Dussehra Special: The blazing effigy of your lower self : Divya Guru Shri Ashutosh Mahara

 

New Delhi News : ‘Vices vanquished. Truth triumphed.’ These few words can summarise the significance of the grand Indianfestival of Vijayadasmi, also known as Dussehra. A mammoth effigy of the demon Ravana of Treta Yuga is set ablaze every year in a vast space to commemorate this event, which celebrates the enormous feat of Lord Rama and His devout military as well as the embarrassing defeat of Ravana and his fellow demons.

As the spectators watch the gargantuan statue of Ravana in flames, they cheer, chant, and sing the praises of the Supreme, who had incarnated in the form of Lord Rama to rid the world of Ravana's torment. However, an issue arises here. Why does one rejoice when Rama, who was God Himself, defeated Ravana?God is Omnipotent. He can end the reign of evil in such a micro span of time that cannot be tracked even by the most precise computers of this world. Then, why should one deem this as a spectacular event?

 

The reason why certain people want to honour the omnipotent Lord Rama for conquering Ravana is thatsomewhere within, they know how ‘potent’ evil really is. The view of evil collapsing before the eyes is thedream of every good soul on this globe. And as such, there is a subtle realization that it is only the power of God, not the ability of man, that can protect them and put a stop to the treacherous condition of the world. Today also, through cheers, chants, and devotional songs, knowingly or unknowingly, spectators' hearts invoke Lord Rama to come and stop the perpetuation of crime, abuse, and malice that stems from the misguided mind.

The effigy of Ravana is symbolic of the selfish and, very often, demoniac nature of man. And it is the target of God's wrath, as it is the one that has captured and imprisoned one's Sita-like virtuous soul (Sita: Lord Rama's wife). Until and unless the soul is liberated from the clutches of demoniac vices, man cannot function as he was created to. His entire life will be squandered in self-aggrandizement- as that of Ravana's. And this mindset becomes an epidemic, infecting the society as a whole. That's why, we see such a significant rise in world-threatening advances by many groups and societies. Malice and immorality are being passed on from one generation to the next and gradually trickling over to even the peace-loving societies. It appears as if evil is more prevalent than good.

With the influence of potent good souls treading the path of self-realization, the disciples of a Perfect Master, an increasing number of people become good. It was the purity of Hanuman, Laxman, Vibhishana, and Sugreev, just to name a few, that brought Lord Rama's mission to a successful outcome. Victory over Ravana was achieved because each member of Lord Rama's army was imbued with divine love, self-sacrifice, and purity. Each member, through patience and regular contemplation, was able to conquer his inner Ravana with spiritually ignited bow and arrow. They were then equipped from within to conquer what was outside. Had mankind sought to liberate its soul, it would have reached a state of continuous contact with the omnipresent divine, resulting in a potent force of goodness against its evil components.

Therefore, when a spiritual aspirant beholds the burning effigy of Ravana on Vijayadasmi, he should contemplate not on Ravana's defeat per se but on negative tendencies within, whose vibrations impact the basic moral and spiritual fabric of this earth, creating kinks and wrinkles. Any negative thought arising even in a so-called good person emits forces into the environment that eventually contribute to the world's overall depravity. Let a disciple then contemplate on the inner self and analyse what he has to burn from within. Let himhave pity on that Sita-like Atman (soul) that lies in the clutches ofthe Mind and Maya.

Once he learns the dire need of first attuning himself to the Absolute through steadfast and proper use of the boon of spiritual knowledge -represented by Lord Rama's bow and arrow- an aspirant can then celebrate Vijayadasmi and truly rejoice. Having known the exact meaning of it and having experienced the burning of negativities from within, the spectator/devotee will praise that Lord who works wonders inside the heart of all His seekers.

An incarnate Satguru ignites the fire of Divine Knowledge and burns to ashes man's vices. He did it in Treta Yuga (Silver Age) and He can do it now too. As a disciple, you not only become an observer of this grand feat on the designated day of Vijayadasmi but also observe each day, through the process of divine contemplation, how the inner Ravana is disintegrating before yourveryDivine Eye.