Raksha Bandhan is often celebrated as a sweet occasion of sibling affection. Sisters tie rakhis
on their brothers’ wrists, brothers vow protection, and families come together over rituals
and sweets. But beneath these visible customs lies a deeper, more ancient truth. One that
transcends familial roles and touches the essence of dharma, devotion, and spiritual
connection.
One of the earliest stories linked to Raksha Bandhan is that of King Mahabali and Goddess
Lakshmi. After Lord Vishnu, in his Vamana avatar, humbled the generous king and sent him
to rule the netherworld, Bali made a humble request: that Vishnu stay with him. Vishnu
agreed. But Lakshmi, longing for her consort, did not protest or demand his return. Instead,
she disguised herself as a Brahmin woman, visited Bali, and tied a raksha-sutra on his wrist.
When Bali discovered her true identity and the reason for her visit, he honored her request.
In that moment, he released even the divine in service of dharma.
This was no ordinary festival. It was an act of love and surrender, where protection was not
demanded but offered. Where ego bowed to righteousness.
Raksha Bandhan, though popularly known as a bond between siblings, is much more. Across
Indian mythology, it appears in many forms, not just as a sister’s gesture to a brother, but as
a sacred exchange of protection, gratitude, and higher duty. Draupadi tied a strip of her sari
on Krishna’s wrist, and in return, he came to her aid in her hour of greatest need. Yamuna
tied a thread to her brother Yama, and he granted her immortality. These stories show us
that Raksha Bandhan has always been a spiritual promise, not just a family custom.
Spiritual teachers have spoken of rakhi as a symbolic act. When tied with true intention and
devotion, it becomes a channel of divine energy. The sister’s prayer is not merely for
physical protection but for her brother’s spiritual progress. The thread becomes a reminder
of one’s commitment to uphold truth, compassion, and inner strength.
As we celebrate Raksha Bandhan today, it helps to pause and reflect. Whom do we
protect—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually? Are we honouring the promises
made in love? And can we, like Bali, surrender our pride for a greater good?
I, Pushpam Appalanaidu believe Raksha Bandhan, in its truest sense, is not just a festival. It
is a return to the sacred. A reminder that love, when expressed through dharma, has the
power to move even the divine.
