Dussehra (the tenth day) is the climax of the nine-day long celebrations of Navratri (nine nights). Navratri is the time to reflect on oneself, observe silence & practice fasting to cleanse our mind body and speech of toxins and purify our life. Dussehra marks the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana who was the king of Lanka a devout follower of Lord Shiva. Though highly intellectual he was a cruel & arrogant demon king lacking humility & spiritual understanding. Ravana with 10 heads personifies a greedy worldly personality who is identified with the material body (5 senses & 5 organs of actions) with characteristics like lust, fear, arrogance, jealousy, violence & insecurity.
Despite his high stature & the kingdom made of gold, Ravana could not stay happy and fulfilled and kidnapped Lord Rama’s wife Sita. This means, in life when there is only knowledge & power but no sensitivity & compassion then one becomes egoistic and blind. On the other hand, Rama the king of Ayodhya is called Maryada Purushottam, literally the Perfect Man or Lord of Self-Control or Lord of Virtue. Rama’s life is one of perfect adherence to dharma despite the harsh tests of lifetime. Rama personifies our spiritual personality, Our Own Self which is Love, Peace & Bliss.
In each one of us, there is a perpetual fight between the virtues which Rama signifies & the vices of Ravana at the physical, mental & emotional levels. With humility, right understanding & actions, we can strengthen the hold of Rama’s consciousness in our hearts and overcome the unhealthy tendencies of Ravana. With absolute devotion to the indwelling Lord within our heart, let Rama win and destroy conditionings of Ravana. On the auspicious occasion of Dussehra let us all take a pledge to burn all the vices mushrooming inside.
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