The Spiritual Essence Of Raksha Bandhan (Part 1)

Bond Of Protection

Raksha Bandhan (August 11th) is traditionally celebrated between sisters and brothers as a bond of purity and protection from all evils. But rituals in earlier times were quite different. Every family had a priest who was invited home for prayers and purification of vibrations. The priest would tie a sacred thread - a thread of pledge - on everyone's wrist. Raksha Bandhan is tying a thread in the divine remembrance of God, pledging purity in thoughts, words and actions. Pure karmas and sanskars are our biggest protection. Karmas create our destiny. If every karma is pure, then destiny is positive and protected. If we broaden the horizon of our thinking, we realize that not just brothers and sisters, but every soul requires purity and protection. So Raksha Bandhan is relevant to all - men and women, young and old equally.

We are presently celebrating 75 years of Bharat's Independence, the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, fuelled by the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The word Atma means I, the soul. Nirbhar means dependence. Who am I dependent on? On the spiritual self or soul. Thus, it translates to self-dependence. Each of us wants freedom in every sense and we dislike any form of bondage. But interestingly, Raksha Bandhan is one bondage that we enjoy. So, this year as we tie the divine thread of Rakhi, let us liberate ourselves from emotional bondage and take a pledge of Spiritual Self-Dependence.

In tomorrow's message we will see how our purity is our protection and how it makes us spiritually self-dependent.

Message for the day

The best way to progress is to gain good wishes and blessings from others.

Expression: For the one who earns the blessings of others at every step, there is easy success. There is positivity and speciality revealed in every action and benefit for the self and others. Even the most difficult circumstances, don't deter such a person, but he has the power and the courage to move on. So there is constant progress, whatever the situations may be.

Experience: When I am able to take good wishes from those around me, I am able to experience being obstacle-free. I am able to move forward with ease under all circumstances. Even in the most difficult situations, I am able to take the benefit from those around me, for others are willing to provide support at the right time, because my actions have earned good wishes from others.