The legend and significance of Raksha Bandhan in Hindu Culture

Whenever a sacred thread is tied on the right hand of a brother by his sister, she recites the following mantr:

"Yen baddho bali raajaa,  daanavendro mahaabalah;

Tain twaam anubadhnaami, rakshey maa chala maa chala."

It means ‘As Raaja Bali, who was as powerful in giving charity as Indr, got protection because of adherence to promise, similarly this thread will always provide you protection’.

Fifth incarnation of Bhagwaan Vishnu was as Vaaman (a dwarf – baawan means 52” i.e. 4’4”). Raaja Bali was very powerful Asur, who had conquered the bhoo lok, paataal lok and swarg lok and led the asur force during samudr manthan.  Raaja Bali was also known for his adherence to promises and giving charities, but was arrogant had developed a big ego because of unlimited power, that he possessed.

Vaman approached Raaja Bali and asked for three steps of land from Raaja Bali, which Raaja Bali laughingly agreed. Bhagwaan Vishnu in his Vaaman avataar covered the entire bhoo lok  and paataal lok in first step and the swarg lok in the second. He than asked Raaja Bali where he should put his third step. Raaja Bali said that Vaman could put his third step on his head as per his promise. When Vaman put his third step on Raaja Bali’s head, Raaja Bali was pushed down into paataal lok.

As the purpose of Bhagwaan Vishnu avtaar was completed, He manifested Raaja Bali in His actual form and asked Raaja Bali to ask for a wish. Raaja Bali told Him that he was all alone in paataal lok and had no protection and as such Bhagwaan Vishnu must become his guard and provide him protection.

Maa Laxmi realized that Bhagwaan Vishnu had got stuck and were not able to come back to His abode, though the purpose of His avataar had already been accomplished. Soon She found that Bhagwaan Vishnu was in paataal lok guarding Raaja Bali. Maa Laxmi got herself incarnated as a small girl and went to paataal lok where Raaja Bali was stationed.

On the shraavan poornima a day of giving charity, Raaja Bali asked the young girl, what she wished. Maa Laxmi told him that she wished his guard who was Bhagwaan Vishnu in his Vaaman avtaar. Raaja Bali realized who she was and told her that she could take him, if he could be provided with necessary protection as promised by Bhagwaan Vishnu. Maa Laxmi took out a thread and tied it on the right hand of Raaja Bali reciting the above mantr. (read the mantr again).

Every sister (feminine divine energy of emotion and prosperity) ties a thread or a moli on the hand of her brother (male physical energy of protection from fear and exploitation) on shraavan poornima the day of Raksha Bandhan. Raksha Bandhan is festival where every sisters prays the divine forces to provide emotional security and prosperity to her brother and his family. The brother takes a vow to protect his sister from any form of fear and exploitation - physical, economic, moral or spiritual

So says the legend…

Raksha Bandan is a unique festival known only in Hindu culture, establishing a powerful bond between sister and brother. Sister prays for divine protection and manifests emotional love in the form of the thread to save her brother from all forms of evils beyond mere physicality. Brother vows to provide protection from fear or exploitation of any kind, whatsoever. Recognition of this unique love energy establishes a powerful family bond. In this relationship the male and feminine energy remains intertwined in the most powerful way of pure love.