Rakhi is a festival celebrated on the full moon day in the holy month of Shravan, according to the Hindu Lunar Calendar. On this auspicious occasion, sisters tie Rakhi on their brothers' wrists and pray for their well being. In return, brothers also promise to protect the sisters from all tribulations. But, Rakhi is more than just tying a knot on brothers. Why is it that every year sisters go crazy getting the best bands for their dear brothers! To know this fact we have to trace back to the mythological past and unearth some significant stories behind Rakshabandhan. Here are the 6 most widely circulated mythological stories culminating into a grand festival.

1.Sachi & Indra- As per Bhavishya Puarana, when the war between Gods and Demons began, and Gods were nearly losing their realm. Kind of heaven, Indra looked for Guru Brihaspati's assistance to save his kingdom from devil Brutra. He gave him a holy bracelet made of cotton and asked his wife Sachi to tie it on his wrist with blessings which led him to victory and helped him recover Amaravati. This story depicts not only the power of a holy thread, but also the spirit of the ritual, that it is something that transcends the mere brother-sister bond. (Ref : Bhavishya Purana)

2.Draupadi & Krishna- In all probability, this is the most popular Mythological story circulating around legends of Lord Krishna and Draupadi. As per Mahabharata, on the event of Makar Sankranti, Lord Krishna once cut his little finger. His wife Rukmini, baffled by the incident sent her consorts to get a bandage. Meanwhile, Draupadi immediately tore off a part of her saree and tied his finger to stop the bleeding. Touched by this action, Krishna said 'Akshyam' which means 'May it be unending.' That culminated into the real story behind the unceremonious incident happened to Draupadi at Dritarashra's court. Krishna, as promised earlier, came to her rescue and her sari became endless. And Draupadi saved the embarrassment on the day she was disrobed in the royal court.  

3.Laxmi & Bali- As per Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Puarana, after Vishnu (Goddess Laxmi's Husband) won the three worlds from demon king Bali, he promised to stay at the latter's place, disguising himself as a doorman. While Vishnu agreed to stay, Goddess Laxmi was not happy about it. She was missing him. So, she went to Bali's palace in disguise and on one full moon day of the holy Shravana month, she tied a coloured thread on Bali's wrist and made him brother. When he asked her what she desires in return, she requests that Vishnu should return home. Bali granted her wish and Vishnu Returned to Vaikuntha. (Ref : Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana)

4.Yamuna & Yama - As per another legend, Yamuna was sad as her brother Yama (The god of Death) had not visited her for around 12 years and she shared her sorrow with Ganga. Ganga told Yama about it and he decided to pay a visit to Yamuna. The story goes that upon meeting Yamuna, she tied a Rakhi on his wrist and Yama granted her immortality. He was so pleased by the gesture that he declared that from now on, any brother who was tied rakhi will protect his sister and thus would also become immortal. (Ref : Old Legends)

5.Santoshi Mata & Ganesha- Once Lord Ganesha's sons Subh and Labh were angry on seeing Manasha tie a Rakhi on Lord Ganesha's wrist, as they did not have any sister who would tie them a Rakhi. After Narada managed to convince Lord Ganesha that having a daughter would enrich him with his two sons, he created Santoshi Mata to emerge from the divine flames of his wife Ridhi and Sidhi.

6.Parvati & Vishnu- Going by the Indian Purana, Parvati had longed to marry lord Shiva for the longest time. But Lord Shiva was still mourning his wife Sati's death and rejected Parvati's marriage proposal. She tied a Rakhi on Lord Vishnu's wrist and Vishnu made her a promise that he would help her to win Lord Shiva's heart for marriage. However, he did live up to his promise and besides that he also performed all rituals of the Shiva-Parvati's wedding as a doting brother. (Ref : Indian Purana)

After learning about all these mythological stories we realize that Raksha Bandhan is not all about tying Rakhi on Brother's wrist, it is more than that - about keeping promises, at all costs. It's about protecting your sister from all vile propositions; it's all about blessing your brother with good health and promises of prosperity. Raksha Bandhan is a festival which goes a long way restoring your faith in relationships. 

Author name: Pradipta Mitra

Word count: 805