Photo by Indianexpress
The Significance of Dussehra and Invocation of Goddess Durga
Dussehra (Dasara) stands as a significant festival celebrated with immense joy across the entire nation. This year, the festivities are scheduled for October 15, 2023. The festival commemorates the moment when Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana sought the blessings of Mother Durga before embarking on their battle against the demon Ravana.
It holds paramount importance that Lord Rama invoked the divine mother, Goddess Durga, prior to engaging in battle. The ritual of burning effigies of Ravana, symbolizes a call for people to burn the metaphorical evil within themselves. It encourages the pursuit of virtue and goodness, reminiscent of the fate of Ravana, who, despite his might and majesty, met his demise due to his malevolent ways.
Despite Ravana’s scholarly prowess and deep devotion to Lord Shiva, the powers bestowed upon him for his steadfast dedication led to his downfall, owing to his misuse of these powers. Even though empowered by austerities performed for Lord Shiva, his abilities proved ineffective against the might of Lord Rama.
Understanding Durga’s Power: Insights from Srila Prabhupada’s Lecture on Material Nature
In a lecture, Srila Prabhupada elucidates the concept of Durga’s power:
“Srsti-sthiti-pralaya-sadhana-saktir eka chayeva yasya bhuvanani bibharti durga [BS. 5.44].”
Durga, depicted with ten hands and various weapons, symbolizes the material nature controlling the entire universe in ten directions. These directions encompass north, south, east, west, and the four corners, along with the vertical dimensions. The material nature, Durga, functions as a shadow, moving in accordance with the original body. This vast power can create and destroy, operating under the direction of a higher authority—Govinda, as stated in the Bhagavad-gita.
Srila Prabhupada emphasizes that Krishna’s power, represented by Durga, is sufficient for overcoming demons without Krishna physically intervening. Durga’s image, where she overpowers the demon with only two hands engaged, signifies that attempting to defy the control of material nature is futile. In the words of Srila Prabhupada, “Daivi hy esa gunamayi mama maya duratyaya [Bg. 7.14]”: The material nature’s control is insurmountable.
In summary, Dussehra serves as a reminder to seek divine blessings, purify oneself, and follow the path of righteousness, reflecting on the timeless lessons derived from the tale of Lord Rama and the powerful symbolism embedded in the worship of Goddess Durga.
Some useful links further
Aarav Patel, a distinguished Hindi news blogger in his late 30s, has made a significant impact in the world of digital journalism. Born and raised in India, Aarav has a deep understanding of the socio-political landscape of the country. His blog posts, known for their insightful analysis and engaging narrative, have garnered a substantial following.