Nirav Da

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) is celebrated on the 10th day of the bright half of Ashwin month, right after Navratri. It marks the victory of good over evil, and different regions tell that victory through different stories: 1. Ram’s victory over Ravana (North and Central India) Shri Ram defeated Ravana on this day and rescued Sita. This is why Ram Leela is staged during Navratri and effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad are burnt on Dussehra. Ravana stands for ego and adharma. 2. Durga’s victory over Mahishasura (Bengal, Odisha, Assam, parts of South India) Goddess Durga fought the buffalo-demon Mahishasura for nine days and killed him on the tenth. That is why the nine nights are Navratri and the tenth day is Vijaya Dashami, “the tenth day of victory.” In Bengal, Durga idols are immersed on this day. 3. The Pandavas and the Shami tree (Maharashtra and the Deccan) The Pandavas took back the weapons they had hidden in a Shami tree at the end of their Agyatvas. This is the root of Shastra Puja (worship of weapons and tools) and of exchanging Apta/Shami leaves as “sona” in Maharashtra. 4. A day for new beginnings Vijayadashami is one of the sade-teen muhurta (three and a half most auspicious days), so people traditionally start new ventures, buy gold, vehicles or homes, and begin children’s education (Vidyarambham in Kerala and Karnataka). Historical and cultural angle Kings traditionally began military campaigns (Seemollanghan, crossing the border) after the monsoon on this day. The Marathas followed this practice. Mysuru Dasara is a state festival in Karnataka, started by the Wodeyars, inspired by Vijayanagara traditions. Kullu Dussehra (Himachal) begins on Vijayadashami and continues for a week, with deities brought in from surrounding villages. Bastar Dussehra (Chhattisgarh) runs about 75 days and is centred on the tribal goddess Danteshwari, not Ram. It’s a good example of how tribal and folk traditions reinterpret pan-Indian festivals, which is a useful Sociology point (Great and Little Traditions, Robert Redfield / McKim Marriott’s universalisation and parochialisation). On Vijayadashami 1956, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in Nagpur with lakhs of followers, so the day is also observed as Dhammachakra Pravartan Din. The common thread across all these traditions is that righteousness wins after struggle, patience and self-discipline. -Nirav Da

*🏹 Happy Dussehra! 🔥 There is a folk retelling of the Ramayana in which Ravana lies dying on the battlefield and Shri Ram tells Lakshmana, *“Go and learn from him. A great scholar is leaving this world.”* Lakshmana goes and stands near Ravana’s head. Ravana says nothing. Ram smiles and says, “When you want to learn, you don’t stand at the teacher’s head. You sit at his feet.” Lakshmana sits at Ravana’s feet, and Ravana gives him his last lessons: 1. Don’t delay good work, and do delay the bad. 2. Never underestimate your opponent. 3. Guard your weaknesses and secrets. 📚 The learning for us: Ravana had knowledge, power and Vedic scholarship, but no humility, and that made him fall. *Lakshmana learnt the moment he chose humility.* In our UPSC/MPSC journey, knowledge gets you to the exam hall, but attitude gets you to the service. Burn the Ravana of ego, laziness and procrastination this Dussehra. 🔥 Wishing you and your family a victorious Vijayadashami! 🙏 — Nirav Da