A very special Raksha Bandhan ceremony took place at Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh) in the divine presence of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati.
Pujya Swamiji returning from an interfaith event in Delhi in the morning stopped at Parmarth Vatika and Gurukul in Virpur to start the day with a green beginning by planting trees and tying Rakhi to the plants and trees in the premises. Pujya Swamiji later shared that the theme behind this green celebration was “रक्षाबन्धन के साथ साथ वृक्षाबन्धन भी करे । वृक्षालिंगन भी करे।” which meant that along with tying rakhis and pledging to protect one another we must simultaneously pledge to protect trees and all of Mother Nature.
The Rishikumars (students of the Parmarth Gurukul) underwent a yagno pavit (sacred thread) ceremony in the morning. The three sacred strings of the yagno pavit denote, as Pujya Swamiji explains, the three gunas – sattva (reality), rajas (passion), and tamas (darkness) which are tied together in a knot. The knot is called brahmagranthi which symbolizes the united trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva). This yagno pavit ceremony is a very important sanskara- a ‘rite of passage’-symbolizing the transition of a child from the infantile stage of play to their next more serious, contemplative stage. Under the consistent blessing and guidance of their Guru, who serves as their divine guardian and teacher, and through the three important practices of self-study, sadhana and seva they align themselves with the sangam or the confluence of the holy trinity. This year the holy trinity also symbolized three green pledges, inspired by their Green Guru,
Pujya Swamiji, to be rakshaks or guardians of Shakti (divine feminine), Prakriti (Mother Nature) and Jal (water). The rishikumars and sevaks pledged to preserve and serve these three elements. Pujya Swamiji blessed the boys with special Rudraksha Malas and they chanted the powerful Gayatri Mantra together.
Thereafter, the Raksha Bandhan celebrations continued with Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji – Muniji, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati ji and our divine Parmarth Rishikumars, sevaks and world family. Watch the celebrations which went live here:
https://www.facebook.com/ParmarthNiketan/videos/203003927065797/
Pujya Swamiji shares a beautiful message about unity and connection to our roots. He graciously reminds us that a leaf is beautiful and alive only when it is part of a tree. When it disconnects from the tree, it dies. In the same way in our lives, when we are connected to our roots, sanskaras, traditions and our global family, only then do we stay healthy and full of life. Pujya Swamiji also gives a beautiful message against #femalefoeticide, encourages the protection of the girl child and honouring her as the true wealth in our families.
Thereafter, Sadhvi Bhagawatiji also emphasised to all the Rishikumars who had all completed their Janeu Sanskar (Yagyo Pavit) that the true #Rakhi is not just one that we physically tie on our hands but the sutra (thread) that the Guru Mantra weaves in their lives. She reminds us how deeply blessed we are to be sitting at the feet of the Master and to be blessed by His aashirwaad upon us all, she reminds us to reflect upon His words, His teachings, His message and most of all…His divine example.
Many beautiful festivities followed as Pujya Swamiji and Sadhvi Bhagawatiji tied rakhis and recieved rakhis from many devotees, devotees, sevaks and pilgrims exchanged rakhis and the Rishikumars were all tied rakhis by the female sevaks and guests. Much love, laughter, joy and sweetness was in the air as the celebrations unfolded in the lap of Maa Ganga. Pujya Swamiji personally blessed and served Bhandara just after the celebrations to all the students and saints.
The divine Ganga Aarti and Satsang, which delved deeper on the significance and meaning of Raksha Bandhan, were also shared live online and can be watched again on the links below:
Ganga Aarti: https://www.facebook.com/ParmarthNiketan/videos/2105345376384875/
Satsang: https://www.facebook.com/ParmarthNiketan/videos/2105345376384875/