Raksha Bandhan – ‘A bond of Protection’

Raksha Bandhan - A bond of Protection

The festival of Raksha Bandhan – with a literal meaning as ‘A bond of Protection’ holds its origin in the times immemorial, with multiple stories associated with it.

All the related stories essentially talk about the protection of a sister during all ups and downs of life by her brother. Not getting much into the stories associated with the festival, I would like to bring up some points which probably would have cropped up in minds of many of us at some point or the other.

Is it only the sisters (or women) who need protection? Are the brothers immune to sorrows and problems?

In today’s times when women are at par with men in each respect, in most of the families both brothers and sisters enjoy equal rights and opportunities. And not to mention, life is equally challenging for both men & women. Yet when it comes to problems, it is only the brother who is expected to stand beside his sister with full responsibility and be a support in every aspect. Whereas sisters, even if they are capable enough, are not expected to accept their responsibility to be a support to their brother. While the modern society has given equal privileges to men and women, is there still a need of brother for sister’s protection?

Shouldn’t Raksha Bandhan rather be celebrated as a bond between siblings?

At various points in life you need someone you can look up to and rely upon, someone whose presence by your side will provide you strength and give you a sense of protection and coziness. Can there be anyone else than your sibling at that point in life? Irrespective of the fact that your sibling is a brother or a sister? Two sisters or two brothers will form an equally strong bond as siblings as a brother and sister will do. The main essence being that you are actually looking at your sibling as your pillar of strength.

Do expensive gifts define the strength of this bond?

The spirit of this festival is to be celebrated all the year round and lifelong. It is not just about the giving or receiving gifts on just one particular day and then forgetting each other till the next Raksha Bandhan. Though gifts may form a part of the ritual but they cannot be the criteria to measure the strength of the bond; an expensive gift cannot be a symbolic of strong bond and vice versa.

Let’s not commercialize this festival any more. Lets stop judging the sacred bond of love and respect basis the materialistic things – the design and the price of the rakhi, the gift you get in return, etc.

Let’s try to get back the true essence of Raksha Bandhan. This Raksha Bandhan, can we give a new meaning to the festival? Can we pledge to be always standing in support of and be responsible for the happiness and well-being of not just our siblings, but all those we get in contacts with?

Wishing all readers a happy and prosperous Raksha Bandhan from CommonFundey.com