The Day After – The Triumph of Goodness
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Vijayadashami: The Triumph of Light
The sacred journey of Navaratri culminates in the magnificent, day-long festival of Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra. Falling on the tenth lunar day, its name itself proclaims victory: Vijaya (victory) Dashami (the tenth). This is not merely an end, but a glorious beginning—the day the seeds of spiritual practice sown over nine nights bear their divine fruit, empowering us to conquer all inner and outer darkness.
The Dual Victory: Cosmic and Personal
Vijayadashami celebrates two supreme victories that are, in essence, one: the triumph of consciousness over ignorance.
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The Victory of Rama: This day marks Lord Rama’s triumphant conquest over the ten-headed demon king Ravana. Ravana represents the ten negative tendencies (Lust, Anger, Greed, Delusion, etc.) that rule the human mind. Rama, the embodiment of Dharma (righteousness) and pure consciousness, slays them, restoring order and truth. The burning of Ravana’s effigy (Ravana Dahan) is a powerful ritual of our own commitment to burning these inner demons.
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The Victory of Durga: Simultaneously, Vijayadashami celebrates Goddess Durga’s victory over the shape-shifting buffalo demon Mahishasura, who represents the unyielding, powerful ego that disguises itself in myriad forms. Her victory, achieved on the tenth day, symbolizes the final dissolution of the individual ego into the universal consciousness. The immersion (Visarjan) of her idol signifies the return of the manifest Divine to the unmanifest source, reminding us of the cycle of creation and dissolution.
The Deeper Symbolism: From Penance to Power
Navaratri is the penance; Vijayadashami is the power it grants. The nine days represent the spiritual battle; the tenth day is the victorious sovereignty that follows.
This is why Vijayadashami is traditionally the day to:
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Begin New Ventures: It is considered the most auspicious day to start a new business, launch a project, or begin learning a new skill. The victorious energy of the day ensures success.
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Worship Tools & Instruments (Ayudha Puja): Students honor their books, artists their brushes, warriors their weapons, and workers their tools. This ritual acknowledges the goddess as the divine power (Shakti) within every instrument of action and knowledge. It sanctifies our work as worship.
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Seek Blessings of the Elderly & Teachers: The day emphasizes respect for the sources of wisdom in our lives, seeking their blessings to carry the victory forward.
The Ultimate Lesson: The Victory Within
The true celebration of Vijayadashami is internal. It asks us:
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Have the nine nights of introspection illuminated your inner Ravana—the vices that hold you back?
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Has the devotion to the Goddess given you the strength to face your own Mahishasura—the stubborn ego?
The victory is not just in the burning effigy, but in the courage to light the match. It is not just in the Goddess’s triumph, but in inviting that invincible power to reside within your own heart.
A Concluding Mantra for the Journey’s End & Beginning
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥Yaa Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shakti-Ruupenna Samsthita |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||“To that Goddess who resides in all beings in the form of Shakti (Power),
Salutations to Her, salutations to Her, salutations to Her, again and again.”
As the echoes of celebration fade, let the silence that follows be filled with the enduring resonance of victory. The light kindled during Navaratri is not meant to be extinguished but carried forward. May the courage of Rama and the grace of Durga walk with you. May every day be a Vijayadashami—a day where you choose light over darkness, truth over illusion, and love over fear.
May your life be a continuous celebration of the victory of the Divine within you.
शुभ विजयादशमी! (Shubh Vijayadashami!)
The Navaratri series concludes with heartfelt gratitude to the Divine Mother and to all who journeyed through these days of devotion. May the blessings be eternal.
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