THE SIGNIFICANCE OF RAKSHA BANDHAN By: Parmanand Sukhu Once again Guyanese observe RAKSHA BANDHAN (Bond of Protection) popularly known as ‘RAKHI’. Throughout the Indian world it is an auspicious day for sisters to tie a sacred thread on the wrist of their brothers to keep alive their love and affection towards them. It is a blessing for the welfare of the brothers and also to remind them of their duty to protect their sisters. The tying of RAKHI brings two hearts together purely on the basis of a brotherly and sisterly love, and is one of the significant events of the Indian Cultural Calendar. Such observances and their celebrations are streams of the culture which keep alive the community by maintaining the value of life. There is a popular story which gives the origin of the present form. In Rajasthan, India, a Kshatrya widow, Queen Padmini was ruling the kingdom of Chattor Grah. Once she was attacked by her enemies, and in order to protect herself and her kingdom, she sent a RAKHI (sacred thread) through her messenger to the Moghal Emperor, Humayoon requesting him to be ‘brother’ and calling on him for help and protection. In response, Emperor Humayoon gladly accepted her as a sister through the RAKHI and saved her and her kingdom. A female can adopt a male as her brother by the tying of RAKHI, but a man has to think and choose carefully before accepting the offer of a RAKHI from a woman who is not his real sister, since it is a pledge and responsibility of protection that will exist throughout his lifetime. ‘Once a woman ties that sacred thread on the wrist of a man, that bond cannot be untied, and that brotherly and sisterly love must be kept until death’, In preparation of RAKSHA BANDHAN, the sister prepares a special thali (brass/silver plate) of Aarti which contain a lighted diya in the centre, flowers, garland, Rakhi and some sweet meat. She then goes to her alter and prays for long life and her brother. To complete the rituals, she proceeds to her brother and garland him, then apply chandan (tikka) on his forehead, then she ties the Rakhi on his right hand (wrist), then she does aarti to her brother, and in the last act, she gives him some sweet meat and kiss him. In return, the brother embrace his sister and give her gifts or money, the brother also assure his sister of protection and help which brings harmony to the society. In another instance, the Guru (Pandit) will tie the sacred thread on the wrists of his chelas (disciples) signifying a guidance of responsibility and pledge of protection towards his disciples who in turn pledge to be upright and disciplined as expected. In a Hindu marriage ceremony, one of the sixteen religious rites is RAKSHA SUTRA, which is cord of protection. In this part of the ceremony the Barka (Dulha’s elder brother) places a cord of protection around the neck of the Dulhan (his bougie or sister-in-law). In doing so the Barka takes vow to protect the Dulhan in times of distress and danger which she may encounter. On this auspicious day special services are held at all Mandirs in Guyana. This day falls on the full moon of the month Sharvan (August/September) each year. Let us observe RAKSHA BANDHAN in its true spirit. A sister ties a Rakhi on the wrists of her brother, while two other sisters awaits their turn.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 13:46:26 +0000
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