The Story Of Rakshabandhan

The story of Rakshabandhan can be summed up in one word - the story of 'grace'. 

It is inextricably entwined with the story of Krishna - one of the most revered Hindu Gods and that of Draupadi - the one wife of the five Pandav brothers, the heroes of the Indian epic of The Mahabharata. 

So this story from over 5000 years ago goes - Lord Krishna had a first cousin, his paternal Aunt's son named Shishupala. Shishulpala was known for his insolence. His energy was diametrically opposite to that of Krishna's divine ways.

One day after the eldest Pandav brother, Yudhistara has crowned the King of Indraprastha, in his full-court, it was decided that for the ensuing ceremonies Lord Krishna would be the chief guest. Shishupala, who together with some of the greatest Kings of the time was also in court, challenged this. He was incensed with the idea of Krishna being the Chief Guest. Enraged he began character assassinating Krishna. He hurled expletives at Krishna and tried to demean him by calling him the cowherd who was not fit to be a Chief Guest. He arrogantly questioned the choice of Krishna as the Chief Guest when some of the greatest Kings of the land were in Court. Hearing this Bheema the second Pandav brother was furious, his younger brother Arjuna was similarly enraged and Bheeshma - the grandsire of the Pandav house, was aghast. But Krishna forbade them to intervene. He calmly let Shishupala know that he was counting his transgressions as he had promised Shishupala's mother (Krishna's Aunt) that he would forgive a hundred of the former's wrongdoings. But as soon as that number was crossed Shishupala would be punished. Accordingly, when he crossed a hundred misdeeds Krishna unleashed his discus (the Sudarshan Chakra) at him which severed his head. As the discus returned to Lord Krishna it cut his finger. While everyone in court was stupefied, Draupadi the Pandav Queen instantly rushed up to Lord Krishna, tore a strip from her sari and tied it around Krishna's bleeding finger. 

Krishna looked at her with utmost divine love promising her that he would honour each thread of her sari strip. In time to come, when Draupadi's shameful disrobing was attempted by her in-laws and she turned her entire attention to Krishna, it was He who made her robe unending. The Rakshabandhan that Draupadi tied became her divine armour. Grace became her divine protection.