Tuesday 13 September 2011

Raksha Bandhan Legend

 Raksha Bandhan Legend – Reference of Rakhi Festival in Bhavishya Puran

The legend of Raksha Bandhanmentioned in Bhavishya Puran refers to a Sura-Asur Yudh (war between Gods and demons). King Brutra, the powerful demon king, was attacking the Gods army with a furious approach and the Gods were on the edge of defeat.

Worried King, Indra, approached Guru Brihaspati, Guru of Gods, with a hope of finding a solution to stop the demon Brutra. Brihaspati advised Indra to get a sacred thread tied on his wrist on Shravan Purnimaday. Sachi Devi, also known as Indrani, Lord Indras wife, sanctified a thread and tied on to his hand on Shravan Pournami. The sacred thread powered the Gods not only to get rid of the defeat but routed to a great victory for them.

Thus the sacred thread, also referred as Raksha, protected the Devas. Since then, every year on Shravan Purnima, Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi festival is celebrated.

Rakhi Festival reference in History – Raksha Bandhan in History

Rakhi Festival or Raksha Bandhan is the festival celebrated by brothers and sisters as the indication of their great relationship. Rakhi Festival has its great reference in history.

King Purushottam and Alexander – Kings of Rakhi Festivsal:

The story of the importance of Rakhi festival is mentioned in history which described the relationship between King Purushottam or Puru with Alexander The Great. In or around 300 B.C. Alexander the Great of Macedonia invaded India with his huge army. King Purushottam defended greatly with his furious war tactics. The great conqueror of the world, Alexander the great was afraid of Purushottam and called back his army from the battle field.

Alexander was seriously worried of this incident. Alexanders wife heard about the greatness of Rakhi festival and importance given to Raksha Bandhan by Hindus. Seeing her husband worrying, she went to King Purushottam and tied Rakhi to his hand got his blessings. King Purushottama accepted her as his sister and blessed her for wellness of her family. With that incident, when he got a chance to behead Alexander, he just hold back from the battle field

Rakhi Pournami Legend – Raksha Bandhan story of Goddess Laxmi and King Bali

Rakhi Pournami festival has various legends in Puranas and other sacred texts. Raksha Bandhanis also associated with the story of Goddess Laxmi and King Bali, who was a great devotee of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu. King Bali performed a sacrifice to take Lord Vishnu along with him to his kingdom. As Lord Vishnu blesses his devotees with great boons he accepted to be a guard in Balis kingdom. But how Laxmi could tolerate this? She went straight to King Bali in a form of a poor Brahmin woman and requested to stay there till her husband returns back.

The auspicious day has come – Shravan Pournami – the day to tie a sacred thread. Goddess Lakshmi tied the sacred thread to Bali. After tying the Raksha, she explained the whole matter. She requested him to send her husband Lord Vishnu along with her to Vaikunta or Vishnulok.

As Bali was kind and generous, mainly devoted to Vishnu and his consort, he felt her sorrow as his own sisters. Bali sacrificed his Lord for Lords wife and accepted to send Lord Vishnu along with Laxmi to Vaikuntam.

Since then, Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi Pournami festivalis also called as Baleva. Thus, King Bali initiated the tradition of inviting sisters to brothers houses to get Rakhi tied on to brothers hands. Here is the reason why sisters are invited to their brothers’ houses during Rakhi festival or Rakshabandhan.

Rakshabandhan Mantra – Mantram to recite while tying Rakhi

Rakshabandhan mantra or the mantram or sloka to recite while tying Rakhi is associated with the legend of King Bali and Goddess Laxmi about Raksha Bandhan. Sisters recite Rakshabandhan mantra while tying Rakhi on to brothers hands. Here is the mantra or stotra of Raksha Bandhanam. Raksha Bandhan 2010 date is 24th August.

Yenabaddho Baleeraja Daanavendro Mahabalaha Thethathwa mabhi badhnami Rakshamachala maachala

Meaning of Rakshabandhan Stotram – “On the request of all the Gods, Vishnu tied up the strong and powerful Demon King Bali with his strength. I am tying the power of the Vishnu Shakti, in the form of Raksha, on to you hand. With the force and energy of this sacred thread, all the Gods will stand at your side and keep you healthy and wealthy forever.”


Raksha Bandhan Rituals – Pujas during Rakhi Festival

Rituals and Pujas of Rakhi festival are related to brother and sister. Sisters prepare Puja Thali with several items. Pooja Thali is prepared with diya, consecrated rice, rakhi, turmeric power, kumkum and sweet. Sisters worship Lord Ganesh, Shiva, Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi on this day and tie rakhi to their brothers. Sister seeks blessings from brother. Brothers present sisters with gifts.

Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi festival is celebrated with utmost joy and festivity throughout India. Rituals and pujas may vary from region to region but the main aim and objective of the festival is same in all regions. Rakhi is the only festival that makes the siblings together even today.

On Rakshabandhan day or Shravan Purnima, Avani Avittam or Janeyu Dharana or Yagnopavitha Dharana or Yajur Upakarma is observed in South Indian states. The day is also observed as Hayagriva Jayanthi. In Gujarat, Shravana Purnima is also observed as Pavitropana

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