Significance of Raksha Bandhan

Significance of Raksha Bandhan 

Deity Lakshmi tied a rakhi onto the wrist of the King Bali,thus making him Her brother and liberated Lord Narayan i.e. Vishnu. That day as per the Hindu lunar calendar was 'Shravan Paurnima'.

"By tying this Raksha onto your wrist I am binding you just like the powerful and generous King Bali was bound by it. O wristband, do not get displaced." The Bhavishya Puran states that Raksha Bandhan was basically meant for kings. A new custom of tying rakhis began from the historical ages. The sister is supposed to tie the rakhi to the brother's wrist. The feeling behind this is that the brother should become prosperous and he should protect the sister.

The spiritual significance of Raksha Bandhan is when one takes a sacred divine vow of purity with the God, to live a life of purity in thoughts, words and actions. This sacred thread called a rakhi, tied on the right hand, is only symbolic and it is a gentle reminder that we must protect ourselves spiritually from the vices less we commit spiritual suicide in the bondage of materialism.

This life of purity and the freedom from material bondage elevates the soul to its original pure religion of peace and silence. Raksha Bandhan is not an isolated festival, but it is an activity in a major event in the world cycle, for the purification of all souls as well as the elements.

This event begins with Shiva Ratri when God incarnates on earth to destroy the vices at the end of every cycle of 5000 years. The Religious aspect of Raksha Bandhan is a promise by a brother for the protection of a sister.

This is done to the extent of defending her honour even at the expense of his life. Here, the sister shows respect to the brother in the form of adoration or worship. The sacred thread of Rakhi, tied on a brother's wrist by the affectionate sister, is the ceremonial expression of her pious hope and wish that her brother be guided by spiritual vision.

This symbolic thread is a token of remembrance and inspiration for the brother. History is replete with examples where brothers died in defence of their sister's honour. Rani Karnavati of Chittor sent a Rakhi to the Mughal Emperor Humayun when she was threatened by Bahadur Shah of Mewar. Humayun abandoned an ongoing military campaign to ride to her rescue".

However, in today's time when one feels that humanity has lost its moral and spiritual bearings and society has become so degraded and impure, that not even a mother, daughter or sister is protected from the criminal eyes of even close family relations. The sacred filial covenant of love is in real danger as promiscuity is beamed electronically into your sacred homes with or without your permission, much to the delight of the policy makers.

It is a reminder of the vow of purity in thoughts, words and actions with lord Shiva. Yellow rakhi represents newness, the freshness of spring, and the beginning of a new era, and it is the colour of Saraswati, the world mother of purity.Hence Raksha Bandhan is not to be taken lightly as a ritual or a mere ceremony, but it is to be taken as a deed of covenant with God. It is your Insurance policy  when you surrender body, mind and wealth. 

 How  to tie a Spiritual Rakhi ?

Prepare yourself physically and mentally and sit in solitude preferably in the very early hours of the morning known as the Brahma Muhurat. Concentrate on Shiva, the Supreme Soul, and remember him as your teacher, protector, companion, support of life.

Then make a vow with him to live a life of purity in thoughts, words, actions and relationships. This vow should be of your own free will and it is something you want to do, free from fear.

In conclusion, the main aspect of the festival of Raksha Bandhan is therefore connected with the sacred vow of purity and a pledge to obtain and impart divine knowledge and attributes. Its origin is the confluence age and the purpose is the purification of all souls and the transformation of the world.

It is important to protect your elevated conscience or divine intellect by not coming under the influence of anger, greed, arrogance, lust and attachment. When need turns into greed, believe it or not, you are on the highway to hell.

To cheat, deceive or steal are sinful acts and are opposite divinity. To pledge a life of purity and live a life of sin is to commit suicide. You may deceive others and maybe yourself, but you cannot fool the God. The wages of sin accumulate hundredfold if you are knowledgeable compared to that of being ignorant of the consequences.

On this auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, take a moment for deep spiritual introspection and free yourselves from the bondage of greed, the lust for power and a slave of promiscuity and make God your eternal companion of true peace, happiness and prosperity.