This Indian event about brother and sister loving affection and commitment to care for each other - materially and spiritually.
On this day, sisters tie a rakhi, a colorful bracelet made of silk thread, on the wrist of their brothers to protect them against evil influences. Sisters pray for long life of their brothers and ask God to bless them with His blessings.
Brothers in turn, give them best gifts and promise to care and help them life long.
The Rakhi event importance reflects in Mahabharata pastimes of Lord Krishna and Draupadi. It is generally assumed that the original ritual of Rakhi began with Draupadi and Krishna. This story is a reflection of the pure bond between a brother and sister.
Lord Krishna had deep affection for Draupadi as Draupadi had pure & complete faith on Krishna. She prayed to him with utmost devotion for unconditional love.
The transcendental story goes like this. Once Lord Krishna threw Sudarshan Charka at Shishupala, in order to punish him for his sinful activities. During the act of hurling the Sudarshan Charka from his index finger, Krishna transcendentally hurt himself. On seeing blood drops, Draupadi immediately rushed to protect her Lord. She tore off a piece from her sari and wrapped it around his finger, stopping the bleeding. Krishna was touched by her gesture of devotion and pure love. He asked her what she would like in return of this favor. Draupadi, like a true sister, just asked for the Lord's holy presence in her life forever. Since than Lord Krishna has been with Draupadi like a shadow protecting her from every trouble. When the Kauravas tried to dishonor Draupadi through “Cheer Haran” in a gathering, she prayed to Krishna continuously. The lord took care of her honor and punished the sinners during the battle of Mahabharata.
This story holds a very special position in the Hindu household owing to Mahabharata.
Comments
Rakhi Bandhan is bogus and condemned by Srila Prabhupada and Gaudiya Vaisnava Smriti (Hari Bhakti Vilasa). Just because Hindus do it doesn't mean Vaisnavas do it. There is a difference.
"The Rakhi Bandhan ceremony observed by you under instruction of Prasad isn't approved by our Vaisnava rituals. Of course, such ceremony is observed among the Hindu community as a socio-religious convention. But in our Vaisnava community there is no such observance." (Letter to Mukunda, San Francisco, 26th March, 1968)
It goes against the Vedic moral principle that women should be seen as mother. Srila Prabhupada rejected the ceremony, and on many occasions he criticized the "sister" title.
"Any woman except his own wife is mother. Any woman. It doesn't matter whether she is elderly or young. No. That is the way. Still in India, any woman by unknown person, he can address any woman "Mother." The first relationship is mother. Now they have introduced "Sister," "Bahinajī." No, that is not Vedic etiquette. No bahinajī. Bahinajī means sister. Mother. Everyone should be addressed. We should learn this. Except one's one wife, all women should be addressed as "Mother." This is civilization. Then there will be no corrupt relation. If you, from the very beginning, you establish your relationship with other women as mother, then there is no question of other relationship." (Lecture, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.16.23, Los Angeles, July 13, 1974)