Vijayadashami & Dussehra: Celebrating the Grand Triumph of Good Over Evil

skand mishra
Oct 2
3 min read

Explore the profound significance of Vijayadashami and Dussehra, enriched with Sanskrit shlokas. This guide details the victory of Goddess Durga and Lord Rama, celebrating the triumph of good over evil.

The air is crisp, the sky clear, and a sense of jubilation fills every corner. After nine nights of vibrant devotion, fasting, and spiritual reflection during Navratri, the tenth day arrives with a resounding message of hope and triumph: Vijayadashami, popularly known as Dussehra. This day is a grand finale, a declaration that righteousness, courage, and truth will always prevail over darkness and evil. At the heart of this celebration is a reverence for the divine feminine, beautifully captured in this universal prayer:

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके । शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

Meaning: "To the most auspicious of all, the good one who accomplishes all objectives, to the source of refuge, the three-eyed one, Gauri, Narayani, I bow to you."

The significance of this day is rooted in the culmination of two epic narratives, each powerful in its own right, yet sharing a singular, universal truth.

Maa Durga's Resounding Victory: The Culmination of Durga Puja

The nine nights of worship symbolize a fierce, cosmic battle. The Devi Mahatmyam text honors the Goddess as the supreme power, or Shakti, residing in all beings:

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

Meaning: "To the Goddess who resides in all beings in the form of power, I bow to her, I bow to her, I bow to her again and again."

Empowered by this universal energy, Maa Durga waged war against the demon Mahishasura, who had become invincible to any man or god. Finally, on the auspicious tenth day, Vijayadashami, she delivered the fatal blow, restoring peace to the universe. Her victory is a powerful metaphor for the human spirit's ability to conquer its inner demons.

In parts of India, this day is celebrated as Shubho Bijoya. The beautiful idols are immersed in water, symbolizing Maa Durga's return to her celestial abode, with the promise of her return next year: "Aasche bochhor abar hobe!"

Lord Rama's Triumph Over Ravana: The Spirit of Dussehra

Simultaneously, Vijayadashami is widely celebrated as Dussehra, commemorating another monumental victory from the epic Ramayana. This day honors Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, whose name itself is a prayer:

रामाय रामभद्राय रामचन्द्राय वेधसे । रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीतायाः पतये नमः ॥

Meaning: "To Rama, the auspicious one, the moon-like Rama, the creator. To the Lord of the Raghus, the master, the husband of Sita, I offer my salutations."

This is the day Lord Rama, the epitome of righteousness, defeated the ten-headed demon king Ravana. The symbolic burning of towering effigies of Ravana represents the destruction of evil in all its forms and a commitment to a life of virtue.

A Universal Message of Victory and Renewal

Whether you celebrate Maa Durga's victory or Lord Rama's triumph, the core message remains the same: The ultimate victory of good over evil. This day inspires us to conquer our inner demons, uphold righteousness, and embrace new beginnings.

As we conclude the festivities, we share a universal prayer for the well-being of all: