Raksha Bandhan 2024: Raksha Bandhan is not just a festival of brothers and sisters, it is told in the scriptures who ties whom

Rakhi 2024: We all know that on the day of Rakshabandhan, a sister ties a protective thread on her brother’s wrist, which is called Rakhi. But it is said in the scriptures that a wife can also tie a Rakhi to her husband.

Its main source is found especially in ancient texts. Skanda Purana Shravan Mahatmya Chapter No. 21, Narada Purana and Bhavishya Purana (Uttar Parva Chapter No. 137), in which it is written that when the demons were defeated in the war between gods and demons, they went to their guru Shukracharya to know the reason for this defeat.

Indrani Shachi had tied a protective thread on Indra’s wrist

Shukracharya told that Indrani Shachi had tied a protective thread on Indra’s wrist for his protection. That protective thread saved him. Krishna had told this story to Yudhishthira and also told the method for it.

The festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated every year with great enthusiasm and zeal across the country. This festival is always associated with the feeling of deep love and unbreakable bond between brother and sister. But there are many other reasons behind tying Rakhi or Raksha Sutra on Raksha Bandhan. In some stories, it is said that Draupadi tied a piece of cloth on Krishna’s wrist when he got hurt and got his blessings or it is said that Mother Parvati tied a Rakhi to Lord Vishnu.

So some get its acceptance by telling the story of Bali and Patal Lok, while some tell the story of Yamuna and Yamraj. But these are just legends. Because such a thing is not mentioned in any ancient text. Neither Vyasji has described it in Mahabharata nor is it discussed in Vedas or Puranas.

Is Rakshabandhan only a festival of brothers and sisters?

In earlier times, the priests used to tie a bundle with a thread on the wrist. That bundle contained rice, yellow mustard, sandalwood etc. tied in a copper sheet which was tied after chanting the mantras (Yen Baddho Bali Raja Danavendro Mahabal:. Ten Tvamanubhadhnami rakshe ma chal ma chal.(Bhavisya Purana Uttar Parva 137.20). With time, this festival changed in many ways and became a festival of brothers and sisters on a large scale. Leaving aside caste, religion etc., the sister ties a Raksha Sutra on the brother’s wrist and expects only continuous love and affection. This is a kind of oath of protection.

Who can tie Rakhi to whom?

• Mother to her son.
• Daughter to her father.
• To sister and brother.
• The student to his teacher.
• Brahmin to any Kshatriya, Vaishya or Shudra.
• Grandchildren to their grandparents.
• Friend to his friend.
• Wife to her husband.
• To soldiers (This is the most noble deed because army needs this protective thread.)
• Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (Mumbai) tie Raksha Sutra among themselves for protection.

Why Paliwal Brahmins do not celebrate the festival of Rakshabandhan (Why Paliwal do not celebrate Rakshabandhan)

In Bhavishya Purana, it is considered auspicious to offer tarpan to ancestors on the day of Rakshabandhan i.e. Sawan Purnima (Purnima) (Bhavishya Purana, Uttar Parva 137), so tying Rakhi is a very common practice not only for brothers and sisters. In the twelfth century, Brahmins (Paliwals) tied Rakhi to Kshatriyas. For example, in 1273, Paliwal Brahmins tied Rakhi for the protection of Kshatriya king Rao Rathore. The king fought bravely but the entire village was killed. That is why even today Paliwal Brahmins do not tie Rakhi.

How to Celebrate Raksha Bandhan (How to Celebrate Raksha Bandhan)

How to celebrate Raksha Bandhan festival, know from Skanda Purana Shravan Mahatmya Chapter number 21-

Samprapte Shravane Masi Pournmasyan Sandhyajapadi Sampadya Dinodaye. Snanam Kurvit Matimaan Shrutismritividhanah ॥ 41 ॥
Pitrindevanrishistha. Tarpayitva tatah kuryatsvarnapatravinirmitaam. 42 ॥
Hemasutraishcha Sambandham Mauktikadivibhushitam. Kausheyatantubhih kirnairvichitrairmalvarjitaih ॥43॥
Vichitragranthisyuktaam padaguchchaishcha rajitam. Siddharthaishchakshataishchaiva Garbhitaam Sumanohram ॥44॥
Sanstapya Kalasham Tatra Purnapatre Tu Taan Nyaset. Upavishyasane Ramye Suhadbhi Parivaritah ॥45॥
वश्यानार्तनगानादिक्रतकौतुकमंगलः। Tatah Purodhasa actions Rakshabandha Samantrakah ॥46॥
Yen Baddho Bali Raja Danavendro Mahabalah. Ten Tvamanubhadhnami rakshe ma chal ma chal ॥ 47॥
Brahmanaih Kshatriyavaishyaih Shudraishchaivaanyamanvaih. Rakshabandha Prakartavyo Dwijansampoojya Yatnatah ॥ 48 ॥
Rakshabandhanmacharet. स सर्वदोष्ठरिखतह सुखी सम्वत्सरम भवेत॥ 49॥
अनेन विधिना यस्तु यह श्रावाने विमलमासी विधानविज्ञो रक्षाविधानमिदमाचरते मुनुषः.
आस्ते सुखेन परमेन स वर्शमेकं पुत्राइस्च पूत्राशाहित्ः सुहृज्जनाश्च ॥ 50 ॥

Meaning – A wise man should take a bath as per the rules of Shruti-Smriti at sunrise on the full moon day of Shravan. After this, after doing Japa etc. in the evening and offering oblations to the Gods, sages and ancestors, make a very beautiful Raksha (Rakhi) made in a golden vessel, tied with threads, decorated with pearls etc., made of strange and clean silken fibers, decorated with strange knots, decorated with bunches of feet and filled with snakes and unbroken rice grains. After that, place the Kalash and place the full vessel on it and again place the Raksha on it. After that, sit on a beautiful seat and engage in auspicious activities. After this, perform Raksha Bandhan by reciting this mantra-

‘Yen Baddho Bali Raja Danavendro Mahabalah. Ten tvamanubhadhnami rakshe ma chal ma chal.’ With the same bond that King Bali, the husband of the mighty demons, was bound, I bind you, O protector. Do not move, do not move.

Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras and other people should perform Raksha Bandhan after worshipping the Brahmins who recite Vedas. The one who performs Raksha Bandhan in this manner remains free from all defects and remains happy throughout the year. The person who knows the rules and performs this Raksha Bandhan ritual in the pure month of Shravan lives very happily for a year along with his sons, grandsons and friends.

Why can’t we tie Rakhi during Bhadra?

According to Skanda Purana Shravan Mahatmya Chapter No. 21-

Bhadrayaan cha na dutieso rakshabandha shuchivrataih. Baddha Raksha Tu Bhadraya Vipariphala Prada ॥51॥

Meaning- Those who observe a great fast should not do Rakshabandhan in Bhadra. Because Raksha tied in Bhadra gives opposite results.

What is the best time for Raksha Bandhan? (Raksha Bandhan 2024 Muhurat)

The most auspicious time is from 1:46 PM to 4:19 PM. This year do not tie Raksha Sutra in the morning because Bhadra is falling from the morning.

Also read: Sawan Somwar 2024: Who started the Sawan Monday fast, know from the scriptures what is the method of worship, benefits and importance