Dussehra, the festival of the victory of good over evil, is celebrated in different states of India. Its importance is well-known and highlighted in Hindu mythology, which revolves around Lord Rama and Ravana.
People go to the Lord Rama temple, wearing traditional attire and a Tulsi bracelet, and pray to the Lord for blessings. Every year on Dussehra, the ten-headed demon king, Ravana, is burned across cities and towns in India. The fireworks light up in the sky, and people remember Lord Rama’s victory on this day.
But the thing is, who was Ravana in reality? Why was he burned besides just the mythological grounds? It’s also said that Ravana was Lord Shiva’s devotee. Still, what was the reason for Ravana’s downfall?
Let’s check this out in detail:
Ravana’s Epic Role in Ramayana
The story of Ramayana is written by Sage Valmiki, which describes Ravana’s epic role as
1. The One Who Abducted Sita:
Ravana abducted Sita Mata from where the story of Ravana’s downfall began. Sita Maa is the consort of Lord Rama, the prince of Ayodhya. Ravana tricked Sita Mata, and kidnapped her when Lord Rama and Lakshman were away. So, this act marked Ravana as evil in the history of the Ramayana.
2. Though a Lord Shiva devotee, he considered himself above all
Ravana’s ego and arrogance blinded his wisdom. Ravana was, though, a brilliant devotee of Lord Shiva and was a ruler of prosperous kingdom. But he started to think of himself as above all gods and humans.
He also refused to return Maa Sita, when his brother Vibhishana and wife Mandodari insisted. His refusal shows his pride and ego, which also revoked the effect of the bhakti he had for Lord Shiva.
3. Ravana’s Desire For Power & Control
Ravana always wanted to have control over everything, even the heavens. But how could this be possible, as he was not a Deva who always did good acts?
He always used his powerful abilities in a bad way, like when he tried to lift Mount Kailash, just the way Lord Shiva did, but failed. How can one end up winning the entire world if he has only negative aura presiding in himself?
4. Having A Nature Of Rakshasa
In Ramayana, Ravana is born to a Rakshasi mother. Also, Ravana always used his extraordinary powers for manipulation and destruction. He disrespected the divine laws and always functioned in an unnatural order.
Therefore, all these traits of Ravana teach us that, though having immense powers, he did not use them in the right way and earned the tag of a devil in Ramayana.
He was also the master of Vedas, a devotee of Lord Shiva, and a capable king. Yet due to his pride and ego, which were his inner demons, he asked for his downfall himself.
What if Ravana is not just out there but here in ourselves?
The Ramayana story just doesn't end with burning Ravana, the character in the story. But it teaches us that we all have a 10-headed Ravana in our hearts and minds.
So, it’s not only about watching the fireworks in the sky on the holy occasion of Dussehra and eating Jalebis. But you must understand and know your inner Ravana too.
Try juggling with your inner emotions like guilt, ego, envy, jealousy, pride, procrastination and so many other traits. These are just like the 10 heads of Ravana. On Dussehra, try to burn these Ravanas too in your heart, mind, and soul, with which you can be blessed with abundance and divine happiness.
Here are some of the questions that can provide you with your reality check:
- Do you like to share things often or not?
- Do you like it if someone achieves success and you are trashed? Do you feel good for them?
- Do you sometimes judge people based on their social media status?
- Do you always keep yourself first, or are you caring enough?
These questions are your simple reminders about your personality. So, don’t think you are only the good person or the bad person. We all have negative traits, but the thing is how to win over them and control them; it's here where the secret lies.
Burn your inner demons and pray to the almighty for everyone’s wellness, without any anger, envy, or bad intent.
Final Thoughts
Dussehra is not just about honoring Lord Rama’s victory, but it’s about winning over your mildly dramatic villain within you. So, be the light in everyone’s world and awaken yourself. Also, burn your feelings of self-doubt, fear, and hopelessness too!
Happy Dussehra!
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