E-Paper
A protection bond
Love, care and protection are the basic needs of all human beings. That is why Rakshbandhan, celebrated in the month of Shravan (August) on full moon day, commemorates the sacred loving relationship between brothers and sisters. Brahma Kumari Shukla writes.
Love, care and protection are the basic needs of all human beings. That is why Rakshbandhan, celebrated in the month of Shravan (August) on full moon day, commemorates the sacred loving relationship between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters tie a decorative thread on the wrists of their brothers, apply a 'tilak' on their foreheads and pray for their well-being, who in turn promise to take care of and protect them.
But the deeper significance of this festival has been lost in commercialisation. Today sisters choose flashy and stylish 'Rakhis' for their brothers and look forward to receive expensive gifts in return. Modernisation of the festival in the present era has led to dilution of its simple but significant meaning.
The call of the time is to go into the deep insightful meaning of this divine festival which will help us appreciate its immense value. It is a symbolic representation of divine act to awaken, enlighten and empower the inner being and it teaches how to regain our lost sovereignty.
The practice of soul-consciousness is a process of visualising oneself as a point of light in the midst of forehead. It empowers seekers to connect their mind to the Supreme Soul in Raj-yoga meditation. This pure company of God through such mental communion helps seekers to get rid of vicious addictions, habits and impure lifestyle.
By purifying the self in this way, one can get complete divine protection. The stronger the connection, more is the purification of the consciousness; and pure consciousness leads to positive action.
This is the subtle and incognito meaning of Raksha Bandhan. By observing the festival in such a meaningful way of fostering the practice of soul-consciousness, essential unity and universal brotherhood of mankind can be realised in spite of diversity humanity in terms of physical distinctions like caste, creed, community, race, religion and nationality.
That is why, it is essential to highlight the spiritual significance and relevance of this festival so that the world is free of tension and only love and peace reign supreme.
