A Devotional Bond Beyond Ties of Blood – ISKCON’s Perspective on the Sacred Festival
As the full moon of Shravana Purnima rises, India celebrates Raksha Bandhan, a festival traditionally symbolizing the Divine protection. Within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, the festival takes on deeper spiritual meanings that transcend familial ties.
Beyond the Thread – Raksha Bandhan’s Spiritual Message
In ISKCON, we often understand rituals in the light of bhakti (devotion), seeing every cultural celebration as an opportunity to reconnect with Krishna. Raksha Bandhan is not merely about a protective thread tied by a sister; it is a symbol of shelter, affection, and surrender—qualities central to devotional life.
In Sanskrit, raksha means protection, and bandhan means binding. The devotee ties themselves to the Lotus Feet of the Lord, seeking His divine protection from the bondage of material life.
Pauranic Stories Connected to Raksha Bandhan
1. Draupadi and Krishna – The Ultimate Protector
One of the most popular stories linked to Raksha Bandhan comes from the Mahabharata. When Draupadi tore a piece of her sari to bandage Lord Krishna’s bleeding finger, He was deeply moved by her spontaneous affection. Krishna declared He would repay this debt of love, which He did during her vastraharana, when she was being disrobed in the Kaurava court. It was Krishna who miraculously protected her dignity by supplying unlimited cloth.
This illustrates the reciprocal nature of bhakti: when a devotee selflessly serves the Lord, He becomes eternally indebted.
“ye yathā māṁ prapadyante tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham”
(Bhagavad-gita 4.11)
As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly.
2. King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi – Raksha through Bhakti
In the Bhavishya Purana, there is a story where Goddess Lakshmi ties a rakhi to King Bali, the great grandson of Prahlada Maharaj, during the time when Lord Vamana had taken residence in his palace after accepting his three steps of land. The goddess, disguised as a brahmani, sought protection. Bali, being dharmic, offered her shelter, and she in turn tied a raksha bandhan on him.
When Bali discovered her identity, he was overwhelmed and requested Lord Vamana (Krishna Himself) to return to Vaikuntha with Lakshmi. This story teaches that even asuras can be protected and elevated by devotion and the mercy of the Lord.
3. Yamuna and Yamaraja – The Bond of Liberation
Another tale involves Yamuna Devi and her brother Yamaraja, the Lord of Death. When Yamuna tied a rakhi to Yamaraja, he was so pleased that he granted her a boon: anyone who celebrates Raksha Bandhan with sincerity and affection will be blessed with protection and long life.
ISKCON devotees interpret this as a metaphor: devotion to Krishna (Yamuna represents bhakti) can even transform death (Yamaraja) into liberation.
A Devotee’s Understanding of Protection
While in the material world, siblings may protect each other physically or emotionally, the ultimate protection is from the bondage of birth and death.
In ISKCON, we often reflect:
- Who is our ultimate protector? Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- What is the true raksha bandhan? Our surrender to Krishna’s will, and the shelter of Guru, Vaishnavas, and the holy name.
“kṛṣṇa—surya-sama; māyā haya andhakāra…”
Krishna is like the sun, and Maya is like darkness. Where Krishna is present, there can be no illusion.
(Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 22.31)
Celebrating Raksha Bandhan in Devotional Life
- Tie rakhis to Krishna and Balarama as a symbol of spiritual care, not just biological relation.
- Recite verses on Krishna as the protector, such as Bhagavad-gita 18.66: “sarva-dharmān parityajya…”
- Offer prayers to Srimati Radharani and Lord Krishna to bind us eternally in Their service.
The Rakhi Bandhan Ceremony
The Rakhi Bandhan ceremony observed by you under instruction of Prasad isn’t approved by our Vaishnava rituals. Of course, such a ceremony is observed among the Hindu community as a social religious convention. But in our Vaishnava community there is no such observance.
— SP letter to Mukunda, San Francisco, 26 March 1968
On Respecting Women in Vedic Culture
“Any woman except his own wife is a mother. Any woman. It doesn’t matter whether she is elderly or young. No. That is the way. Still in India, any woman by an unknown person, he can address any woman ‘Mother.’ The first relationship is mother. Now they have introduced ‘Sister,’ ‘Bahinajī.’ No, that is not Vedic etiquette. No bahinajī. Bahinajī means sister. Mother. Everyone should be addressed.
We should learn this: Except for one’s wife, all women should be addressed as ‘Mother.’ This is civilization. Then there will be no corrupt relation. If you, from the very beginning, establish your relationship with other women as mothers, then there is no question of other relationships.”
— SP Lecture, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.16.23, Los Angeles, July 13, 1974
Conclusion – Bind Yourself to Krishna
Raksha Bandhan is an invitation to bind ourselves to the Lord, to seek His protection, and to offer loving service. Let us remember that Krishna never forgets even a small act of love, just as He remembered Draupadi’s torn cloth.
This Raksha Bandhan, may we tie the thread of unbreakable devotion, and may Krishna bind us to His eternal pastimes, never to fall into illusion again.
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