Raksha Bandhan 2025: 6 iconic siblings in history and mythology who defined the brother-sister bond

Raksha Bandhan, coming up on August 9 this year, is a time to celebrate the special bond between brothers and sisters. Beyond the festive reels, gifts, and posts online, it’s really about the love, care, and trust that siblings share for life.

Families may have their own ways of celebrating, but the meaning stays the same– being there for each other and protecting one another.

This bond isn’t just something from today’s world. Indian mythology and history have many stories of brothers and sisters whose love and support shaped famous tales. These old stories still show the same values that Rakhi celebrates now.

Here are six such sibling duos from mythology whose bonds showed the true spirit of Raksha Bandhan.
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Disclaimer: The accounts mentioned are based on Indian mythology, epics, and traditional lore. These narratives are part of cultural storytelling and may have different versions across regions and communities. The Times of India does not independently claim or endorse these stories as historical facts.

In Vedic lore, Yamuna (also called Yami) and Yamaraj, the god of death, are said to be twins. One day, Yami tied a rakhi to Yamaraj, wishing him a long and happy life. Deeply moved by her love, Yamaraj declared that any brother who receives a rakhi tied with genuine affection would be blessed with a long and prosperous life. Many believe this to be one of the earliest inspirations for Raksha Bandhan.

Not all Rakhi bonds are about blood relations– some are spiritual. Goddess Parvati once tied a sacred thread on Lord Vishnu’s wrist, making him her protective brother. Vishnu promised to stand by her in every challenge. This connection is also reflected in the carvings at the Ellora Caves, where Vishnu and Lakshmi are shown giving Parvati away to Shiva in marriage, with Brahma performing the ceremony.

One of the most popular Rakhi legends comes from the Mahabharata. When Krishna injured his finger while flying a kite, Draupadi tore a strip from her saree and wrapped it around the wound. Touched by her quick and selfless act, Krishna promised to protect her whenever she needed him– a vow he kept during her public humiliation, when her dignity was on the line.

Subhadra, Krishna’s half-sister, fell in love with Arjuna, though the match wasn’t expected to be accepted as Arjuna was already married. Krishna supported them and even helped them elope. On his advice, Subhadra drove the chariot herself so it would appear she had taken Arjuna away, flipping the usual story.

When Ganesha’s sons Shubh and Labh saw their father receive a rakhi from his sister, they felt sad that they didn’t have one of their own. Hearing this, Ganesha created Goddess Santoshi from a sacred flame, making her their sister. It’s a story that shows sibling love can be born from the heart, not just from birth.

The bond between Ravana and his sister Surpanakha was far from gentle, but it ran deep. When Lakshmana cut off Surpanakha’s nose after she approached Rama, Ravana swore to avenge her humiliation. His decision to kidnap Sita– though it set the stage for his downfall– came from that fierce loyalty to his sister.