Raksha bandhan is about to arrive. Every year the streets use to be gleaming with colorful threads, beautiful gifts and greetings. At every nook and corner, sisters were seen busy buying threads of love or Rakhis for their beloved brothers; while brothers are busy figuring out what they can gift their sisters. This year its going to be different… We are mostly going to order Rakhis and gifts online. We may not be able to even meet our brother or sister but our love knows no distance. Here are some Raksha bandhan tales…

The exceptional festival celebrates the love between two siblings and a promise of protecting each other forever. But do you know that just like other festivals, Rakhsha bandhan is also associated with different mythological stories that date back to 360 B.C?

Raksha Bandhan Stories

Here are six stories that reflect the significance of celebrating Raksha Bandhan. And the values associated with this joyous festival…

1. Krishna and Draupadi

It is said that, one day Krishna managed to cut his little finger while cutting sugarcane. Rukmini, Krishna’s wife immediately sent her help to get a cloth while Sathyabama, his other consort immediately rushed to bring some fabric.

Draupadi, his cousin sister and wife of the Padavas, who was watching this tore off a part of her sari and bandaged Krishna’s finger immediately. In return, Krishna promised to protect her in time of distress. It is said that he uttered ‘Akshyam’ as a boon and it means ‘may it be unending.’ 

Krishna kept his promise and made Draupadi’s sari ‘endless’ to save her from embarrassment on the day she was disrobed in King Dhritarashtra’s court by Kauravas.

2. Roxana (wife of Alexander the Great) and Porus

When Alexander the Great invaded India in 326 BC, his wife Roxana sent a sacred thread to Porus, and requested him not to harm her husband during the battle.

It is said that at some point in the battle when Porus lifted his hand to kill Alexander, he saw the thread and stopped.

3. Rani Karnavati and King Humayun

After the demise of Rana Sanga, Rani Karnavati was the regent of Mewar. She ruled in the name of Vikramjeet – her elder son.

When Gujarat’s emperor Bahadur Shah attacked Mewar for the second time, Rani Karnavati began seeking help from her nobles for support. Initially apprehensive, the nobles agreed to take on Bahadur Shah.

In the meantime, Karnavati asked Humayun for help. She wrote to him and sent a rakhi seeking protection. Interestingly, Humayun’s father Babur had once defeated Rana Sanga as he led a confederation of Rajput armies against him in 1527.

When the call for help reached the Mughal emperor, unfortunately, he was in the middle of another military campaign. He abandoned the attack and left for Mewar. But he could not make it on time.

The Rajput army was defeated in Chittoor, and Rani Karnavati committed Jauhar.

Bahadur Shah, however, could not go any further and had to turn back from Chittor as Mughal military reinforcements arrived. Humayun then restored the kingdom to Vikramjit, Rani Karnavati’s son.

4. Yama (the Lord of Death) and Yamuna (the river)

It is said that when the Yamuna tied a rakhi to Yama, the lord of death granted her immortality. He was so moved that he declared that any brother who is tied a rakhi on raksha bandhan and offers to protect his sister would become immortal.

5. King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi

Lord Vishnu protected his devotee and the demon King Bali, disguising himself as his doorman. In Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu, his consort Lakshmi has been missing him.

Disguising herself as a woman, seeking a shelter to live in since her husband has been away, she approached Bali. The generous king opened the doors of his palaces for the lady. As Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity entered Bali began to prosper.

On the full moon day in the holy month of Shravana, Lakshmi tied a thread of colored cotton thread on Bali’s wrist and wished for protection and happiness. Bali asked Lakshmi what she desired and promised to fulfill it.

Laxmi simply points to the gatekeeper who reveals his real identity and the goddess follows suit. Bali keeps his promise and requests Vishnu to return to his home with his consort.

6. Birth of Santoshi Maa

The tale states that on an auspicious day, Lord Ganesha’s sister Manasa visited him on Raksha bandhan day, to tie the rakhi. On seeing this, Ganesha’s sons — Shubha and Labha — insisted on having a sister.

Giving in to their demands, Ganesha created goddess Santoshi from the divine flames that are believed to emerge from his consorts – Riddhi and Siddhi.

Narrate these stories to your children and siblings, and leave them awestruck! Also surprise them with unique gifts that are brimming with values. Have a look at our range of very thoughtful and unique gifts like Tshirts with quotes, OM Pendants and Bracelets, Umbrellas, Copper Products, Sarees and Keychains. You could shop an entire look and express your love and care…come on, make them feel special!