Spirituality

Kalawa: Spiritual benefits of the sacred thread

It is said that Kunti tied a sacred thread around the wrist of her grandson Abhimanyu bestowing her protection around him. During the war of Kurukshetra, he was among the very few warriors who knew how to break the invincible battle formation called ChakraVyuha. Until he had that sacred thread around his wrist during the battle, he was genuinely invincible against the legendary warriors. However, as soon as that sacred threat was cut during the battle, he lost his life.

This sacred thread holds great significance in India. It is known by many names like Kalawa, Mauli, Charade, Rakshasa, Kaapu, Kayiru, Charandu, Kautuka, etc. These threads represent protection against evil and long life as a profound symbol of Sanatan Dharma. It may look like a fashion symbol, but Mauli has great religious and scientific significance. Read ahead to know more about it.  

What is Kalawa?

Specialist artisans in India make these threads, cords, or ribbons. Cotton hanks are hand dyed in colours of saffron, yellow and red. Then, they are tied together and dyed again. After drying, these threads are twisted together, making a Kalawa thread. It is a sacred thread worn on the wrists of the devotees. Kalawa is also used for tying on newly purchased objects like motorcycles, cars, house gates, etc., for bestowing the gods’ protection and repelling the troubles coming towards them.

When did it all start?

This is one of the oldest stories mentioned in the ancient scriptures of Humanity. Rigveda describes this incident in detail. Aeons ago, an Asura named Vritrasura did a hard penance and became mighty powerful. He built a hundred forts, gathered the demon army, and started tormenting the people of earth. With his mighty power, he even blocked all the rivers, making them run dry, causing famine on earth. Gods decided to go battle with him.

Before marching into the battle, Sachi, consort of Lord Indra, tied the orange-red colored thread around her husband’s wrists and bestowed her sacred protection. Despite falling several times from his elephant in the battle, Indra managed to escape sure death thanks to the sacred thread. Finally, he killed the Asura with his thunderbolt and restored peace on earth. Since that day, tying Kalawa has been considered auspicious and the best protection.  

When King Bali was sent into the Patala, Lord Vishnu agreed to Guard his underworld kingdom as a Dwarpalak, or doorkeeper. Divine mother Lakshmi had to spend many years without Lord Vishnu. Changing her appearance, she appeared in the court of King Bali, calling him Her dear brother. She tied a thread around her brother’s wrist; she prayed for Bali’s wellbeing and long life. In return, King Bali freed lord Vishnu from His oath to guard his Kingdom. Since then, tying a thread on the wrist has been considered equal to wearing a shield.  

How Kalawa is tied

Kalawa or Mauli is tied during a religious ceremony. After consulting astrologers, an auspicious day and time are decided. Then, a Puja is conducted under the supervision of the priests. With the chanting of the bellow mantra, elders of the house, spiritual Guru or Punditji, tie the sacred thread around the wrist, rotating seven times.

येना बद्धो बालीराजा दानवेन्द्रो महाबला। तेना त्वामभी बधनामी रक्षे ना चला ना चला ।।

Yena Baddho Baliraja Daanavendro Mahaabala।
Tena Twaamabhi Badh Naami Rakshe Naa Chala Naa Chala।।

It means I am tying this sacred thread around your wrist as a symbol of protection. Under this protection, the mightiest and most generous King Bali was bound and protected. Oh Raksha, Do not go away, please do not go away.

By chanting this mantra, positivity and Sattvikta are invoked in the person wearing the Mauli. When the mantra is chanted, these mantras get infused with these sacred threads shielding the wearer with powerful protection against evil.  

Significance

When tied with the mantra chanting, Kalawa removes the negativity from the person wearing it. It recharges the devotee with Sattvik vibrations. Kalawa is known to ward off negativities and dark powers lurking around. Tying Kalawa or Mauli shields the person from an evil eye. During meditations, prayers, or other spiritual activity, this Kalawa acts as a receptor for divine energies.

This sacred thread is known to invoke the divine energies of Tridevis and Tridevas. Sridevi’s are Divine Mother Saraswati, the goddess of Knowledge; Divine Mother Lakshmi, the goddesses of health-wealth and Divine Mother Parvati, who aids us with strength and courage to overcome hurdles of life. Tridevas are Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Mahesh. Lord Brahma blesses us with creativity. Lord Vishnu blesses us with positivity to defeat evil in our life. Lord Mahesh or Lord Shiva allows us to ward off negativity from our life. Tying the Kalawa on our wrist gives us blessings of all these Gods and goddesses.

Tying a thread around the wrist has health benefits as well. Ayurveda describes three Doshas which are principally responsible for all the ailments in our bodies. They are Vaata dosha, Pitta dosha, and Kapha Dosha. The string tied around the wrist aids in removing these doshas.

Our body is made with seventy-two thousand nerves. Many essential nerves pass through our wrists. Whenever an Ayurvedic expert examines the patient, he checks the wrist nerves first before running any test. Typing Kalawa around the wrist activates the nervous system, enhancing blood circulation.

Tying the Mauli threads or Kalawa protects us from dangers and diseases. It symbolises long life and protection against evil by increasing one’s receptivity for positive energies. It is the ancient symbol of love, responsibility, strong willpower, and having faith in the Gods and our loved ones. We hope you have gained some new insight into the importance of tying a Kalawa in Sanatana Dharma and Indian civilization.

Please subscribe to our mailing list to stay connected and receive spiritual information. In case of any queries, please write to us at info@chamundaswamiji.com. You can check out our YouTube channel Chamunda Swamiji where you can learn Tantra, Mantra, Yantra, and Meditation from His Holiness Shri Chamunda Swamiji.