International Sri Deep Madhavananda Ashram Fellowship, Vienna, Austria
AUSTRIA, August 28, 2004: His Holiness, Mahamandaleshwar Paramhas Swami Maheswarananda issued the following message on the occassion of Raksha Bandhan:
Blessed Selves. On the 30th of August we are celebrating the holy festival of Raksha Bandhan, the day of brothers and sisters. On this day sisters tie sacred threads around their brothers’ wrists expressing their sisterly love and affection. In return, the brothers offers their sisters little presents and promise to protect them and to always be ready to help them. Raksha means protection or security and bandhan means bond or relation. Thus, Raksha Bandhan symbolizes the bond of security and protection between brothers and sisters. The tradition of this day goes back to the time of Sati Savitri.
Savitri was very beautiful. One day a King saw her and fell in love with her at first sight. As he commanded her to come to him she sought to save her marriage by calling up an old tradition. She took a piece of string and tied it around the King’s right wrist saying: “My honorable King, this particular day shall be the day of brothers and sisters, and through this string we are now connected as brother and sister. It is the brother’s duty to protect the sister and present her a gift through which she will have much joy.” The King ashamedly renounced his desires and promised Savitri his protection.
Since then, women and girls have chosen a “brother” on Raksha Bandhan Day to be protected and supported by them. On this day, everybody can choose a brother or a sister to whom she or he feels close bonds and a sense of true brother- and sisterhood. The brothers take over the duty to protect and take care about their sisters lifelong, and the sisters promise their brothers lifelong love, support and understanding. This day reminds us that the whole world is one family. All who are around us, all who live on this planet shall be our brothers and sisters. We should tie the threads of mutual respect, understanding, protection, care and love around each other’s wrists with brotherly feelings, and embrace humanity and all living beings as our brothers and sisters.
May this holy occasion of Raksha Bandhan lead the way toward universal brotherhood. Let us realize that the only way the world and humankind will survive is through unity. Moral and ethical discipline, true love and brotherhood throughout the entire globe only can save the earth from destruction and create a sustainable and peaceful world for us and our children.
I pray to the Almighty Lord for his blessings and divine protection for all of us.