Dussehra

Mythological Significance:

Dussehra is the day when, Sri Ram killed the great demon Ravana, who had abducted Sri Ram's wife Sita to his kingdom of Lanka. Sri Ram was a great believer in the powers of Goddesss Durga, and He prayed to Her for nine days before Shri Rama himself entered the battlefield on the 10th day.

It is believed that Ravan had 10 faces. They are probably symbolic of the 10 evil facets of his character.

In Bengal, kingdom of Durga and her devotees, the occassion is celebrated as the day on which Durga Ma killed the terrible demon Mahishasur.

Word means lot:

The word Dussehra comes from the word 'Dus' meaning 'Ten' and 'Hara', meaning 'annihilated'. So Dussehra is the day in which the 10 facets of Evil were destroyed.

Meta-philosophical Meaning of Dussehra:

One must not forget that Ravana was a great scholar and a tremendous worshipper of Lord Shiva. His weakness 'that of wanting to possess Sita' destroyed him. But you will be surprised to learn that His enmity and therefore obsession with Sri Ram fetched him Liberation. Hindu Scriptures claim that you may think of the Lord in whichever way you please, you may pray to Him, complain to Him, talk to Him, Fight with Him...Your obsession with Him will make you a candidate for a Release from the Wheel of Life and Death. It is clearly mentioned in the Scriptures that Sri Ram Himself could not wound Ravana while the latter had his mind fixed on Sri Ram. Ravana's destruction came in, the moment that his concentration was distracted.

The essence is the same--the festival is celebrated all over India as a symbol of victory over evil.

Below is commentary based on Darshan Shastra about Dussehra and Navaratri:

Below is small interpretation of our great hindu philosophy with support from darshan shastra. It might happen that, after few years, we might forget such deep understandings as provided by our shapta rishi.

Dussehra is day followed after Navaratri (Nine Nights). As per scriptures, Navaratri is time for all worshippers of Maa or Shakti to re-assure their faith and devotion in her spiritiual power.

Navarari’s Nine days are divided in to Three equal parts.

1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Day are for devotion to Maa Saraswati – Represents Gyan or Knowledge. Earthen pot in the shape of Kalash (Represents the human body) is painted with colors and symbols. Every day Lamp is lighted in it representing that, human body has divine source of worshiping and gets energy or Shakti from Maa Saraswati. It reflects that, devotees acknowledge her power and bestowed by knowledge of divine’s existence from her.

4^th, 5^th and 6^th Day are for devotion to Maa Laxmi – Represents wealth. Earthen pot in the shape of Kalash (Represents the human body) is painted with colors and symbols. Every day Lamp is lighted in it representing that, human body has divine source of worshiping and gets energy or Shakti from Maa Laxmi.

Laxmi is suppose to be considered as evil and adviced to avoid touching it also but it is mis conception. Wealth not utilized for right deeds as well as not earned with pious way creates all evils. This three days of Navaratri are interpret and console the meaning in our heart and soul.

7^th, 8^th and 9^th Day are for devotion of Maa Durga – Represents Divine Shakti that is prevailing as Life Blood in all beings in this universe. It is lethal power for human to fight against evil forces, which corrupts the knowledge and wealth bestowed on devotee.

We need to understand that, ignorance comes once we acquire wealth and knowledge. Human feels that, he is greater than divine. Human gets vulnerable to wealth and knolwedge’s power. Ravana represents the same. Shri Rama’s life teaches of adarash Purusha (Not Ideal) to rescue from such evil feelings by becoming devotee of Durga. Worship her to remove such evil senses and utilize the knowledge and wealth for meaningful deeds.

Let me share parallel with Chinese Philosophy of Ninza’s. Ninza are the warriors tought power of Three – Sword (Knowledge), Air (Wealth or Pureness) and Mirror (Self Knowledge). Ninza’s are tought to use mirror to view themselves before using any of the other power. Mirror gives them that wisdom of respectful use of their power. Questioning themselves about the outcome.

Once devotee worship’s the above Nine Nights ( Nights signifies Darkness or ignorance that, we have in ourself, using earthen pot with lamp is symbol of Gayatri Mantra) then, Dussehra – Day of wining over the evil comes in devotees life.

Let us start lighting lamp of Devotion(Shrradha) in all of us by chanting Gayatri Mantra.