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    Rakhi (Raksha Bandhan) Legends
     


    The Indian festival of Rakhi (Raksha Bandhan) is mentioned in Indian history, myth and legend in many different contexts. Some of the well-known legends of Rakhi are:

    The legend of Bali:
    According to legend the king Bali was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Because of Bali's devotion the Lord came down to Bali's kingdom and remained there for a long while. Lord Vishnu's consort Lakshmi, became worried by his absence and came in search of him. She arrived in Bali's kingdom on Shravan Purnima Day and tied a Rakhi on Bali. Pleased by this honour, Bali asked her to name what she wished for and he would grant her desire. She wished for Lord Vishnu's return and her wish was granted.

    The defeat of the demon king:
    In a war between the Asuras and the Devas, Indra the king of the Devas found him forces were being defeated by the powerful Asuras. His consort Sachi Devi tied a raksha on his arm, and this helped him to victory against the Asura forces.

    Protection at Kurukshetra:
     Yudhishtra, the senior most of the Pandava brothers, is said to have asked Krishna, before the battle of Kurukshetra, how to ensure that no harm would come to him, during the battle. He was advised by Lord Krishna to follow the practice of Raksha Bandhan because it would keep him from harm.

    The Gift of Life:
    During the pitched battles between various kings on the Northwest frontier of the Indian subcontinent and the invading forces of Alexander, legend has it that a rakhi once saved Alexander's life. His wife is said to have tied a rakhi to Puru, a king who was resisting Alexander's invasion. In battle, Puru is believed to have stopped before striking Alexander, because he remembered his promise to Alexander's wife not to harm her or her loved ones.

     Rajputs and Mughals:
    The Mughal Emperors of Delhi, made strategic alliances with the Rajput kings. Akbar married several Rajput princesses, and took part in their festivals and rituals. The tradition of Rakhis was used by the Mughals to reinforce their ties to their Hindu subjects. Legend has it that Humayun went to the rescue of Rani Karnavati of Chittor who had sent him a rakhi, when she was attacked by Bahadur Shah of Gujarat. Unfortunately he arrived too late to save her.

    The modern Indian festival:
    Rakhi continues to be celebrated with joy and devotion today. The Raksha bandhan festival is also becoming a commercial event with manufacturers offering products especially for Rakhi. These superficial changes however cannot change the basic nature of this Indian festival, which is to celebrate the love between brothers and sisters on Raksha Bandhan day.
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