6 Popular Rakshabandhan Stories That Every Child Should Know
Rakshabandhan just went by, and you must have encouraged your kids to celebrate this special occasion with their siblings or cousins. Rakshabandhan is a special occasion which comes in the month of Shravana. On this day, every sister ties a beautiful rakhi on the wrist of her brother strengthening the wonderful bond between them. They both promise to be there for each other in all the highs and lows of life.
Interestingly, there are several tales that signify this special occasion and the special bond between brothers and sisters. You can acquaint your kids with these popular stories of Rakshabandhan. While this is largely celebrated as a Hindu festival, some of the stories transcend religious boundaries and foster a sense of harmony. Here are some of the well-known tales that you as well as your kids would find interesting.
1) Krishna & Draupadi
One of the most popular Indian mythological stories that most of us are aware of is of Lord Krishna and Draupadi, the wife of Pandavas. The legend is that once Lord Krishna happened to bruise his finger while handling sugarcane. While Rukhmini and Satyabhama rushed to get a piece of cloth to tie around it, Draupadi without hesitating, tore a part of her own sari and tied it around Krishna’s injured finger as bandage. Krishna in turn promised to protect Draupadi in her difficult times. He kept his promise by protecting her in King Dhritarashtra’s court by covering her during the infamous episode of cheerharan by Kauravas.
2) Maharani Karnavati and King Humayun
Maharani Karnavati of Chittorgarh was the dowager of King Maharana Sanga. When Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat attacked Chittorgarh, the queen sent the sacred thread to Mughal emperor Humayun seeking protection. King Humayun respected the gesture and rushed to help Rani Karnavati. Even though a lot of damage was done until he arrived, he eventually defeated the Sultan and reinstated the Queen’s son Prince Vikramaditya to the throne.
3) King Porus & Roxana
Roxana was the wife of Alexander the Great, who invaded India back in 326 BC. King Porus was a popular Indian king who ruled the land between Chenab and Jhelum that comprised 300 towns. When Alexander attacked King Porus’s kingdom, the powerful king resisted the attack. Learning this, Roxana got worried and she sent King Porus a thread as rakhi requesting him not to harm her husband during the war. A man of his words, King Porus honoured the gesture and didn’t kill Alexander during the battle. Even though King Porus lost the battle, he earned a lot of respect from Alexander.
4) Yamuna & Yama
The story of Yamuna, a river in India, and Yama, the Lord of Death is another interesting mythological tale that emphasizes the significance of brother-sister bond. The legend states that Yamuna tied a rakhi to Yama, and Yama, being the Lord of Death, granted Yamuna immortality. Yama, who was impressed by the gesture, announced that any brother who has got a rakhi tied on his wrist from his sister and who promises to protect his sister would become immortal.
5) Maharani Jind Kaur & Maharaja Of Nepal
Maharani Jind Kaur was popular as the regent of Sikh Empire and the youngest wife of Ranjit Singh, who was Maharaja of the Sikh Empire. She was known for creating fear in the British who were invading India. It is believed that Maharani Jind Kaur used to send rakhi to the Maharaja of Nepal. As the Rakshabandhan story goes, when the queen she had been imprisoned by the British, she managed to escape. Disguised as a servant from Chunar Fort where she was imprisoned she went to Nepal by traveling about 800 miles. When she reached Nepal penniless the Maharaja of Nepal offered her asylum with full dignity as Queen of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
6) King Bali & Goddess Laxmi
Another popular mythological legend which has been mentioned in several Hindu scriptures is of King Bali and Goddess Laxmi. Lord Vishnu had been safeguarding King Bali, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu, in a disguise of doorman at the palace of King Bali. However, Goddess Laxmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu, was missing his presence in Vaikuntha. So, Goddess Laxmi, disguised herself as a lady who is looking for a shelter to stay due to the absence of her husband, approached King Bali, and Kind Bali opened the doors of his palace for her out of his generosity. As the Goddess Laxmi entered his palace, King Bali’s kingdom started prospering.
Later, on the full moon day in the month of Shravana, Goddess Laxmi tied a colourful thread on the wrist of King Bali. When King Bali asked for her wish, she pointed out at the gatekeeper who then revealed his real identity as God Vishnu. King Bali respecting her wish requested God Vishnu to return to his home along with Goddess Laxmi. In turn, God Vishnu made a promise to be with King Bali for four months of every year.
Do you know any other stories about Rakhshabandhan that you would like to tell us? Share them with us stories with others by leaving a comment below.
Manjiri Kochrekar is a parenting blogger and creative writer, who loves to explore various facts, ideas, and aspects of life and pen them down in her own words. Writing is her passion, which means she enjoys writing on a vast variety of subjects, and parenting and child care is just one among her several specialty areas.