Why do Sisters Tie Rakhi | Story behind Raksha Bandhan

Every year on the full-moon day or Poornima in the Hindu calendar month on Shravan we Indians celebrate the our divine festival of Raksha Bandhan. On this auspicious day a sister ties a sacred thread on the wrist of her beloved brother and also pray for his long life in order to celebrate the festival, the brothers in return give gifts or money to their sister. This depicts the unconditional faith they both have in each other. Raksha Bandhan means the bond of protection or care. Today, in this Blog I will discuss the popular stories which are said to be the origin of Raksha Bandhan. To be specific there are many stories but I will discuss the most popular among them.

Image is for representative purpose only

Image Credit: livehindustan.com

Lord Indra and the Demons

Picture representing Lord Indra and a Demon

Image Credit: mygodpictures.com

One popular notion is that Lord Krishna himself narrated the story of Raksha Bandhan to Yudhishthira in the Indian epic Mahabharata. Once Yudhishthira asked Lord Krishna to tell him the story of Raksha Bandhan so on his request Lord Krishna narrated the following story:

There was a time many years back when a severe war broke out between the demons and the gods which continued for 12 years. The war resulted in the victory of the demons and the defeat of Lord Indra, the King of Gods. After facing a defeat, Indra along with the gods went to the capital city of heaven, Amravati. The king of demons Daityaraj took over all the three worlds- heaven, earth and the underworld under his control. Upon becoming the king he ordered that gods and humans should stop performing Yagya (a hindu ritual) and worship the demon instead.

With the destruction of religion due to this order, the power of the gods started declining. Seeing this, Indra went to his teacher(guru) Brihaspati to ask for a solution. Brihaspati suggested that Indra should tie a Rakhi(thread for protection) while reciting a Vedic Hymn on the morning of Shravan Purnima.

Wife of Indra, Indrani tied a Rakhi on Indra's right wrist on the auspicious occasion of Shravani Purnima. Later, she sent him to fight on the battlefield. The demons fled from the battlefield and Indra emerged victorious.

According to some beliefs, the festival of Raksha Bandhan is originated from this legend.

Krishna and Draupadi

Draupadi ties a saree cloth to Lord Krishna

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Another popular story is of Lord Krishna and Draupadi. It is one of the most important story believed to be the origin of Raksha Bandhan. On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, Krishna cut his little finger while handling Sugarcane. His Queen, Rukmini immediately sent an official to get some medicines, bandages. Meanwhile Draupadi who was watching the entire incident, cut off a little piece of her Saree and tied Krishna's finger with it to stop the bleeding. In return, Krishna promised to help her out when required. That is the story behind the help Krishna provides, when Draupadi was molested by Kauravas when Pandavas lost her in the infamous game of dice. Krishna provides her immeasurable amount of Saree so when one of the Kaurava brothers pulls her saree it never ended.

Rani Karnavati and Emperor Humayun

Emperor Humayun and Rani Karnavati

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Another famous version of the history of Rakhi is the story of Rani Karnavati and Mughal Emperor Humayun. Karnavati was the Queen of Mewar after the death of her husband Rana Sangha. She ruled in the name of her elder son Vikramjeet. Meanwhile Bahadur Shah of Gujarat was planning to attack Mewar for the second time. The Queen began to look for support from other neighbouring kingdoms. Karnavati also wrote to Humayun for help, she sent him a Rakhi and sought his protection. Fascinatingly, Humayun's father Babur had defeated Rana Sangha when he led his army against the rajputs. Humayun was in the middle of another military campaign when he received the call for help. Abondoning it, he turned his attention to Mewar.

Unfortunately, Humayun could not reach on time and the Rajput army was defeated by Bahadur Shah in Chittor. The Queen had set herself on fire (jauhar) to avoid loosing her in the arms of Bahadur Shah. Humayun once again fought the battle with Bahadur Shah and restored the kingdom of Mewar and gave it to Karnavati's son Vikramjeet.

Yama and the Yamuna

Yamaraj and Yamuna

Image Credit: jagran.com

According to another story, the ritual of Raksha Bandhan was followed by Yama, the Lord of Death and Yamuna, the river that flows in India. The story says that when Yamuna tied a Rakhi to Yama, the Lord of Death granted her immortality. And so moved he was by that gesture, he is said to have declared that any brother who has tied a Rakhi and offered to protect his sister would also become immortal.

The Birth of Santoshi Maa

Santoshi Maa

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This take on the festival of Rakhi is a version of the birth of Santoshi Maa. On an auspicious day, Lord Ganesha's Sister Manasa visits him to tie him a rakhi. On seeing this, Ganesha's sons begin insisting on having a sister. Giving in to their demands. Ganesha creates goddess Santoshi from the divine flames that are said to have emerged from his consorts Riddhi and Siddhi.

Roxana and King Porus

King Porus and Alexaner's wife Roxana

Image Credit: vinayvarangaonkar.blogspot.com

Another legend has it that when Alexander the Great invaded India in 326 BC, his wife, Roxana sent Porus a sacred thread and asked him not to harm her husband on the battle field. Honouring the request, when he confronts Alexander, he refuses to kill him. Eventually, Porus would lose the battle of the Hydaspes River but would gain Alexander's respect and honour. Eventually, after his death, Porus would become a very loyal Macedonian satrap.

Goddess Laxmi and King Bali

King Bali and Goddess Laxmi

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As part of a promise, Lord Vishnu had been protecting his devotee and the demon King Bali, disguising himself as his doorman. Back in Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu, his consort Laxmi has been missing him. Disguising herself as a woman seeking a shelter to live in since her husband has been away, she approaches Bali. The generous king opens the doors of his palaces for the lady. As Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity enters the household, Bali begins to prosper. On the full moon day of in the holy month of Shravana, Laxmi ties a thread of coloured cotton on Bali's wrist and wishes for protection and happiness. Bali asks her what she desires and promises to fulfill it. Laxmi simply points to the gatekeeper who now reveals his real identity. The goddess follows suit. Bali keeps his promise as he requests Vishnu to return to his home with his consort. In return, Vishnu promises to return and be with Bali for four months of each year.

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