Raksha Bandhan, a thread of love that grows stronger with time

Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in the month of Sawan/Shraavan on Poornima, or full moon day. When Krishna was going to war, his sister Subhadra while tying a thread on his wrist, blessed Him saying, “May you shine like the full moon of Poornima and emerge victorious!” This was the first Raksha-ka-Bandhan or Raksha-Kavach tied by a sister to her brother’s wrist. Draupadi, tore off a strip from her saree to bandage Krishna’s bleeding finger. Krishna repaid that debt, by saving her dignity when the infamous Draupadi-Cheer-Haran happened.

Children, especially girls enjoy Rakhi, because of the pampering they get. All parents want their children to play together, grow together and continue to stay happily connected. Sadly, this does not always happen. Everyone celebrates love with friends, sweethearts, parents, children, etc. But how often do we talk about sibling love; especially siblings who are not babies, but grown-ups? Sibling rivalry is much talked about, but sibling love? I wonder why it took a backseat.

Most temples have idols of God with their consort. These could be Radha-Krishna, Gauri-Shankara, Lakshmi-Narayana or Sita-Ram. The Jagannath Temple at Puri, has idols of Krishna (as Jagannath - Lord of the Universe) with his brother, Balbhadra/Balram and sister Subhadra. It is perhaps the only temple in which sibling love is celebrated.

Supposedly, Rakhi is a thread that sisters tie on the wrist of their brothers and ask the brother for protection. They were times when girls were considered the weaker sex; or incapable of looking after themselves. Presently, boys and girls or considered equal. I prefer to believe that when a sister ties Rakhi on the wrist of her brother, she seeks God’s blessings and protection for him. At different junctures in life, siblings need each other, in good times and bad ...

Today, parents give equal love, education and even inheritance to their sons and daughters. Girls are making their presence felt everywhere, even in the armed forces. Most recently, Col Sophia Qureshi, became famous for leading Operation Sindoor from the front. So does the ritual of asking brothers for protection, hold any importance now.

Rakhi brings a beautiful opportunity for siblings to meet. Especially as we get on in years, we are so tied up in the rigmarole of life, that oftentimes aeons pass before one can meet up with siblings.

When I was a little girl, I remember that my two younger brothers, always felt that Rakhi was an unfair festival when my sister and I, got money and they didn’t. Our parents always told our brothers that they should protect their sisters.

Now that we are all on the other side of the hill, our brothers still give us money or gifts on Rakhi, but now it’s done with a smile! I think Rakhi tying and exchange of money or gifts is just an exchange of energy. But the token Rakhi money, still brings a smile to my lips.

 When parents are gone, the value of siblings becomes dearer. I see the reflection of my mother in my sister and that of my father in my two brothers. In meeting up with them, I feel like I have met a part of my parents. Rakhi is a perfect day to nourish the bonds between siblings. Siblings often fall apart, especially over property issues, but let us not forget that just as our parents have moved on to the higher realms, we too shall move on and properties shall be left behind … Let the memories of times spent together, be sweet and not bitter. Enjoy Rakhi!

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A modified version of this article was published in the Indian Express on Aug 4^th, 2025. It can be viewed here - https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/timeless-tales-raksha-bandhan-a-thread-of-love-that-grows-stronger-with-time-10167486/