The festival of love, care, and one of the most beautiful bonds is here - Rakshabandhan. It has been celebrated in India with great fervor, cherishing the love and support between brothers and sisters, more so, the siblings. Rakshabandhan translates to "the bond of protection", with the sacred thread signifying love and protection. Every year on the full moon day of the Shravan month, sisters tie "Rakhi' or the protective thread on the wrists of their brothers, with the brother promising to protect her. Today, it's not only restricted to siblings, but the relationship is celebrated across communities irrespective of gender and religion. But, do you know that this practice of tying the sacred thread has existed since time immemorial? Many mythological tales depict the importance of this bond, highlighting love, protection, and duty. From Yama and Yamuna, Draupadi and Krishna, Rani Karnavati and Humayun, here are the stories from back in history that celebrate these themes:
This mythological story celebrates the loving bond between Yama, the God of Death, and his sister Yamuna. It is believed that once, when Yamuna visited Yama, he was very moved seeing her love and affection for him. And decided to grant her a boon. Yamuna asked that on the sacred festival of Rakshabandhan, whoever bathes in her waters and offers their prayers will be blessed with protection and longevity as her wish.
This enduring tale instills the idea of wishing and seeking protection and blessings for loved ones.
This story from the Mahabharata is forever etched in our hearts and memories. We all remember how Lord Krishna came to the aid of Draupadi when she needed him the most. Once, when Krishna's finger was wounded, Draupadi had tied a piece of her saree to bandage it. Touched by her devotion and love for him, Krishna promised Draupadi that he would protect her whenever she was in need.
It was when the Kauravas tried to disrobe and humiliate Draupadi, Lord Krishna came to her rescue. With his grace, Draupadi's saree extended miraculously, and her modesty was saved. This story not only symbolizes the strong bond between a brother and sister, but also establishes a relationship with the divine.
This story from the 16th century is an example of how bonds are developed and celebrated out of love, beyond religion. Seeking help and protection from Bahadur Shah's invasion, Rani Karnavati of Mewar sent a rakhi to Mughal Emperor Humayun. He immediately left for her rescue, keeping the promise of the rakhi without a prior word. Even though Humayun couldn't reach Mewar and save her kingdom, the gesture is widely remembered.
Later on, the festival of Rakshabandhan was initiated by Rabindranath Tagore in the early 20th century, and people also celebrated it during the Swadeshi movement when the Britishers tried to divide them based on religion. These stories not only take us back in time, but also make us believe in the sacred bond between a brother and sister. Happy Rakshabandhan all!
