Have blessed day to all. READ MANTRA HERE TO TIE RAKHEE... Raksha Bandhan Around mid-August, on Shravan Purnima, Hindus all over celebrate Raksha Bandhan. Raksha means protection, bandhan means bound or binding. The festival is also known as Balev. Raksha Bandhan Around mid-August, on Shravan Purnima, Hindus all over celebrate Raksha Bandhan. Raksha means protection, bandhan means bound or binding. The festival is also known as Balev. Scriptural Origin The Bhavishya Puran cites a story that the devas once battled with the danavas (demons) for twelve years. However, the devas lost, including the mighty Indra. So they prepared to fight again. On this occasion, Indrani tied a raksha on her consort Indra, after extolling Raksha Bandhans glory. Indra then attained victory.During the battle of Mahabharat, Queen Kunti tied a raksha on her grandson Abhimanyu to protect him in battle.When the demon King Balis devotion won over Lord Narayan, he was compelled to leave his abode, Vaikunth, to stay in Balis kingdom in Sutal. When Lord Narayan failed to return, his distressed consort Lakshmi arrived in Sutal on Shravan Purnima. She accepted Bali as her brother by tying a raksha on him. In return, Bali asked her to wish for a boon. She requested Narayans return. She grieved that despite having a consort she was experiencing premature widowhood in Narayans absence. However, the Lord had pledged to eternally protect Bali, by guarding his door. To resolve his dilemma, Brahma and Shiva agreed to guard Bali for four months each, while Vishnu (Narayan) would guard him for the auspicious four months - Chaturmaas - beginning from Ashadh Sud Ekadashi and terminating on Kartik Sud Ekadashi, usually from Mid-July to Mid-November. The festival of Raksha Bandhan commenced when Lakshmiji tied the rakhadi (rakhee in Hindi) on Bali Raja. Since Bali Raja offered devotion by sacrificing everything to the Lord, the day is also known as Bali-eva or Baleva for short. Therefore when Brahmin priests perform puja rituals, they chant a famous mantra while tying the nada chhadi (raksha) on a devotee: Yena baddho Baliraja daanavendro Mahaabala, tena twaamabhi badh naami rakshe maa chala maa chala i.e. I tie on you (the devotee) the raksha which was tied on Bali, the King of demons. Therefore O Raksha! Do not ever fail to protect this devotee, do not ever fail. -Bhavishyottara Puran : 137/20 Rituals & Sentiments In ancient times a woman tied a raksha on her husbands wrist to protect him from evil. Gradually this changed; she tied a raksha on her brothers right wrist, to protect him from evil influence and those factors which may taint his character, and to strengthen the bond of sibling love between them. She visits her home and performs his pujan by applying kumkum and rice grains on his forehead. In return the brother gives her a gift and vows to protect her too. The rakhadi itself ranges from a coloured cotton string to exquisitely decorated balls of various sizes and materials such as fluffy cotton, zari paper, tinsel, beads and so on.A second sentiment relates to Baleva and our devotion to the Lord. Just as Bali Raja offered devotion to Lord Narayan by sacrificing his kingdom and himself, devotees should endeavor to emulate him. That is the true spirit of Baleva.
Posted on: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 05:56:10 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015