The fact that every year people burn effigies of the ten-headed demon points to the subtle truth that he still exists in our conscience and the evil continues to grow, says Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj Ji

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated in various forms across the world. It has a deep spiritual significance as it marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasur. On this day, people also burn effigies of Ravana, who, according to Hindu mythology, was the demon king of Lanka. The myth goes that Ravana had abducted Sita, the consort of Lord Rama. Supported by an army of monkeys, Rama defeated Ravana and rescued Sita. The killing of Ravana by Rama is hence celebrated.

Dussehra stands for dus (ten) + hara (conquer). Ravana is known to be a demon with ten heads to symbolise the conquest of ten vices, of which five are in men and five in women. The five vices are — lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego. And the word Vijayadashmi means the tenth (dashmi) day of victory (vijaya) of Rama over Ravana, which is symbolic of the victory of virtue over vices by men and women who follow the path of self-purification to  attain spiritual perfection.

It is celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Ashwin according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar which corresponds to September or October of the Gregorian calendar. The first nine days are celebrated as Maha Navratri or Sharada Navratri and culminates on the tenth day as Dussehra.

Ravana represents all that is evil and Rama symbolises everything that is good. Usually, people burn the effigy of a person whose actions they dislike. The fact that every year people burn larger and larger effigies of Ravana points to the subtle truth that he is still alive and the evil continues to grow in the present times.

Today, many people celebrate this festival without knowing its true significance. With the increasing stress in our society, festivals have become an escape route for people to forget their worries and dance for 10 days without paying attention to its importance.

So how does one celebrate this festival in its true spirit? One must understand that we would be able to celebrate it only when all the human beings become pure, that is, when the vices of lust, anger and greed are completely eliminated from human minds so that Ravana, symbolic of evil, is defeated forever. Until and unless we don’t understand this, it would be just a 10-day merry-making carnival without any effective purpose.

True knowledge imparted by almighty dispels all spiritual ignorance. He says that like Sita, all human souls have been enslaved by Ravana, that is, by the five vices today. Therefore, this world is like a kingdom of Ravana where evil activities prevail despite the religious teachings. But in the present times, there is Rama too who rescues the souls from the clutches of vices and  gives spiritual wisdom and power. He guides them to become pure and defeat the vices.

So, we must make efforts to burn the Ravana that’s lurking deep inside our minds and conscience. The easiest way to do it is through Rajyoga. It connects us with the Supreme and help us to regain self sovereignty, that is, control over our mind and senses and thus, conquer the Ravana within.

So, this year, burn the Ravana within you so that the evil can never raise its head again. It is yet another chance to uproot the devil for good.