Raksha Bandhan
A Poet nicely defined the meaning of “ANNA” aka “BROTHER” like this….. “A” syllable is picked from the word ”AMMA” (Mother) and NNA syllables from “NANNA” (Father). Thus a BROTHER/ANNA showers Mother’s Love and Father’s Protection upon his Sister.
Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on Shravana Poornima. Rakhi is a sacred thread of love and a bond of protection between brother and a sister. On this day, sisters tie the sacred rakhi string on their brother’s wrists and pray for their longlife and prosperity. Brother’s in return lavish their sisters with beautiful gifts.This year Rakhi Poornima is celebrated on 24th August.
There are many legends behind celebrating this festival…..
Raksha Bhandhan symbolizes all aspects of protection of the good from evil forces. In the great epic Mahabharata, We find Krishna advising Dharmaraja/Yudhistir to follow this sacred Rakhi ritual inorder to guard himself and his brothers against impending evils.
There is a popular saying….A disease within body is of no use, But a herb born in remote forest is used to cure the disease. What I mean to say is…. “ A Herb born in a remote forest is better than a disease born within the body”. (You’ve nourished your body with water and food on time, but still the body in turn suffers with a disease. You’ve never watered a tree in the forest, but still it’s herb is useful in restoring goodhealth to the so called nourished body). Whosoever think and pray for our prosperity and wellbeing are our relations. Those who don’t showup at the time of need are not relations but they are named as enemies…
Lord Krishna and Draupadi, even though they are not biological brother and sister, but still Draupadi treated Krishna as her own brother and Her faith and devotion towards Krishna always saved her from calamities. Krishna remained as Vajrakavacha for Draupadi, saved her from Kaurava’s insulting behaviour at Hastinapura. Thus a Brother and Sister relationship should be like Lord Krishna and Draupadi.
This Rakhi Poornima is also called “Jandhayala Poornima”. Jandyam/Yagnyopaveetham is a holy sacred thread worn by male persons across their shoulder in particular groups of Hindu community. It is the day on which the old jandhyam (old holy thread) is replaced with the new one by worshipping MOTHER GODDESS GAYATRI during early morning.
In Kerala, Rakhi Poornima is called as Narikela Poornima. Narikela meaning Coconut. On this day worshippers offer pooja rituals to Samudra (Ocean) by offering full Coconut (represents the shape of Poornima moon).
Hayagreeva Jayanthi:
Jnaagnaananda mayam devam nirmala sphatikaakritim
Aadhaaram Sarva vidhyaanaam Hayagreevam Upaasmahe
Hayagreeva, incarnation of Vishnu with human body and horse’s head is worshipped on this day. This day is celebrated as Hayagreeva Jayanthi (Birthday of Hayagreevar). Hayagreeva saved Vedas from a demon. HE is called SAKALAVIDYA PRADATHA (One who bestows education, wisdom and knowledge). According to Mahabharata, A sage named GAALAVA became well versed with vedas by doing Hayagreeva upasana.
According to Brahmanda purana, lt is Lord Hayagreeva who narrated Agastya muni the siginficance of Lalitha Sahasranama Parayana and revelead the secrets behind its Upasana vidhi/ritual. Remember the phrase at the end of Lalitha Sahasranamam…..
“Iti Shree Brahmandapurane uttarakhande Shree Hayagreeva Agastya samvaadhe Shree Lalitha Rahasyanaama saahasra stotra kadhanam Naama”
I’ll try to post 108 potri of Hayagreeva, if possible.
Hayagreeva Stotras - This website has got detailed info on Hayagreeva Avatar.
Hayagreeva slideshow - with background audio chanting of Haygreeva Ashtotram
To conclude…. Rakhi Poornima festival give us a universal message of cultivating brotherly relationship and to strive for the Universal Peace and Harmony.
Wish you all a Happy Rakhi
Raksha Bandhan ki Haardhik Shubkaamnaaye
