Raksha Bandhan- Indra Deva and Devi Sachi/

The Raksha Bandhan you celebrate now resembles the one that has been portrayed in Bollywood movies and rakhi related advertisements ,With the sister tying the rakhi on the brother’s wrist , vows to protect him and vice versa , this picture-perfect rakhi celebrating moments are our rakhi celebrations in a nutshell, but do you know Raksha Bandhan was not just a brother and sister festival.

The Itihasa and history of Raksha Bandhan starts with Devi Sachi/Indrani and Indra Deva.

Lord Indra, the king of the Devas was in battle with Asuras and Rakshasas , the war continued for many days and many nights, but the Devas were slowly being defeated making Indra Devata anxious and he went for guidance to Deva Guru Brihaspati. Deva Guru Brihaspati advised him to get a sacred thread tied on his wrist by his wife Indrani. Deva Guru Brihaspati guided Devi Sachi about how this thread should be empowered by the sacred mantras and should be chanted on the Shravana Purnami. Thus, Devi Sachi , Indra’s wife started the tradition of Raksha Bandhan, tying a sacred protective thread to protect her husband from defeat and death.

The power of the sacred thread/ Raksha Bandhan helped the Devas attain victory over Asuras.

Itihasa as written-Reference

Bhavishya Purana (Uttar Parva, Chapter 137)

Skanda Purana (Shravana Mahatmya, Chapter 21). 

So the tradition of Raksha Bandhan is a sacred vow of protection not just between brother sister, but any two people and distortion by modern day bollywood and media, that a wife cant tie raksha bandhan to her husband is stupid.

Raksha Bandhan falls on the Purnami /Full moom day of Shrawan month, which is why it is also Rakhi Poonam.

The festival of Bhai Dooj(2 days after Deepavali) is speicifically for brothers and sisters.

As per Vratraj, the ritual of Raksha Bandhan should preferably be done during Aparahna time. The main ritual of Raksha Bandhan involves the worship of Raksha and tying it to the wrist in the form of Raksha Potli or Raksha bundle. The Raksha Potli should be made of unbroken rice, white mustard and the gold thread. Raksha Potli should be woven with colored fabric made of cotton or woolen and should be kept on a clean cloth for the Puja. The Ghatasthapana is also suggested for Raksha Bandhan Puja.

All Bhudeva should be worshipped and clothes should be offered to them. After Bhudeva Puja, Raksha should be worshipped and Raksha Potli should be fastened to the wrist along with the chanting of Mantra. The Mantra which should be chanted while tying Raksha Potli is given below -

The meaning of Raksha Mantra is as following - 
"I tie you with the same Raksha thread which tied the most powerful, the king of courage, the king of demons, Bali. O Raksha (Raksha Sutra), please don't move and keep fixed throughout the year."

1. Sri Krishna and Draupadi

This duo of Sri Krishna and Draupadi is perhaps the most popular brother-sister duo that is derived from the Mahabharata. As the legend dictates, on the day of Makar Sankranti, Krishna was cutting sugar and accidentally cut his index finger which started bleeding profusely. While his consorts ran to bring bandage it, it was Draupadi’s presence of mind that made her cut a strip from her saree and tie it on his finger. Moved by this gesture, Sri Krishna vowed to help her in her time of need. Thus, Lord Krishna fulfilled this promise when he helped Draupadi during the infamous disrobing ceremony and saved her honor.

1. Yamaraja and Devi Yamuna

As the fable dictates, Yama or Dharmarajahwas the first englightened being to die , he is the Samayapalaka or timekeeper of every being that is born on bhuloka (earth) , Adhipati or King of Pitruloka,Dikpala, guardin of south direction, the direction of death and the Divine Judge of the dead.

(Yama is not the God of death , Kala Bhaiarava or Bhairava Shiva is Lord of death)

Yama blessed his sister the river Yamuna immortality when she tied rakhi on his hand.

1. Lord Ganesha and Santoshi Maa

If you don’t know about the origin of Santoshi Maa, then you need to know that it is because of  Rakhi celebrations that she came into being. It was Ganesha’s sons Subh and Labh that insisted that they need a sister just like their father when his sister Ashoka Sundari visited him and Subramanya to tie a rakhi. Upon their insistence, Ganesha manifested Santoshi Maa from the holy flames, very much like the way Mata Sita was born.

4.Laxmi and King Bali

As it was the case with Deities, Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a doorman in King’s Bali palace. His consort Laxmi missed her husband and disguised herself as an old woman to whom King Bali showed compassion by allowing her to stay in the palace. With Laxmi in the house, the king prospered and asked to fulfill her wishes when she tied a rakhi on his wrist. Laxmi then asked for Vishnu who revealed his true self and her wish was granted.

5.King Porus and Roxana

It impossible to miss the legendary war between King Porus and Alexandra, however, many don’t know the role of Roxana, Alexander’s queen.

His wife fearing for her husband Alenaxder’s safety sent a Raksha Bandharsacred thread to Porus appealing him not to kill Alexander or harm him in any way.

If you would like to explore more, click on my profile below

https://linktr.ee/HarmonyWithHimanshu