“Raksha Bandhan” (bond of protection) is the celebration of relationship between a bother and a sister. The relationship which is no where else celebrated as in my country. It is a day when sisters pray for the well being of their brothers. The day this falls on Shravana Purnima which is today and is also known as Rakhi.
On this fullmoon day brothers make a promise to their sisters to protect them from all harms and troubles and the sisters pray God to protect their brother from evil and tie a thread called Rakhi on their brother's wrist and brothers promise to take care of their sisters.
Raksha Bandhan got the significance from an incidence which happened in Mahabharata. It so happened that once Sri Krishna was with his asthabharya (eight wives). He started to cut an apple to distribute to them. In the excitement He hand cut His wrist. Blood oozed out all His asthabharyas were shocked. The shock left some dumbstruck, some were worried and some did not know what to do. Draupadi who saw the gush of blood tore the edge of her saree and used it to stop the blood by tying it around the wrist.
Sri Krishna was touched by her gesture of devotion and pure love. He asked her what would she like in return of this favor. Draupadi, like a true sister, just asked for the Lord's holy presence in her life forever. From that moment onwards, Sri Krishna had been with Draupadi like a shadow protecting her from every small and big trouble. When the Kauravas tried to disrobe Draupadi in assembly of Hastinapura, she called for Sri Krishna continuously to reduce her. He did take care of her honor and provided her endless yarn of saree. Dushyasana who was assigned to disrobe Draupadi fell down tied unable to pull the continuously flowing lengthy saree.
Rakhi has a historical significance too. Alexander who invaded India had to encounter fierce resistance from Paurava King named Puru (Porus). Though he was defeated and taken into custody the King did not let his self esteem go down. To him it was an intruder who had captured him not a king. When Alexander asked Puru as to how he would want him to treat. He told Alexander to treat him as how a king would treat another king.
Alexander was taken back listening to the King. He made him his friend ad returned back his kingdom. Alexander’s wife Roxana sent a Rakhi to Puru, asking him not to harm her husband, and accordingly King Puru who gave full respect to Rakhi and its tradition, restrained himself from attacking Alexander personally.
Long live the bond of Brother-Sister.
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