s well-being.
But this simple thread-tying ceremony is rather multifaceted and deeply rooted in the fabric of the Indian diaspora. Believe it or not, this special festival has come a long way from simple Rakhis we’d acquire from our local stationery and gift shops to extravagant designs. But it’s not only the form of the Rakhis that has changed, it’s also the significance and practices. In this blog, we’ll uncover everything about this auspicious occasion, starting with the past and working our way to the present day.
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The History Of Raksha Bandhan
Alexander’s Tale
The history of Raksha Bandhan is an interesting and multifaceted one with its earliest mentions dating back to 326 BC in the legends of Alexander the Great. This was when the only thing standing between Alexender and his invasion of northern India was the Paurava King Porus who fought back with all his might against the former’s advances. According to the legend, Alexander’s wife Roxana came to learn of this special festival, approaching King Porus with a Rakhi and a plea to spare her husband’s life. Moved by the act, King Porus accepted Roxana as his sister. This historical act may have saved the life of the great Macedon. In a way, this tale speaks of Raksha Bandhan as a festival associated with selfless love, respect, and peacekeeping.
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Humayun & Rani Karnavati
Now let’s move on to how Raksha Bandhan saved an entire Rajput kingdom. This somewhat tragic yet touching tale reminds us of how a brother never passes up an opportunity to rush to his sister’s aid. Tackling an invasion by the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, Rani Karnawati sought the help of Mughal Emperor Humayun to help her restore her kingdom. Having received a bejeweled Rakhi, Humayan was so moved that he dropped his military campaigns and immediately rushed to the region to assist her. However, it was too late. The Rajput army had already been defeated by Bahadur Shah, following which Karnawati and several other women set themselves on fire rather than surrender to their subjugators. Keeping true to his promise, Humayun restored her kingdom and restored her son to the throne.
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Draupadi & Krishna
In the epic Mahabharata, Lord Krishna cut his finger trying to use the Sudarshana Chakra against Shishupal. Upon seeing this, Draupadi tore a piece of cloth from her saree and tied it around his finger to stop the bleeding. Krishna was overwhelmed by this caring and nurturing gesture and considered the cloth as a sacred thread that symbolized sisterly love. He pledged to always protect Draupadi in her times of distress. Staying true to his promise, Krishna protected her honour in the Kaurava court where she was being disrobed.
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King Bali & Goddess Lakshmi
Another tale of Raksha Bandhan can be traced back to the Bhagavata Purana, where Lord Vishnu was invited by King Bali to come down and protect his kingdom. Leaving Lakshmi behind at the heavenly abode, Vishnu left to attend to Bali’s requests. But Goddess Lakshmi wasn’t too pleased with this arrangement. She decided on a clever plan. Having disguised herself as a poor Brahmin, she came to Bali’s Kingdom and asked for refuge until her husband returned. Come the day Shravana Purnima and Goddess Lakshmi revealed her true identity to King Bali and tied a Rakhi around his wrist, urging him to let her husband return. Honouring their bond, Bali obliged and happily asked Lord Vishnu to leave.
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Yam & Yamuna
According to another legend, the ritual of Raksha Bandhan concerns the God of Death, Yama, and his sister, Yamuna. After 12 years of absence, Yam finally reunited with his sister upon the advice of Ganga. Yamuna was thrilled to see her brother and welcomed him with open arms. Moved by her warmth and hospitality, Yam made his sister immortal so that he could keep visiting her over and over again.
The Political Angle
In all the instances we have seen, there’s one common thing. Can you guess what that is? It’s the fact that every event associated with Raksha Bandhan does not necessarily involve blood, rather it goes beyond it. Time and again, Raksha Bandhan has upheld the values of universal brotherhood with a loving bond being extended to those who aren’t necessarily related by blood. Based upon this principle, Rabindranath Tagore sought the Indian masses to come together in unison to fight off the Imperialist forces. This was when India was under the terror of the British government which wanted to drive a wedge between Hindu and Muslim communities. Surpassing communal differences, Tagore urged the members of every community to join hands and come together as a unified whole. Raksha Bandhan was yet again re-established as an occasion that hails the notion of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (“The World Is One Family”) as holy.
Modern-Day Rakhi Celebration
From transcending geographical borders with the Macedonians to observing communal peace and harmony, Raksha Bandhan has come a long way. Cut to modern days, snaps from Rakhi celebrations make their way to every social media feed, presents and chocolates get exchanged, and awaited family reunions take place where extended family members come together to celebrate. However, the ritual remains the same. A diya or earthen lamp is lit by the sister to perform the Aarti followed by which a tilak is applied with roli-chawal. Finally, a Rakhi is tied around the brother’s wrist with a portion of sweets or dried fruits to sweeten the occasion.
Conclusion
So far we’ve learned that Raksha Bandhan transcends time and tradition, weaving a tapestry of love, sacrifice, and unity. From ancient tales of bravery and loyalty to modern-day celebrations marked by social media shares and family gatherings, the essence remains unchanged - a sister's heartfelt love and a brother's promise of lifelong care. As we cherish the festival's rich history and cultural significance, Raksha Bandhan continues to inspire bonds that defy boundaries and uphold the timeless values of compassion and kinship across generations.
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