Raksha Bandhan ( रक्षा बंधन ) Festival of Protection and Care, Now become Subject of Discrimination or Losing its own true value

Topic:-  Raksha Bandhan ( रक्षा बंधन ) Festival of Protection and Care, Now become Subject of Discrimination or Losing its own true value.

                                    Raksha Bandhan ( रक्षा बंधन ) is a festival mainly celebrated in India and other countries, where Hindu (religion) people are living. But nowadays other religion people [like Christians & Muslims (few of them)] are also celebrating Raksha Bandhan because this festival is mainly celebrated to express love, care and affection between one's brother & sister (bonding between brother and sister). 

                               

As name suggest, Raksha Bandhan is a holy band of protection. In this anyone who want a Divine protection for their loved ones, can tie a holy band made of fabric (like cotton, silk, etc.)  Threads to their loved-one's & pray for his/her protection. We named this holy band as " Rakhi". Some tie this Rakhi to God & Goddess to seek protection, some bhabhi (Sister-in-law) tie rakhi to their devar (brother-in-law) to give them blessing , at some places wifes tie Rakhi to her husband for his well being & protection, but mainly sisters tied this holy band " Rakhi" to her brother & pray to God/Goddess for her brother's protection & well being.

It is said , that Raksha Bandhan first started when Indra Dev [ King of all Gods according to Hindu religion] was continuously defeated by King of demon, he was using all his power, weapons, etc. but not able to defeat king of demon. Then Devi/ Goddess Sachi [Indra Dev's Wife also known as Indrani] chanted holy Mantras keeping a silk thread in her hand. She tied this holy band to her husband Indra dev. In the next battle between God's King and demon's king, God's King Indra Dev defeated and killed demon's king and saved the universe from the darkness of evil

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All Gods & King of Gods Indra Dev also believes that they defeated demons  because of that holy band tied by his wife. This band protects everyone so they named it " Raksha Bandhan" means bond of protection (a SANSKRIT Language word).

Since then, it became a custom for Hindus to celebrate Raksha Bandhan. Firstly, it was used by wife’s seeking protection & prosperity for her husband, later Brahmins [God's men/Priests] tied Raksha Sutra to those who needs divine protection.

Now a days, many people especially male, thinks that it is a festival, where sister tie Rakhi and they give her some gift or money. Brothers also give her promise to protect her at the time of trouble thinking that she is weak and can't protect herself. According to them, their sisters are totally dependent on them for safety.

I personally condemn this type of narrow minded lower thinking because In my opinion and Religious story also supports that anyone who wants some one's prosperity and protection must tied him or her this holy thread.

Personally speaking, mostly every family member wants prosperity and protection for their other family members[ whether you belongs to any religion or country, you wants your family’s protection] and specially all male wants to protect their female family member (whether wife,mother,sister or daughter) but they can't always be with them so it is must for them that they will also seek Divine protection for their family by tying  Raksha Sutra to their family members [male and female] on the auspicious day of  Rakhi ( protect them for year).

Why all Women , seeking Divine protection for their family male [as mother tie holy Locket/ tabiz/ Pendent to their children, as sister tie Raksha Sutra to their brothers, etc.] Can't we (males) care about them?

Some male thinks that women are weak they need protection in the time of trouble, so  I want to ask them a question that, Do they know any male who never seek protection or never get troubles or never defeated in the history?

Everyone needs help in some point of time in the life. Family is all about for help.

A sister and a brother still protect each other at the time of crises irrespective of whether they have tied Rakhi or not.. 

I have expressed my views on Raksha Bandhan and explain that it is not mandatory that only sister tie rakhi to her brother. Being a festival of bond between Brother and sister, both should exchange Rakhis and gift  each other for both protection and well being.

Quite a years back, when I understood the real meaning and significance of this Festival, I started tying Raksha Sutra or Rakhi to my Sister and my Sister also tie Raksha Sutra or Rakhi to me, we exchange gifts & pray to God/Goddess for each other’s prosperity, well being and protection from all troubles in life.

So you also think about that & start this forgotten Vedic ritual and give Divine protection to your sister as she is doing for you.

[ Note :- Right process of Raksha Sutra is to hold the Rakhi in your right hand, light Deepak/ lamp in front of God/Goddess , with full faith pray for your loved one by taking their name, ask God’s protection for them and chant Holy Mantras (a minimum 108 times) and then tie the rakhi.]

I dedicate this post to my sister Aditi on the occasion of Rakhi.