Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan

A sister performing the aarti of the Raksha Bandhan ritual
Official name Raksha Bandhan.
Also called Rakhi, Rakhri
Observed by Hindus
Type Religious, cultural, secular
Date Purnima (full moon) of Shrawan
2017 date Monday, 7 August (Friday, 28 July in Nepal)
2018 date Sunday, 26 August
Related to Bhai Duj, Bhai Tika, Sama Chakeva
A girl is tying a rakhi (a Rakshasutra) around her mother's wrist as part of the celebration Rakshbandhan in a village Lahree, Jabalpur district, India.

Raksha Bandhan, also Rakshabandhan,[1] or simply Rakhi is a festival celebrated traditionally by Hindus in northern India,[2][3][4] especially in its rural regions, in western India,[5] and in Nepal.[6] It has however now gained widespread popularity all over India as a result of the dissemination of its practice through the media and through social mobility.[7][8] The festival is observed on the last day the Hindu lunar calendar month of Shraavana, which typically falls in August.[9][10] On this day, sisters of all ages tie a talisman, or amulet, called the rakhi, around the wrists of their brothers as part of a ritual of renewing their bonds as siblings, and of traditionally investing the brothers with a share of the responsibility of their future care.[11] The expression "Raksha Bandhan," Sanskrit, lit., "the bond of protection, obligation, or care," speaks to this expectation.

Often considered a ritual of especial significance to married women, Raksha Bandhan is deeply rooted in the custom of territorial exogamy. In its traditional region of observance—in which a bride moves away from her natal village when she marries, and the bride's parents, by custom, do not visit her in her married home—large numbers of married Hindu women travel back to their parents' homes for the ceremony.[12] In many instances, they stay for the entire month of Shraavana. Their brothers, who serve as a life-long intermediaries between their sister's married and parental homes,[13] often travel to their married sister's home to escort her back for the ceremony.

The actual ritual, performed by married and unmarried women alike, is initiated by the sister who ties the amulet around the right wrist of her brother, performs an aarti in which a wick soaked in ghee, lighted, and placed on a tray, is moved in a series of vertical circles in his presence as an aspect of honoring him, and makes a tilak, a mark made with kumkum powder, on her brother's forehead as a form of blessing him. In return, the brother pledges to serve as his sister's protector through future travails, and presents her with a gift, which can be money. In many regions, he touches her feet,[14] regardless of her age, as an aspect of honoring the feminine divinity she represents. The ritual is usually performed in the presence of the whole family.[15] There has also been a tradition of fictive kin relations between women and men, that have cut across caste and class lines,[16] even Hindu and Muslim divisions, through the tying of rakhi amulet.[17] In some communities and ethnic groups in India, other figures, such as a matriarch, for example, can take the place of the brother in the ceremony.

In urban India, with its nuclear families, and marriages which are no longer exogamous, the ritual has become more symbolic, but continues to be highly popular. Raksha Bandhan is also celebrated by some Jains and Sikhs, and by Hindu communities in other parts of the world.[18][19] In Nepal, the festival is called Janai Purnima or Rishitarpani, involving a sacred thread ceremony, one observed by Hindus and Newar Buddhist communities.[20][21] Although rooted in Hindu culture, the festival has no traditional prayers unambiguously associated with it. The religious myths claimed for it are disputed, and the historical stories associated with it considered apocryphal by some historians.[22][23]

Significance

"Bandhan," a noun in Sanskrit means "The act of binding, fastening, tying."[24] It is an ancient Hindu festival that ritually celebrates the love and duty between brothers and their sisters.[10][25] The sister performs a rakhi ceremony, then prays to express her love and her wish for the well being of her brother; in return, the brother ritually pledges to protect and take care of his sister under all circumstances. It is one of the several occasions in which family ties are affirmed in India.[26]

The festival is also an occasion to celebrate brother-sister like family ties between cousins or distant family members,[27] sometimes between biologically unrelated men and women.[28] To many, the festival transcends biological family, brings together men and women across religions, diverse ethnic groups and ritually emphasizes harmony and love. It is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Śrāvaṇa, and typically falls in August every year.[26][10][29]

Practices

The festival is marked by the several rituals, which vary regionally within Nepal and India. Typical rituals include:

Women shopping for rakhi, the ceremonial thread marking brother-sister love, before the Raksha Bandhan festival

Prepare for Raksha Bandhan'

Days or weeks before Raksha Bandhan, women shop for rakhi, the ceremonial thread to tie around her brother's (or brother-like friend's) wrist. Some women make their own rakhi.[30] A rakhi may be a simple thread, woven and colorful, or may be intricate with amulets and decorations. Sometimes, a rakhi may be a fancy watch or men's wrist accessory in the form of bracelet or jewelry. Rakhi in the form of a colorful woven thread is most common. Typically the brother also shops for gifts for his sister. The gift from the brother can be a simple thoughtful token of love, and may be more elaborate.[26][31]

Rakhi ritual

On the morning of Raksha Bandhan the brothers and sisters get together, often in nice dress in the presence of surviving parents, grandparents and other family members. If the sister and brother are geographically separated, the sister may mail the rakhi ahead of the Raksha Bandhan day, along with a greeting card or letter wishing her brother well. The ritual typically begins in front of a lighted lamp (diya) or candle, which signifies fire deity. The sister and brother face each other. The sister ties the rakhi on her brother's wrist.[26]

Prayer, aarti, promise and food

Once the rakhi has been tied, the sister says a prayer for the well being of her brother – good health, prosperity and happiness. This ritual sometimes involves an aarti, where a tray with lighted lamp or candle is ritually rotated around the brother's face, along with the prayer and well wishes.

The rituals of Raksha Bandhan (from top left): 1. Tie the rakhi, 2. tilak (prayer and promise), 3. She feeds him with her hands, 4. Hugs and gifts.

The prayer is a self composed note, or one of many published Rakhi poems and prose.[32] One of the earliest examples of a Rakhi prayer is found in Book V, Chapter V of Vishnu Purana; it is the prayer that Yasoda says while tying a Raksha Bandhan amulet on Krishna's wrist.[33][34] An abridged form of this prayer is:

May the lord of all beings protect you,
May the one who creates, preserves and dissolves life protect thee,

May Govinda guard thy head; Kesava, thy neck; Vishnu, thy belly;
the eternal Narayana, thy face, thine arms, thy mind, and faculties of sense;

May all negativity and fears, spirits malignant and unfriendly, flee thee;
May Rishikesa keep you safe in the sky; and Mahidhara, upon earth.

After the prayer, the sister applies a tilak (tikka), a colorful mark on the forehead of the brother. After the tilak, the brother pledges to protect her and take care of his sister under all circumstances.[26][35]

The sister then feeds the brother, with her hands, one or more bites of sweets (desserts), dry fruits and other seasonal delicacies.[35][36]

Gifts and hugs

The brother gives his sister(s) gifts such as cards, clothes, money or something thoughtful. The brother may also feed his sister, with his hands, one or more bites of sweets, dry fruits and other seasonal delicacies. They hug, and the larger family ritually congratulate the festive celebration of brother-sister love and protection.[26][31]

The brothers wear the rakhi for the entire day, at school or work, as a reminder of their sisters and to mark the festival of Raksha Bandhan.[37]

Myths and legends

A rakhi band

The scriptures, epics of Hinduism is peppered with stories of rakhi and Raksha Bandhan. Some of these include:

Indra Dev

According to Bhavishya Purana, in the war between Gods and demons, Indra – the deity of sky, rains and thunderbolts – was disgraced by the powerful demon King Bali. Indra’s wife Sachi consulted Vishnu, who gave her a bracelet made of cotton thread, calling it holy.[9] Sachi tied the holy thread around Indra wrist, blessed with her prayers for his well being and success. Indra successfully defeated the Bali and recovered Amaravati. This story inspired the protective power of holy thread.[35][31][38] The story also suggests that the Raksha Bandhan thread in ancient India were amulets, used by women as prayers and to guard men going to war, and that these threads were not limited to sister-brother like relationships.[9]

King Bali and Goddess Laxmi

According to Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana, after Vishnu won the three worlds from the demon King Bali, Bali asked Vishnu to stay with him in his palace, a request Vishnu granted. Vishnu's wife, Goddess Lakshmi did not like the palace or his new found friendship with Bali, and preferred that her husband and she return to Vaikuntha. So she went to Bali, tied a rakhi and made him a brother to her. Bali asked her what gift she desired. Lakshmi asked that Vishnu be freed from the request that he live in Bali's palace. Bali consented, as well accepted her as his sister.[39]

Santoshi Maa

Ganesha had two sons, Shubha and Labha. The two boys become frustrated that they have no sister to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with. They ask their father Ganesha for a sister, but to no avail. Finally, saint Narada appears who persuades Ganesha that a daughter will enrich him as well as his sons. Ganesha agreed, and created a daughter named Santoshi Maa by divine flames that emerged from Ganesh's wives, Riddhi (Amazing) and Siddhi (Perfection). Thereafter, Shubha Labha (literally "Holy Profit") had a sister named Santoshi Maa (literally "Goddess of Satisfaction"), to tie Rakhi over Raksha Bandhan.[40]

Krishna and Draupadi

In the epic Mahabharat, Draupadi tied a rakhi on Krishna, while Kunti tied her rakhi on her grandson Abhimanyu, before the great war.[38]

Yama and the Yamuna

According to another legend, Yama, the god of Death, had not visited his sister Yamuna for 12 years. Yamuna was sad and consulted Ganga. Ganga reminded Yama of his sister, upon which Yama visits her. Yamuna was overjoyed to see her brother, and prepared a bounty of food for Yama. The god Yama was delighted, and asked Yamuna what she wanted for a gift. She wished that he, her brother should return and see her again soon. Yama was moved by his sister's love, agreed and to be able to see her again, and made river Yamuna immortal. This legend is the basis for a Raksha Bandhan-like festival called Bhai Duj in some parts of India, which also celebrates brother-sister love, but near Diwali.[41][42]

History

Rakhi threads for sale in India

Raksha Bandhan is an ancient festival of the Indian subcontinent, and its history dates back thousands of years.

Alexander the Great and King Puru

According to one legendary narrative, when Alexander the Great invaded India in 326 BCE, Roxana (or Roshanak, his wife) sent a sacred thread to Porus, asking him not to harm her husband in battle. In accordance with tradition, Porus, the king of Kaikeya kingdom, gave full respect to the rakhi. In the Battle of the Hydaspes, when Porus saw the rakhi on his own wrist and restrained himself from attacking Alexander personally.[43]

Rani Karnavati and Emperor Humayun

Another controversial historical account is that of Rani Karnavati of Chittor and Mughal Emperor Humayun, which dates to 1535 CE. When Rani Karnavati, the widowed queen of the king of Chittor, realised that she could not defend against the invasion by the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, she sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun. The Emperor, according to one version of the story, set off with his troops to defend Chittor. He arrived too late, and Bahadur Shah had already captured the Rani's fortress. Alternative accounts from the period, including those by historians in Humayun's Mughal court, do not mention the rakhi episode and some historians have expressed skepticism whether it ever happened.[44] Humayun's own memoirs never mention this, and give different reasons for his war with Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat in 1535.[45]

Muslim commentators in modern era publications mention this story as evidence of Muslim-Hindu communal ties in the past.[46][47]

Rabindranath Tagore and the Bengal partition of 1905

Rabindranath Tagore, the Indian Nobel Laureate for literature, invoked Raksha Bandhan and rakhi as concepts to inspire love, respect and a vow of mutual protection between Hindus and Muslims during India's colonial era.[48] In 1905, the British empire divided Bengal, a province of British India on the basis of religion. Rabindra Nath Tagore arranged a ceremony to celebrate Raksha Bandhan to strengthen the bond of love and togetherness between Hindus and Muslims of Bengal, and urge them to together protest the British empire. He used the idea of Raksha Bandhan to spread the feeling of brotherhood. In 1911, British colonial empire reversed the partition and unified Bengal, a unification that was opposed by Muslims of Bengal. Ultimately, Tagore's Raksha Bandhan-based appeals were unsuccessful. Bengal not only was split during the colonial era, one part became modern Bangladesh and predominantly Muslim country, the other a largely Hindu Indian state of West Bengal. Rabindranath Tagore started Rakhi Mahotsavas as a symbol of Bengal unity, and as a larger community festival of harmony.[49] In parts of West Bengal, his tradition continues as people tie rakhis to their neighbors and close friends.[50]

One of Tagore's poem invoking rakhi is:[51]

The love in my body and heart
For the earth's shadow and light
Has stayed over years.

With its cares and its hope it has thrown
A language of its own
Into blue skies.

It lives in my joys and glooms
In the spring night's buds and blooms
Like a Rakhi-band
On the Future's hand.

Sikh history

In the 18th century, states Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair, Sikh Khalsa armies introduced the term Rakhi (Raksha Bandhan) as a promise of protection to farmers from Muslim armies such as those of the Mughals and Afghans, in exchange for sharing a small cut of their produce.[52][53]

Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the founder and ruler of the Sikh Empire, and he observed Raksha Bandhan festival.[54] His wife Maharani Jindan sent a Rakhi to the ruler of Nepal, who accepted her as sister and gave her refuge in the Hindu kingdom of Nepal in 1849 after the collapse of the Sikh Empire and annexation of its territories by the British.[55][56]

Sikhs have observed Raksha Bandhan festival, and has sometimes been referred to as Rakhardi (literally, wristband)[57] or Rakhari in historic Sikh texts.[58][59][60] Like the Hindu tradition, the festival has involved the tying of the rakhi and giving of gifts.[61][62]

Multi-culturalism and activism

Some Muslims in India view it a secular, multicultural festival.[46] Raksha bandhan has also been adopted by the Christian community in India who view it as a festival of historical and social importance.[63]

In 2015, men tied rakhis on women seeking protection from the ‘misuse’ of section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. "Society has gone through massive changes in the last few decades and men are now considered on the same platform with women. Why should laws show a discrimination against them?" asked Amartya Talukdar, founder member of Hridaya, an NGO working for gender neutrality.[64]

Regional variations

Rakhi tied to a man's wrist in Mauritius.

While Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in various parts of South Asia, different regions mark the day in different ways.

West Bengal and Odisha (Orissa)

In the state of West Bengal and Odisha, this day is also called Jhulan Purnima. Prayers and puja of Lord Krishna and Radha are performed there. Sisters tie rakhi to brothers and wish immortality. Political parties, offices, friends, schools to colleges, street to palace celebrate this day with a new hope for a good relationship.

Maharashtra

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel ties a rakhi on Narendra Modi.

In Maharashtra, the festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated along with Narali Poornima (coconut day festival). Kolis are the fishermen community of the coastal state. The fishermen offer prayers to Lord Varuna, the Hindu god of Sea, to invoke his blessings. As part of the rituals, coconuts were thrown into the sea as offerings to Lord Varuna. The girls and women tie rakhi on their brother's wrist, as elsewhere.[65][66]

Jammu (Kashmir)

In the regions of North India, mostly Jammu, it is a common practice to fly kites on the nearby occasions of Janamashtami and Raksha Bandhan. It's not unusual to see the sky filled with kites of all shapes and sizes, on and around these two dates. The locals buy kilometres of strong kite string, commonly called as "gattu door" in the local language, along with a multitude of kites.

Haryana

In Haryana, in addition to celebrating Raksha Bandhan, people observe the festival of Salono.[67] Salono is celebrated by priests solemnly tying amulets against evil on people's wrists.[68] As elsewhere, sisters tie threads on brothers with prayers for their well being, and the brothers give her gifts promising to safeguard her.[69]

Nepal

In Nepal, Raksha Bandhan is referred to as Janai Purnima or Rishitarpani, and involves a sacred thread ceremony. It is observed by both Hindus and Buddhists of Nepal.[20] The Hindu men change the thread they wear around their chests (janai), while in some parts of Nepal girls and women tie rakhi on their brother's wrists. The Raksha Bandhan-like brother sister festival is observed by other Hindus of Nepal during one of the days of the Tihar (or Diwali) festival.[70]

The festival is observed by the Shaiva Hindus, and is popularly known in Newar community as Gunhu Punhi.[71]

See also

References

  1. ↑ McGregor, Ronald Stuart (1993), The Oxford Hindi-English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-563846-2 Quote: m Hindi rakśābandhan held on the full moon of the month of Savan, when sisters tie a talisman (rakhi q.v.) on the arm of their brothers and receive small gifts of money from them.
  2. ↑ Prasad, Leela (2012), "Anklets on the pyal", in Leela Prasad, Ruth B. Bottigheimer, Lalita Handoo (editors), Gender and Story in South India, SUNY Press, p. 9, ISBN 978-0-7914-8125-7 Quote: While women-centered narratives cherish brotherly love, heroism, and chivalry (celebrated in festivals like nagapanchami in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and rakshabandhan in north India), they are all too aware of the fragility of sibling ties.
  3. ↑ Anderson, Leona May; Young, Pamela Dickey (2004), Women and Religious Traditions, Oxford University Press, pp. 30–31, ISBN 978-0-19-541754-8 Quote: "One of the most popular festivals in North India is the festival of Raksabandhana, observed in July or August.
  4. ↑ Gokulsing, K. Moti (editor); Dissanayake, Wimal (editor) (2009), Popular Culture in a Globalised India, Routledge, p. xix, ISBN 978-1-134-02307-3 Quote: Glossary and acronyms: Raksha Bandhan: A popular Hindu festival of north India where sister ties a thread on brother's wrist, seeking protection. (page xix)"
  5. ↑ Goody, Jack (1990), The Oriental, the Ancient and the Primitive: Systems of Marriage and the Family in the Pre-Industrial Societies of Eurasia, Cambridge University Press, p. 222, ISBN 978-0-521-36761-5 Quote: "That relation is celebrated and epitomised in the annual ceremony of Rakshābandhan in northern and western India,"
  6. ↑ Agarwal, Bina (1994), A Field of One's Own: Gender and Land Rights in South Asia, Cambridge University Press, p. 264, ISBN 978-0-521-42926-9 Quote: "Brothers (even younger ones), and natal kin in general, are seen as women's potential protectors. In northern India and Nepal, this is ritualized in festivals such as raksha-bandhan (literally the tie of protection) and symbolized by sisters tying a thread (rakhi) on the brother's wrist.
  7. ↑ Pandit , Vaijayanti (2003), BUSINESS @ HOME, Vikas Publishing House, p. 234, ISBN 978-81-259-1218-7 Quote: "Quote: Raksha Bandhan traditionally celebrated in North India has acquired greater importance due to Hindi films. Lightweight and decorative rakhis, which are easy to post, are needed in large quantities by the market to cater to brothers and sisters living in different parts of the country or abroad."
  8. ↑ Khandekar, Renuka N. (2003), Faith: filling the God-sized hole, Penguin Books, p. 180 Quote: "But since independence and the gradual opening up of Indian society, Raksha Bandhan as celebrated in North India has won the affection of many South Indian families. For this festival has the peculiar charm of renewing sibling bonds."
  9. 1 2 3 S. Sehgal (1999), Encyclopaedia of Hinduism, Vol 3, ISBN 978-8176250641, pp. 536–537
  10. 1 2 3 "Raksha Bandhan Being Celebrated Across India". HINDUISM TODAY. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  11. ↑ Agarwal, Bina (1994), A Field of One's Own: Gender and Land Rights in South Asia, Cambridge University Press, p. 264, ISBN 978-0-521-42926-9 Quote: "A man's tie with his sister is accounted very close. The two have grown up together, at an age when there is no distinction made between the sexes. And later, when the sister marries, the brother is seen as her main protector, for when her father has died to whom else can she turn if there is trouble in her conjugal household. The parental home, and after the parents' death the brother's home, often offers the only possibility of temporary or longer-term support in case of divorce, desertion, and even widowhood, especially but not only for a woman without adult sons."
  12. ↑ Hess, Linda (2015), Bodies of Song: Kabir Oral Traditions and Performative Worlds in North India, Oxford University Press, p. 61, ISBN 978-0-19-937416-8 Quote: "In August comes Raksha Bandhan, the festival celebrating the bonds between brothers and sisters. Married sisters return, if they can, to their natal villages to be with their brothers.
  13. ↑ Gnanambal, K. (1969), Festivals of India, Anthropological Survey of India, Government of India, p. 10
  14. ↑ Kurane, Anjali; Bhairi, Ashok (2015), "Migration and Adaptation: A Study of the Padmashalis of Bhiwandi", in Chaudhuri, Sumitra (editor), Facets of Urbanisation: Views from Anthropology, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, p. 32, ISBN 978-1-4438-7886-9 Quote: "On the occasion of Rakhi Poornima, the Padmashalis celebrate Raksha Bandhan when the men have the sacred thread tied to their wrists by their sisters. In return, they touch their sisters' feet and give them gifts and money."
  15. ↑ Melton, J. Gordon (2011), Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations, ABC-CLIO, pp. 733–, ISBN 978-1-59884-206-7
  16. ↑ Heitzman, James; Worden, Robert L. (1996), India: A Country Study, Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, p. 246, ISBN 978-0-8444-0833-0
  17. ↑ Vanita, Ruth (2002), "Dosti and Tamanna: Male-Male Love, Difference, and Normativity in Hindi Cinema", in Diane P. Mines (ed); Sarah Lamb (ed), Everyday Life in South Asia, Indiana University Press, pp. 146–158, 157, ISBN 0-253-34080-2
  18. ↑ Guyanese in London, NY observed Raksha Bandhan Guyana Chronicle (August 2013)
  19. ↑ "Rakhi festival celebrated in Taxila". Dawn. Com. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  20. 1 2 Trilok Chandra Majupuria; S. P. Gupta (1981). Nepal, the land of festivals: religious, cultural, social, and historical festivals. S. Chand. p. 78.; Quote: "JANAI PURNIMA OR RAKSHA BANDHAN OR RISHITARPANI (The Sacred Thread Festival) This festival falls on the full- moon day of Shrawan, and is celebrated by both the Hindus and Buddhists."
  21. ↑ "Raksha Bandhan being observed today". Gorkha Post. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  22. ↑ Pomeroy, Arthur J. (2017), A Companion to Ancient Greece and Rome on Screen, Wiley, p. 428, ISBN 978-1-118-74144-3 Quote: "In Sikandar a very daring Roxane follows Alexander incognito to India and manages to gain admission to King Porus (in the Indian version: Puru). From a conversation with a young, friendly Indian village woman named Surmaniya, Roxane learns about the Indian feast of Rakhi which is being celebrated at that very moment with the purpose of strengthening the bond between sister and brother (0:25-0:30). On this occasion, sisters tie a ribbon (i.e. rakhi) to their brothers' arms to symbolize their close relationships, and brothers offer presents and assistance in return. Besides, Roxane is also told that the relationship need not be one of consanguinity; every girl can choose a brother. Therefore, she decides to offer the rakhi to King Porus, who accepts the relationship after some hesitation, because he feels the need to apologize to Roxane, Darius's (a.k.a. Dara's) daughter, for not having helped her father when he asked for assistance against Alexander. As a result of their bond, he offers her gifts befitting her rank and promises not to harm Alexander (0:32-35). Later, when Porus comes into hand-to-hand combat with the Greek king, he stands by his promise and spares him (1:31). Interestingly, the rakhi episode with Porus is still to this day very popular in India and is cited as very early historical evidence for the origin of the authentic Hindu festival called Raksha Bandhan. Although examples of that legend can be traced in internet forums, Indian newspapers, a children's book and an educational video, I was not able to find its ancient origin.
  23. ↑ Chandra, Satish (2003), Essays on Medieval Indian History, Oxford University Press, p. 369, ISBN 978-0-19-566336-5 Quote: "The tradition that the Rana's mother, Rani Karmavati, sent a bracelet to Humayun on the occasion, and that Humayun responded by marching to Gwaliyar cannot be relied upon as it is first referred to in a late 17th century gossipy account. However, if the story of the rakhi is accepted as genuine, it has to be accepted in full. Some modern writers have accepted the legend about the Rani sending a rakhi, but have rejected the latter part of the story which states that Humayun had responded gallantly. They argue that Humayun betrayed her trust by doing nothing to help her. None of the Persian histories of the period refer to any such appeal. Although Humayun moved to Gwaliyar in order to warn Bahadur Shah that the Mughal emperor would not watch with complacency the growth of Gujarati power in eastern Rajputana, the move itself cannot be considered a proof that the Rani had appealed to Humayun personally.
  24. ↑ Apte, Vaman Shivaram (1959), Revised and enlarged edition of Prin. V. S. Apte's The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary, Poona: Prasad Prakashan, p. 1151, ISBN 978-81-208-0567-5 Quote: "1. n. The act of binding, fastening, tying
  25. ↑ Gnanambal, K. (2008), Festivals on an All India Basis, Festivals In Indian Society, pp 65
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 J Gordon Melton (Editor), Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays Festivals Solemn Observances and Spiritual Commemorations, ISBN 978-1598842067; pp 733–734
  27. ↑ Christine Moorcroft (31 March 1995), Folens religious education, Folens Limited, 1995, ISBN 978-1-85276-397-8, retrieved 16 August 2011, ... sisters tie to their brothers' or male cousins' wrists ...
  28. ↑ Edward Balfour (1885), The cyclopaedia of India and of eastern and southern Asia, Volume 2, B. Quaritch, 1885, retrieved 16 August 2011, ... Muh-Bola-Bhai. Hind. An adopted brother ... Brother-making; Rakhi ...
  29. ↑ Arora, P. (1986), Hindu festivals of India, The, Journal of Popular Culture, 20(2), pp 175–182
  30. ↑ Bobbie Kalman, India – The Culture, Crabtree Publications, ISBN 978-0778792871, page 21
  31. 1 2 3 Manish Verma (2010), Fasts & Festivals Of India, Diamond Books, ISBN 978-8171820764; pp 40–41
  32. ↑ Satvinder Kaur, Sarojini Naidu's poetry, Sarup & Sons, ISBN 81-7625-428-2, pp 302–305
  33. ↑ Horace Hayman Wilson (1868), The Vishńu Puráńa: a system of Hindu mythology and tradition, Volume 4, Editor: Fitzedward Hall, Trubner & Co., London, pp 276–278
  34. ↑ Vishnu Purana – Book 5, Chapter 5, Verses 14–23
  35. 1 2 3 Sue Penney (2007), Hinduism, Heinemann Library, ISBN 978-1432903145, page 33
  36. ↑ Desiree Webber et al., Travel the Globe: Story Times, Activities, and Crafts for Children, Libraries Unlimited, ISBN 978-1610691246, pp 132–133
  37. ↑ Roger Whiting, Religions for Today, ISBN 978-0748705863, Dufour, page 182
  38. 1 2 The Legends of Rakhi The Society for the Confluence of Festivals in India (2012)
  39. ↑ Prem Bhalla, Hindu Rites, Rituals, Customs and Traditions: A to Z on the Hindu Way of Life, Pustak Mahal, ISBN 978-8122309027
  40. ↑ Lawrence Cohen (1991), Robert L. Brown, ed., Ganesh: studies of an Asian god, State University of New York Press, 1991, p. 130, ISBN 978-0-7914-0656-4, retrieved 16 August 2011, ...The boys are jealous, as they, unlike their father, have no sister with whom to tie the rakhi. They and the other women plead with their father, but to no avail; but then Narada appears and convinces Ganesha that the creation of an illustrious daughter ... a flame that engenders Santoshi Maa...
  41. ↑ Mark Fox and Olga Fox, Time to Celebrate: Identity, Diversity and Belief, ISBN 978-1-86366-703-6, Curriculum Corporation
  42. ↑ Roshen Dalal (2011), Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide, Penguin, ISBN 978-0143414216, page 64
  43. ↑ India cultures quarterly, Volume 25, School of Research, Leonard Theological College, 1968, 1 January 1968, retrieved 16 August 2011, ... They themselves took her to Porus and there she performed the ceremony of raksha bandhan ...
  44. ↑ Satish Chandra (2005), Medieval India: from Sultanat to the Mughals, Volume 2, Har-Anand Publications, ISBN 978-81-241-1066-9, retrieved 16 August 2011, ... According to a mid-seventeenth century Rajasthani account, Rani Karnavati, the Rana's mother, sent a bracelet as rakhi to Humayun, who gallantly responded and helped. Since none of the contemporary sources mention this, little credit can be given to this story ...
  45. ↑ Humayun; Jauhar (Trans) (2013). The Tezkereh Al Vakiat; Or, Private Memoirs of the Moghul Emperor Humayun: Written in the Persian Language, by Jouher, a Confidential Domestic of His Majesty. Cambridge University Press. pp. 67–69. ISBN 978-1-108-05603-8.
  46. 1 2 "Rakhi: Symbol of secularism". The Economic Times. Raksha Bandhan is a secular festival, say liberal Muslims who have no qualms about celebrating it within and outside the community.
  47. ↑ Misbah Nayeem Quadri (5 August 2009), "Rakhi strengthens communal ties", DNA India, ISBN 978-0-85229-760-5, retrieved 16 August 2011
  48. ↑ Gaurav Pradhan, Rabindranath Tagore: Literary Concepts, APH Publishing, ISBN 978-8176482790, page 33
  49. ↑ K. S. Bharathi, Encyclopedia of Eminent Thinkers, see Tagore, ISBN 81-7022-684-8, page 14
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  53. ↑ Khushwant Singh (2008). Ranjit Singh. Penguin Books. p. xxiii. ISBN 978-0-14-306543-2.
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  55. ↑ Indian Information, Volume 22 (1948)
  56. ↑ Prem Hari Har Lal (1993) The Doon Valley Down the Ages, page 72-76
  57. ↑ Kristen Haar; Sewa Singh Kalsi (2009). Sikhism. Infobase Publishing. pp. 101–102. ISBN 978-1-4381-0647-2.
  58. ↑ McLeod, W. H. (1997). "Sikhism". Penguin Books. p. 153. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
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  64. ↑ TNN (30 August 2015). "On Rakhi, a unique gender twist" (Kolkata). The Times of India. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  65. ↑ Victor J. Green (1978). Festivals and saints days: a calendar of festivals for school and home. Blandford. pp. 93–94. ISBN 978-0-7137-0889-9.
  66. ↑ B. A. Gupte (2000). Folklore of Hindu Festivals and Ceremonials. Shubhi. pp. 178–179. ISBN 978-81-87226-48-2.
  67. ↑ Kumar Suresh Singh, Madan Lal Sharma, A. K. Bhatia, Anthropological Survey of India (1994) Haryana
  68. ↑ General, India Office of the Registrar (1 January 1965). "Census of India, 1961". Manager of Publications. Retrieved 19 August 2016 – via Google Books.
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