Have you ever taken a piece of chocolate from your sibling and feigned ignorance? Or been their shadow through and through? It’s fun to pull each other's legs. While all these memories can be fun, having a brother or sister always means having a personal cheerleader and a friend for life. Rakshabandhan celebrates this dynamic relationship between a brother and a sister.
The origin of Rakshabandhan finds its roots in Mahabharata and beautifully illustrates the bond of protection and love it represents. During the Rajasuya Yagna performed by King Yudhishthira, Krishna was invited as a guest of honor. While attending the yagna, Krishna engaged in a fierce battle with King Shishupala, who had committed numerous sins and insults against Krishna. As the battle escalated, Krishna ultimately defeated Shishupala, but in the process, his finger was wounded.
Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas and a close friend of Krishna, saw that his finger was bleeding. Without a moment’s hesitation, she tore a strip from her sari and wrapped it around Krishna’s finger to stop the bleeding. Touched by this gesture of love and care, Krishna was deeply moved. In return for her selfless act, Krishna promised Draupadi that he would protect her whenever she needed him.
It encapsulates the essence of the festival, where the rakhi represents not just a thread, but a sacred promise of protection that transcends time and circumstance.
In today’s fast-paced world, where siblings might be separated by distance, the celebration has taken on new forms. E-commerce platforms allow brothers and sisters to send rakhis and gifts across the miles, and video calls bring families together virtually, ensuring that the warmth of the festival is felt no matter where they are.
