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To protect certain vṛttis (mental tendencies) and to develop self-respect, we have a tradition in India: a festival called the brothers and sisters festival. Tomorrow is Rakṣā Bandhan. Rakṣā means protection, and Bandhan means a knot. The girls tie the rakhī on the wrist of the boy. This signifies that he will always be like a brother to her. From that moment, it is the boy's obligation to protect that girl and help her in all situations. Her role is also to help that boy in all situations and protect him. They should have a relationship of true siblings. Do not get closer to him and say, "Oh, you are my Rakṣābandhan brother," and then slowly, slowly marry him. That is wrong. About five years ago, one girl made a Rakṣābandhan brother—this is a true story, I am not telling you incorrectly. After two and a half years, she wanted a consultation with me because she wanted to marry him. I said, "But he is your brother; that is a better relationship." That was her trick, a fishing trick to hunt him; it was not honestly meant. You should not do this trick, neither boys nor girls. If you do not have the genuine feeling, do not do it. But it is nice to have brothers, and you should always remember that in many cases a Rakṣā Bandhan brother is more helpful than a real brother. Now, if the boy is older than the girl, he is obliged to give her a present every year, like a birthday or Christmas present. And you should remember him every time: your birthday, his birthday, Christmas, New Year, and all occasions like Guru Pūrṇimā, and so on. If the girl is older than the boy, then lucky boys, you will get the presents. You will get chocolates. Tomorrow is Rakṣā Bandhan. Tomorrow is the full moon, and we are going to have a Rakṣābandhan festival. You can prepare some thread, or in the office they have some thread, and we will do it in the garden. I think that will be very nice. Those who do not want to do it can just look and wait for next year. I think it is nice to have some brother and sister relations. Tomorrow, nice food will be cooked—something like halvā or something—and it will be sponsored entirely by the boys. So all boys collectively, you can put something in the donation box, and the girls can wish for what they want to eat tomorrow: spaghetti, pizza, halvā, purī, sabjī, or something. So tomorrow is the day of the girls, and happy brothers. --- Recording location: Czech Republic, Strilky, Summer seminar