Inspiring Lessons from Dussehra :: By Anupama Vaidya

Ponderings by Anupama 

Series: Inspiring Lessons from Spirituality - IL-2

The Navratri festivities precede the virtuous Day of Dussehra  fostering gratitude, humility and a sense of community. Today, offers us an opportunity to draw  wisdom from ancient stories and traditions for application in our modern lives.

For us today, it is a great reminder of valuable lessons in form of the 2 epics – The Ramayana where Lord Rama kills the Ravana as well as Goddess Saraswati’s worship:  

 

·       The Triumph of Good Over Evil: Dussehra underscores the eternal truth that good eventually triumphs over evil. It reminds us to uphold principles of righteousness, truth, and moral integrity in our lives. Even when faced with adversity, it's essential to stand firm in our values and strive for the greater good.

·       The Power of Virtue: The story of Lord Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana highlights the power of virtue, integrity, and righteousness. Dussehra teaches us that moral strength and virtuous conduct can conquer even the most formidable challenges.

·       Symbolism of Light Over Darkness: The burning of Ravana's effigy during Dussehra represents the victory of light over darkness. This serves as a reminder that we should always strive to dispel ignorance, hatred, and negativity from our lives and replace them with knowledge, love, and positivity.

·       Unity and Togetherness: Dussehra brings people together to celebrate and rejoice in the victory of good. It emphasizes the importance of unity and collective efforts in overcoming obstacles and challenges.

We can learn from this aspect of the festival that by standing together, we can achieve greater success.

 

Dussehra is also associated with the Goddess Saraswati, who is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, learning, and music. On this day, people offer prayers to Saraswati and seek her blessings for success in their studies and careers. It is a Celebration of knowledge and wisdom holding several valuable lessons and teachings:

 

·       Pursuit of Knowledge: Dussehra reminds us of the importance of continuous pursuit of education beyond degrees; being a life-time seeker of knowledge, encouraging us to seek wisdom and understanding in various domains of life.

 

·       Holistic and Intellectual development, Growth beyond academics: The Navaratri period preceding Dussehra encourages self-reflection, introspection, and personal growth. Saraswati's worship underscores that knowledge transcends academia, encompassing wisdom, moral values, and spiritual understanding  promoting a well-rounded education that fosters personal and spiritual advancement. Dussehra serves as a annual opportunity to renew our commitment to self-improvement, striving for intellectual enhancement, and the cultivation of critical and analytical thinking that goes beyond formal education.

·       Embracing Culture and Fostering Artistic Expression: Goddess Saraswati’s connection with artistic and creative expression underscores the importance of nurturing and celebrating one's talents and artistic abilities. This encourages us to value and support a diverse range of art forms and cultural expressions, promoting holistic development. These celebrations reinforce our dedication to recognizing the pivotal role that culture plays in our lives and our commitment to safeguarding and promoting our cultural heritage.

 

·       Valuing Outcomes, Achievements and Impact: Today serves us as a reminder to value not just the efforts we invest but also the impact we create through our achievements. Success can be realised in our academic pursuits, professional careers and creative endeavours. It's a day to reinforce the idea that excellence and mastery in our chosen domains can be achieved with humility, unwavering dedication, and the abundance of positive energy in the form of blessings.

 

In summary, on one hand, Saraswati Puja on Dussehra underscores the importance of knowledge, education, creativity, and cultural expression in our lives. It encourages the pursuit of wisdom, both in academic and broader life contexts, and emphasizes the value of intellect, creativity, and personal growth.

While on the other hand, it is a festival that brings us together, it is a time for families and communities to come together and celebrate the triumph of good over evil, the power of knowledge and wisdom, truth over falsehood, and righteousness over injustice.

With Dussehra festival today, we also mark the start of the preparations for Diwali !!! Wishing you all a very Happy Dussehra and a wonderful festive season.