August 2 Rakhi Festival - Happy Raksha Bandhan !!!

Deity Lakshmi tied a rakhi onto the wrist of the King Bali from hell thus making him Her brother and liberated Lord Narayan i.e. Vishnu. That day as per the Hindu lunar calendar was 'Shravan Paurnima'. "By tying this wristband (raksha) onto your wrist I am binding you just like the powerful and generous King Bali was bound by it. O wristband, do not get displaced." The Bhavishya Puran states that Raksha Bandhan was basically meant for kings. A new custom of tying rakhis began from the historical ages. The sister is supposed to tie the rakhi to the brother's wrist. The feeling behind this is that the brother should become prosperous and he should protect the sister.

In Hindu tradition, Raksha Bandhan is the day when sisters tie Rakhi on brothers and in return brothers promise to protect sisters against all harms. But unfortunately we no longer find brothers coming to the defense of their sisters. More and more atrocities are being committed against sisters and not a day goes without a shameful incident. Like many other traditions Raksha Bandhan too is reduced to a farce ritual.

The true tradition of Raksha Bandhan is followed when brothers stand up for sisters in their family and in society. Sri Krishna showed the way when he came to protect Draupadi on numerous occasions. For a single piece of cloth tied by Draupadi to stop Sri Krishna’s finger from bleeding, He provided her complete protection.

Dharma should be present in family and in society for a peaceful, prosperous and happy life. When sisters are physically harmed and frequent attempts made to dishonor them, society is in the grip of Adharma. In such a society no family is safe, no sister is safe.

For the society to survive, we need to be united as a family. We must vow to protect our sisters. Rakhi symbolizes harmony and strength – two qualities of healthy family and society.

hindu-blog.com