Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It is with great devotion, humility and gratitude to our Divine Beloved Mother Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, that the sisters of the host countries invite all of the bothers and sisters of the worldwide Sahaj family attending Shri Krishna Puja in Cabella to enjoy Raksha Bandhan on Saturday August 15, 2009.
We kindly request the sahaja yoginis of each center to make 50 collective rakhis for Raksha Bandhan. These collective rakhis can be offered and placed in the ‘Rakhi Box’ that will be located in front of the altar in the hanger. As we expect a large number of yogis in attendance for the Krishna Puja seminar, the participation of all sisters in making these collective rakhis will be greatly appreciated. Details will be announced following Saturday morning meditation as well as posted at the hanger entrance.
Raksha Bandhan is an ancient and holy tradition celebrating the pure relationship between a brother and sister. Raksha Bandhan provides us with the opportunity to nourish within ourselves, the qualities demonstrated by Shri Vishnumaya’s humble sacrifice and love for her brother, Lord Krishna. Through this sacred tradition, we hope to please our Divine Mother, who delights in the sweet expressions of love and devotion between Her children.
We hope to make the occasion proceed more smoothly by asking the Sahaj brothers to gather in the esignated areas for children, yuvas, young men, adults and seniors. The sisters will gather in the dining area where the thalis (trays) will be assembled. As the procession of the yoginis arrive at the hanger area, each of the sisters will line up before a brother to offer the first rakhi as a collective rakhi representing the pure love of every sister for this brother.
The sisters will perform aarti to the brothers and make various offerings, including a bindi, rice, fragrance, the rakhi, and a sweet These signify her respect for and recognition of the brother as a sahaja yogi as well as her promise to always look after the well-being of her brother. The heart of the offerings is the rahki thread that she ties around the brothers left wrist (the left wrist being one of the locations of the left vishuddhi chakra within us). The rakhi thread imbibes within it the pure love and responsibility each accepts for the other and to the society as a whole.
The brother’s acceptance of the rakhi, and offering of a small gift to his sister, reflects his pledge to protect and respect his sister’s chastity. In celebrating the tradition of Raksha Bandhan we stregthen the pure desire to restore this holy relationship of purity, innocence, chastity, respect, and sacrifice in our countries and throughout the world. It is an honor and privilege to consecrate the pure brother/sister relationship during this auspicious occasion in Cabella, the home of our Divine Mother.
Humbly,
your sisters from the host countries USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Romania
WHAT A RAKHI IS
Daddy, what’s a Rakhi?
Does it come with Santa Claus?
A Rakhi is the sweetest gift
It twinkles in the stars.
It wakes the world with lightning
And puts an end to wars.
Does it grow in summer?
Is it very big or small?
A Rakhi is a bond of love
It nourishes the trees.
It is the timeless border
Where the mountains meet the seas.
Is it in the kitchen?
Does it taste like lemonade?
A Rakhi quenches every thirst
And rids the heart of lust.
Respect is its foundation,
Its furniture is Trust.
… Mommy, what’s a Rakhi?
(I don’t think Daddy knows.)
A Rakhi is a little string
That’s given once a year
From sisters to their brothers,
To show their love and care.
What’s so special, Mama,
About something like a string?
It’s not the string that’s special
But the pure feelings that come,
When brother-sister power
Makes their hearts beat like one drum.
It would make nice music
If we all could tie this string!
Someday the world will know this,
Then everyone will see
What a Rakhi is and why it
Is the bond that sets us free.
-Edward Saugstad | 
