VijayaDashmi : Dassera : Significance

[Guest guest]

* VIJAYADASHAMI : The Victory of righteousness*

 

This is among the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar and comes as

the finale of the nine-day festival, Navaraatri. this festival of victory is

preceded by worship of Saraswati the Goddess of Learning and of Durgaa the

Goddess of Strength. Grand processions of all Gods and goddesses are taken

out in every town and village on this day, signifying the victory of the

forces of righteousness over those of wickedness. Various have been the

names of the Goddess of Strength - Durgaa, Mahaa Kaali, Mahishasura Mardini

etc., under which that supreme protectress of the good and the holy put to

rout, time and again, the demoniac forces and established the supremacy of

the righteous.

 

Vijaya Dashami is resplendent with many an inspiring episode reflecting the

victorious culmination of deeds of valour of our illustrious ancestors. The

tradition in southern parts depicts Sri Rama's triumphant return to Ayodhya

after fourteen years of banishment entailing endless hardships, dangers and

mental anguish like separation from Sita and finally the slaying of Raavana,

as coinciding with this day. Symbolic of the victorious occasion,

Raama-Leela is observed with great enthusiasm and eclat in the northern

parts.

 

Shree Raama, it is said, worshipped Shami tree before proceeding to

Ayodhya. On the same day, the Paandavas too, took out their arms hidden in

the Shami tree and revealed their identity after their one year of

Ajnaatavaasa (living incognito) after twelve years of exile to a forest.

That marked their preparation for the victorious war of Kurukshetra.

Invoking these inspiring memories the Shami is worshipped on this day and

the holy leaves are distributed by one another as an auspicious omen for the

coming year. The following couplet is repeated on the occasion:

 

Shamee shamayate paapam shamee shatruvinaashinee|

Arjunasya dhanurdhaaree Raamasya priyadarshinee||

 

(Shami, the remover of all sins, the destroyer of all enemies bore witness

to Arjuna taking his bow and Shree Raama coming back to his near and dear

ones.)

 

 

Vijaya Dashami is preceded by the Aayudha Pooja on the Mahaanavami day,

when not only the weapons are worshipped by the warriors, but the

blacksmith, the potter, the carpenter, the tailor, the mason, the typist,

the musician, the artist and every type of technical worker - worships his

instruments and tools. Buses, trucks and huge machines in factories are all

decorated and worshipped It is the Vishwakarma Divas -

 

Source: http://www.gsbworld.com/festivals/navratri.html

 

--

devishakti_india

( divyabhakti )

( http://spiritualhinduism.blogspot.com )