Rakshabandhan - Origins & Significance

The Raksha sutra was tied from Vedic times and continues to be tied till today at the beginning of any Puja or havan etc.

The beautiful festival of Raksha Bandhan, celebrated on the Shravan Purnima, as per the Puranas and Itihasas has many legends:

1. Indra & Indrani: Vrittrasura had got a boon that he could not be killed with any weapon or missile. He captured the heavens. Lord Indra approached Maharshi Dadichi who gave up his spine and Indra could make Vajra from the spine. Lord Indra went to his Guru Brihaspati to seek blessings to be victorious and told the Guru that he would come back victorious or as a martyr. To protect and strengthen him and the Devas, his Guru Brhaspati told him that his wife Sachi Devi should tie a raksha sutra empowered by chanting of the Mantras, on his hand. Sachi did so and the Devatas won. From that day onwards on Shravan Purnima the Raksha is tied for the person's protection and success. The symbolism is that the Grace of the Guru, Mantras of the Vedas, Good wishes of our near and dear ones always protects us.  

Interesting it is to know that the Rakshabandhan as a festival started with Husband and wife and not with Brother & Sister. The above story is from Bhavishyottara Purana. 

This tradition has further evolved, where the sister ties a raksha sutra on the hands of the brother(s) to signify that each one will do their duty towards the other. It is not to say that Sister is weak and needs protection. When we do our duties, the rights of others are taken care of and there is harmony. We do not need to fight for our rights. Our culture is based on duties and dharma, not on rights & fights.

2. Lakshmi & Raja Bali

After Bali gave the 3 steps of Land to Vaman Bhagavan and he was pushed into the Sutala Loka, Lord Vishnu himself became his Guardian in the Sutala Loka. Mother Lakshmi felt his absence in Vaikunth and wanted him to be back. On the advise of Naradji she went to the Sutala Loka as a poor woman and tied a Raksha Sutra to Bali saying that this will protect him and took him as a brother. Bali said that whatever he had he already gave away and had nothing to offer her as a gift. Mother Lakshmi asked for Lord Vishnu in return as a gift and being Daan-Veer, Bali happily gave. Since then the tradition of Raksha Bandhan between Sister and Brother started. Interesting again it is to note that the Raksha was to protect the brother: Bali. The idea is not that the Sister is weak and needs protection.

We protect what is precious. The Sister is precious and may we protect the Sister and more importantly protect the bond of love between the siblings.

येन बद्धो बली राजा, दानवेन्द्रो महाबलः | 

तेन त्वां अनु्बध्नामि, रक्षे मा चल मा चल ||

The above shloka is from Bhavishyottara Purana 137.20

That amulet by which the Mighty King of Asuras Bali was tied (to Dharma), I tie that to you. O Raksha! Don't slip off, don't slip off. (Meaning, may we never swerve from Dharma)

This should be chanted while tying the Rakhi. It is to signify our commitment to Dharma, to our duty to protect others and their rights. What truly protects us at all times is our steadfastness in Dharma. The protection of Dharma lasts life after life. Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha. One who protects Dharma, is protected by Dharma.

3. Krishna & Draupadi

To kill Shishupala, Sri Krishna used the Sudarshana Chakra which cut his finger a little. Draupadi immediately tore a part of her saree and tied it on the Lord's finger. The Lord promised to help her incase of any trouble. When Draupadi called out to Sri Krishna during the humiliation in the Kaurava court, Sri Krishna protected her. The symbolism is that the Lord alone is our True protector and the Jiva must surrender to the Lord alone. Also, the legend says that the brother & sister, both protect each other. One is not superior or inferior to another in this relationship and definitely there is no gender bias.

4. Yudhishthira & His army

When Yudhishthira asked Sri Krishna about how to be victorious in the Mahabharata war, when his army was only 7 Akshauhinis and Kauravas had 11 Akshauhinis, the Lord told him to tie the Raksha Sutra after chanting Vedic Mantras, on the hands of his soldiers and that will ensure that they fight fearlessly because of the faith that the Grace of the Lord and the Vedas is with them. Yudhishthira did what Sri Krishna told him and was victorious. A leader ties the Raksha Sutra to all his team members and together they protect and pursue the cause they strive for. 

5. Shravana Kumar Pooja: Shravan Kumar was a devout child of his blind parents. He was once taking them for a pilgrimage. It was night time and he went to fetch some water. King Dashrath was hiding in the bushes to hunt for a deer. When he heard the sound of water getting filled in the vessel, he mistook it to be the deer drinking water and released the arrow. Shravan Kumar was killed instantly. King Dashrath repented his thoughtless act and apologised to his parents for it. He assured the parents that his son's devotion to his parents would be celebrated as an example in the whole kingdom and he would be worshipped on Shravan Shukla Purnima. But the parents were deeply hurt and they cursed him that he would also die of separation from his son. Soon the parents also died in the pain of separation from Shravan. From that day onwards many Hindus worship Shravan Kumar on Shravan Purnima and offer the first raksha sutra to him.

6. On the Shravan Purnima, the Gurus also help the disciples to do their Upakarma and change their Janeu or Sacred thread and protect their spiritual glow and tapas.

7. In the olden days, the priests used to tie this Raksha sutra to the King with the chanting of the above shloka. The king is thus duty bound to protect the praja and be steadfast in his Raja-Dharma(duty as a king towards his subjects).

Thus Rakshabandhan is a holistic festival celebrating various relationships, our knowledge, culture, faith and much more.

When we were children we used to tie Rakhis to all the equipments at home, cupboards, Stove in the kitchen, vehicles, water pumps etc. because the attitude is these equipments serve us and we need to protect them.

On the full moon of Shravana, one must rise at sunrise and after offering tarpana to gods, sages and pitrs, prepare a raksha(protective amulet) containing whole rice grains, sandalwood, gold, kesar, rice, durva and mustard, decorate it, string together with variously colored threads and tie the amulet to the near and dear ones.  

The greatest protector of all is the Supreme Lord alone. May we take refuge of the Lord who is the True Source of all strength, protection and fearlessness. May God and Guru Parampara always lead, guide and protect us. They alone are our True protectors.

May we protect our relationships by giving and forgiving, by loving and leaving(give space to the other person), by trusting and being trust-worthy & by serving and sacrificing. May we protect our relationships from our ego & attachments.

May the sisters & brothers, love, care, support and protect each other. May they be there for each other, especially in challenging times. Rakshabandhan is the day to celebrate this beautiful bond. May the love of the siblings be more powerful than sibling rivalry.

May our actions be sensitive and smart to preserve and protect our people & the planet, our culture & our country.

Balarama Purnima: The auspicious appearance day of Lord Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Sri Krishna, is also celebrated on the Shravana-Purnima. Lord Balarama was the 7th child of Devaki and Vasudeva. Since 6 children were already killed by Kamsa, the womb was transferred to Rohini and the news spread that Devaki's 7th child aborted. Later, Balarama was born to Rohini on the Shravani Purnima. He is also known as Baladeva and Sankarshana. He appeared 15 days before Sri Krishna. He is the avatar of Shesha Naag or Ananta. It is said that the whole earth is being supported by Ananta. Symbolically he represents the powers like Gravity etc. He is the symbol of not just physical power but the spiritual power that a seeker needs to realise the Self.

Samskrit Day: Shravana Purnima is also celebrated as World Samskrit Day. Samskrit is a beautiful, simple, phonetic language which is pronounced as it is written. Our scriptures and knowledge-treasure is in Samskrit. Samskrit used to be our common language for conversation once upon a time. Let us revive it and make it a common man's language once again. On this day, we celebrate the glory, beauty, knowledge and power of Samskrit language. Students are encouraged to read the Vedas, the scriptures, chant shlokas, speak in samskrit, present cultural performances in Samskrit etc.

Yugadi / Ugadi / Gudi Padwa

(Updated on 9th April 2024)

 Happy Hindu New Year.

1946 Shalivahana Saka Samvat. 2081 Vikram Samvat. 5126 Yugabda.

Each Hindu New Year has a new name.  In this New Year named Krodhi, may we be peaceful, prosperous, positive and pure.   

3 Hindu Calendars:


Deduct 78yrs from the present gregorian year to arrive at the Saka Year. It is the Indian Civil Calendar & used in Govt. Communications. The beginning of the Saka era is widely equated to the ascension of King Chashtana of Ujjain, to Mahakshatrapa in 78 CE.

Emperor Vikramaditya of Ujjain started Vikram Samvat(Historical Hindu Calendar) in 57 BCE & it is believed that this calendar follows his victory over the Saka in 56 BCE 



Yugabda is based on Kaliyuga Sankhya preserved by Indian Astrology. Kali Yuga began 5,124 years ago.

Puranic Reference for Chaitra Pratipada:

Brahmapurana mentions that Brahma created the world on the first day of the bright half of Chaitra at sunrise & started the reckoning of time. On that tithi a Mahashanti destroying all untoward occurrences & sins should be offered. First Brahma should be worshipped & then the other gods with mantras preceded by Om & the word namah (Om Namo Brahmane Tubhyam). Worship all divisions of time from the minutest to Yugas, daughters of Daksha & Vishnu. Honour the priests with food & fees. Give presents to relatives & servants. Homa should be offered to Agni called Yavishtha, special food should be prepared & a great festival should be celebrated.

Bhavishyapurana says that since it was declared by Brahma to be the best among tithis & thus placed in the first place it is called Pratipada.

How should one celebrate?

1. Worship the Lord of the Year, viz. the Lord of the week-day on which the Pratipada falls.

2. Arches & banners should be raised by each householder.

3. Anoint one’s body with oil & have a bath.

4. Eat leaves of the nimba tree or neem

5. Hear from the reciter of the calendar the name of the year, its Lord & the deities that would be the ministers for the year, the governing deities of all corns & fluids etc. Even today priests go about in the Deccan to the houses of their patrons & read from the Panchanga(almanac) these details.

6. Raise a pole with silk cloth at the top, covered with a silver or brass pot, offer worship to the pole with sandalwood paste, flowers etc. 


(Source Courtesy: Dr.P.V.Kane’s History of Dharmashashtras)

People proudly hoist their flag or cross over their homes/colonies. There should be an orange flag with Om or Jai Sri Ram or any other slogan/deity on it constantly on the top of Hindu homes.

The most widely accepted New Year’s Day among the Hindus is the Caandramaana Yugaadi, the first day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra(March-April).  

Brahma, the Creator is said to have created this world on this day and the reckoning of time begun from the sunrise of this day.  Hence the name Yuga-Adi (Beginning of an era or epoch).  

Emperor Shalivaahana(79 CE) is believed to have been crowned on this day.  Consequently this era is called the Shaka Era or the Shalivaahana Shaka.  

What to do on the Hindu New Year?

Sadhanas: 

1. Paschaataapa or repentence for the evil deeds committed during the past year

2. Prayers for forgiveness

3. Performance of Mahaashaanti rites to ward off all future evils or misfortune

4. Worship of the presiding deity of the year as indicated by the day of the week on which the Yugaadi falls 

5. Worship of Brahmaa the creator with all the Upacharas 

6. Worship to other deities, to units of time and nakshatras or asterisms and 

7. Worship of Vishnu - are the religious rites specially recommended.  

8. One must also listen to the reading of the Panchanga by the family priest. Listening to the forecasts given in the Panchanga can help one to prepare oneself for facing all the upcoming challenges of life.

Celebrations

9. Take bath after anointing the body with oil, called Abhyanjanasnaana or oil bath

10. Wear new clothes

11. Decorate the house

12. Eat a mixture of tender neem leaves and jaggery followed by a sumptuous feast

13. Give presents to servants and dependents - these are the social aspects of the celebration.

Eating the mixture of the bitter neem leaves along with the sweet jaggery is supposed to be good for health and also an antidote for the illnesses common in the spring season.  Taken in a symbolic sense, it can psychologically prepare one to be equanimous under all circumstances of life, whether bringing pain or pleasure.

Chaandramaana Yugaadi is observed widely as the New Year’s Day in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra.  In some parts of the country, especially in Maharashtra, a long bamboo is decorated with a silk cloth and a silver or copper vessel is put over it.  A garland of sweets and neem leaves, it is tied at the upper end.  This is called ‘Gudhi.’  This is then worshipped and hoisted on the terrace of the house.  It is taken down after sunset and the sweets and neem leaves are distributed among all, especially the children, to be consumed as prasada or consecrated food.  Because of this custom of raising the Gudhi on the Padhva(or Pratipad day), the day(yugadi) itself is called as “Gudhi Padva”

According to one belief, this is actually a flag-hoisting ceremony to commemorate the killing of Vali, the monkey chief of Kishkindha, by Sri Rama on this day. 

- Courtesy “Encyclopaedia of Hinduism by Swami Harshananda, Ramakrishna Math”

Shubh Yugadi / Ugadi / Padva

Uttarayan Vs Makar Sankranti

 

संक्रान्ति-पर्वस्य-शुभाषया: | Iniya Pongal. Twanu Lohri Di Lakh Lakh Vadhaiyan. Bohag Bihur Shubheccha.  I will not wish you Happy Uttarayana today. Why? Read on further.  

There are 12 Sankrantis in each year. Whenever Sun enters a Rashi/Zodiac sign, it is a Sankranti. 

रवे: संक्रमणम् राशौ संक्रांतिरिति कथ्यते 
Raveh sankramanam rashau sankranti iti kathyate


These 12 festivals are based on the Sun calendar. Other Hindu Festivals are based on the Lunar Calendar. 

We have Mesha sankranti, vrishabha sankranti, mithuna sankranti etc. when Sun moves into each of the 12 Rashis.  When the Sun moves from Dhanur Rashi to Makar Rashi, it is celebrated as Makar Sankranti.  

Exact time when Sun leaves one Rashi and enters the next rashi is impossible of being marked by our eyes.  30 ghatikas before and after the moment of sankranti is the prescribed time or Punyakala when the sadhanas/rituals/worship etc. can be done to gain maximum merit or punya.  24min is 1 ghatika.  So 12 hours before and after is the punya kala.

In Devi Purana it is said:  


30th part of the time taken by the throb of the eye of a person sitting happily at ease is called tatpara

100th part of tatpara is called Truti

100th part of truti is the duration of sun’s passage from one rashi to another.  It is amazing to know how our ancestors calculated time so precisely.  

There is a common misconception that Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of Uttarayana and also that Makar Sankranti falls on same english date each year. This is because at some time in the past, it used to be so when the Sayana and Nirayana Zodiacs were the same. Every year sidereal and tropical equinoxes slide by 50 seconds due to axial precession of earth, giving birth to Ayanamsha and causing Makar Sankranti to slide further.  As of today, the winter solstice or Uttarayana starts on 21st December and we celebrate the Sun's entry into the Makar Rashi or Makar Sankranti on 14/15 Jan. 

In 272 AD, Makar Sankranti was on Dec 21(Uttarayana & Makar Sankranti co-inciding). In 1000 AD, Makar Sankranti was on Dec 31 and now it falls on January 14. After 9000 years, Makar Sankranti will be in June. This way it will keep changing over 26000 years when once again Uttarayana and Makara Sankranti will coincide. The date of Uttarayana does not change. It remains 21/22 Dec. only.  

Also, please see this video of Dr.Koenraad Elst which explains clearly and logically why Makar Sankranti and Uttarayana today are not on the same day.

You can read a detailed article on Makar Sankranti & astronomy by Dr.Raj Vedam here. 

How to observe Sankranti vrata? (can be done on all 12 Sankrantis)

Matsya Purana Chapter 98 says that On the previous day a person should take food only once in the noon and on the Sankranti day should brush the teeth, take a bath with water mixed with sesame.  The person should offer to a brahmana some daana as per one's capacity or just offer them some fruits.  Then one should take the meal without oil and should feed others according to one's ability.  Great merit is attached to a bath in the Ganges on a Sankranti. One reaches Brahmaloka due to this.  Whatever offerings are made to gods and ptrs on sankranti are returned to them by the Sun again in several future lives.  

स्नान-दान-तप:-श्राद्ध-होमादिषु-महाफ़ला: 

Snana-daana-tapah-shraadha-homa mahaphalaah.

Even one act done at this time of Sankranti yields results multiplied crores of times.  

Shivarahasya declares that Shiva created sessame on Makara sankranti.  Hence on this Makara Sankranti day, take bath with sessame water, offer shraddha for ancestors with til, offer tarpan to gods with til, eat til laddus, perform homa with til, do daana of til, light lamps of til-oil especially in Shiva temple, offer sessame to Lord Shiva.

What is the spiritual significance of Sankranti?

1. Sun worship has been a part of our culture since time immemorial. Gayatri Mantra is one the main sadhanas one is initiated into from Childhood.  Sun is the presiding deity of the Intellect and Moon is the presiding deity of the mind.  Any success is achieved when mind is quiet and intellect is sharp.  During transition of Sun & movement of the moon, it is important to ensure our mind & intellect remain quiet and sharp. Hence the sadhanas on Sankranti are important.  

2. यथा भेदम् न पश्यामि शिव-विष्ण्वर्क-पद्मजान् ।

तथा ममास्तु विश्वात्मा शङ्कर: शङ्कर: सदा ।।

Yatha bhedam na pashyaami shiva-vishnvarka-padmajaan


Tatha mamaastu vishvaatma shankarah shankarah sadaa Matsya purana 98.17

As I do not make any difference between Shiva, Vishnu, the Sun and Brahma, may Shankara who pervades the whole universe be auspicious to me. 

For us Sun is the creator, sustainer and destroyer and not merely a geographical star who will perish.  Sun is Ishwara for us.  Hence we worship the Sun. 

3. Sun is the symbol of life, knowledge, warmth of love, tireless spirit of service for us.  We worship the movements of Sun also to remind us minimum 12 times in a year that what is truly important is the above and not just material wealth, sense-pleasures etc. 

4. Upanishads tell us that Sun is the symbol of Pure Consciousness in us. It is the light of Consciousness within that illumines the body, mind and intellect, like the Sun illumines the world.  The realised person also experiences this.  

What is the spiritual significance of Uttarayana?

1. Uttarayana and winter solstice are same.  Somehow people tend to think that Uttarayana begins on Makara Sankranti.  It does not.  Uttarayana is what we should actually be celebrating because the Sun starts its Northern movement on that day.  By itself, Sun going into Makara Rashi is nothing special because every month it will enter a new Rashi. Only when Makara Sankranti co-incided with Uttarayana, it got a special significance. I'm not suggesting that we do not celebrate Pongal or stop kite-flying on Jan 14th etc.  That can be done. But Uttarayana is much more important and deserves a greater celebration.   

2. Uttara is the direction of North which stands for Knowledge. South represents death or Yama.  A jeeva runs away from death/change and wants to attain Immortality or Permanent Happiness.  That can be experienced only through Knowledge. Hence one seeks the Direction of the North.  Sun starts its Northward Movement on Uttarayana signifying the seeker's quest.  Sadhana becomes easier in Uttarayana months. Dakshinaayana months in Bhaarat there are rains, autumn, winter etc. where consistency is difficult and one is more easily overpowered with laziness, lethargy etc.  

3. Uttarayana time when one drops the body, like Bhishma, the deities of Uttarayana, bright fortnight, day time, fire, brighness etc. lead a seeker to Brahmaloka from where the Seeker gets Krama-Mukti or gradual liberation and one does not return to the earth in mortal form.  One who drops the body during dakshinayana time, dark fortnight, night time, in smoky conditions, is led by these deities to Chandraloka, from where one returns to the earth in mortal form.  

Hence Uttarayana is important for a seeker while living, at the time of dying and even after death.  

Let us remember these significances and ensure that we celebrate Sankranti as a Hindu Festival to worship Surya and the transition. Let us not reduce it to merely a harvest festival or a kite-flying festival or a til-gud festival.  These no doubt are beautiful ways we celebrate Sankranti. But if we forget the deeper purpose, we are missing out a lot individually and culturally our festivals get appropriated by others and the Hindu-Vedic-Dharmik-Sadhana aspects are completely lost to us and the future generations. The loss is immense and we cannot afford it.  

Source for some of the above: History of Dharmashastras by Dr.P.V.Kane