Navaratri (nava-nine, ratri-night) and Dussehra (dus-ten, hara-annihilation) are festivals celebrated over a period of ten days. The first nine days constitute the Navaratri festival. The tenth day is called Dussehra, marking the triumph of Lord Rama, seventh Avatar of Vishnu, over the demon king Ravana, who abducted Lord Rama’s consort, Mother Sita. Since this Vijaya (victory) happened on Dashami (10th Lunar day of the Hindu calendar month), hence also known as Vijayadashami. Ravana believed to have ten heads; they were annihilated by Lord Rama on this very day, hence the word Dussehra. “Dussehra” and “Vijayadashami” literally mean “Removal of Ten”.

Navaratri is associated with darkness of nine nights. What is this darkness? It is the darkness of ignorance. The purpose of the Navaratri celebration is to enable man to get rid of various types of darkness’s which have taken hold of him. When a reference is made to Devi (Goddess) it signifies the unified form of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati; three together represent Para-Shakti (Divine Power).

Prakriti (Nature) is made up of the three Gunas (qualities): Tamasic (darkness, ignorance & dullness), Rajasic (passion, attachment & dynamism) and Sattvic (purity, balance & knowledge). Durga represents the Tamasic Guna, Lakshmi represents the Rajasic Guna and Saraswati represents the Sattvic Guna. To get control over Prakriti, man has been offering worship to Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. These are the sacred symbols of the three qualities inherent in nature and in all of us. The Navaratri celebration is an occasion for revering Nature and considering how natural resources can be used properly in the best interests of mankind. Resources like water, air, power and minerals should be used properly and not misused or wasted. Economy in the use of every natural resource is vital.

Navaratri is celebrated in honour of the victory that the Para-Shakti (innate energy in Microcosm & Macrocosm) achieved over the Asuras (Demon-evil forces). It is the festival to commemorate the victory of good over evil. Para-Shakti in its various manifestations, Tamasic as Mahakali, Rajasic as Mahalakshmi and Sattvic as Mahasaraswati, was able to overcome the forces of vice, wickedness and egoism, during the nine days’ struggle and finally, on Vijaya Dashami Day (the 10th day commemorating Victory), the Valedictory Worship is done. In these ten days (nine nights) we adore and worship the three forms of the mother namely, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.

Durga is in the form of energy Sakti Swaroopini (all-encompassing energy: physical, mental & spiritual). Lakshmi endows us with Aishwarya (prosperity); and Saraswati gives us Prajña (wisdom, power of pure discrimination & speech). Our physical mother is truly an embodiment of these three aspects Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. She confers on us all types of energy and power. She provides us with all manner of wealth and helps us grow and prosper. She also aspires for her children to earn fame and name through their education. All these three Divine principles come and merge in our own mother. Navaratri festival is intended to make us realise the importance of the mother, to love our mother and to go on the path that will please our mother. On the other hand, people buy some flowers and offer worship to the idols of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, ignoring the Divine aspects of their own mother. Mother who has given birth to you is the very embodiment of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.

After Navratri, the tenth is Vijayadashami/Dussehra. It is the festival that celebrates the victory of the forces of the good over the foes that resist the progress of man towards light. These festivals have a higher purpose; that needed to imbibe the inner meaning and use each day as a progressive step in Sadhana (spiritual practice), as a reminder of the journey, which each person has to undertake alone to the feet of the Lord. The forces of Devas (Gods) are combating with the forces of Asuras (Demons) in every living beings and if they only rely on Mahashakti (Divine Force) that fosters and fends the universe, they can easily win and reach the goal.

Symbolism of Ravana

Ravana is depicted as the king of Asuras with ten heads. Who is this Ravana? what are his ten heads? Asuras (Demons) do not mean demonic beings. The bad qualities in human beings are the Demons. Kama (Lust), Krodha (Anger), Moha (Delusion), Lobha (Greed), Mada (Pride), Maatsarya (Envy), Manas (Mind), Buddhi (Intellect), Chitta (Will) and Ahamkara (Ego) – these ten constitute the ten heads. Ravana is one who has these ten qualities. One can introspect impartially by ‘Looking Within’ himself and decide whether he is Rama or Ravana according to his innate qualities.

Symbolism of Rama

Lord Rama is the embodiment of compassion, gentleness, kindness, righteousness, and integrity. He is the upholder of Dharma (righteousness). If evoked He would destroy all bad qualities in human beings.

Rama vs Ravana

Ravana was one who was endowed with all wealth and prosperity. He lacked nothing in terms of comforts and luxuries. He had mastered the 64 categories of knowledge. His capital, Lanka, rivalled Swarga (heaven) itself in its grandeur. Instead of showing regard for Ravana, Valmiki extolled Rama, who gave up the kingdom, donned the robes of an ascetic and lived a simple life in the forest. What is the reason? It was because Rama was the very embodiment of Dharma (Righteousness). His all actions stemmed from Dharma. Every word he spoke was Truth. Every step he trod was based on Dharma. Hence, Rama has been described as the very image of Dharma

Teachings from Dying Ravana to Lakshmana

When Ravana lay dying, Rama directed Lakshmana to learn from Ravana the secrets of successful statecraft. Ravana taught him that a king who is eager to win glory must suppress greed as soon as it lifts its head and welcome the smallest chance to do good to others, without the slightest procrastination. He (Ravana) had learnt the lesson through bitter experience. Greed arises from attachment to the senses and catering to them. Put them in their proper place; they are windows for knowledge, not channels of contamination

Purpose of Worship

Purpose of Worship is to attain Liberation from the cycle of Birth & Death by going beyond all Gunas (Tamas, Rajas and Sattva). This requires constant practise living with the guiding principles of Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Right Conduct), Shanti (Peace), Prema (Love) and Ahimsa (Non-Violence). Never give into any one of them i.e., Tamas, Rajas and Sattva qualities.

– Ravinder Grover (Ref: Divine Discourses of Sri Sathya Sai Baba), is Auckland based freelance writer and astrologer.