Vijayadashami (Dussehra) : The triumph of Righteousness

The word Dussehra is derived from ‘dash-hara’. ‘Dash’ means ten and ‘hara’ means defeated. Nine days before Dussehra, in the nine days of Navaratri, all the ten directions are saturated with Shakti (Divine Energy). Shakti has control over creation in all the ten directions, attendants, etc. This is why, the day is known as Dashhara, Dussehra, Dassera, Vijayadashami, etc. This is one amongst the three and a half muhurts (Auspicious periods) of the year. This falls on the tenth day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin.

Four rituals – Simollanghan (Crossing the boundary of the village, etc.), Shamipujan (Worship of the Shami tree), Aparajitapujan (Worship of Deity Aparajita) and Shastrapujan (Worship of instruments) should be performed on this day.

1. Simollanghan

In this ritual, the boundary of the village, etc. (where you reside) is crossed in the North-East direction in the third part of the day (meaning, in the afternoon). Stop at a Shami or Apta tree while doing this.

2. Shamipujan

The Shami tree is worshipped while reciting the following prayer.

शमी शमयते पापं शमी लोहितकण्टका ।

धारिण्यर्जुनबाणानां रामस्य प्रियवादिनी ।।

करिष्यमाणयात्रायां यथाकाल सुखं मया ।

तत्र निर्विघ्नकर्री त्वं भव श्रीरामपूजिते ।।

Meaning : The Shami tree cleanses sins. Its thorns are reddish. It is Prabhu Shriram’s favourite tree and Pandavas hid their arms in such a tree. O’ Shami ! Prabhu Shriram has worshipped you. I now embark upon my journey to victory. May you make it pleasant and free from obstacles.

3. Aparajitapujan

During the worship of the Shami tree, Ashtadal (Eight petals) are drawn on the ground, an Idol of the Deity Aparajita is placed on it and worshipped by chanting the following mantra :

हारेण तु विचित्रेण भास्वत्कनकमेखला ।

अपराजिता भद्ररता करोतु विजयं मम ।।

Meaning : O’ Deity Aparajita ! You adorn a necklace, a glittering golden girdle and bless devotees earnestly. Bestow victory upon me !

In some places, Aparajitapujan is also performed before leaving for the ritual of crossing the boundary.

4. Shastrapujan

On this day, soldiers and the princes clean their weapons, arrange them in a row and worship them. Farmers and artisans too worship their respective implements or instruments. Some also perform this ritual on the ninth day of Navaratri.

The royal way of celebration

Since Dussehra is a festival of triumph over adharma (Unrighteousness), special rituals have been recommended for the nobles and kings. This is a festival which signifies victory and valour. Before Arjun went into hiding, he placed all his weapons in the hollow of a Shami tree.

On this day when the Kourav army was herding away King Virat’s cattle, Arjun pulled out his weapons from the Shami tree and confronted and defeated them.

It is believed that Prabhu Shriram slayed Ravan and emerged victorious on this day. To signify these events, this day is called Vijayadashami.

Importance of celebrating Vijayadashami

1. Vijayadashami teaches us to think about others : Vijayadashami is the festival of the Devi (Goddess). On Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, Shakti (Divine Energy) is invoked and is worshipped for 9 days.

On the 10^th day, a Shami tree is worshipped for peace. To maintain peace everywhere, displaying weapons, armour, military, etc. is done; and if there is some enemy around at this time, one must march to annihilate the enemy. After this, gold should be distributed.

2. Vijayadashami is being celebrated since the Tretayug : Prabhu Shriram’s ancestor, King Raghu of Ayodhya, performed the Vishwajit Yajna. 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 this requirement. Deity Kuber showered gold coins on the Apta (Mountain Ebony) and Shami (Indian Mesquite) trees. King Raghu accepted only fourteen 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. Saraswatidevi is in unmanifest form on this day : Saraswatitattva (Deity Saraswati Principle) is in unmanifest seed form due to the creation of excess of sagun-bhav (Expressed spiritual emotion). Hence, on this day, Saraswatidevi is worshipped in Her active form.

4. Elimination of the Tama component and distressing energy on this day : Scriptures say that when the Goddess Principle is active, the process of elimination of the Tama component and distressing energy takes place at the sagun level; and when the Vishnu Principle is active, this takes place at the nirgun level.

On Vijayadashami, the tarak (Saviour) Goddess Principle is active alongwith the Vishnu Principle. With these Principles working together, besides the elimination of the Tama component and distressing energy, Priti (Love without expectations) 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 the Goddess and Shri Vishnu spread in the Universe. This helps in activating the process of Creation and results in good crop, prosperity, etc. Shri Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth, the consort of Shri Vishnu) works with Him to perform the task of Sustenance. Hence, Shri Vishnu takes the help of Shri Lakshmi in every Incarnation and both take human forms at the same time.

5. Shriram Principle & Hanuman Principle and Vijayadashami that generates kshatrabhav : On Vijayadashami, tarak (Saviour) waves of Shriram Principle and marak (Destroyer) waves of 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 created and the blessings of Shriram are obtained.

On Vijayadashami, red (Shakti-form) and reddish brown (Waves of blessings generated due to the 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 him and helps nurture kshatrabhav.

Saraswatidevi’s tarak form should be worshipped on Gudhipadwa, and Mahasaraswatidevi’s marak form should be worshipped on Vijayadashmi

Saraswatidevi should be worshipped on Gudhipadwa and Dussehra. On Gudhipadwa, Saraswatidevi’s waves of taraktattva are active in the Universe; on Dussehra, Mahasaraswatidevi’s waves of maraktattva are active in the Universe.

Saraswatidevi gives direction to kriyashakti (Energy of action); hence, at the beginning of the Year, She is invoked and worshipped so that She blesses us for the entire year. Saraswatidevi’s worship activates the individual’s Brahmatej (Radiance of a Brahman). Every action performed on the strength of Brahmatej is conducive for the individual’s spiritual progress. Worshipping Saraswatidevi on Gudhipadwa activates the Shaktitattva in the waves related to Brahmatattva that are active in the Universe, and they work for the individual. The individual’s mind becomes pure and sattvik as it comes in contact with these waves, and its Shaktitattva helps make the intellect sattvik. This makes it possible for the individual to combine good thoughts with good actions.

The individual’s Kshatratej (Radiance of a warrior) is activated by worshipping Saraswatidevi’s maraktattva on Dussehra.

The sole objective of any form of spiritual practice is to bring about non-duality between the seeker, his spiritual practice and his spiritual goal, meaning, merging of the seeker with God. From this perspective, to inculcate a habit of seeing God even in the various modes of spiritual practice, some Holy festivals are celebrated.

(Read Sanatan Sanstha’s Text – ‘Appropriate method and science in celebrating Holy festivals’ – and develop faith in Dharma so as to obtain maximum benefits !)

By remembering Shriram and Hanuman on Vijayadashami, dasyabhakti is created and blessings of Shriram are obtained !