RAKSHABANDHAN(RAKHI)USEFUL HISTORY
Preface: Rakshabandhan is a festival of siblings, is mainly practiced among Hindus, but it is celebrated by people of all religions of India with equal enthusiasm and sentiment. The atmosphere of this day in all India is worth seeing and no matter why, it is such a special day that is made for brothers and sisters.
Though the role of love and duty among brothers and sisters in India is not an indication of a single day, but due to the historical and religious importance of Rakshabandhan, this day has become so important. This festival, which has been going on for years, is still celebrated with great enthusiasm.
This festival celebrated on the full moon day of Hindu Shravan month (July-August) is a symbol of brother’s love for his sister. On Rakshabandhan, the sisters tie a rakhi to the brothers’ right wrist, tilak them and vow to protect them from them. However, the generality of Rakshabandhan is much more. Tying of rakhi is not just an activity between brothers and sisters. Rakhi is also being tied to protect the country, protect the environment, protect interests etc. Historical Importance – The history of Rakshabandhan is in Hindu mythology. The story of Rakshabandhan is found in the legend called Vamnavatar. The story goes like this – King Bali sacrificed his yagna and tried to gain authority over heaven, then Devraj Indra prayed to Lord Vishnu. Vishnu became a Vamana Brahmin and went to King Bali to beg for alms.
Even after the Guru’s refusal, Bali donated three steps of land. Lord Vaman measured the sky and earth in three steps and sent King Bali to the abyss. On the strength of his devotion, he took a promise from Vishnu to be in front of him at all times. Lakshmi became worried about this. On the advice of Narada ji, Lakshmi went to Bali and tied the Raksasutra and made her her brother. In return she brought Vishnu with her. That day was the full moon date of Shravan month.
There are many references to the importance of Rakhi in history. Empress Karmavati of Mewar sent a Rakhi to the Mughal King Humayun and pleaded for protection. Humayun, despite being a Muslim, kept Rakhi’s shame.
It is said that Alexander’s wife tied a rakhi to her husband’s Hindu enemy Puru and made him her brother and vowed not to kill Alexander during the war. Puru gave life to Sikandar during the war, honoring the tied Rakhi in his hand and the promise given to his sister.
Rakhi in Mahabharata – The festival of Rakshabandhan is also mentioned in Mahabharata. When Yudhishthira asked Lord Krishna how I could overcome all crises, Krishna advised him to celebrate Rakhi festival to protect him and his army.
When Krishna was killed in the index finger while slaughtering Shishupala, Draupadi had torn her sari and tied a rip on her finger to stop the blood. It was also the full moon day of Shravan month. Krishna had paid this loan by saving his shame at the time of incision. The festival of Raksha Bandhan contains a sense of mutual support and cooperation.
Epilogue: Today this festival is the identity of our culture and every Indian is proud of this festival. But in India, where this special festival is celebrated for sisters, there are some people who kill brothers’ sisters in the womb itself.
Today, many brothers do not get a rakhi tied on their wrist just because their parents did not allow their sisters to come into this world. It is a very shameful thing that in the country where the worship of girl-worship is in the scriptures, there are cases of female-feticide. This festival also reminds us how much importance sisters have in our lives.
If we do not control female feticide soon, it is possible that one day the sex ratio in the country will decrease more rapidly and social imbalances will also occur.
(Courtesy: INTERNET)