Dussehra (Dassera) is one of the significant Hindu festivals,
celebrated with much joy in the entire country. The occasion marks
the occassion of Lord Rama and brother Lakshman approaching Mother
Durga to ask her for her blessings in His planned attack on the
demon Ravana. It is therefore considered that the Supreme
Personality of Godhead's approaching her for blessings to remove
material impediments to His spiritual goals should be the approach
of the humble devotee of the Lord to clinche the important triumph
of Lord Rama over the demon king, Ravana, the victory of good over
evil.
Brilliantly decorated tableaux and processions depicting various
facets of Rama's life are taken out. On the tenth day, the
Vijayadasmi day, colossal effigies of Ravana, his brother
Kumbhkarna and son Meghnath are placed in vast open spaces. Rama,
accompanied by his consort Sita and his brother Lakshman, arrive
and shoot arrows of fire at these effigies, which are stuffed with
explosive material. The result is a deafening blast, enhanced by
the shouts of merriment and triumph from the spectators.
It is significant that the Lord invoked the blessings of the divine
mother, Goddess Durga, before actually going out to battle. In
burning the effigies of the demon Ravan who was slain by Lord Rama
it is also symbolic for us that we, the people are asked to burn
the evil within them, and thus follow the path of virtue and
goodness, bearing in mind the instance of Ravana, who despite all
his might and majesty was destroyed for his evil ways.
It must be remembered that Ravana was a great scholar and an ardent
devotee of Lord Shiva, but the very powers that were bestowed on
him for his steadfast devotion proved to be his undoing, due to his
gross misuse of the same. Furthermore although empowered by his
austerities performed to Lord Shiva, his powers were ineffective
over the powers of Rama.
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