Why is Raksha Bandhan celebrated? : Mythology and History

 Rakshabandhan, the festival of brother-sister affection in India, is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shravan. On this day sisters tie Rakhi on the wrist of their brothers and brothers promise to protect them for life.

When this holy festival of Raksha Bandhan started, there is no information available about its clear date. But many stories are prevalent in this regard. The description of these stories is also found in Puranas.

Let's know the stories of Raksha Bandhan

Story of King Bali and Mother Lakshmi

A mythological story of Raksha Bandhan is associated with Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi and King Bali.

Bali, the king of the Asuras, became invincible after completing 100 sacrifices. After establishing his empire on earth, he started preparing to get the throne of heaven. On knowing this, Devraj Indra got worried and reached the shelter of Lord Vishnu.

Indra prayed to Lord Vishnu to save the throne of heaven. Then Lord Vishnu incarnated as Vamana went to the court of King Bali and begged him for alms. King Bali was a donor. He promised Vamana Avatar Lord Vishnu that whatever he asks for in alms, he will be granted.

Lord Vishnu asked for three steps of land in alms. King Bali, keeping his promise, donated three steps of land to Lord Vishnu incarnate as Vamana and asked him to measure three steps of land.

Lord Vishnu measured the earth in the first step and heaven in the second step. Even before the third step, King Bali had felt that the Vaman present in front of him is not an ordinary person. He bowed his head before Lord Vishnu in the form of Vamana and requested him to keep the third step on his head.

Lord Vishnu did the same. In this way, King Bali lost his entire kingdom and was forced to live in Patal Lok. Lord Vishnu appeared in his real form on the request of King Bali before going to Patal Lok. He was extremely pleased to see the charity of the sacrifice. He asked her to ask for a groom.

King Bali said, “Lord! I have lost everything. My only request to you is that you should be in front of me every moment.

Lord Vishnu said Amen and went to Patal Lok with King Bali.

When Goddess Lakshmi, who was waiting for Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha, got this information, she got worried. He called Narad Muni and consulted him and asked him to solve this problem. Narada Muni suggested him to make King Bali his brother by tying a Rakshasutra and ask Lord Vishnu as a gift.

Goddess Lakshmi disguised herself as a poor woman and reached Patal Lok and tied Rakshasutra on King Bali's wrist as suggested by Narada.

Then King Bali said, "I have nothing to give you."

Then Goddess Lakshmi came in her real form and said, “You have Lord Vishnu in person. That's what I want."

King Bali let Lord Vishnu go with Goddess Lakshmi. While leaving, Lord Vishnu told King Bali that he would reside in Patal Lok for four months every year. Those four months are called 'Chaturdashi' and start from Devshayani Ekadashi and continue till Devuthani Ekadashi.

The day Goddess Lakshmi tied the Rakshasutra to King Bali, it was the full moon day of the month of Shravan. Since then that day is celebrated as Rakshabandhan and on that day sisters tie Rakshasutra/Rakhi on the wrist of their brothers and brothers promise to protect their sisters.

Story of Lord Krishna and Draupadi

This legend is related to the Mahabharata period. Yudhishthira organized Rajasuya Yagya in his capital Indraprastha. Shishupala was also present in that yagya. During the Yajna, Shishupala insulted Lord Krishna and Shri Krishna killed Shishupala with the Sudarshan Chakra.

While returning after killing Shishupala, Shri Krishna's finger was slightly cut by Sudarshan Chakra and blood flowed from it. Then Draupadi tore the pallu of her saree and tied it on Krishna's finger. At that time Shri Krishna promised Draupadi that he would repay the debt of each thread of this cloth.

When the Kauravas tried to rip off Draupadi at the time of gambling, then Shri Krishna saved Draupadi's shame by keeping his promise.

The day when Draupadi tied her pallu to the finger of Shri Krishna, it was the day of Shravan Purnima and that day is celebrated as Raksha Bandhan.

story of yudhishthira

This story is from the time of Mahabharata war. One day during the war, Yudhishthira asked Shri Krishna, "Tell me some solution, so that I can go beyond all the troubles."

Then Shri Krishna said to Yudhishthira, “Tie Rakshasutras on the wrists of all the soldiers. He will ensure victory by defeating all the difficulties.

Yudhishthira did the same and won the Mahabharata war. Rakshasutra also contributed in this victory.

The day on which Yudhishthira had tied Rakshasutra to all the soldiers, was the full moon day of the month of Shravan. Since then rakhi is also tied to soldiers on  day. 

Story of Devraj Indra

This story is mentioned in Bhavishya Purana. Once there was a continuous war between the Devas and the Asuras for 12 years. The gods were defeated in this war. Devraj Indra went to Amravati with all the gods.

On the other hand, the Asuras established their kingdom by occupying all the three worlds and declared that there would be no Yajna, reading of Vedas, worship and religious rituals in this state. In this way, religion started getting destroyed in all the three worlds.

Sad and worried Devraj Indra reached Guru Brahaspati. At that time his wife Shuchi was also present along with Guru Brahaspati.

Understanding the agony of Devraj Indra, she said, “Devraj! Tomorrow is Brahmin Shukla Purnima. I will give you the legally prepared Raksha Sutra. Get him tied on your wrist by you Brahmins by getting him done tomorrow. You will win."

Early in the morning, Brahmin Shukla got the rakshasutra given by Shuchi by Devraj Indra tied on his wrist by Brahmins and due to its influence the gods won the war. From that day the festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated through Brahmins.

A story of Rakhi is related to Rani Karnavati, widow of Rajput king Sanga of Chittor and Mughal ruler Humayun.

It was a custom in Rajasthan that when the Rajput kings went to war, women would put kumkum tilak on their forehead and tie a silk thread on their wrist. He believed that that silk thread would give him victory in the war.

In March 1534, Bahadur Shah Zafar, the ruler of Gujarat, attacked Chittor. Then the widowed queen of Chittor, Karnavati sent Rakhi to the Mughal emperor Humayun and sought his help.

At that time Humayun was going to invade Bengal. But as soon as he got Rakhi, he left his Bengal campaign and left for Chittor to help Rani Karnavati. That was the era of elephants and horses. By the time Humayun reached Chittor, it was late and Rani Karnavati had committed Jauhar.

To fulfill the duty of Rakhi, Humayun fought with Bahadur Shah Zafar and defeated him and handed over the reins of Chittor's rule to Vikramaditya, the son of his sister Rani Karnavati.

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