There are various legends
surrounding the festivities of
Raksha Bandhan and it also finds a
mention in the Mahabharata. Some
of the prominent one is the legend
of Queen Karnavati and Emperor
Humayun.
According to the Indian medieval
history, Queen Karnavati
of the Rajput Kingdom, Chittor had sent a Rakhi to
Humayun the Mughal Emperor of Delhi seeking his help
against Bahadur Shah of Mewar. Emperor Humayun knew
about the significance of Rakhi in the Hindu community
hence accepted her request to protect Queen Karnavati.
Since then the ritual of tying of a sacred thread Rakhi on
the wrist of brothers is celebrated with much fervour all
over the country.
The legend of King Bali and Goddess Laxmi is a popular one.
According to the legend Lord Vishnu was immensely pleased
with his devotee King Bali thus granting him a boon of
immortality and promised heavenly protection for his
kingdom.
In order to fulfil his promise Lord Vishnu left his abode
Vaikunthdham and came to stay with King Bali. Soon
Goddess Laxmi visited King Bali on the Shravan Poornima
day disguised a poor Brahmin lady and tied Rakhi on his
wrist. When King Bali tried to give her some present, she
revealed her true identity and asked the King to send Lord
Vishnu back with her to Vaikunthdham.
Another legend is of Yama (the God of death) and Yamuna.
It is believed that on every Shravan Poornima day Yamuna
used to tie a sacred thread on Yama’s wrist. Yama was so
moved by the serenity of this custom that he declared that
whosoever gets a Rakhi tied on his wrist from his sister and
promised her protection will become protection.
Since then Raksha Bandhan celebrates the eternal bond
between brothers and sisters all over the country.
