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Rakshabandhan: The Unbroken Bond 47
Rakshabandhan: Yesterday and Today
Rakshabandhan festival celebrates the sacred bond between
brothers and sisters. However, this manifestation of filial love
has not always been what it is today – it has evolved over the
ages. Rakshabandhan was originally a symbol of praying for the
safety of a loved one – be it a husband, son or brother. There are
innumerable incidents in our ancient texts where wives, mothers
and sisters have tied the protective thread around the wrists of
brave warriors – Indrani tying a ‘Raksha’ to Indra, Kunti blessing
her grandson Abhimanyu with the sacred thread and Lakshmi
praying for the safety of Baliraja.
In the Middle Ages, when India faced the threat of foreign
invasions and the grave issue of protecting the honour of its
women arose, Rakshabandhan took on a different form. This
period saw thousands of brave brothers laying down their lives
to shield their sisters who requested protection by tying the
‘Raksha’ on their wrists.
As time passed, Rakshabandhan came to be celebrated by
families in major parts of India. The touching expression of the
bond between a brother and a sister was ensconced as an integral
part of our culture. Rakshabandhan unleashes a flood of emotions
and spreads the fragrance of sibling love. In the midst of the
celebrations, the ever-materialistic man comes up with
innovative ways to extend this festival to his worldly
belongings – the vendor ties ‘Raksha’ to his weighing scales,
the scooterist to his scooter, the student to his book and the
clerk to his pen – undoubtedly expecting some form of,
‘protection’ from them.
A Stream of Love
All of us need to ask ourselves – Have we been able to
maintain the flow of emotions like love and brotherhood even
after centuries of celebrating Rakshabandhan? Is it relevant in
society today? We claim to be steeped in love and respect for
our sisters, and yet women in our society have to face abuse,
insults, rapes and many other forms of tyranny. If our
sensibilities do not flinch at these incidents, what is the use of
celebrating a festival signifying love for our sisters?
