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SPECIAL FEATURE SEPTEMBER 06, 2024 | The Indian Eye 14

Raksha by the Divine

n Shravan Sud Punam, typically in mid-Au-
gust, Hindus celebrate Raksha Bandhan, a
Ofestival that honors the sacred bond of love
and duty between siblings. On this day, sisters tie a
rakhi—a symbolic protective thread—around their
brothers’ wrists, offering prayers for their prosper-
ity, health, and well-being. In return, brothers vow
to protect and support their sisters throughout their
lives.
The origin of this festival can be traced back to
the time when Bhagwan Vishnu, pleased with King
Bali’s devotion, agreed to remain in his kingdom
in Sutal. When Bhagwan Vishnu did not return to
Vaikunth, Lakshmiji became worried. She visited
Sutal on Shravan Purnima, accepted King Bali as
her brother, and tied a raksha on him. Bali Raja
granted her a boon, and she asked for Bhagwan
Vishnu’s return to Vaikunth. However, Bhagwan
Vishnu could not leave because of his prior prom-
ise to protect King Bali. As a solution, Brahmaji
and Shivji agreed to guard Bali’s kingdom for four
months each, allowing Bhagwan Vishnu to return
to Vaikunth. The four months when Bhagwan Vish-
nu is in King Bali’s service came to be known as
Chaturmaas. The Raksha Bandhan festival began
when Lakshmiji tied a rakhi on King Bali. Since
that day, this celebration has also been known as
Bali-eva or Baleva.
His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj once
emphasized during a Raksha Bandhan discourse
that just as Bhagwan Vishnu promised to protect worship Govardhan Hill instead of performing
King Bali, God always protects those who seek His the traditional rituals for Indra. Angered, Indra
refuge, offer Him devotion, and live according to unleashed torrential rains upon the village. Shri
His teachings. Gunatitanand Swami, in the Swami- Krishna then lifted the massive Govardhan Hill
ni Vato, mentions this divine protection by saying, with his little finger, sheltering the villagers and
“God is ever ready to protect his devotees. How? their cattle for seven days, protecting them from
Just as eyelids protect the eyes, hands protect the Indra’s wrath. This act not only safeguarded the
neck, a mother protects her child, and a king pro- villagers but also established Shri Krishna as a di-
tects his subjects, God protects us.” vine protector.
Swamishri further explained, “When children Shri Krishna’s role as a protector also extend-
are afraid, they cling to the necks of their parents; ed to his own family. His uncle, King Kansa, was a
similarly, in difficult times, we must cling to God tyrant who had imprisoned Shri Krishna’s parents
and His Sadhu, so they will protect us. How should and terrorized the kingdom of Mathura. A proph-
one cling to the neck? By remembering God. One ecy had foretold that Kansa would be killed by the
who has the company of God and His Sadhu has eighth son of his sister, Devaki, which led Kansa
no obstacles on his head, as God protects him.” to commit heinous acts in an attempt to prevent
Recently, we also celebrated the Janmashtami his demise. However, Shri Krishna, destined to ful-
festival, marking Bhagwan Shri Krishna’s earthly fill the prophecy, eventually confronted and killed
arrival. Shri Krishna is widely known for his divine Kansa, liberating the people of Mathura from his
interventions that protected his devotees and up- oppressive rule.
held righteousness (Dharma). Throughout ancient Throughout the Mahabharata, Krishna consis-
texts, his acts of protection, love, and compassion tently protected the Pandavas and Arjuna, offer-
are celebrated, showcasing his divine presence in ing strategic counsel and miraculous interventions
times of turmoil. Let’s look at a few well-known in- during the war. His divine presence ensured that
cidents highlighting how Krishna safeguarded his justice prevailed and that those who upheld righ-
devotees from various adversities. help. He responded by miraculously providing an teousness were protected.
One of the most famous incidents where Shri endless stream of cloth, protecting her honor and These incidents portray Shri Krishna as a di-
Krishna demonstrated his protective nature oc- dignity in a situation where no human intervention vine protector who stands by his devotees in their
curred during the disrobing of Draupadi in the seemed possible. darkest hours, offering guidance, strength, and un-
Mahabharata. Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, Another remarkable instance of Shri Krish- wavering protection to those who seek His refuge
was humiliated in the court of the Kauravas after na’s protection is the lifting of Govardhan Hill. To and live according to His teachings.
a deceitful game of dice. As Dushasana attempted teach Indra, the god of rain, a lesson in humility, Lenin Joshi
to disrobe her, Draupadi called upon Krishna for Shri Krishna advised the people of Vrindavan to BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha

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