Are you prepared for Raksha Bandhan 18 Aug?

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon day of Shravan (also known as Sawan) every year; that is why it is also known as Rakhi Purnima. It is the day to celebrate the brother-sister love. 

A protection Kismatkarma Raksha Sutra. can be tied to your brothers wrist, (or anyone else needing protection) Following Mantra must be chanted while doing this:

ॐ येन बद्धो बली राजा दानवेन्द्रो महाबलः।

तेन त्वामपि बध्नामि रक्षे मा चल मा चल।।

Meaning : I will tie the raksha that bound the all-powerful and generous King Bali, to bind you too. O raksha, do not get dislocated.

The Kismatkarma Raksha Sutra can be properly worshiped by placing it on a Kalash (stoup) in a clean corner of the house before tying it on the hand.

The above Mantra has a story behind it. It is the Katha that can be recited during the Puja. Let’s know it:

Once Yudhishthir asked Lord Krishna to tell him the story that can take away all the pains of human life. The story told by Krishna goes like this:

In ancient times, Devas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) fought for 12 years continuously. The Asuras were winning the war. King of the Asuras brought all 3 Lokas (worlds) under his control and announced himself the Lord of the universe. Being tortured by the Asuras, Lord of the Gods, Indra consulted Guru Brihaspati (Mentor of the Devas) and requested him to do something for their protection. On Shravana Purnima, early in the morning, Raksha Vidhan (process to form protection) was accomplished.

Guru Brihaspati had chanted the above given Mantra for the Raksha Vidhan. Indra, along with his wife, recited the Mantra with Guru Brihaspati. Indrani, the consort of Indra, got Raksha Sutra validated by all the Brahmins and Purohits; and then tied it on the right hand of Indra. With the help of this Sutra, Lord Indra could win over the Asuras.

How to Tie Rakhi

A seat is placed for the brother to sit on. (if possible use a wooden seat)

A rangoli design is drawn around this seat (Sattvik waves are emitted by the rangoli designs made in this way and they help in making the environment of the place sattvik.)

The brother wearing new clothes whilst covering his head applies tilak to his forehead and sits on the seat. 

His sister stands in front of him holding a platter for aukshan. The brother and sister close their eyes and pay obeisance to God. The brother and sister pray to Deities for each other’s protection.

The sister applies tilak of vermillion to the brother.

She then ties the rakhi on her brother’s right wrist.

A Kismatkarma Raksha Sutra can also be tied to the right wrist

After tying the rakhi, the sister waves a ghee lamp i.e. Arati (in a semi-circular manner) in front of the brother.

After waving the Arati, the brother gifts his sister something. The sister shows her respect for her brother by accepting the gift.

There is another unique way of celebrating Raksha Bandhan. Women get ready in the morning for Puja and then put gold on the walls of their home. Further, they worship this gold with vermicelli dessert (Sevaiyan), sweet rice pudding (Kheer), and sweets. They stick the Rakhi threads on the gold with the help of those sweet dishes. Those women who sow wheat on Nag Panchami, keep these little plants in this worship, and after tying Rakhi on the wrists of their brothers, they put these plants on their ears.

Some people keep fast a day before this day. On the day of Rakshabandhan, they celebrate Rakhi following the Vedic rituals. Also, they perform Pitru Tarpan (homage to the departed souls of the family), and Rishi Pujan or Rishi Tarpan (homage to the saints).

In some regions, people also perform Shravan Pujan. It is performed to pay the homage to the Shravan Kumar, who had died by the hands of King Dashrath by mistake.

On Raksha Bandhan, brothers give nice gifts to their sisters to make them happy. If one doesn’t have his own sister, Rakshabandhan can be celebrated with a cousin or anyone who is like a sister.

Raksha Bandhan Legends

Some legends are already given above in the pursuit of explaining certain Puja Vidhis. Rest of the associated legends are mentioned below:

As per the mythologies, on this day, Draupadi had tied Krishna’s wounded hand with a piece of her Saree. Being grateful, he made a promise to Draupadi that he will protect her. That is why, Krishna came to the rescue of Draupadi during Cheer-Haran by Dushasana.

There is another legend in history of the Queen of Chittor, Karmavati. She had sent Rakhi to the Mughal Emperor Humayun in order to seek help from him. Humayun kept the respect of her Rakhi and sent forces to fight for the respect of his sister from the Emperor of Gujarat.