Rakhi Bond of Love Saves the Life of Alexander

Rakhi Bond of Love Saves the Life of Alexander

Written by Vedic Empire-Compiled From Online Sources

Alexander Protects the Wife and Daughters of the Persian Emperor   The bond of love between a brother and sister is well etched in the true historical story of Alexander and Puru (Porus/Poros). The story of Alexander's wife and King Puru has been recorded as a true story in the pages of history. King Puru (Purushottama) is a personification of a true brother who would do anything to protect his sister and save her honor. According to the story, Alexander, the king of Greece invaded India in 326 B.C. He married an Indian lady, Roxana (Roshanak) to cement his relations with the new Central Asian regions. On the way to Takshshila, Alexander had a fierce battle with Ashwakas but managed to defeat them.  On reaching Takshshila, he entered into an alliance with King Ambhi. The neighboring King Puru was Ambhi's enemy. Ambhi had planned to destroy Puru using Alexander. Several other rulers also pitched in to help Alexander.  On reaching Takshshila, he entered into an alliance with King Ambhi. The neighboring King Puru was Ambhi's enemy. Ambhi had planned to destroy Puru using Alexander. Several other rulers also pitched in to help Alexander. Roxana was aware of King Puru's fierce wrath and approached him. She tied a Rakhi to him, and Puru accepted her as his own sister and welcomed her with warmth. During the war between Puru and Alexander there was a moment when Alexander fell from his beloved horse and Puru was about to kill him. But he remembered the oath made to his sister, through the bond of Rakhi tied upon his wrist. Therefore he refrained from slaying him and thus ultimately lost the battle. This story is a living example of the sacrifices made by a brother to protect his sister. Roxana was not related to Puru by blood. Yet the thread of Rakhi was enough for him to protect his sister's life and love – and by doing so, he lost the battle. This is the intensity of the festival of Raksha Bandhan. Life, love or property, a brother sacrifices all for his sister. The bravery, war skills and princely attitude of Puru much impressed Alexander, who allowed him to rule Hydaspes in Alexander's name. Wounded in his shoulder, standing at over 1.8 m (6 feet) tall, he was asked by Alexander how he wished to be treated. "As a king should treat a king" Puru responded. Alexander would indeed treat him like a king, allowing him to retain his kingship. The Macedonian regent founded two cities, one at the spot of the battle called Nicaea (Greek for Victory) in commemoration of his success and one on the other side of the Hydaspes called Alexandria Bucephalus, to honor his faithful steed, which died soon after this battle. In 326 BC, the army of Alexander the Great approached the boundaries of the Magadha. His army, exhausted from the continuous campaigning and frightened at the prospect of facing yet another gigantic Indian army, demanded that they should return to the west. This happened at the Hyphasis (modern Beas), the exact spot being believed to be at 'Kathgarh' in Indora tehsil of Himachal Pardesh with nearest rail head at Pathankot, Punjab). Alexander finally gave in and turned south, along the Indus, securing the banks of the river as the borders of his empire. Regarding the outcome of the Clash Between Alexander and Puru we have this from the Mata Amritanandamayi Math website. "It is said that when Alexander was defeated at the hands of the great Hindu King Purushottam (Puru) of Punjab, Alexander’s wife tied a Rakhi to Purushottam to protect her husband from being slain."  India cultures quarterly, Volume 25, School of Research, Leonard Theological College, 1968, "... They themselves took her to Porus and there she performed the ceremony of raksha bandhan ..." Snippets from the Book