Why is Dusshera celebrated?
Most of us celebrate Dusshera but do you know why is Dussehra celebrated? In the Indian sub-continent, Dussehra is one of the most celebrated festivals and is also known by various names such as Dussehra, Dasara, Dashain, Vijay Dashmi, etc. We celebrate this massive festival. This is a festival to celebrate the victory of good over evil and to instill this goodness in our character. Truth always comes out victorious. The celebration of Dussehra is celebrated with plays and theaters based on Ram-Leela. The Ram-Leela ends on the day of Dussehra with the burning of Ravan effigy. Ravan is the symbol of evilness. We need to burn the Ravan within us and walk on the path of Lord Ram. Lord Ram is the Purushottam, which means the ‘Supreme Soul’ or the ‘excellent soul.’
Dussehra Katha: the Dussehra history – Introduction
During Treta Yug, Lord Ram (incarnation of Lord Vishnu) was born as the son of Raghu Vanshi King Dashrath of Ayodhya and Queen Kaushalya. He was a mighty King and was known as Atirathi, which means one who can fight and win 12 Rathis (Chariot-fighters) at once. In his previous birth, he was a Vishnu Bhakt. During Swayambhu Manyavantar, Prajapati Sutap (Manu) and his wife Prashni (Shatrupa) performed Vishnu Tap to please Lord Vishnu. Lord pleased with their Tap, asked them their wish. The couple expressed their desire to see him as their own child. Lord said Tathastu (will happen as per your wish), I will take birth as your son in Raghukul.
Dussehra Katha: the Dussehra history – Kosaladheesh Dashath and his happy family!
King Dashrath had three Queens, Kaushalya, Kekayi, and Sumitra. But, they were childless. On performing Yagya, King Dashrath was blessed with a bowl of Payasam. He distributed it among her queens. Later on, Kaushalya gave birth to Ram, Kekayi to Bharat, and Sumitra to Lakshman and Shatrughan. Ram was the most loved among his family members. Also, Ram was Mata Kekayi’s piece of heart. After Gurukul, Lord Ram married Goddess Sita, the princess of Mithila. Goddess Sita was the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth and prosperity). Along with Lord Ram, his three brothers were also married to their respective wives, who were the sisters of Goddess Sita.
Dussehra Katha: the Dussehra history – Manthra Poisoned Kekayi
After marriage, they all returned to Ayodhya, where the coronation of Lord Ram as King of Ayodhya was planned. But it was an injustice for the King of Kakeya, the father of Kekayi. It is because, during the marriage of King Dashrath and Princess Kekayi, King Dashrath had promised King of Kekaya that the son of Kekayi would be the king of Ayodhaya. And now that promise was being broken. Even Kekayi was poisoned against this coronation by her friend-cum-maid Manthara. Son of Kekayi, Bharat was Manthara’s favorite child, but Kekayi loved Ram the most. Still, Manthara succeeded in poisoning her mind against Ram by making her insecure about the future of her son Bharat. And, reminded her of two boons which King Dashrath had given her for her support during the war against Sambasur.
Dussehra Katha: the Dussehra story – Kekayi’s boon and exile for Ram
Insecure Kekayi asked Manthara if she has any solution? Manthara told her to ask those two boons from Kosaladheesh Dashrath. First, the crown for Bharat and second, fourteen years of exile for Ram. Initially, Kekayi was shocked by this advice and went angry. But, Manthara kept making her insecure. Confused and insecure, Kekayi asked Rishi Vashishth about these. He advised her to go ahead with her boons otherwise in son-love, and to abide rules, King Dashrath may break his promise of making your son the king of Kosal. And, this may be against the practice of Raghukul. Rishi Vashishth was there to clear the path for celestial plans. After all, Lord Ram was born on the earth to fulfill his actions and duties. Kekayi asked the throne for Bharat and fourteen years of exile for her beloved Ram.
Dussehra Katha: the Dussehra story – Ram, Sita and Lakshman in Exile
King Dashrath was angry and heartbroken on listening to the wishes of the Queen Kekayi. Also, helpless when he was reminded of his promise to King Kekaya, the father of Kekayi. When Ram came to know his father’s condition and Mata Kekayi’s wish, he agreed to go for exile. Ram had no hard feelings for her father, mother, or brother Bharat. He loved them all, so did they. When Lord Ram decided to leave for the jungle, Goddess Sita desired to accompany him since it was also her Patni-Dharm (supreme duty of a wife). Lord Ram told her about all the difficulties she could face in the jungle, but she was not ready to listen to any of his suggestions. Finally, Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and Lakshman all left for the exile.
Dussehra Katha: Why is Dusshera celebrated? – Sita Haran
In the last year of exile, they were residing in the jungles of current day Nasik. Ravan, the king of Lanka came where they lived, in the disguise of a Saint. And, he abducted Goddess Sita and took her to Lanka in the Pushpak Vimaan that he had snatched from God Indra. This was not the first heinous sin he had committed! People around his kingdom and where not, were scared of him and were suffering from his torture. He was one of the most knowledgeable but evil and full of conceit.
Dussehra Katha: the Dusshera story – In search of Sita
When Lord Ram and Lakshman returned to their Kutir (hut), they couldn’t find Sita. They started searching for her. Some of her jewellery fall on the earth that shown her direction. While Ravan was taking her Lanka, Jatayu the divine bird had a fight with Ravan to save her. But, Ravan chopped the wings of Jatayu and from high skies, Jatayu fell on the ground that made fatal injuries. While searching for Mata Sita when Lord Ram met Jatayu he told him the whole story and died. Lord Ram performed his last rites.
Dussehra Katha: the Dusshera story – Sunder Kand
Lord Hanuman went to Lanka in search of Mata Sita and found her sitting in the Ashok Vatika of Ravan. He threw Lord Ram’s ring over her. She picked it up and recognized it. Then, Lord Hanuman said “Mata, Prabhu (Lord Ram) has given me this ring. Soon, he will come and will take you. If you will also give me any of your belonging that I can give him then he will be sure that I met you. Mata gave him her Chudamani (hair jewellery) and said “tell him that if he won’t come with ten days then I will burn myself to death”. Lord Hanuman assured her and flew back to Lord Ram.
Dussehra Katha: Why is Dusshera celebrated?
Lord Ram came to Lanka with his friends and monkey army. His army had great warriors including him, Lakshman, Hanuman, Sugriv, Angad, etc. They fought with the Lankan army with the utmost strength and courage. And finally, on Ashwin Shukla Dashmi, Lord Ram killed Ravan for his sins and established Dharm (supreme duty). When a society or even an individual fails to fight the evil within or outside, they perish. This war was a Dharm Yuddh, that was fought for the establishment of righteousness among and within the people. Hopefully, you understood why is Dusshera celebrated?
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