Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Raksha Bandhan honors the enduring bond between brothers and sisters. Beyond barriers of caste, class, and religion, it draws people from different cultures together in the spirit of love and affection.The thread represents a connection, a sense of protection. Bondage does not always tie you down. You are saved by your bond to something higher.
A promise of protection by woman
Rakshabandhan, is also a festival that dispels the misconception that men alone are powerful and can protect one another; and that somehow women are helpless or devoid of power.
Today it is celebrated as a festival for brothers and sisters, but it wasn’t always that. We know of many historic examples wherein rakhi signified raksha or protection and it was offered by a wife, daughter or mother. The Rishis tied rakhi to the people who came seeking their blessings. The sages tied the sacred thread to themselves to safeguard them from evil.

Rakshabandhan Special

Women protect with their physical, mental strength, their emotional depth, with sheer determination and resolve (sankalpa) which is very strong. Indian scriptures accord enormous importance to the power of women. As the primordial energy or Shakti, she is the life force behind the whole creation. Our scriptures honour women as the highest aspect of divinity- the Aadhya Shakti.
With that determination and the power of intention, they protect their brothers, sisters, elders, and men, which is represented through the ritual of tying the rakhi. This bond ensures safety. So, women should never consider themselves weak; they have a divine strength within, the capability to protect.
Who is the bond with?
Going beyond gender, a bond is necessary in life. But the question is, who do we bond with? Can there be such a bond that frees you? Your bondage to the Master, the truth, your own self, and spiritual knowledge alone can free you., quite similar to how a rope can be tied to either protect or ensnare a person. The tiny mind engrossed in trivial matters has the power to strangle you, but the big mind and spiritual knowledge can save and release you from the mundane.
Rakshabandhan- a reminder of responsibility
On this same day of the full moon in the month of Shravan, when we celebrate Raksha Bandhan, we also perform another ritual related to the sacred upanayana thread (yajnopavita). It is called ‘Shravana Upakarma’ – a ritual conducted once a year when people change their yajnopavita. The yajnopavita has three strands that stand for the three main responsibilities we carry – the responsibility towards society, towards one’s parents, and towards the knowledge that one has acquired in life. Our society and our parents have done so much for us, and we have received so much knowledge. Today we also take it upon ourselves and remind ourselves of our responsibility towards repaying these debts.
Raksha Bandhan is a festival of connecting, assuring and providing confidence to each other that I am there with you, I am committed to helping you, and I stand by you. When such an assurance is given with all one’s sincerity, then fear disappears in the society.

Follow our WhatsApp channel