History of Dussehra:
One of the popular Hindu festivals, Dussehra is
celebrated with pomp and gaiety. Since ages, a number of rituals are
performed to please the Almighty, on the ceremonious occasion. It is the
climax of the nine-day long celebrations of 'Navratris', which precede
it. The festival commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana.
Apart from the legend from the epic Ramayana, and the story of the
triumph of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura, a vibrant history is
associated with the festival. In this article, we have provided
interesting information on the history of Dussehra.
History & Origin Of Dusshera
Triumph Of Lord Rama Over Ravana
The celebration of Dussehra is rooted in the Hindu epic of Ramayana,
according to which, Lord Rama, the eight incarnation of Lord Vishnu,
killed the ten-headed demon Ravana, in Satyug. Ravan had abducted Rama's
wife Sita. Rama, along with his brother Lakshmana, follower Hanuman and
an army of monkeys, headed towards Lanka (Ravana's Kingdom) in order to
enter a war with Ravana and rescue Sita. On his way to Lanka, Rama
organized Chandi Pooja to seek the blessings of Ma Durga, the Goddess of
power and courage. After seeking her blessings, Lord Rama defeated and
killed Ravana, with the help of his fellow beings. Therefore, the day
was celebrated to commemorate the victory of Rama over Ravana, which
later came to be known as Vijayadashmi or Dussehra.
Assassination Of Mahishasura By Goddess Durga
Another legend is connected to Goddess Durga. According to the story,
all the Gods in swarglok and the living beings on earth were upset by
the tyranny of the demon Mahishasura, because he had acquired invincible
power to conquer the world. He was undefeatable, even by the mighty
deities - Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Therefore, all the
Gods decided to create a power, which would destroy Mahishasura, freed
the living beings from his despotism and restore the swaglok to them.
This gave rise to the creation of Goddess Durga, an avatar of Ma Shakti.
With the weapons given to her by the Gods, Goddess Durga went to fight
against Mahishasura. She defeated the demon, successfully, and restored
the swaglok to the Gods, as promised. Her victory is celebrated as
Vijayadashmi or Dusshera, by many people following Hinduism.
Rain Of Gold Coins
According to a story, Kautsa, the young son of Devdatta (a Brahmin), was
residing in the city of Paithan. After pursuing his education under the
guidance of Rishi Varatantu, he wanted to offer a dakshina to his Guru.
Although the guru refused initially, he later asked for 140 million
gold coins. The student approached King Raghu for the coins, because he
was renowned for his generosity. Within three days of the student's
request, King Raghu asked the God of Wealth - Kuber - to create a rain
of gold coins near the apati and shanu trees. After presenting the
promised gold coins to his guru, Kautsa distributed the rest of the
coins to the needy, on the day of Dussehra. Since then, people loot the
leaves of apati trees and present to each other as a symbol of gold, on
Dussehra.
Shami Tree
Another legend connected to the origin of Dusshera finds place in the
greatest Hindu epic - Mahabharata. According to a story, Pandavas where
banished by Kauravas for 12 years and 1 year of disguise, because the
former were defeated in gambling (chausar) by the latter. Subsequently,
Pandavas decided to spend their first 12 years of exile in the woods and
the last year in disguise. Since they were asked to remain incognito
during that period, Pandavas did not want to be exposed to others.
Therefore, they lay aside their divine and powerful weapons during the
exile. They concealed their weapons under the shami tree, situated close
to the place of their residence. At the end of every year of the exile,
Pandavas came to the shami tree to check whether their weapons were
there.
Whenever Pandavas approached the tree, they worshipped it and Goddess
Durga, the presiding deity. In the mean time, Kauravas were making every
attempt to trace Pandavas, so that they could extend the exile time,
because it was said that if they were found, they would have to spend
another 12 years in the woods. However, the Kauravas could find the
Pandavas only past the stipulated time. Subsequently, the Pandavas went
to the shami tree, fetched their concealed weapons and went straight to
the battle field to fight the Kauravas. Pandavas emerged victorious. The
event took place in dasami and since good had achieved victory over the
evil, it came to be known as Vijayadashmi. Since then, people hug each
other under the shami tree and exchange its leaves.
HAPPY DUSSEHRA TO ALL.....................