We do not have any reliable evidence on when, why or where Raksha Bandhan came into vogue. There is, however, a well-known tale in the
Puranas about a fierce battle that raged between the gods and demons. From news received from the battlefield it appeared that the demons were getting the upper hand and would gain victory.Indra, the supreme deity, summoned his teacher Vrihaspati to his court for advice. Indra's wife Indrani was also present. Before the teacher could speak, Indrani rose and said, "I know how to assure the victory of the gods. I give you my word that we will win."The next day was the full moon night of the month of Shravan. Indrani had a charm prepared as prescribed by the sacred texts and tied it on the wrist of her husband. And no sooner did Indra appear on the battlefield with the charm onhis hand than the demons scattered and fled. The demons bit the dust and the gods were victorious.
It would appear that the Raksha Bandhan of today is derived from this belief. It is held that if a chord made according to the prescriptions of the holy texts is tied round the wrist of a person on the full moon day of Shravan it will ensure him good health, success and happiness for the year that follows.
Whatever be the origin of Raksha Bandhan, today it has come to be a kind of sisters' day, symbolising the love that binds them to their brothers.No matter where a brother may be, be he across the seven seas, on this day he must wear the coloured chord round his wrist.
You can realise the sanctity of this custom from the fact that, even if a girl who is a total stranger ties this chord on the wrist of a young man, from then on the two regard each other as brother and sister and consider themselves closer than other blood relations.
There are many instances in our history when the real worth of these seemingly worthless pieces of string was demonstrated in the field of battle. The most famous of these incidents is the tale of
Maharani Karmvati (or Karunavati). It is said that once Governor Bahadur Shah besieged her kingdom. When Karmvati saw the countless horde led by Bahadur Shah, she lost heart. Then suddenly she thought of
Emperor Humayun. She sent him a rakhi. Normally Emperor Humayun would not have gone to the aid of a Hindu Maharani fighting Bahadur Shah. But so strong was the tradition of rakhi that Emperor Humayun immediately proceeded to Mewar. By the time he got there, however, the Maharani had immolated herself on a funeral pyre. The Emperor was grief-stricken. But he pursued Bahadur Shah, caught up with him, and routed his army. In the annals of the Mughals, there are many instances of Mughal emperors accepting rakhi bands from Hindu women and pledging to respect their honour. The history of Rajasthan is replete with examples of sacrifices of life made by men to protect the honour of women who had tied rakhis on their wrists.
During the freedom movement, many women tied rakhis on men's wrists and made them pledge their lives to the struggle for India's liberation. It was probably for this reason that the great leader of Bengal, Surendranath Banerjee, tried to elevate Raksha Bandhan to the status of a national festival.Women who have no brothers, or men who have no sisters deserve our sympathy. If God were to ask them for a wish, without doubt, instead of asking for good luck or prosperity, a woman would ask for a brother and a man for a sister.
Another historical incident is recorded in the history of Alexander the Great, when he invaded Punjab. The King of Punjab at the time Porus was a very pious and brave king with whom Alexander had to do battle. Alexander's fiancee tied a rakhri on Porus's hand and asked for him to spare him (Alexander) during the ensuing battle. In the battle Alexander at one time was at the mercy of Porus but the King spared Alexander's life but this cost him the battle. When Porus was brought in front of Alexander, he asked Porus how should he be treated, and the immortal words which King Porus uttered were, '
As a King treats a King.' Alexander was very impressed with this and gave Porus back his kingdom. (Kanwal)
