Tying a Spiritual ‘Rakhi’ in an AI environment

Mostly all festivals are related to a bond – between human beings which ultimately binds them to God the Supreme. The festival of Raksha Bandhan is one of them. It symbolises the eternal love of brother-sister in worldly relationships, which does not mean just the blood relationships. It is a festival dedicated to the sibling
love.

Since times immemorial, sisters have been tying Rakhi (sacred thread reminding of a vow of brotherhood), round the wrist of their brothers to celebrate Raksha Bandhan, mainly in Hindu religion-cultural milieu. ‘Raksha’ means protection and ‘bandhan’ means bond. The basic root of this festival remains the same though we are in an AI environment.

At present, Artificial Intelligence (AI) models are becoming part of everyday life. The technology that allows machines to see, read, think, write, create, communicate and imitate is getting better by the day. But these state-of-the-arts are helping individuals to connect more to their culture and religion by providing instant explanations, benefits, different ways of greeting and communicating with their families, relatives, friends, etc. during these festivals.

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon day of Shravan each year which falls in the month of August of the Gregorian calendar.

Apparently, tying a Rakhi is a ritual of Brahmin (Priest) tying a piece of thread to his ‘yajman’ (disciple) or a sister putting a piece of coloured nylon round the wrist of her brother. But it has a profound significance.

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in the family, at our homes. Our homes say a lot about who we are. A home is the cradle of building and sustaining authentic relationships. At present, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated world-wide – global village.

The notion underlying this festival is that by tying Rakhi, the sister expects her brother to extend his help, sympathy and protection to her honour even at the cost of his life.

The origin of this sacred ceremony was ascribed to the thread tying formalities to ward off evils, impurities and misfortunes from one’s life.

On that day, sisters offer ‘Rakhi’, sweets and ‘tilak’ with vermilion to her brother along with a gift. The short ceremony lasts for 5 to 10 minutes. In exchange, the brothers gift the sisters in cash or kind. Most importantly during the ceremony the atmosphere and vibrations are imbued with blessings and good wishes for each other.

Spiritually, Raksha Bandhan signifies the holistic protection of the mind and body through which God, the Almighty Father, ties us with the thread of divine virtues which are woven in the thread of protection. This bond of protection empowers us to become a self-protector and world-protector.

Tying a spiritual ‘Rakhi’:
* Prepare oneself physically and mentally and sit in solitude preferably in the very early morning hours known as “Amrit Vela” – hour of nectar.

* Concentrate on Incorporeal God, the Supreme Soul, the Light and remember Him as our Supreme Protector.

* Vow to live a life of dignity, cleanliness and positivity in our thoughts, words, actions and relationships. For instance, people who are on diets ultimately find it easier to overcome bad eating habits. They develop a mental resilience and self-control. In the same way, by keeping a fast of any weaknesses we have, like for example: ‘As from today, I will not gossip on that person or stalk anyone’, helps us to be freed from our negative character traits.

* The present moment is a reminder of its origin. The spiritual interpretations are:

i. The ‘Tilak’ in vermilion or sandalwood paste applied on the forehead reminds us of remaining in the awareness of being a soul, the child of God in the divine remembrance of the Supreme Father who is the real protector ‘Rakshak’.

ii. The tying of sacred ‘Rakhi’ subtly means binding all human beings with loving relations as souls and God is our Supreme Father. The awareness of a soul cultivates in us a brother – brother relationship.

iii. Sharing of sweets means staying in the awareness of sweetening our behaviour, temperament and words.

iv. Presentation of gifts means to silently present our shortcomings and vices like anger, greed, ego, jealousy, lust, etc., to Incorporeal God Father. This can be achieved by sublimating our negative traits with the sacred knowledge which God imparts to us and by being in Holy communion with the Divine, also known as Raja Yoga Meditation.

The essence of ‘Rakhi’ lies in the bond of love and protection. AI extends that sentiment for a positive impact on society in this difficult period of existence.

Since AI is based on materialistic consciousness, it can be controlled and manipulated. In a bond between human being and another human being or between human beings and God, vibrations are emanated. These are in the form of energies which are directly related to our consciousness. They are spiritual, as they are at the level of the being, the self. Spirituality is not materialistic feeling but it is mostly at the metaphysical level.

Hence, we can say that technology is an enabler. It will always be so as it helps human beings to develop those positive feelings in connection with any moment and time during any festivals.

From Brahma Kumaris