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| Rakhi: The stories behind the festival | | |
We may not have started a Mother's Day or a Father's Day, but Indians do have their share of celebrations of human relationships. Ushering in the festival season is the Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi as it is popularly known, on August 9, 2006. A festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, it has the sisters tying a thread around their brother's wrist as a symbol of their love and in turn the brother pledges to protect his sister.
Though usually seen more as a brother-sister festival, history has women tying this sacred thread to men, as a sign of seeking their protection and help. One of the earliest instances of rakhi-tying happened in 326 BC when the battle between Alexander and Porus took place. Fearing for the life of her husband, Alexander's wife approached Porus and tied a rakhi around his wrist and in return the king promised not to harm Alexander. Legend has it that during the battle, when Porus at some point lifted his hand to give Alexander the fatal blow he saw the rakhi and stopped.
Another famous rakhi story from history is about the Rani Karmavati of Chittor. Facing the threat of invasion from the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, she sent a rakhi to Humayun the Mughal Emperor asking him to save her family and her kingdom. A much moved Humayun, abandoned his on going military campaign in Bengal and rushed to her help, but was too late to save her. She and the women of the kingdom had preferred to immolate themselves rather than fall into the hands of the enemy.
The origin of Raksha Bandhan can be traced back to the mythological times, which recounts many stories on how this custom came into being. The most famous legend relates to a war between the Gods and the Demons. The Gods lead by Lord Indra were on the verge of defeat. At this point Lord Indra approached his guru Brihaspati and sought his help. Guru Brihaspati advised him to tie a sacred thread powered by mantras on his wrist on Shravan Purnima. On that day, Indra's wife Sachi tied the thread on his wrist and Gods won the battle. Since then it become a common custom in India for women to tie a thread on the wrists of soldiers going for war, with the hope that it will protect them and lead them to victory.
In another story, Lord Vishnu pleased with the extreme devotion of his disciple, the demon King Bali, promised to guard his kingdom, abandoning his own abode in Vaikunth. Meanwhile, Goddess Lakshmi, wanted her lord to be back with her in his abode. She went to Bali disguised as a Brahmin and sought refuge with telling him that her husband had gone away on some long errand. Then, on Shravan Purnima she tied a thread on King Bali's wrist wishing for his wellbeing. In return he granted her one boon and the goddess asked him to return her husband. The Goddess then revealed herself to the confused king and told him the real story. Overcome, the King asked Lord Vishnu to return with his wife to his abode. But having pledged his entire life to protecting Bali, the lord was unable to do so. To resolve his dilemma, it was decided that Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma will guard Bali for four months each.
It has also been said that Lord Yama and his sister Yamuna also practiced Raksha Bandhan. Yamuna tied a sacred thread on Yama's wrist and bestowed immortality on him. Since then Yama promised that whoever gets a rakhi tied by his sister and vows to protect her will become immortal.
The Mahabharat too, has a story relating to Raksha Bandhan. During the Rajsuya yagya - after Shishupal's death, Krishna was left with a bleeding finger and Draupadi tore a piece from her sari and tied it to Krishna's wrist to staunch the flow of blood. Touched by the gesture, Krishna vowed to repay the debt to her. There is also a mention of Kunti tying a rakhi to her grandson Abhimanyu.
Started by the Gods, the tradition is carried on by many brothers and sisters in India. Along with the promise of love and protection the festival has taken on rich and expensive colour, with designer rakhis being the norm. Jewellery and other costly items have replaced the more humble gifts that the brothers used give in the past.
Yet the festival retains its charm and most siblings make sure they celebrate it.
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