Rakshabandhan: The Festival of Love, Joy, and Togetherness

Two most popular stories of Rakshabandhan: Happy Rakshabandhan

Introduction

Rakshabandhan, also known as Rakhi, is a beloved Indian festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. It is a day of love, protection, and the exchange of heartfelt vows. In this article, we will explore the two most popular stories associated with Rakshabandhan, stories that exemplify the unbreakable bond between siblings.

1st Story: The Tale of Maharaj Bali

The Devotion of Maharaj Bali

Long ago, there lived a noble king named Maharaj Bali, who was a descendant devotee of Prahlad and an ardent follower of Lord Vishnu. He was known far and wide for his unwavering faith and dedication.

The Worries of the Gods

One day, Maharaj Bali decided to perform 101 Yagyas (sacrificial rituals). This decision created anxiety among the gods and goddesses in the heavens. They feared that if Maharaj Bali continued with these rituals, he might one day take over the throne of heaven.

Lord Vishnu's Solution

In their distress, the demigods sought the refuge of Lord Vishnu. They pleaded with Him to find a solution to this impending crisis. In response, Lord Vishnu devised a plan.

Lord Vamana's Incarnation

Lord Vishnu took on the form of a small Brahmin and entered the palace of Maharaj Bali. He appeared as Vamana Avatar, a beautiful and innocent-looking boy. Seeing this divine presence, Maharaj Bali eagerly offered to grant the boy any wish.

The Humble Request

Surprisingly, Lord Vamana asked for just three steps of land. With the king's consent, Lord Vamana took his first step, covering the earth, and his second step, reaching the heavens. It became evident to Bali that he was dealing with a deity.

King Bali's Devotion

In an act of ultimate devotion, King Bali humbly requested Lord Vamana to place His third step on his head. Lord Vamana complied, sending King Bali to Patal Lok (the netherworld). Even in this new realm, Bali continued his unwavering devotion to the Lord.

The Boon of Devotion

Impressed by Bali's devotion, Lord Vishnu appeared before him and granted him a boon. Bali requested that Lord Vishnu become his gatekeeper, so he could witness the Lord's divine presence always. The Lord, being the Bhaktavatsal (lover of His devotees), agreed.

Mata Lakshmi's Rakhi

In Vaikuntha, Goddess Lakshmi awaited Lord Vishnu's return. But He was now the gatekeeper of Bali Maharaj. In a beautiful turn of events, on the day of Shravan Shukla Purnima, Mata Lakshmi tied a rakhi on Bali Maharaj's wrist, considering him her brother.

A Holy Bond

Bali Maharaj, touched by her gesture, promised to fulfill her wish. Mata Lakshmi, with her brother's permission, took Lord Vishnu back to Vaikuntha. From that day forward, the sacred bond between brothers and sisters has been celebrated with great affection during Rakshabandhan.

2nd Story: The Protection of Draupadi

Shishupala's Arrogance

Our second story takes us to the epic Mahabharata. It revolves around Shishupala, a man whose arrogance has no bounds. His insolence reached a point where Lord Krishna had to intervene.

The Divine Intervention

In a fit of anger, Lord Krishna used his Sudarshan Chakra to end Shishupala's life. However, in the process, Krishna's finger was injured, and blood began to flow.

Draupadi's Act of Love

Draupadi, the virtuous and compassionate queen, immediately tore her new saree and used it as a bandage to stop the bleeding from Krishna's finger. This selfless act deeply moved Lord Krishna.

Krishna's Promise

Touched by Draupadi's love and care, Lord Krishna made a solemn promise to protect her always. This pledge would later prove crucial during the dark days of the Mahabharata.

Protecting Draupadi's Honor

When Duryodhana and Dusshasana attempted to disrobe Draupadi in the court of Hastinapur, Lord Krishna intervened once again. He miraculously extended her saree to an unending length, preserving her dignity.

Conclusion

These two stories, one from mythology and the other from epic history, beautifully depict the enduring bond between brothers and sisters. Rakshabandhan, with its sacred thread, symbolizes this unbreakable connection and the promise of protection and love.

Celebrate Rakshabandhan with joy and reverence, cherishing the cherished bonds that define this wonderful festival.

Unlocking the Legend of Bakhtiyar Khilji: Secrets from the Past Revealed

EXPLORING THE ORIGINS OF NALANDA

Nalanda, a name echoing through the corridors of time, came into being during the 5th century, standing tall as one of the world's oldest bastions of knowledge. The word "Nalanda" itself is a fusion of three Sanskrit words: Na, Alam, and Da, signifying an "unstoppable flow of knowledge." Nalanda was unique in offering free education, and housing precious manuscripts, including the original Upanishads. For over 800 years, it remained a symbol of peace and enlightenment. However, the serenity was disrupted in the 12th century.

THE DARK TIMES: NALANDA'S REPEATED ASSAULTS

Nalanda was subjected to not one, but three ruthless attacks, with the third being the most catastrophic.

HUNA'S ONSLAUGHT(455-467 AD)

The first assault on Nalanda came at the hands of the Hunas, led by Mihirkula, during the reign of Samudragupta. This early attack set a grim precedent for the trials that Nalanda would face.

GAUDAS RAJVANSH'S INVASION(EARLY 7TH CENTURY)

The second attack transpired in the early 7th century, executed by Gaudas Rajvansh of Bengal. It was a grim reminder that Nalanda's legacy made it a target for those who sought to extinguish knowledge.

BAKHTIYAR KHILJI'S BRUTAL ONSLAUGHT(1193 AD)

The third and most devastating blow to Nalanda was orchestrated by the Turkish invader, Bakhtiyar Khilji, in 1193 AD.

UNRAVELING BAKHTIYAR KHILJI'S MOTIVE

The annihilation of Nalanda by Bakhtiyar Khilji conceals a peculiar motive. Legend has it that when Khilji fell gravely ill, conventional medicine failed him. In his hour of desperation, a suggestion surfaced: seek the counsel of Rahul Sri Bhadra, the principal of Nalanda. Initially hesitant, Khilji eventually agreed to meet him. Rahul Sri Bhadra, however, presented a condition – Khilji must refrain from taking any medication and read the Quran daily. What Khilji was unaware of was that the Quran pages held a secret medicinal concoction. As he absorbed the essence of the book, his health steadily improved. This revelation deeply perturbed Khilji, fueling jealousy and insecurity over a non-Muslim possessing superior knowledge. This insecurity ultimately led to the decision to eradicate the fountains of wisdom.

THE CATASTROPHIC DEMISE OF NALANDA

Nalanda's "Dharma Ganj" library was the lifeblood of Rahul Sri Bhadra and countless monks. This library, comprised of three multi-storied buildings - Ratnasagar, Ratnodhadi, and Ratnaranjaka, housed an astonishing collection of 90 lakh books, making it the world's largest library at the time. When Khilji discovered the treasure trove of knowledge, he embarked on a brutal rampage, mercilessly ending the lives of monks and scholars, many of whom met a fiery demise. The library, too, was consigned to flames, a harrowing process lasting three long months, as recounted by Minhaj Siraj in his writings.

THE IRREPARABLE LOSS AND A GLIMMER OF HOPE

Khilji's actions didn't merely obliterate a university; they extinguished an entire tradition. The devastation was so profound that it remains beyond repair to this day. Following the Nalanda tragedy, Khilji went on to decimate two more universities in Bihar - Vikramshila and Odantapuri. While the irreplaceable knowledge that once graced Nalanda's shelves may forever remain lost, the idea of resurrecting Nalanda University was championed by the late APJ Abdul Kalam. In 2010, the Nalanda Act was passed by the parliament, with Amartya Sen leading as the chairman of the governing body of Nalanda. Since 2014, admissions have once again begun at this hallowed institution, a beacon of hope amidst the shadows of its tragic past.

CONCLUSION

The story of Nalanda and Bakhtiyar Khilji is a testament to the enduring power of knowledge and the destructive force of ignorance. Nalanda may have suffered immeasurable loss, but its legacy persists, inspiring generations to come.

FAQS

1. Was Nalanda University ever fully rebuilt after its destruction?
   • Yes, Nalanda University was reestablished in 2014, although it cannot fully recover the wealth of knowledge it once held.
2. What was the significance of Nalanda's library?
   • Nalanda's library, known as "Dharma Ganj," was one of the largest and most prestigious libraries in ancient India, housing invaluable manuscripts.
3. Did Bakhtiyar Khilji's actions have any lasting consequences?
   • Yes, Khilji's destruction of Nalanda and other universities left a lasting void in the history of knowledge in the Indian subcontinent.
4. Who championed the revival of Nalanda University?
   • The late APJ Abdul Kalam played a key role in advocating for the revival of Nalanda University.
5. What is the current status of Nalanda University?
   • Nalanda University has been reestablished and is admitting students once again, offering a glimmer of hope for the future of education and knowledge in the region.

History of Valentine's Day 

Around 270 AD, in Rome. During those days, Rome was ruled by Emperor Claudius II.

In today's world celebrating Valentine's Day on 14 February as a day of Love, Romance, and Flower has a story behind it, which started in this period.

During that time Christianity was introduced to Rome. People started to convert themselves. Though it was still not the dominant religion at that time.

It was said that Emperor Claudius - II carried out various bloody campaigns, which included persecution of Christians too. At that time the Emperor wanted to maintain a strong army since Rome was attacked externally as well as Internally. He wasn't able to find men to join the army. The Emperor thought that due to attachment and responsibility towards their women and wives, they were afraid to join the army. Thus, to solve this problem the Emperor banned all marriages and engagements. Looking forward to these matters St. Valentine started to perform secret Christian marriages. So that they could join the army in relief and during that time helping Christians was pride as well. When this matter was narrated to Emperor Claudius II he jailed St. Valentine. The jailer of St. Valentine was Asterius. He noticed St. Valentine taking and helping people around him and also noticed how knowledgeable he was. He started to bring his blind daughter Julia, in the hope that St. Valentine to heal her. As Julia was a young girl with a sharp mind, St. Valentine started reading her a book about the history of Romans and gods. And thus she began to see the world through his eyes. In legends, they say that eventually, St. Valentine healed Julia's eyesight. Asterius was so happy by this that he surrendered to St. Valentine and took up his faith, Christianity. Soon this news spread and was informed to Emperor Claudius II.

He was so enraged that he immediately ordered St. Valentine to be summoned before him. Emperor Claudius II asked St. Valentine to respect his decision and not allow the soldiers to marry and give up his religion. To both of which St. Valentine politely declined. The Emperor took St. Valentine's words as an insult to his self-esteem and sentenced him to be executed. Just before the execution, St. Valentine wrote his last letter to Julia on 14 February. He handed over the letter to Asterius to give it to his daughter. When she opened the letter, she saw his sign, "From your Valentine."