Raksha Bandhan Mantra

Today is Raksha Bandhan. It falls on the first full-moon day of Shravan mas. Did you know that in many parts of India, a mantra is recited by the sister when tying the raksha onto her brother? Is this a tradition which we have forgotton whilst living in the western world?

Balbandhu BalRaja,

Rakshe rakse yamraja,

traNaso Ne SAtha DivasNA AshirvAd

In essence, the mantra is blessing the brother, and the sister is saying that she will bless him again after a year. So strong are the blessing of the sister, that they last a year!

There is another mantra, which when translated, means “I am tying a Raksha to you, similar to the one tied to Bali, the powerful king of the demons. Oh Raksha, be firm, do not waver.”

Yena baddho Balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah
Tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshe maa chala maa chala

The mantra recalls how the demon king Bali had become powerful with the Rakhi on. The power of the mantra is supposed to protect the wearer from evil influences. This shows how dependent and secure a sister feels when she has a brother. Tying this rakhi or raksha signifies the re-strengthening of the bond between the siblings of opposite sexes. How this simple, annually recurring act of tying the rakhi on one’s wrist can evoke such strong and intense emotions in a person is indeed surprising. It seems almost like an unspoken pledge, exchanged between a brother and a sister cementing their fraternal relationship and reinforcing their protective bond against all ills and odds.

Raksha Bandhan Legends

Legend goes that once Indra, the Pauranic King of the Heavens, while warring with the Daitya-Raaja (demon king) was confronted with reverses. Humbled, he sought the advice of Brihaspati, the Guru. On the auspicious occasion of Shravan Poornima, both Shachee Devi or Indrani, the consort of Indra and Brihaspati, the Guru of the Gods, tied silken amulets popularly known as Raksha on Indra's wrist. Subsequently, Indra vanquished the Daitya-Raaja and reestablished sovereignty over his celestial abode.

It is said that at one time, Alexander's wife approached the mighty Hindu adversary, Pururaja, and sought assurance of her husband's life by tying the Rakhi on Pururaja's hand. The story goes that just as Pururaja raised his hand to deliver a mortal blow to Alexander, he saw the Raksha and refrained from striking.

In yet another poignant instance, a Rajput princess sent a Rakhi to the Mughal Emperor Humayun, enlisting his support against the onslaught of the Gujarat Sultan. Though engaged elsewhere, Humayun hastened to the rescue of his Rakhi sister but to his bitter disappointment found that the kingdom had been seized and the princess had committed "jauhar" to save her honor.

Raksha Bandhan in the Millenium!

Finally, I'd like to share the following picture with you:

Click on the picture to see the full-size.