Hindu Festivals No.17

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Dear friends and devotees,

 

Bhakti is eternal.

 

17. Raksha Bandhan

(Sravana purnima)

 

RAKSHA BANDHAN is called Avani Avittam in South India. This falls on the full

moon day of the month of Sravana (August-September). It is an important Hindu

festival. Hindus wear a new holy thread and offer libations of water to the

ancient Rishis on this day.

 

Recitation of the Vedas on this great day is highly beneficial. This festival

is also known as Upakarma, and is specially sacred to the Brahmins, who have

been invested with the sacred thread.

 

When a Brahmin boy is invested with this thread, symbolically his third eye,

or the eye of wisdom, is opened. The holy festival of Upakarma reminds one who

wears the sacred thread of its glorious spiritual significance. Brahmins also

offer libations of water to their ancestors, to whom they owe their birth; to

the great Rishis, to whom they are highly indebted for their spiritual

knowledge; and to the Vedas themselves. The true Hindu never forgets his

benefactors.

 

The followers of the four different Vedas have their Upakarma on different

days.

 

On this day, Sachi, the consort of Indra, tied a holy thread or amulet around

the wrist of Indra, when he was defeated by the demons. Then Indra, the king of

gods, gained victory over the demons by the power of this protection (Raksha

means " protection " ). He then recovered the lost city of Amaravati.

 

In North India, on this day, an amulet known as a Raksha or Rakhi, is tied

round the wrist of brothers by the sisters as a protection from evil, during the

coming year. Brahmins and Purohits similarly tie amulets round the wrists of

their patrons and receive gifts. A Mantra is recited when the Rakhi or the

silken thread is tied. The silken thread is charged with the power of the

Mantra, which is as follows:

 

Yena baddho balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah;

Tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshey maa chala maa chala.

 

" I am tying on your hand this Raksha, with which the most powerful and

generous King Bali himself was bound; O Raksha, don’t go away; don’t go away. "

 

The power of this Mantra protects the wearer from evil influences.

(By Swamy Sivananda)

 

With love and regards,

 

Sastry.

 

 

 

 

 

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