Long, long ago, in the world of gods and goddesses, there lived two very special beings — Yama, the god who watched over life and death, and his sister, Yamuna, a gentle river goddess who flowed peacefully through the earth, giving water and life to everyone around her.
Yama had a very serious job. Every single day, he had to decide when a person's time on earth was over. It was an important duty, but it also meant Yama was always busy, always serious, and rarely had time to visit his family.
Yamuna missed her brother deeply. Every day, she would look toward the sky and wonder, "When will Yama come to see me? I miss him so much."
Many years passed, and Yama never visited. He was so caught up in his work that he almost forgot he even had a sister waiting for him.
One day, another goddess gently reminded Yama, "Do you know your sister Yamuna waits for you every single day? She never stops hoping you will visit."
Yama felt a pang of guilt in his heart. "I have been so busy with my duties, I forgot to spend time with my own sister," he thought. "I must go see her at once."
So Yama finally traveled down to see Yamuna. When Yamuna saw her brother standing before her after so many years, her eyes filled with happy tears. She could hardly believe he was really there.
"Brother! You've finally come!" she exclaimed, running to greet him with the biggest smile.
Yamuna wanted to make this day special. She prepared a delicious feast for Yama with her own hands, and decorated her home with flowers and lights to welcome him. Then, with great love, she tied a sacred thread around Yama's wrist.
"This thread is my prayer for you," Yamuna said softly. "I pray that you stay safe, strong, and live a long, long life."
Yama looked at the thread on his wrist and then at his sister's loving face. He was deeply moved. Nobody had ever cared for him so purely, without asking for anything in return — not even the god of death himself.
"Yamuna," Yama said, "your love has touched me deeply today. From this day on, I promise that any brother who receives a sacred thread from his sister, with love like yours, and protects her in return — that brother will be blessed with a long and happy life."
And because Yama himself made this promise, it is said that even death listens to the bond between a brother and sister on this day.
Why we remember this story today
This is why, even now, sisters tie a Rakhi on their brothers' wrists and pray for their long life and happiness — just like Yamuna did for Yama. And brothers, in return, promise to always protect and care for their sisters.
This story reminds children of something very important: no matter how busy we get, we should never forget to make time for the people who love us. Family always comes first.
