Mantra for raksha sutra: Yena Baddho Bali Raja, with meaning
The raksha sutra mantra "Yena Baddho Bali Raja" in Devanagari with meaning, how to tie a rakhi or kalava, and protection mantras. Raksha Bandhan: 17 Aug 2027.
The mantra for tying a raksha sutra is येन बद्धो बली राजा दानवेन्द्रो महाबलः। तेन त्वामनुबध्नामि रक्षे मा चल मा चल॥ (Yena Baddho Bali Raja, Danavendro Mahabalah, Tena Tvam Anubadhnami, Rakshe Ma Chala Ma Chala). It means: "With this thread the mighty King Bali was bound; with it I bind you. O protection, do not waver." It is said when a sister ties a rakhi on Raksha Bandhan, and when a priest ties a kalava (mauli) on the wrist at a puja. The next Raksha Bandhan is on Tuesday 17 August 2027.
Raksha Bandhan falls on the full moon (Purnima) of Shravan. A raksha sutra is any sacred thread tied for protection: the rakhi a sister ties for her brother, and the red-and-yellow kalava tied at the start of a puja or a ceremony. Dates are for New Delhi; tithi timings shift slightly by city.
The raksha sutra mantra
Yena Baddho Bali Raja
येन बद्धो बली राजा दानवेन्द्रो महाबलः। तेन त्वामनुबध्नामि रक्षे मा चल मा चल॥ Yena Baddho Bali Raja Danavendro Mahabalah, Tena Tvam Anubadhnami Rakshe Ma Chala Ma Chala
Word by word: yena (by which) baddho (was bound) bali raja (King Bali) danavendro (lord of the danavas) mahabalah (of great strength); tena (by that) tvam (you) anubadhnami (I bind in turn); rakshe (O protection) ma chala ma chala (do not move, do not waver).
The verse remembers King Bali, a generous and devoted king, who was bound by Vishnu in his Vamana form and then protected by him. One well-loved telling says Goddess Lakshmi tied a thread on Bali's wrist and called him her brother. The mantra asks that the same steady protection hold the person wearing the thread. You will find small differences in wording between families and books, such as tena tvam abhibadhnami or pratibadhnami; all carry the same meaning.
How to tie a rakhi or kalava with the mantra
- Prepare a thali with the rakhi or kalava, roli or kumkum, a few grains of rice (akshat), a lamp and a sweet.
- Begin with Ganesha. Chant ॐ गं गणपतये नमः (Om Gan Ganapataye Namah), "My greatest salutations to you, Lord Ganesha", once or three times. Listen on Mahakatha.
- Apply a tilak of roli and rice on the forehead, and do a small aarti with the lamp.
- Tie the thread on the right wrist while chanting Yena Baddho Bali Raja once or three times. For a kalava at a puja, many families tie it on the right wrist for men and unmarried women and the left for married women; follow your family's custom.
- Offer the sweet, and the brother gives his sister a gift and his word of care.
On Raksha Bandhan, families usually tie the rakhi during the auspicious time in the local panchang, avoiding the Bhadra period. Check your panchang for the exact time in 2027.
Protection mantras to chant with a raksha sutra
These mantras are traditionally chanted for protection and courage. They are a prayer for safety, never against anyone.
Krishna Kavach
ॐ श्री कृष्णाय नमः सर्व शुभकार्य साधय साधय मां सर्व सदिच्छा पूरय पूरय मां ॐ श्री कृष्ण शरणम् ममः Om Shri Krishnaya Namah, Sarva Shubhakarya Sadhaya Sadhaya Mam, Sarva Sadichchha Puraya Puraya Mam, Om Shri Krishna Sharanam Mamah
"I bow to Krishna. Let all good work go well, let all pure wishes be fulfilled. I take refuge in you, Shri Krishna." A kavach (armour) mantra, chanted for strength through hard times. Listen on Mahakatha.
Durge Smrita Harasi
दुर्गे स्मृता हरसि भीतिमशेषजन्तो:। स्वस्थै स्मृता मतिमतीव शुभां ददासि।। Durge Smrita Harasi Bheetim Ashesha Janthoho, Swasthai Smrita Matimateeva Shubhaam Dadaasi
"O Durga, when you are remembered, you take away the fear of every being; remembered in calm, you give a good and clear mind." From the Durga Saptashati, chanted for fearlessness and protection. Listen on Mahakatha.
Sudarshana Gayatri
ॐ सुदर्शनाय विद्महे महा ज्वालाय धीमहि तन्नो चक्र प्रचोदयात् Om Sudarshanaaya Vidmahe, Maha Jwaalaya Dheemahi, Tanno Chakra Prachodayaat
"We know the Sudarshana Chakra, we meditate on its great light: may the divine wheel guide us." Vishnu's discus is the classic symbol of protection. Listen on Mahakatha.
Hanuman Gayatri
ॐ अञ्जनेयाय विद्महे वायुपुत्राय धीमहि। तन्नो हनुमत् प्रचोदयात्॥ Om Anjaneyaya Vidmahe, Vayuputraya Dhimahi, Tanno Hanumat Prachodayat
"O son of Anjana, son of Vayu, guide our minds." Hanuman is the great protector, and many brothers and sisters chant his name for courage. Listen on Mahakatha. For more, see mantras for strength.
Mahakatha Radio plays Krishna, Durga and Hanuman mantras day and night, free and without ads. Listen live. If your brother or sister lives far away this year, you can also offer a prayer for them on air through Prayer Requests, read aloud at 7:00 am or 7:00 pm India time.
Questions people ask
Which mantra is said on Raksha Bandhan?
Yena Baddho Bali Raja: येन बद्धो बली राजा दानवेन्द्रो महाबलः। तेन त्वामनुबध्नामि रक्षे मा चल मा चल॥ It is chanted once or three times while the rakhi is tied.
What is the mantra of the raksha sutra?
The same verse, Yena Baddho Bali Raja. It is used for every protective thread: the rakhi, and the kalava or mauli a priest ties at a puja, havan or wedding.
What is the Raksha Bandhan mantra for 2027?
The mantra does not change from year to year. In 2027, Raksha Bandhan is on Tuesday 17 August; tie the rakhi with Yena Baddho Bali Raja during the auspicious time in your local panchang.
What is a raksha kavach mantra?
A kavach (armour) is a prayer that asks a deity to protect the one who recites it. The best known is the Devi Kavacham of the Durga Saptashati; shorter ones include the Krishna Kavach above.
What is the Sarva Deva Raksha Kavach?
It usually means a prayer asking all the gods together to protect you. A simple form is to bow to your family deity, the deity of your home and all the gods, as in the Sarva Deva mantra on Mahakatha.
What are five powerful mantras to chant daily?
A simple, balanced five: Om Gan Ganapataye Namah, the Gayatri mantra, Om Namah Shivaya, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, and the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra. Choose one or two and chant them with attention rather than all five in a hurry.