Significance Of Raksha Bandhan

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Raksha Bandhan is a festival celebrating the special bond between brother and sister. The significance of Raksha Bandhan can be found in its very name.

Raksha means protection and bandhan means a bond hence it involves a 'bond of protection'. A thread is tied by a sister on her brother's wrist who pledges to protect her from all troubles.

Also Read: Best Gifts For Your Brother On Raksha Bandhan

Reasons behind celebrating Raksha Bandhan are many. There are a number of incidences in history and Indian mythology that show us the celebration of this beautiful bond between brother and sister.

Krishna and Draupadi: One of the very significant incidences that laid the ground for Raksha Bandhan was the special bond shared by Krishna and Draupadi.

When Krishna had hurt his finger Draupadi had torn a strip of her sari and tied to his finger. Her act of kindness stopped the bleeding and filled Krishna with gratitude. He declared Draupadi to be his sister and vowed to protect her life and honour under all conditions.

When Yudhishthir had lost his brothers and Draupadi to the Kauravas Draupadi was insulted in court. Duryodhan ordered the undressing of Draupadi in the court.

This was when Draupadi called upon the Lord to save her honour to which Lord Krishna did complete justice. He had said that he would repay the debt of every strand of string in Draupadi's sari that she had tied on his finger and he did exactly that.

He extended the sari indefinitely. Dushasana got tired of pulling the sari but it would not end thereby protecting Draupadi's self-respect and honour.

Yama and Yamuna: Yama, the Hindu god of death is brother to Yamuna, a river in north India. Yamuna had tied a rakhi on the wrist of Yama and bestowed upon him immortality. Yama was greatly moved by the incident and declared that whoever got a rakhi tied on his wrist will be protected against danger and ill fate.

Goddess Laxmi and Demon King Bali: Another mythological incident depicting the significance of Raksha Bandha revolves around Goddess Laxmi and Demon King Bali.

Bali was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Laxmi's husband. Lord Vishnu had taken up the duty to protect Bali's abode. In doing so he had left his abode in Vaikunth. Goddess Laxmi wanted to get him back and hence went to Bali's abode disguised as a woman.

On the occasion of Shravan Poornima she tied a rakhi on Bali's wrist and prayed for his and his family's goodwill and protection. Bali was moved by her gesture and asked her what she desired in return.

Goddess Laxmi revealed herself and asked for the return of Lord Vishnu to Vaikunth to which Bali could not refuse.

Reasons behind celebrating Raksha Bandhan are found in history too.

Rani Karnavati and Emperor Humayun: Rani Karnavati of Chittor realised that her country was at danger of being invaded by Bahadur Shah. To protect Chittor she sought help from the Mughal Emperor Humayun.

Rani Karnavati sent the Emperor a rakhi and asked for help against Bahadur Shah. The Emperor was overcome and immediately set forth to help the Queen. Sadly he did not reach on time and the Queen with thousands other Mewar women committed jowhar.

Later Humayun defeated Bahadur Shah and restored power in Mewar.

India is a land of festivals and each one can be traced back to incidences in history or mythology or both just like the significance of Raksha Bandhan here.

Also Read: Different Varieties Of Rakhi For Your Brother

This day is special in every brother and sister's life and every year it is celebrated with great zeal and happiness.

Raksha Bandhan is a festival celebrating the special bond between brother and sister.

The significance of Raksha Bandhan can be found in its very name. Raksha means protection and bandhan means a bond hence it involves a 'bond of protection'. A thread is tied by a sister on her brother's wrist who pledges to protect her from all troubles.

Reasons behind celebrating Raksha Bandhan are many. There are a number of incidences in history and Indian mythology that show us the celebration of this beautiful bond between brother and sister.