Traditionally Raksha Bandhan is a festival to commemorate purity and protection in human relationships, especially focusing on the brother-sister relationship. The tying of a beautiful decorated sacred thread to a brother’s wrist by his sister is a symbol of her faith and trust in him.  And brothers see it as a promise to guard and protect their sisters against any harm.

In Brahma Kumaris, this festival has a much deeper, spiritual meaning and significance giving us an opportunity to ponder upon the aspects of our true relationship with the self, relationship with the Divine power/God and also our relationship with the world as a whole.

In Brahma kumaris, the practice is slightly different. Here an instrument sister (dedicated sister) invokes the divine power and then ties Rakhi/sacred thread on his behalf to one and all, including both men and women (brothers and sisters) as we all are spiritual beings and children of one father.  This festival reminds us of universal brotherhood, since we all are children of one Divine power/supreme soul.

Raksha Bandhan is a symbol of purity in the relationship of the soul with the self, of its eternal relationship with the divine power/supreme soul and also relationship with other souls.

Relationship with Self: It is a promise to the self to be a protector of the good with in us from the negativity.  It is a promise to keep a positive and progressive attitude towards the self no matter what life presents and there by heal your own self with this determination.

Relationship with Divine: It is a promise of our eternal connection with the divine being/supreme soul. Our intellect is that subtle thread that ties us in the bond of true love for the Divine. This is to experience all relations with The One Divine being in a practical way as is sung in bhakti (Tvameva Mata, Pita Tvameva). The divine offers us eternal protection in return for this promise of purity of relationship with him, and the soul experiences state of bliss and contentment.

Relationship with others: It is a promise of purity of our relationship to other souls as brothers, to be able to always have thoughts towards everyone as unique and precious beings with pure feelings, mercy and good wishes. It is a promise to see everyone including the self beyond the limitations of the limited identities of color, caste, creed, religion, socio economic status, education, gender etc, and to have an elevated vision of spirituality. To have the vision of identifying each and every one as an elevated, pure, peaceful, loving, blissful, powerful and true original spiritual beings and interacting in that awareness to give love and happiness to all. This purity of thought, vision and attitude will give self -respect and happiness to the self and restore love and harmony in relationships.

Let us all celebrate Raksha Bandhan in this elevated spiritual manner and become helpers to the Divine in transforming this world into a happy, peaceful and harmonious place.

© 2019, BK Sri Divya