Rakshabandhan Saved The Like of Alexander [the untold facts]
Sudhir-Architect
Rakshabandhan Saved The Like Of Alexander [Power of a mere thread]
Even
though the Greek emperor Alexander had made many conquests, still when
he approached the kingdom of the valiant king Puru (Purushottama), he
was greatly worried. He had heard about the high morale of the
opposition army and the well-disciplined administration of the kingdom.
One of his spies confided, 'Your Majesty! Even though the state of king
Puru is small, taking them on is a formidable task, tantamount to
stepping into the jaws of death.'
The Greek emperor used to study his enemy from all angles before
launching the attack. One of the better-informed spies said, 'Your
Majesty! Hindus have a festival wherein a woman ties a Rakhi on the
wrist of a man thus making him her brother. This binds the brother to
protect her husband.' Alexander's wife overheard this conversation.
King Puru had made an announcement that on the day of Raksha-Bandhan,
any woman or girl would be allowed to enter the royal palace and tie a
Rakhi to the king and in turn receive the gifts of good wishes by the
grace of God.' Observe Puru's magnanimity, for he doesn't say, 'they
will receive a gift' nor does he say, 'I shall give the gifts.' How
great Indian Sanskriti is! Puru considers God to be the real doer and
not the ego.
Until now the ordinary girls and women were not allowed into the royal
palace. But this time permission had been granted to all women. On the
auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan, a foreign lady also joined the crowd
of women proceeding to the royal palace. The soldiers were startled to
notice her but could do nothing in view of the king's orders.
The foreign lady reached the king and tied a thread on the right wrist
of the supremely righteous Puru. The wise king recognized her and said,
'I know you. You are Alexander's wife. Tell me, what do you wish for?'
She said, 'You and my husband will soon go to war. The result is
uncertain. You too have a formidable army. I have come to you with a
Rakhi. According to Indian Sanskriti, when a woman ties a Rakhi on a
man's wrist, treating him like a brother, the brother fulfils her wish.
And my wish is that you protect my husband.'
Alexander's wife had just tied a thread on Puru's wrist and how enormous
is her demand in return! And look at the unequalled magnanimity of
valiant Puru!
He says, 'I don't know who will win the battle. But if I win, your husband's security is assured.'
And what actually happened? Puru's brave warriors were fearlessly
thrusting forward. Puru too moved ahead riding on an elephant, which
gave a powerful blow to the chariot of Alexander, breaking it into
pieces, causing Alexander to fall down on the ground.
Puru quickly got down from his elephant and drew his sword from the
scabbard. Alexander's death was just one blow away but... India's
Raksha-Bandhan festival came in the way! Puru stood there static with
the sword in his hand. Alexander noticed that Puru could have killed him
but was standing still. In the meanwhile, Alexander's soldiers came
there and captured Puru!
Puru was brought as a captive before Alexander in the latter's camp at
the battlefield. Alexander asked in his royal style, 'How should I treat
you?'
Pat came the answer, 'As a king honourably treats another king.'
How high was Puru's morale! Although taken a prisoner, he had not been
captured helplessly. Alexander had a change of heart. He stood up and
said, 'Welcome O King!' He seated Puru beside him as an equal. Puru had
guarded the Supreme tenets of Dharma and there Dharma stood guard for
him.
'Dharma Protects its Protector.'
Alexander asked Puru in a low tone, 'I had fallen from the chariot and
you had a sword ready in your hand. It was a moment's job to chop off my
head, and you had so much time at your disposal. But you stood thinking
about something and were taken captive. What were you thinking? What
confused you?'
Puru replied with confidence, 'I was not confused.'
Alexander's wife could no longer hold herself back. She said, 'I had
tied a Rakhi on his wrist. He has made such a big sacrifice to honour
the inherent pledge of that Rakhi and to protect my husband.'
How marvellous Indian Sanskriti is! A mere thread saved Alexander's life!