Understanding the Significance of Raksha Bandhan

Understanding the Significance of Raksha Bandhan

Priyanka Sourabh: Raksha Bandhan is not just about a brother’s duty to protect his sister from external threats but also about safeguarding her rights and dreams. However, are we truly able to protect our sisters in the real sense? In today’s world, it has become imperative to uphold the responsibilities tied to Rakhi. If we vow to protect not only our sisters but every woman in the world on this sacred day, only then can the true purpose of this festival be fulfilled.

The bond between a brother and sister is one of the most cherished relationships in the world. Brothers and sisters are true friends and guides to each other. It is only when a sister gets married and goes to her in-laws’ house or when a brother leaves home for work in another city that one realizes how invaluable this relationship is. A soldier standing on the border misses his sister immensely, and the emotions of sisters during such times are beyond words. This sacred bond tied with colorful threads has been deeply intertwined with our culture for centuries. It symbolizes the invaluable love and emotions that not only bind a brother to his sister but also compel him to pledge the protection of every girl in the world. Raksha Bandhan renews and strengthens the bond of love, affection, and responsibility between brothers and sisters. Sisters eagerly wait to tie Rakhi on their brother’s wrist on this day, which not only symbolizes a sister’s love for her brother but also reminds the brother of his duties.

Raksha Bandhan is a festival of the brother-sister relationship. “Raksha” means protection, and “Bandhan” means bond. On this day, sisters pray to God for their brothers’ prosperity. Traditionally, sisters tie Rakhi to their brothers, but it is also tied by Brahmins, gurus, and respected relatives within the family, such as daughters tying it to their fathers. This festival is inherently linked to protection, symbolizing a commitment to protect others. If, on this sacred day, we vow to protect not only our sisters but every girl in the world, the true purpose of this festival can be fulfilled. This festival has a golden history, but like other relationships, it has seen many changes over time. As modernity continues to dominate our values and relationships, the essence of Rakhi has also been affected. The warmth and love that Rakhi once symbolized seem to be fading, with the growing emphasis on monetary exchange overshadowing the traditional values. In such times, it is essential to honor the duties tied to Rakhi, as it represents much more than just a tradition of tying threads.

The story of Krishna and Draupadi is well-known, where during a battle, Krishna’s finger got injured, and Draupadi tore a piece of her sari to bandage it. In return, Krishna vowed to protect Draupadi in any crisis. The essence of Raksha Bandhan lies in such stories, where a brother would fight against all odds to protect his sister’s honor whenever she called for help. Queen Karmavati of Mewar sent a Rakhi to Mughal Emperor Humayun, requesting protection against Bahadur Shah’s invasion. Despite being a Muslim, Humayun honored the Rakhi and fought to protect Karmavati and her kingdom. Similarly, when Krishna defeated Shishupala with the Sudarshan Chakra, Draupadi bandaged his injured finger with a piece of her sari. This happened on the full moon day of the month of Shravan, and Krishna later repaid this kindness by extending Draupadi’s sari during the Chir Haran incident. The festival of Raksha Bandhan, which symbolizes mutual protection and cooperation, is believed to have originated from this event.

Today, the sanctity of the Rakhi is being challenged, as every stage of a girl’s life is fraught with insecurity. Her dignity and identity are repeatedly violated. Despite having greater intellectual prowess than boys, she is often deprived of higher education because she is expected to manage the household. She is kept ignorant of new cultures and civilizations to prevent her from rebelling against Indian ideals and principles. In such adverse circumstances, her abilities, rights, thoughts, and every dream of her life remain stifled. Therefore, I believe that on this holy festival of Rakhi, it is crucial for brothers to sincerely pledge not only to protect their sisters but also to safeguard the dignity and honor of all women. Only then will this sacred festival of Rakhi be truly meaningful, and the love between brothers and sisters remain eternal on this earth. This festival is so deeply rooted in Indian society that its social significance is undeniable, and it has also been a theme in religion, mythology, history, literature, and cinema.

However, the rise of gold and silver Rakhis has replaced the colorful threads soaked in love, leading to the fulfillment of rituals rather than understanding the duties associated with them. The essence of love and goodwill has been overshadowed by superficiality. This is why, on the morning of Raksha Bandhan, social media is flooded with pictures and videos of the festival. Instead of sisters tying Rakhis, e-commerce sites are now taking orders online and delivering them to the specified addresses. If we nurture these relationships with the water of love in real life rather than on social media, the bond within families will remain strong. Raksha Bandhan is not just about protecting sisters from others but also about safeguarding their rights and dreams, which is the brother’s duty. But is this protection truly provided? In today’s time, it has become essential to protect the duties associated with Rakhi.

On Raksha Bandhan, we should not only pledge to protect our sisters but also commit to protecting the rights and dignity of all women so that we can truly fulfill the responsibilities associated with Rakhi. We should also take a vow on this festival to protect our country and religion.

**#RakshaBandhan #SiblingLove #BrotherSisterBond**