Compiled by Pandit Sachin Singh Cell} 082,456 51/43 ennez ecine) Vist our sites Website: www.shreenathdham.org Blog: http://shreenathdham.blogspot.com/ Contact us: sndinteraction@shreenathdham.orgRaksha Bandhan is when a sister ties the rakhi on the brother's wrist and both pray for each others’ well being followed by 2 pledge from the brother to take care of his, sister under all circumstances. The brother then usually gifts something to the sister to mark the occasion. Rakhis and the sweets are bought As per the tradition the family members get ready for the rituals early. They take {bath to purify mind and body before starting any prep- arations. The sisters prepare the thali for the poojan. It contains the rakhi threads, kumkum powder, rice grains, diya (an earthen or a metal lamp used for worshiping), agarbattis and sweets. First of all the offerings are made to the deities of the family. The sister then performs the arti of the brother ‘and ties the rakhi. She then puts aTilak for him and offers sweets. While performing the rituals the Sister chants "Suraj shakhan chhodian, Mooli chhodia bee) Behen ne rakhi bandhi / Bhai tu chir jug jee", ‘Meaning "The sun radiates its sunlight, the radish spreads its seeds, I tie the rakhi to you © brother and wish that may you live tong." ‘After her prayer for a long life for her brother, she says that she is tying the ever-protective Raksha to her brother chantin: Mantra "Yen baddho Balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah tena twa anubadhnaami rakshe maa chala maa chala’ Meaning ," tie you the rakhi that was tied to Raja Bali, © Rakhi | pray that you never falter in protecting your devotee. ‘The brother in turn blesses the sister and promises to pro- tect her from the evils of the world. He gifts something to her as a token of his love and affection. The rituals may differ a little from region to region but generally carry the same aura, The Legends of Rakhi Shravana is a pious month and the full moon of this all- important month is considered to be a very holy day For the siblings it is the eternal tie of love, for Brahmins the day to take the pledge of Brahmanik rites and for those who depend sea and monsoon, it is the beginning of the new season, The legend in the Bhavishya Puran The legend refers to a war between the Gods and the Demons. The demon King Brutra was advancing and the Gods lead by lord Indra, were on verge of defeat. The king of Gods, Indra approached Guru Brihaspati to find a solu- tion to the situation. Brihaspati asked Indra to tie a sacred thread on his wrist, powered by the sacred mantras on the Shravan Purnima. Lord Indra's Queen Sachi also called In- drani, empowered the thread and tied it on to his hand ‘on the decided day. The power of the sacred thread called Raksha helped the Gods to victory. The legend of King Bali and Goddess Laxmi According to another legend Demon King Bali was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu had taken up the task to guard his kingdom leaving his own abode in Vai- kunth. Goddess Laxmi wished to be with her lord back in her abode. She went to Bali disguised as a Grahmin wom- an to seek refuge till her husband came back During the Shravan Purnima celebrations, Laxmiji tied the sacred thread to the King. Upon being asked she re- vealed who she was and why she was there, The king was@eeee-s-e@eeeeeeevneeneeeneeneeeeed touched by her good- will for his family and her purpose ‘and requested the Lord to ac- ‘company her. He sacrificed all he had for the Lord and his devoted wife. Thus the festi- val is also called Baleva that Is Ball Raja's devotion to the is said that since then it has to Invite sisters in Shravan Purnima Lord. It been a tradition for Raksha Bandhan Yama and the Yamuna It is said that the Raksha Bandhan was a ritual followed by Lord Yama (the Lord of Death) and his sister Yamuna, Yamuna tied rakhi to Yama and bestowed immortality. ‘Yama was so moved by the serenity of the occasion that he declared thar whoever gets a rakhi tied from his sister and promised her protection will become immortal. In the Mahabharata Raksha Bandhan finds a mention in Mahabharata when Lord Krishna advised Yudhishthir to perform the ceremo- ny to protect himself and the army from the dangers of ‘the war. itis said that Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas tied rakhi to her grandson Abhimanyu and Draupadi to lord krishna, Raksha Bandhan in History Even though the Greek emperor Alexander had made many conquests, still when he approached the kingdom of the valiant king Puru (Purushottama), he was greatly worried. He had heard about the high morele of the op- position army and the well-disciplined administration of the kingdom. One of his spies confided, 'Your Majesty! Even though the state of king Puru is small, taking them ‘on isa formidable task, tantamount to stepping into the Jaws of death. ‘The Greek emperor used to study his enemy from alll angles before launching the attack. One of the better-informed spies said, 'Your Majesty! Hindus have a festival wherein ‘2. woman ties a Rakhi on the wrist of a man thus making him her brother. This binds the brother to protect her hus- band. Alexander's wife overheard this conversation. King Puru had made an announcement that on the day of Raksha-Bandhan, any woman or girl would be allowed to enter the royal palace and tie a Rakhi to the king and in turn receive the gifts of good wishes by the grace of God." Observe Puru's magnanimity, for he doesn't say, ‘they will receive a gift’ nor does he say, ' shall give the gifts.’ How {great Indian Sanskriti is! Puru considers God to be the real doer and not the ego. Until now the ordinary girls and women were not allowed into the royal palace. But this time permission had been granted to all women. On the auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan, a foreign lady also joined the crowd of women proceeding to the royal palace. The soldiers were startled to notice her but could do nothing in view of the king's orders ‘The foreign lady reached the king and tied a thread on the right wrist of the supremely righteous Puru. The wise king recognized her and said, ‘I know you. You are Alexander's wife. Tell me, what do you wish for?" She said, ‘You and my husband will soon go to war. The result is uncertain. You too have a formidable army. | have come to you with a Rakhi. According to Indian Sanskrit, when a woman ties a Rakhi on a man's wrist, treating him like a brother, the brother fulfils her wish. And my wish is that you protect my husband.’ ‘Alexander's wife had just tied a thread on Puru's wrist ané how enormous is her demand in return! And look at the unequalled magnanimity of valiant Puru! He says, ‘I don't know who will win the battle. But if win, your husband's security is assured. ‘And what actually happened? Puru's brave warriors were fearlessly thrusting forward. Puru too moved ahead riding onan elephant, which gave 2 powerful blow to the chariot of Alexander, breaking it into pieces, causing Alexander to fall down on the ground, Puru quickly got down from his elephant and drew his sword from the scabbard. Alexander's death was Just one blow away but... India's Raksha-Bandhan festival came in the way! Puru stood there static with the sword in his hand. Alexander noticed that Puru could have killed him but was standing still. In the meanwhile, Alexander's sol- diers came there and captured Puru! Puru was brought as a captive before Alexander in the lat- ter's camp at the battlefield, Alexander asked in his royal style, ‘How should | treat you?" Pat came the answer, ‘As a king honourably treats another king.’ How high was Puru's morale! Although taken a prisoner, he had not been captured helplessly. Alexander had a change of heart. He stood up and said, ‘Welcome O King!" He seated Puru beside him as an equal, Puru had guarded the Supreme tenets of Dharma and there Dharma stood guard for him.‘Dharma Protects its Protector.’ ‘Alexander asked Puru in a low tone, had fallen from the chariot and you had a sword ready in your hand. It was a moment's job to chop off my head, and you had so much time at your disposal. But you stood thinking about some- thing and were taken captive. What were you thinking? What confused you?" Puru replied with confidence, I was not confused.’ Alexander's wife could no longer hold herself back. she said, ‘I had tied a Rakhi on his wrist. He has made such a big sacrifice to honour the inherent pledge of that Rakhi ‘and to protect my husband. How marvellous Indian Sanskrit is! A mere thread saved ‘Alexander's life! Of course, Raksha-Banchan isthe festival of affection between ‘a brother and his sister. It isa day to cement the ties of affec- tion between a brother and his sister, a day to take an oath to observe complete self-restraint, and also the day when a sister receives a promise of protection from her brother. But there is also a deeper and broader significance to this festival. It is a day when we should make some pious resolves, when we should endeavour to experience the vicinity of the Lord ané ‘when we should pay obeisance to the Rishis. Brothers protect the physical and material wealth of their sisters, but Saints protect the treasure of our spiritual wealth, Excellent disciples believe in the Guru not on the basis of some ‘external miracles or so; but their belief is based on the peace ‘of mind and bliss of the heart that they experience at the holy feet of the Guru. An aspirant remains ever anxious, lest he might lose the treasure of spiritual attributes that he has ac- quired through the Guru's grace, lest the vices of desire, anger, avarice, etc,, should rob him of his spiritual trea- sure. Therefore, he seeks the protection from the Guru. Raksha-Bandhan is an occasion to remind us of that pro- tection (Raksha). Why Rakhi? Rituals ike Rakhi, there is no doubt, help ease out various societal strains, induce fellow-feeling, open up channels of ‘expression, give us an opportunity to rework on our role 2s human beings and, most importantly, bring joy in our mundane lives. “May all be happy May all be free from ills May all behold only the good ‘May none be in distress.” This has always been the idea of an ideal Hindu society. ghree nath dha Mist our sites Compiled By : www.shreenathdham.org i 9 Gi shreenathdham.blogspot.com/ Pandit Sachin Singh 082 456 5143 aKhi isa thread that hinds two souls in a bond of yoy forever. AND ToDay I'M REMEMBERING WITH JOY... THE SPECIAL TIE WE SHARE AND WISHING YOU HAPPINESS: AND GOOD LUCK ALWAYS... Happy RAKSHA BANDHAN!