Vijayadashami (15th October 2021)

Spiritual science says that when Devitattva is active, the process of elimination of Tamogun takes place at the sagun level !

Tithi : Ashwin Shukla Dashami (Tenth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin). This year it is on 15^th October.

Origin and meaning : One origin of the word ‘Dushehra’ is ‘dasha-hara’. ‘Dasha’ means ten and ‘hara’ means defeated. Nine days before Dushehra (Vijayadashami), in the nine days of Navaratri, all the ten directions are charged with the energy of the Goddess, meaning, they are under Her control. She is in control over the dikbhav (Deities of all the ten directions) gan (Assistants of Deities) in all the ten directions or all these directions have been conqured.

History :

1. Shriram killed Ravan on this day and was victorious. This is how the day came to be known as ‘Vijayadashami’.

2. On completion of their exile period, the Pandavs worshipped Shakti (Divine Energy Principle) and took back their weapons (which were kept in the Shami tree) and subsequently defeated the Kourav army (which was stealing the cows of King Virat). This eventful day was also the same.

Importance : Vijayadashami festival is one amongst the three-and-a-half muhurts (Auspicious days).

Method of celebration : Four rituals – Simollanghan (Crossing the borders), Shamipuja (Worship of the Shami tree), Aparajitapuja (Worship of Deity Aparajita) and Shastrapuja (Worship of weapons and instruments used daily) should be performed on this day.

Importance of celebrating Vijayadashami

1. Vijayadashami teaches us to think about others

Vijayadashami is the festival of the Devi (Goddess) and Devi is the Deity of Shakti (Divine Energy). On Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the Devi is invoked and is worshipped for 9 days. On the 10th day, a Shami tree is worshipped.

To maintain peace everywhere, weapons, armour, military, etc. are displayed and if there is any enemy, one must march to annihilate him. After annihilating the enemy and establishing peace everywhere, gold should be distributed.

2. It is being celebrated since Tretayug

Shriram’s ancestor, King Raghu of Ayodhya, performed the Vishwajit Yadnya. He donated all his wealth and retired to a hut in a forest. Then, Sage Kautsa appeared before him and asked for 14 crore gold coins. King Raghu prepared to attack Deity Kuber, the Deity of wealth, to obtain his requirement. Deity Kuber showered gold coins on the Apta (Mountain Ebony) and Shami (Indian Mesquite) trees. King Raghu accepted only 14 crore gold coins and his subjects took the rest. (Sage Kautsa and King Raghu represent the true Hindu culture ! What a contrast to today’s politicians and people who crave for wealth and worldly pleasures. – Editor)

3. Elimination of the Tama component and distressing energy on this day

Spiritual science says that when Devitattva (Goddess Principle) is active, the process of elimination of Tamogun and distressing energy takes place at the sagun (Materialised) level and when Vishnutattva (Vishnu Principle) is active, elimination of Tamogun (Tama attitude)and distressing energy takes place at the nirgun (Non-materialised) level. On Vijayadashami, the tarak (Saviour) Devitattva is active with the Vishnutattva. With these Principles working together, besides the elimination of Tamogun and distressing energy, Priti (Love without expectation) develops in these Principles; hence, with Destruction, the task of Creation also takes place.

The emission of Priti-enriched waves of welfare from the active Principles of Devi and Shri Vishnu spread in the Universe. This helps in activating the process of Creation and results in good crop yield, prosperity, etc. Shri Lakshmi works with Shri Vishnu to perform the task of Sustenance. Hence, He takes the help of Shri Lakshmi in every Incarnation and both take human forms at the same time.

4. Shriramtattva and Hanumantattva and Vijayadashami that generates kshatravrutti

On Vijayadashami, tarak waves of Shriramtattva (Shriram Principle) and marak (Destroyer) waves of Hanumantattva (Hanuman Principle) combine. On this day, kshatrabhav (Attitude of a warrior) of the individual is awakened.
By remembering Shriram and Hanuman on Vijayadashami, dasyabhakti (Devotion unto God as a servitor) is generated and the individual gets the benefit of taraktattva (Blessings) of Shriram.

On Vijayadashami, red (Shakti-form) and reddish brown (Waves of blessings generated due to dasyabhav) spring-like waves are active in the Universe. Due to these waves, the Atmashakti (Energy of the soul) of the individual is awakened, which increases the leadership quality in the individual and helps in nurturing kshatrabhav.

Rituals to be performed on Vijayadashami

A. Crossing the boundary : In this ritual, the boundary of the village is crossed in the North-East direction in the third part of the day, that is, in the afternoon. During this ritual, one should stop at a Shami or Apta tree.

B. Worship of the Shami tree : The Shami tree is worshipped with the recitation of a prayer which means the following : ‘The Shami tree cleanses sins. Its thorns are reddish. It is Shriram’s favourite tree, and in such a tree, Pandavas hid their arms. O’ Shami ! Shriram has worshipped you. I now embark upon my journey to victory. May you make it pleasant and free from obstacles.’

The Apta tree is worshipped with a mantra which means the following : ‘O’ great Apta (also known as Ashmantak) tree ! You are the one who overcomes great defects. Unite me with my friends and destroy my foes.’

Then, rice, a betelnut and a gold coin (copper coin as a variant) are placed near the roots of this tree. After circumambulating the tree, some mud from its base and some of its leaves are brought home. Leaves of the Apta are offered as gold to God and friends. Conventionally, gold should be gifted by the young to the elderly. In Maharashtra, there is a custom of gifting gold to family members and friends on Vijayadashami.

This has a historical significance too. After a military expedition, the brave Marathas would bring home the plundered booty from the enemy’s territory. These victorious warriors were welcomed by their wives or sisters with Arati (A prayer sung with the waving of a lamp). In return, the warriors would give some gold ornaments from their plunder. The warriors then placed their plunder in front of the Deities in the temple of the house and offered obeisance to God and elders seeking their blessings. Nowadays, this is commemorated by distributing leaves (symbolising gold) of the Apta tree.

C. Worship of Deity Aparajita : During the worship of the Shami tree, eight petals (Known as Ashtadal) are drawn on the ground, an Idol of Deity Aparajita is placed on it and worshipped by chanting a mantra, which means the following : ‘O’ Deity Aparajita ! You who adorn a necklace, a glittering golden girdle and the One who blesses devotees earnestly; bestow victory upon me.’

In some places, this worship is also performed before leaving for the ritual of crossing the boundary. Placing an Idol of Deity Aparajita on a rangoli of an octapetalled figure signifies Her ability to control the eight directions. Deity Aparajita is the destroyer form of Shri Durgadevi. Deity Aparajita manifests from the womb of the earth with the help of the Prithvitattva (Absolute Earth Principle). This manifestation of Deity Aparajita is for the sake of souls on the earth. This form of the Deity, which establishes itself on the throne of the eight petals, carries a trident and with the help of Deity Shiva, seeks assistance from the Deities of directions, Deities of the premises and destroys the demoniacal energies.

When Deity Aparajita sitting on the throne of the eight petals emerges from the womb of the earth in response to the prayers of devotees, the Deities of the eight directions also manifest to welcome Her. The tips of the eight petals represent these eight Deities. The destroyer waves generated from the creation of Deity Aparajita through the medium of the eight Deities get emitted as red light waves and destroy the accumulated Raja-Tama energy, thus purifying the atmosphere to help people on earth to lead an obstacle-free life.

The Aparajita form of Shri Durgadevi is worshipped near a Shami tree because Shami leaves are good conservers of energy and they conserve the energy of Deity Aparajita that manifests in the form of fountains for long periods. People benefit from this energy of Deity Aparajita by preserving these leaves in their homes.

– Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Anjali Gadgil

D. Worship of instruments : On this day, soldiers and the princes clean their weapons, place them in a row and worship them. Farmers and artisans too worship their respective implements or instruments. Some also perform this ritual on the 9^th day of Navaratri.