Raksha Bandhan: Embodying the Feeling of Singleness of Our Spirit

 

Raksha Bandhan is on verge of being celebrated on August 30 and 31 respectively. This has no doubt attained universal status all over South Asian Sub-Continent. In this regard, I aim to emphasize about the festival in two closer and cordial nations of Sub-Continent, India and Bangladesh. As the culture and society of both nations are identical, hence it is felt that the celebration of the said festival definitely bear ample bearing upon the citizens of both nations. Basically Raksha Bandhan is a traditional festival of Hindu religion. Now it is not confined within the precincts of Hindu religion. It is well spread out to other religions of the world. Obviously in India, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated among people of Hindu, Muslims and Christianity. If I delve a little but about the history of Raksha Bandhan. Then it is found that this festival has its origination in ancient India. As per the historical data has with me, it dates back to 3rd century BCE. One of the popular Goddess of Raksha Bandhan is the anecdotes of Yama and Yamuna. Yama is the God of death and Yamuna is the river Goddess. Now Yamuna River is well known all around the globe as the national capital city of India, New Delhi stands on its confluence. Now let me touch upon role played by Nobel Laureate, music composer, novelist, essayist and short story writer Rabindra Nath Tagore about Raksha Bandhan among the masses.

My elite online readers might express utter surprise behind writing this column. The logic behind is plain and simple. My logic is to thwart vicious feeling of humanity, instead spreading feeling of unity and amiable feeling among people of all religions and languages, based in different parts of India. Rabindranath Tagore in his diverse writings stated boldly. That to develop a nation one should possess transparent mind and demeanor. Otherwise how will we be able to establish stable societies?  This will not be possible at all without our above precision.

Due to the utter motivation of Rabindra Nath Tagore, it was in the year 1905 on October 16. Raksha Bandhan was spearheaded by him to symbolize bonds of friendship and fraternities among people of all religion and languages under one banner. His key focusing was to thwart the attempt of tyrannical British ruling to divide undivided Bengal along religious lines. This seems to my mind the prelude to divide and rule policy.

Now we find divisive forces hovering all over this vast nation India. Our political culture is in utter disarray. In this regard, I appeal to my revered online readers of India and Bangladesh not comprehend my views in its negative frame of mind.

It was on October 16, 1905, Rabindranath Tagore tied Rakhis on the arms of several Hindu, Muslims and Christian brothers and sisters as a symbol of communal amity and integrity. Now we can claim proudly that Rakshabandhan is no longer a festival of Hindu religion. Rather it has attained universal status on its own. Even people of Hindu religion, who are based in countries under American and European continents tie Rakhis on the arms of their Hindu, Muslim and Christian friends and brothers. This reflects true spirit of secular harmony and amity among all citizens of the globe.

As we evince from close quarters, science and technology is progressing remarkably across nook and corners of the globe. Hence festival of this type will usher in communal amity and bonding among people of all religions and languages across the globe.

If we analyze the impact of Raksha Bandhan across India and Bangladesh. We then feel its impact deep-rooted. Now let me introspect about the observance of the festival exclusively from Indian and Bangladeshi point of view.

In India, Raksha Bandhan is observed on the last day of Hindu lunar calendar year. The said term, basically indicates a sort of bonding and affection among all sections of societies of this vast nation. In this regard, as stated above by me, that is includes people of all religions and languages. The basic ritual is that sisters tie Rakhis on brother’s arms. Whereas in reciprocation, brothers also wish their sisters all around successes and prosperities in life. On the day of observance of Raksha Bandhan, there has been a mass euphoria. This festival is important under today’s circumstances. There should be cordiality and amity among people of all religions. Humanity of India should always pray for successes and wellbeing of all sections of people of diverse religions and languages. In India, every household in smaller and bigger apartments euphoria connected with Raksha Bandhan seems an overwhelming phenomenon. That is why all rational minded citizens of the nation always pray for coexistence among all. In the Indian state of West Bengal, the day is also observed as Jhulan Purnima.

In Bangladesh, Raksha Bandhan is wholeheartedly observed all over the nation. Just like Indian state of West Bengal, the day is also observed as Jhulan Purnima. Housewives and sisters ties Rakhis on the arms of their brothers. Brothers in reciprocation wish their sisters all-round successes and prosperities of their sisters.

Summing up my above discourses, one point becomes crystal clear in our mind. That through the observance of this festival, all our vices and vicious mental makeup should be erased off from the threshold of our mind and memories. Rather we should have a clean and transparent mind to pray for human welfare and success in life.


Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Kolkata, India.