Author: Mandakini Hiremath, Special
Columnist
Publication: The Times and Democrat
Date: September 24, 2003
URL: http://www.thetandd.com/articles/2003/09/24/news/news5.txt
Dashera is one of the most widely
observed festivals in India and around the world, for its history, mythology,
individual perception, and geographical community philosophy. It is a season
full of communal festivities. This festival marks the victory of good over
evil and brings glowing happiness and a touch of sparkle all around by
upholding the true values of life and acknowledging that ultimately good
prevails over evil.
Dashera, a 10-day festival, begins
the day after the new moon in the month of Asvin (mid-September through
mid-October). Navaratri means (nava means ''nine'' and ratri means ''night'')
nine nights. Rama worships Durga, goddess of divine energy and success,
as he fights a fierce battle for nine days with Ravana, the demon king,
to free Sita, who was deceitfully abducted by the demon king out of devilish
lust and greed. Ravana was slain on the 10th day. (Rama introduced the
present day Durga puja, worship. The worship of God in the aspect of Divine
Mother has its origin in the matriarchal society of ancient times. Even
though, with the progress of civilization, it was replaced by the patriarchal
system, with the father recognized as head of the family unit and the establishment
of the fatherhood of God, mother worship continued to persist, since this
concept was psychologically more appealing to the devotee, the mother being
the nearest in filial affection to the child. Subsequently, a synthetic
harmony between motherhood and fatherhood was developed in the Hindu religion.
People worship Uma and Maheshwar, Lakshmi and Narayan, Sita and Ram, Radha
and Krishna, etc., together. The Divine Mother is worshiped for strength,
for she is manifested as a creative aspect of the Absolute and symbolized
as a cosmic Energy.)
Another legend associated with Dashera
concerns the existence of the goddess Durga and her beheading a very powerful
demon, Mahishasura (one who could assume the shape of a buffalo). Hence,
in many parts of India, the story of Rama (Ramayana) is enacted as Ramlila
for a month prior to Dashera, and an effigy of Ravana is burned on the
tenth (Dashera) day. Throughout these days oil lamps are burned. It is
believed that Durga, along with her four children, visits earth during
this ten-day period. Clay or papier-mâché images of Durga
slaying the demon Mahishasura while riding a lion are decorated with silk
saris and jewels for public display and worship. On the tenth day, the
images are immersed in a river, symbolizing the return of Durga and her
children to Lord Shiva, her husband.
God, as Divine Mother, manifests
in three main forms: Durga or Kali, Lakshmi, and Saraswati; the symbolic
forms, respectively, are darkness or night, dawn-golden early morning and
sunrise. The understanding is Divine Mother, as Kali or Durga, destroys
the darkness within us and guides us to the next manifestation, Lakshmi,
for prosperity and success, and then ultimately to Saraswati, for knowledge
of peace and freedom. Her divine ways of guiding the infant soul are mysterious.
She is frightful and terrible as Goddess Durga as she destroys the obstacles
that rise from tamsick or demonic level. She is lustrous as Goddess Lakshmi,
the bestower of spiritual and material wealth. In the form of Goddess Saraswati,
she is sublime and elegant as she rides on the mystic swan, conferring
the knowledge of immortality. Therefore, believers worship Durga for the
first three days, Lakshmi for the next three days, and Saraswati for the
last three days; on the tenth day, Dashera is filled with bright lights,
supreme peace, and rejoicing.
Every facility is cleaned, well
lit, and adorned, the entire surroundings are sanctified, and the entrances
are made colorful with the traditional motifs of Rangoli to celebrate the
news of Rama's victory over Ravana, victory of righteousness over evil
to bestow justice, peace, and tranquility.
Each year children and adults celebrate
Dashera joyously. For them this is the occasion to celebrate the victory
of good over evil and to acknowledge that ultimately good prevails over
evil. For adults, in addition to the joy and festivity of the occasion,
this holiday may bring a deeper insight. It may help a seeker to renew
his life as he or she seeks a deeper meaning in life.
This festival symbolizes the age-old
culture of India, which teaches seekers to vanquish the ignorance that
subdues human values and to uphold the true values of life. (Note: This
year, the first day of Dashera falls on Sept. 26.)
May this festival, representing
the victory of righteousness over evil, bring us success, happiness, prosperity,
and peace.
Mandakini Hiremath is a Claflin
instructor and coordinator of the university's writing center.
