HSS Camp : Raksha Bandhan unique contrast experienced

Few weeks back, i attended a yoga program organised in Bhakti Marga centre in Germany. The content of the program was designed by us with a view to inspire indians abroad and specially our younger generation which is growing up in Germany.

I conducted yoga sessions daily and also got an opportunity to take a seminar on vedic mathematics. The event had other amazing sessions like games, plays and essay writing etc.

Additionally, we also had a Raksha Bandhan event where young kids were to tie Rakhi to people at Bhakti Marga. it was such a sweet gesture intended to bring two communities together and  promote  one of the visions of Indian seers i.e “Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam” i.e one world family. I was briefing the audience about the significance of Raksha bandhan and spoke with measured words, considering the audience is western and Raksha bandhan might be difficult concept for them. I finished the introduction with a feeling  that something more should have been said and my introduction was academic without "Bhakti". 

After the event Swami Aniruddha who was a westerner born Hindu monk addressed the podium and thanked us for organising the program. I was amazed when he  recalled the story of Lord Krishna protecting draupadi as she had tied a Rakhi in the hands of Krishna. I was amazed at the aptness of the story and marvelled at the wisdom and his familiarity to traditions of India and inner spiritual depth. There are many abroad whose seeking of eternal truth has found fulfilment in India and they admire the traditions of India. 

As  a contrast i often read about some authors who try to portray Raksha Bandhan as an expression of patriarchal mindset and what not. Unfortunately these people do not know what India is and suffer from a inferiority complex. 

I recall a couplet from a hindi song  (Hum us desh ke vaasi hain Jis desh main Ganga Behti hai )

कुछ लोग जो ज़्यादा जानते है

इंसान को कम पहचानते है 

होठों पे सच्चाई रहती है

जहाँ दिल में सफाई रहती है

हम उस देश के वासी है

जिस देश में गंगा बहती है.

#BharatMataKiJai  

#Contrast #KnowIndia