The fast, festival and mythological legends are
outcome of spiritual and philosophical doctrines. Their subtle, selflessness,
spiritual mysteries are not much appreciated in the modern age, but we observe
them as a matter of tradition. There is no dearth of scientific and physical
base in them. Science arrives at a conclusion only on the basis of a
hypothesis. Indian religious festival and legends expose the mystery of the
real form of Truth by symbols, indications and by allegorical methods, which is
most poignant and venerable. In modern materialistic world of reason and
arguments, we pay no heed to it. To realize the sublime, spiritual and
psychological truth in them, we need the persons of cooperative and element
knowledge. When you understand them, the door to extreme happiness and welfare
opens. With such devoted mind, the festival of Raksha Bandhan should be
observed.
Shravan (July-August)is a Hindu calendar month of celebrations.
On the full moon day of Shravan, an annual ritual of Raksha Bandhan is
observed, in which sisters tie Rakhi (considered as sacred thread) on the right
wrist of their brothers and apply a sacred mark Tilak in the centre of their
forehead. The brother, in turn give them some gifts and money as a token of
affection and a pledge to protect their honour in case of need. It is also
revealed by God Siva that the immortal, incorporeal, tinny star like human
souls, while in body are seated in the centre of the forehead. It is for this
reason that tilak is applied at that place. In India, the females traditionally
apply Bindi at the same spot although they are hardly aware of its spiritual
significance.
For the last 2000 years or so and till a few decades ago, this
festival used to be celebrated in a different way. It was customary for the
family priest to visit homes and tie a sacred thread and apply the tilak to
each and every person in the family including the male members, elders and
children. The sacred thread was also tied by the priest to the doors and
windows of the house as well as to newly purchased household effects. A tilak
like mark was also put on those items.
Raksha Bandhan, also known as Vish Torak (destroyer of venom),
Punya Pradayak (bestower of boons) and Pap Nashak (destroyer of sin) has a
wider and deeper spiritual significance and it is also linked with Siva. There
are scriptural stories also of Indrani and Yamuna having tied rakhis to their
brother Indra and Yama respectively, which brought them benefit but that does
not throw any light on the original purpose of the festival. With the passage
of time, the custom of the priest tying rakhi to every one in the family also
came to be discontinued. It began to be celebrated as a brother-sister ritual.
A legend related to this festival is that once in a battle
between the demons and gods, the gods were defeated. Their king Indra went to
the priest of gods Brihaspati and said that such circumstances shamed him into
sacrificing his life. Meanwhile Indrani arrived and said that she would plan a
way out. Next morning after prayers, Indrani tied a cotton band on the wrist of
Indra and sent him to the battle field. Indra won the battle.
History also emphasizes the importance of this festival. Once
there was a war between two Rajput states. Once was getting help of the Mughal
in the times ofJahangir. Panda of one state sent cotton band (Rakhi) to the
chief, who was under the help of the Mughals. That chief, getting the Rakhi,
turned the tables and attacked the Mughals. Thereafter cordial relations lasted
between the two states. Rani Karamvati avoided a calamity by sending Rakhi to
Humayun and thus, making him her brother.
The origin of Raksha Bandhan has to be traced to the incarnation
of the God-Sermonizer of Gita which takes place at the fag end of every
worldcycle, when it is the time of extreme degeneration of values. The
incorporeal selfluminous (Jyotirlingum) Siva (the world benefactor) descends in
the corporal medium of Prajapati B'rhma and raises non-violent spiritual
children of Prajapati B'rhma. The sacred thread (Rakhi) was tied to brothers to
take a vow of purity that protects the honour of sisters and the tilak applied
was for soul consciousness. In return for this vow of purity. Lord Siva granted
them protection from negativity and vices and ultimately liberation from grief
and suffering.
This ancient Hindu festival of brotherhood and pure love at
present is celebrated by sisters going to brothers, tying Rakhis, applying
Tilak and offering sweets and the brothers, assuring the safety and honour of
their sisters. Arun (reddish orange: the colour of rising sun) in rakhis has
great importance that the rakhi conveys to the brother,"Oh my brother,
till the last drop of your blood, the responsibility of my safety in emergency
is yours".
In Bundelkhand (U,P.) this is also called Kajri purnima or Kajri
navami, when wheat or barley is sown in small container, watered everyday for
seven days and worship of mother Bhagwati is done. This is observed by those
women who are blessed with a son recently.
By establishing a love-link or mental communion i.e. yoga with
the ocean of knowledge and ocean of virtues, i.e supreme soul siva a soul can
regain its orignal state of pristine purity complete upto 16 celestial degrees
(solakala samnooran), which is symbolized by full moon. It is for this reason
that Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the day of full moon.
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