By: BK Sister Usha
Source: The Daily Guardian https://epaper.
Dated: October 12, 2024
in order to become a better person.
The festival of Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, holds profound spiritual significance, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Ashwin in the Hindu calendar, it marks the deity Ram's victory over Ravan. The demon king Ravan personifies evil, and his defeat by Ram, who represents God, symbolises the end of unrighteousness in the world.
In cities and towns across India, effigies of Ravan, his brother Kumbhakaran, and son Meghnad are burnt on Dussehra to signify the destruction of evil. In many regions, Dussehra also celebrates the victory of goddess Durga, representing the power of feminine divinity, over the demon Mahishasur. This aspect highlights the strength, resilience, and protection that the goddess offers to her devotees.
Dussehra is a prelude to the festival of Diwali, which commemorates the start of an era of peace, prosperity, and happiness in Ram’s kingdom after his victory in battle. Diwali, in effect, marks the dawn of a Golden Age after God eradicates vices from the world. This Divine task is mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita, which says that whenever there is a decline of righteousness, and rise of unrighteousness, He manifests Himself for the protection of the good, the destruction of the wicked, and for the establishment of righteousness.
In our personal lives too, we cannot have lasting peace and joy until we have overcome the inner demons - the shortcomings that impinge upon our thoughts and behaviour and stop us from being the best we can be. As long as these demons lurk inside us, in the form of anger, greed, jealousy or other weaknesses, they give sorrow and pain to us and the people we interact with. The demons poison our thoughts, words, and actions against our will, leaving us with remorse and suffering.
Dussehra is an occasion to reflect on our own lives, confront personal demons, and strive for self-improvement. It serves as a reminder to overcome negativity in our thoughts and actions. In that sense, Dussehra is not just a festive occasion but a time for spiritual awakening and renewal. The celebration of this festival can become more meaningful if we identify the shortcomings of character that make our life less worthy, and work on removing one or more of them.
The strength to do this comes from God. When we remember the Almighty, the Supreme Soul, knowing that we souls are His children, this mental link becomes the conduit through which His power and virtues flow to us. Regular practice of such remembrance, which we call meditation, cleanses and empowers the soul. As a result, there is greater mental clarity, focus, accurate discernment, and right judgment. We are no longer hostage to the inner demons that had repeatedly brought us regret and sorrow. This is the victory that Dussehra encourages us to achieve.
B.K. Usha is a Rajyoga teacher
at The Brahma Kumaris headquarters
in Abu Road, Rajasthan.
