Rakhi a sacred thread of love
Dharmaraj Joshi
India is the land of festivals. Though all the festivals have their
importance; Rakhi stands out as a unique gift of Indian culture. The simple
threads of Rakhi symbolize the sacred love of brother and sister. When a
sister ties a Rakhi on her brothers wrist, her sentiments flow towards her
brother that he should get all the happiness in life. At the same time the
brother thinks on the same wavelength that at in any cost he would protect the
honour of his sister. This festival establishes the bond of love and affection
between the siblings.
It is said that Rakhi Purnima originated when Indrani, wife of Lord Indra,
prepared a talisman, which she tied on her husbands wrist on Sravan Purnima
to win the battle against the demons. The power of the talisman made the Gods
victorious. Ever since, on Sravan Poornima day, the tradition of tying the
thread began and it was believed that the persons would be blessed with health,
wealth, happiness and victories.
This practice was prevalent among the Rajputs and our history is full of
instances related to the significance of this tradition. At the time of war
when the brave Rajput soldiers prepared to go to the battlefield, the women
folk followed the ritual of tying a thread around their wrist after applying a
dash of vermilion powder on their forehead. This was considered a sign of good
omen and the ladies believed that it would protect their men from the enemys
blow and bring them victory. The queen of Mewar, Maharani Karmavati, had to
face the threat of Governor Bahadur Shah who laid seige on her kingdom.
Helpless she sent a rakhi to the Mughal king, Humayun. The emperor who under
normal circumstances would not have preferred to help a Rajput ruler, decided
to protect her from the threat. Humayun reached Mewar chased Bahadur Shah and
his men and restored the kingdom to the queen of Mewar.
There were instances during our freedom struggle when freedom fighters wore
the thread around their wrists with pride. Rabindranath Tagore introduced this
tradition in Santiniketan to re-establish the bond of love between all sects
and religions.
Raksha Bandhan has retained its glory and sacred sensation in modern times
too. Brothers and sisters wherever they may be make it a point to celebrate
the occasion together. If they are far away, rakhi and gifts are sent through
mail or online gifting sites. And even today, the meaning of custom remains
beautifully intact. Today rakhi is even tied on the wrists of soldiers by
children and women all around the country, filling the soldiers with
self-esteem and a heightened sense of responsibility. It is thus interesting
to note that for centuries this festival has been celebrated in the same way
and the traditions are followed with the same enthusiasm. It is the
celebration of the chaste bond of love amongst the siblings and the gaieties of
Rakhi have only blown up to a large scale.
On the day of Raksha Bandhan sister visit their brother and sometimes brother
is invited by sister for Rakhi celebrations. After performing Puja, sister
applies a tilak on brothers forehead and performs arti for him. She then ties
a Rakhi on her brothers wrist while praying for his long, healthy and happy
life. Brother expresses his gratitude to sister for her affection and vow to
protect her from all hardships in life. Brother and sister share a sweet and
enjoy a harmonious time with rest of the family.
Festival of Raksha Bandhan also calls for celebrations and merriment. Brother
pampers their sweet sisters by return gifts for her. This could be some cash
or gifts like jewelry, apparel, cosmetics or household gift items. Sisters too
depict love for their brothers by showering presents on them. They also
prepare brothers favorite dishes.
Nowadays Rakhis are decorated with soft silky threads of various colours, and
also with ornaments, pictures, gold and silver threads etc. These Rakhis
enhance the artistry of the people. Within these Rakhis reside sacred feelings
and well wishes. It is also a great sacred verse of unity.
However, there is much more to rakhi than a sister tying the sacred thread
round the brothers wrist in order to bind him into an obligation to protect
her in times of need. Which is why even older sisters tie the thread round the
wrist of brothers much their junior.
The application of the tilak is a reminder from the sister to the brother to
be soul-conscious, for it is in the space between the eyebrows - where the
tilak is applied - that the soul resides. Then again, mauli, the red and
saffron-coloured thread that is usually tied round the brothers wrist, is
meant to serve as a constant reminder of the bond of purity. In India, the
mauli has traditionally been used for taking a religious or sacred vow or
making a pledge of purity.
Raksha Bandhan conveys to all men and women the divine message that they must
overcome lust and remain pure by practising soul-consciousness. The rakhi is
an annual reminder to both brother and sister of this noble aim. It is the
renunciation by the brother of the five vices of lust, anger, greed, attachment
and ego that pollute the soul. For, only by giving up these vices would the
brothers truly become conscious of the need to engage in the effort of
elevating ones consciousness.
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