🪢 Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) Vrat Katha
The story
Indrani and Indra: in the war of gods and demons Indra, king of the gods, began to lose; on Guru Brihaspati's advice Indrani (Shachi) consecrated a raksha thread on Shravana Purnima and tied it on Indra's wrist — Indra was victorious. This is the first story of the raksha thread — the bond of protection.
Lakshmi and Bali: Vamana gave King Bali the netherworld, and Vishnu became his gatekeeper. Lakshmi went to Bali as a Brahmin woman, tied a rakhi on Shravana Purnima and became his sister, and asked as her gift 'return my husband' — Bali freed Vishnu. The raksha mantra 'Yena baddho Bali raja…' comes from this.
Draupadi and Krishna: in the slaying of Shishupala the Sudarshan cut Krishna's finger; Draupadi tore the end of her sari and bound it — Krishna vowed 'I will repay the debt of every thread' — in the disrobing her sari became endless. In folk history Rani Karnavati (Chittor) sent a rakhi to Humayun; the story of Yama and Yamuna (linked to Bhai Dooj) is told too.
Why this katha — the significance
The thread of protection: 'Yena baddho Bali raja danavendro mahabalah, tena tvam abhibadhnami rakshe ma chala ma chala' — the thread with which Lakshmi bound King Bali is the raksha bandhan; besides the sister, a priest may tie it on the patron, a mother on her son, a wife on her husband — at its root it is the thread of 'protection', the brother-sister form became the most loved in folk tradition.
Bhadra (Vishti karana) usually falls in the first part of the day on Shravana Purnima; both rakhi and Holika Dahan are forbidden during Bhadra — Shurpanakha tied a rakhi on Ravana during Bhadra and the clan was destroyed (folk tale). Priests explain the distinction of Bhadra-mukha/puchha; the simple rule — after Bhadra ends, while the Purnima remains.
The same day is the Shravani Upakarma (the new sacred thread of Yajurvedis, the beginning of Vedic study), Hayagriva Jayanti, Sanskrit Day (India), Gayatri Jayanti (some traditions); the closing of the Amarnath Yatra (Chhari Mubarak); 'Janyopunyu' in Uttarakhand, Gamha Purnima (Balarama's birth) in Odisha, Jhulan Purnima (the end of Radha-Krishna's swing) in Bengal-Gujarat.
How the katha is heard
- Hear or read the katha after the puja, before the aarti — the whole family sits together.
- The one keeping the vrat should listen with a calm mind; keep a lamp lit and a little akshat-flowers in hand.
- At the end, offer the flowers at the deity's feet and bow; share the prasad with everyone.
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Frequently asked questions
When is Raksha Bandhan in {Y} and until when is Bhadra?
This year's Shravana Purnima date, the Bhadra Kaal (start-end) and the auspicious window for tying the rakhi are above for Delhi — tie after Bhadra in the afternoon/Pradosh; check your city's panchang.
Why no rakhi during Bhadra?
Bhadra (Vishti karana) is regarded as the sister of Shani — an inauspicious period; in the folk tale Shurpanakha tied a rakhi on Ravana during Bhadra and Lanka was destroyed. Rakhi and Holika Dahan are forbidden in Bhadra; some priests permit it in Bhadra-puchha as an exception.
If there is no brother, whom to tie the rakhi on?
On God (Krishna/Ganesha/Hanuman), the father/cousins, an adopted brother, or the raksha thread on any protector — a priest on the patron, a wife on the husband, a sister on a sister too; the root idea is the 'bond of protection'.
When and how to remove the rakhi?
At least until Janmashtami or before Pitru Paksha; after removing, in flowing water/at the root of a tree, or keep it in the safe all year and replace it with the new rakhi next year — not in the rubbish.
What is Shravani Upakarma?
The Yajurvedi Brahmins' wearing of the year's new sacred thread (janeu), rishi tarpan and the beginning of Vedic study — on Shravana Purnima (Avani Avittam in the south, on the Shravana nakshatra day for Rigvedis); Gayatri japa (1008) the next day. If Bhadra/an eclipse falls, the date changes — panchang/priest.
What is Nariyal Purnima?
In Maharashtra-Goa-Konkan on this same Shravana Purnima the fisherfolk offer coconuts to Varuna, god of the sea — the sea is calm after the monsoon, boats set out again; narali bhaat is made; rakhis are tied too.
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