Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of the pure bond that exists between siblings.
Published On: 2022-08-13
Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is an important Hindu festival, dedicated to brothers and sisters. On this auspicious day, sisters tie a thread on her brother's wrist and pray for his long and prosperous life. In return, the brother gives a token of love to his loving sister.
As most Hindu rituals, Raksha Bandhan is rooted in history. During the events of the Mahabharat, legend dictates that when Lord Krishna accidentally nicked his finger on his ‘sudarshan chakra’, Princess Draupadi tore a piece of her saree and tied it to his finger to stop the bleeding. Lord Krishna was so touched by this gesture that he vowed to always protect and cherish her.
Many devotees, keeping the lord in the centre, offer rakhi to Lord Balaram or Shyamsundar, and pray for their protection from the material energy, so that they can one-pointedly be fixed in the service of the lord and attain the ultimate goal of life, which is the eternal service of the lord in the spiritual world This day is also celebrated as auspicious appearance day of Lord Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Sri Krishna. Lord Balarama appeared as the son of Rohini and Vasudeva. He is also known as Baladeva and Sankarshana. He gives us the required spiritual strength to cross over the hurdles in our journey of self-realization. Devotees fast till noon and pray to Lord Balarama to bestow the spiritual strength needed to practice spiritual life
Lord Balaram carries a plough, the reason for which is to cultivate the hearts of the devotees so that it becomes fertile and suitable for the seed of Bhakti to grow nicely. Being the Adi guru tattve, he guides the devotees on their spiritual path so that they can go back home back to godhead.
