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रक्षाबंधन: भाई-बहन से आगे की बात || आचार्य प्रशांत (2022)
राष्ट्रधर्म
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8 months ago
Raksha Bandhan
Dharma
Vedanta
Puranas
Soul
Nature
Knowledge
Shri Krishna
Description

Acharya Prashant explains that according to Vedanta, the human mind is in a state of unrest and must be guided toward peace and purity, a state referred to as the Soul. Dharma is defined as any action that leads the mind toward this purification. Because these philosophical concepts are subtle, the Puranas were composed to convey these truths through stories for the general public. He mentions the scriptural basis of Raksha Bandhan, where a thread symbolizes a commitment to Dharma. Historically, this involved scholars reminding individuals of their duty to uphold righteousness, drawing from the legend of King Mahabali being bound by a promise to Goddess Lakshmi. He observes that while the scriptures prioritize the protection of Dharma, social traditions shifted the focus to the bond between brothers and sisters. This transition was largely due to historical social structures where women, being financially dependent and moving to distant homes after marriage, required a support system from their paternal family. In this context, the brother acted as a protector. However, Acharya Prashant asserts that in contemporary times, women are becoming self-reliant and equal. He argues that the festival should no longer be about a sister seeking protection from a brother, but rather a joint resolution to protect what is truly vulnerable today. Acharya Prashant redefines the modern significance of the festival as a collective responsibility to protect the Earth, the environment, and authentic knowledge. He critiques the commercialization of the festival and dismisses superstitious practices like "energizing" threads, stating that physical objects cannot hold spiritual energy. He emphasizes that in the current information age, the mind is cluttered with useless data, making the spread of genuine wisdom the most vital form of Dharma. The true essence of the festival lies in siblings committing to elevate their consciousness and safeguard the truth for the welfare of the entire world.