Indian history is replete with women asking for protection from men who weren't their brothers by virtue of birth but only through the ceremonial tying of the Rakhi. Take the instance of Rani (Queen) Karnavati of Chittor, a Hindu princess, who sent a Rakhi to the Mughal Emperor Humayun when she was threatened by Bahadur Shah of Mewar. Humayun, on his part, abandoned a crucial ongoing military campaign to come to her rescue. Such is the power of the delicate thread for it binds a brother to the well being of his sister for eternity.
Origin of Rakhi
Rakhi is a rather popular festival amongst Indians and people attribute its origins to one of the following incidents, however the jury is still out on this one because nobody is able to agree on one specific incident.
It is said that once Lord Indra, (the king of the gods) stood completely vanquished in the battle against the asuras (demons). Full of remorse he approached his Guru Brihaspati for advice. At the behest of his Guru Brihaspati, Indra's wife Sachi tied a thread around her husband's wrist to ensure his victory in the upcoming duel, which he fought with renewed zeal and emerged victorious.
Another legend goes back to the time of the arrival of the Aryans in India. The Aryan men folk would perform Yajnas (prayers) before going to war in order to invoke the blessings of the Gods. Before departing for the battlefield their women ties sacred threads or amulets around their arms to protect them and also to remind them to uphold the honour of their tribe.
Once Lord Krishna was left with a bleeding finger. Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, tore a strip of silk off her sari and tied it around Krishna's wrist to staunch the flow of blood. Touched by her concern, Krishna had declared himself bound to her by her love. He further promised to repay the debt manifold, and spent the next 25 years of his life doing just that. For all that Draupadi was the daughter of a powerful monarch, sister to a legendary warrior, and wife to five warrior princes, Krishna remained the only man she could ever truly depend on.
History has it that the great Hindu King Porus refrained from striking Alexander, the Great because the latter's wife had approached this mighty adversary and tied a Rakhi on his hand, prior to the battle, urging him not to hurt her husband.
Contemporary India
In modern India, no matter which version you choose to believe, at the end of the day the festival of Rakhi is celebrated with much aplomb. Girls look forward to getting the customary gifts from their brothers and it is also a means for people to foster the feelings of brother hood. In fact, to oppose the partition of Bengal, the great Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore organized Raksha Bandhan to promote brotherhood and solidarity between Hindus and Muslims.
There are different Rakhi Traditions and Rakhi Customs . Various Types of Rakhis can now be bought off the market shelves and Rakhi sweets are looked forward to by all.
Christmas History
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