Importance and Significance of Raksha Bandhan 2018

Rakhi 2018:Importance and Significance of Raksha Bandhan 

Rakhi 2018: The significance of Raksha Bandhan festival is huge in our country. It holds immense importance in Hinduism.

Raksha bandhan

1.Importance and Significance of Raksha Bandhan

Rakhi 2018: The significance of Raksha Bandhan festival is huge in our country. It is celebrated no lesser than any other festival, as it is dedicated to the love of a sister and her brother. It holds immense importance in Hinduism. The name of the festival, Raksha Bandhan is made up of two words, Raksha (Protection) and Bandhan (Relation). On this day, a sister ties ‘Rakhi’ around her brother’s wrist while the brother undertakes an oath to protect his sister until death. He vows to stand by his sister through thick and thin. Sisters tying the sacred thread around the wrists of brothers is a symbol of attachment, meant to strengthen their bond of love.

In our country, Raksha Bandhan has been practised since ancient times. Indian history is overflowing with fables, where brothers are said to have come ahead to protect their sisters during any adversity. According to Times of India, a number of myths say the festival of Raksha Bandhan started when, in old times, queens sent ‘rakhi’ to their neighbours, symbolizing brotherhood. But now, the tradition has altered completely since, in the present era, sisters tie a Raksha Sutra around their brother’s wrists.

According to the Hindu calendar, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon of the Savaan month. The significance of this festival is undeniable as siblings come close on this very day. Apart from getting his wrist tied with a Rakhi, the brother owes a gift to his sister. Expensive or inexpensive, the gift is cherished by all sisters.

The preparations for Raksha Bandhan in each Hindu household begins way before the festival month arrives. Choosing and buying selective ‘Rakhi’ for her brother, we see every sister overwhelmed with joy on this occasion. Sweets are prepared the night before the celebration.

Every member of the family rises early for the rituals that begin in the morning. A special thali is prepared for the puja ceremony and is beautifully decorated with ‘roli’, rice grains, ‘diya’, sweets and rakhis. Sisters who are the only child of their parents or those who do not have a brother as a sibling usually performs the rituals with a cousin or somebody who she claims to be her brother. This festival helps siblings realize the importance of growing up together.

2.Importance and Significance of Raksha Bandhan

happy raksha bandhan

The spiritual significance of Raksha Bandhan is when one takes a sacred divine vow of purity with the God, to live a life of purity in thoughts, words and actions. This sacred thread called a rakhi, tied on the right hand, is only symbolic and it is a gentle reminder that we must protect ourselves spiritually from the vices less we commit spiritual suicide in bondage of materialism.

This life of purity and the freedom from material bondage elevates the soul to its original pure religion of peace and silence. Raksha Bandhan is not an isolated festival, but it is an activity in a major event in the world cycle, for the purification of all souls as well as the elements.

This event begins with Shiva Ratri when God incarnates on earth to destroy the vices at the end of every cycle of 5000 years. The Religious aspect of Raksha Bandhan is a promise by a brother for the protection of a sister.

This is done to the extent of defending her honour even at the expense of his life. Here, the sister shows respect to the brother in the form of adoration or worship. The sacred thread of Rakhi, tied on a brother's wrist by the affectionate sister, is the ceremonial expression of her pious hope and wish that her brother be guided by spiritual vision.

This symbolic thread is a token of remembrance and inspiration for the brother. History is replete with examples where brothers died in defence of their sister's honour. Rani Karnavati of Chittor sent a Rakhi to the Mughal Emperor Humayun when she was threatened by Bahadur Shah of Mewar. Humayun abandoned an ongoing military campaign to ride to her rescue".

However, in today’s time when one feels that humanity has lost its moral and spiritual bearings and society has become so degraded and impure, that not even a mother, daughter or sister is protected from the criminal eyes of even close family relations. The sacred filial covenant of love is in real danger as promiscuity is beamed electronically into your sacred homes with or without your permission, much to the delight of the policy makers.

It is a reminder of the vow of purity in thoughts, words and actions with lord Shiva. Yellow rakhi represents newness, the freshness of spring, and the beginning of a new era, and it is the colour of Saraswati, the world mother of purity.

Hence Raksha Bandhan is not to be taken lightly as a ritual or a mere ceremony, but it is to be taken as a deed of covenant with God. It is your insurance policy when you surrender body, mind and wealth. How to tie a Spiritual Rakhi?

Prepare yourself physically and mentally and sit in solitude preferably in the very early hours of the morning known as the Brahma Muhurat. Concentrate on Shiva, the Supreme Soul, and remember him as your teacher, protector, companion, support of life.

Then make a vow with him to live a life of purity in thoughts, words, actions and relationships. This vow should be of your own free will and it is something you want to do, free from fear.

In conclusion, the main aspect of the festival of Raksha Bandhan is therefore connected with the sacred vow of purity and a pledge to obtain and impart divine knowledge and attributes. Its origin is the confluence age and the purpose is the purification of all souls and transformation of the world. 

It is important to protect your elevated conscience or divine intellect by not coming under the influence of anger, greed, arrogance, lust and attachment. When need turns into greed, believe it or not, you are on the highway to hell.

To cheat, deceive or steal are sinful acts and are opposite divinity. To pledge a life of purity and live a life of sin is to commit suicide. You may deceive others and maybe yourself, but you cannot fool the God. The wages of sin accumulate hundredfold if you are knowledgeable compared to that of being ignorant of the consequences.

On this auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, 26 August 2018, take a moment for deep spiritual introspection and free yourselves from the bondage of greed, the lust for power and a slave of promiscuity and make God your eternal companion for true peace, happiness and prosperity.

"HAPPY RAKSHA BANDHAN 2018"