Hare Krishna. Raksha Bandhan—A Bhagavad Gita Perspective

The festival of Raksha Bandhan is one of the sweetest and most widely celebrated festivals in the Indian calendar. During this festival, sisters tie decorative strings, called rakhi, around the wrists of their brothers. In reciprocation, brothers promise to act as protectors of their sisters. So, Raksha Bandhan symbolizes the bond of protection.

This festival has many origin stories, but rather than focusing on them, I would like to discuss the principle behind the festival and how that principle is illuminated by the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. I will explain this in terms of three “R’s.”

First R: Reminder.
We live in a world filled with urgencies and distractions—things that we have to do, even if they aren’t very important, and things that seem urgent but are not essential, like social media, entertainment, and trivial activities. In this chaotic world, we tend to forget the things that truly matter. Therefore, it is invaluable—and even indispensable—to have reminders of what is important.

The Bhagavad Gita, in Chapter 18, Verse 30, tells us that intelligence in goodness is that which helps us discern what is to be done and what is not, what is beneficial and what is not. In today’s world, amidst all the urgencies and distractions, relationships often suffer neglect. One of the most common relationships to be overlooked is the bond between brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters grow together through childhood, adolescence, and youth, and then they embark on their separate paths in life. Yet, the bond formed in childhood is deep and sweet, and it’s valuable to have reminders, like Raksha Bandhan, that help us reconnect with those important relationships.

Festivals like Raksha Bandhan, regardless of their origins, can help elevate our focus from the distractions of tamas (ignorance) and rajas (passion), reminding us of what truly matters in life. Tamas is about trivialities, while rajas is about unnecessary urgencies. Raksha Bandhan, in its essence, aligns with the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita by reminding us to prioritize relationships and values over distractions.

Second R: Reinforcement.
Affection may exist in our hearts, but it needs to be tangibly expressed. This is a key point in the Bhagavad Gita. Even in terms of bhakti (devotion) to the Lord, the Gita stresses that devotion must be expressed—not just internally but also externally. In Chapter 9, Verse 13, Krishna speaks about the internal aspect of devotion, and in Verse 14, He talks about the external expression of devotion.

Similarly, in our relationships, affection needs to be expressed. Festivals like Raksha Bandhan reinforce this expression of affection. While concern and love may exist in our hearts, it is through actions, such as tying the rakhi or promising protection, that affection is made tangible and grows.

The Bhagavad Gita also emphasizes the importance of protection, especially for vulnerable sections of society, including women. In Chapter 3, Verse 20, and Chapters 1.37 to 1.40, Krishna highlights the responsibility of individuals, especially Kshatriyas, to protect society and its vulnerable members. While protection in the modern world may take different forms—such as police forces or defense systems—the principle remains the same. In the family context, the brother assumes the role of protector. Raksha Bandhan reinforces this bond of protection, where the sister offers affection, and the brother reciprocates with a promise of protection.

Third R: Redirector.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches that everything attractive in this world is a spark of the divine splendor. Relationships where we experience love, care, joy, and protection are reminders of our eternal relationship with Krishna, the all-attractive, all-loving, and all-powerful divinity. Every relationship is like a drop of the ocean of divine love.

The Gita states that even though these relationships may be fleeting, they still provide immense joy and fulfillment. For example, in the Srimad Bhagavatam, there is a story of Dhruva and his mother. Dhruva’s mother tells him that Vishnu can offer him more love than millions of mothers like herself. Her love is real, but God’s love is far more real and infinite.

So, while we celebrate the love and protection between brothers and sisters during Raksha Bandhan, let it also serve as a reminder that these relationships are but a reflection of our eternal relationship with Krishna. If we do not have a brother or sister with whom to celebrate this festival, we can still remember that Krishna is our ultimate protector. We have an eternal relationship with Him.

When we take our japa beads and chant the holy names, we are connecting with Krishna. This connection is the devotional form of Raksha Bandhan. As we remember Krishna through our chanting, He promises us His protection. As Krishna says, “If you become conscious of Me, you will pass over all obstacles by My grace.”

In this way, Raksha Bandhan serves as a reminder of what truly matters—relationships over distractions. It reinforces the bond of affection and protection between brothers and sisters, and it redirects our focus towards the ultimate, eternal relationship with Krishna.

Thank you. Hare Krishna.