When the evening sky glows, families reuniting, children enjoying the fun, and the towering effigy of Ravana is ready to burn as the cheers of the crowd erupt. We rejoice as we celebrate the tale of victory that has been passed down to us through generations. But what else are we celebrating apart from the victory of good over evil?

While we enjoy the fireworks and the celebrations, is there something more that we ought to take back with us to our homes as we head back?

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is a festival celebrated with much enthusiasm and vigor across the country. The festival is dedicated to different deities in different parts of the country. While in some parts, it is celebrated as the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, in others, it is celebrated as the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. While both stories are different, they have one thing in common – the power of goodness and righteousness.

But what are the life lessons that we as humans can learn from the stories of Lord Rama and Goddess Durga that are celebrated during Dussehra?

Why is Dussehra Celebrated? The Stories Behind the Festival

Before we identify the different life lessons that we can incorporate from this festival, let us understand the stories behind it.

Lord Rama and Ravana – The Tale of Victory Over Evil

According to the epic Ramayana, Ravana, the king of Lanka, had kidnapped Goddess Sita, the wife of Lord Rama. Lord Rama, along with his brother Lakshmana, Hanuman, and an army of monkeys, sets out on a war to rescue Sita. Lord Rama and his army then proceed to Lanka and defeat Ravana.

This story is celebrated during Dussehra as Ramlila across the country and the effigy of Ravana is burnt in joy, signifying the victory of good over evil. Ravana had always been a scholar and a powerful king, but the power and knowledge that he lacked were humility and compassion.

While Lord Rama was also a powerful king and a scholar, he chose the path of righteousness and fought Ravana to end his tyranny. Lord Rama teaches us the value of integrity and patience.

Goddess Durga and Mahishasura – The Tale of Courage

While in other parts of the country, Dussehra is celebrated as the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. According to the story, when Mahishasura started wreaking havoc on earth, the gods united to form Goddess Durga, who then killed the demon.

Goddess Durga kills Mahishasura during the Navratri and Vijayadashmi, which is why the festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm, especially in eastern India. Goddess Durga signifies power and protection, and the story teaches us the importance of courage in facing life’s challenges.

What Are We Supposed To Pray For On Dussehra?

Festivals like Dussehra are special occasions when we come together to celebrate our traditions and culture. They bring together families and friends. But apart from the family fun and excitement, is there something more that we ought to be praying for?

While we all pray for a happy and prosperous life, the festival teaches us to pray for something deeper – the inner peace and strength that will enable us to live a fruitful and happy life.

Here are some of the things that we ought to pray for during the Dussehra festival.

1. Wisdom to Make the Right Choice At The Right Time

Sometimes in life, the right choice that we make leaves us with fewer options. It can also be disheartening and disappointing, especially when our actions bring sadness to others. However, it is important to understand that we all possess the knowledge and wisdom to make the right choice, even if it is not the popular one or the one that we want to exercise.

Pray to God for the wisdom to make the right choice in life.

Lord Rama exemplifies the virtues of integrity and righteousness. While Ravana may have been stronger and smarter than Rama, his arrogance and ego led to his doom. Lord Rama, on the other hand, chose the path of righteousness and defeated Ravana because he knew what was right.

2. Courage To Face Challenges

Life throws several curveballs at us. While some of us fear failure as a student or a professional, for others, it could be facing a dreaded medical condition. Either way, it is important to understand that life is a test and God grants us the necessary strength to overcome challenges as long as we ask for it.

Goddess Durga teaches us to face the challenges in life with courage. While some of us pray for the problems to disappear, Goddess Durga teaches us to fight and win against them. She teaches us to fight the battle within ourselves and not give up in the face of adversity. She teaches us to be strong and fearless when facing bullies, oppression, and other forms of injustice.

3. Peace of Mind and Control Over Negative Emotions

Anger, jealousy, insecurity, pride, and arrogance are some of the negative emotions that we all experience at one point. However, instead of praying for these feelings to disappear, we ought to pray to have emotional stability. We ought to pray for the peace of mind to live a happy and fulfilling life.

During the Dussehra festival, as the effigy of Ravana burns, we ought to understand that it signifies the burning of the ugly and negative emotions within us.

4. Strength To Stand Up For Justice

It is one of the most heartbreaking moments when we see people around us being unjustly treated or oppressed. However, most of us have a tendency to look the other way around simply because it does not affect us directly. It is important to understand that while injustice may not always be a direct consequence of our actions, it still has an adverse effect on society as a whole.

Goddess Durga teaches us the importance of standing up for justice, even when it is not easy. She teaches us to be bold and strong when fighting against oppression, bullying, and arrogance. She teaches us to not let the fear of society dictate our actions when it comes to standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

5. Meaningful Relationships and a Kindly Heart

There is nothing wrong with wanting a happy and prosperous life. However, it is important to understand that no matter how successful or rich we are, none of it matters if we do not have meaningful relationships and people who genuinely care for us.

During Dussehra, apart from praying for wealth and success, we ought to pray for good relationships and a kindly heart. We ought to pray to be kind to our parents and in-laws and practice empathy and compassion towards others. We ought to pray for the wisdom to know whom to trust, as well as the humility to apologize when we are in the wrong.

6. Gratitude Over Material Possessions

It is only natural for us to desire better jobs, bigger houses, and more material possessions. However, sometimes in life, we have to be grateful for what we have instead of focusing on what we do not have.

During the Dussehra festival, apart from praying for new material possessions, we ought to be grateful for the relationships that we have and the knowledge that we have acquired through the years. We ought to be humble enough to acknowledge the mistakes that we make in life and grateful for the lessons that come with them.

7 Life Lessons That We Can Learn From Dussehra

While praying for these things during the Dussehra festival is important, it is even more important for us to make them a part of our daily lives.

Here are some of the most important life lessons that we can learn from the festival of Dussehra:

Lesson 1: Control Your Ego

The story of Lord Rama and Ravana teaches us to not let our ego override our good judgment. While Ravana may have been a learned scholar and a powerful king, he did not possess the virtues of humility and compassion. The negative impact of ego is visible in various aspects of our lives, such as not admitting mistakes and not respecting others’ opinions.

Lesson 2: Practice Integrity At All Times

Lord Rama is often described as the epitome of integrity and righteousness. As a matter of fact, Lord Rama himself stated that he did not exist for the purpose of enjoying pleasures or achieving fame and wealth; he existed for the dharma of the world. Integrity is a virtue that should be practiced at all times, even when no one is watching. In addition to avoiding unethical behavior, integrity also entails being honest and responsible.

Lesson 3: Be Brave and Face Your Problems

The story of Goddess Durga and Mahishasura teaches us to not give up in the face of adversity. In addition to teaching us to be honest and upright, Lord Rama also taught us to face our problems with a lot of courage and determination. When it comes to facing challenges, it is important for us to understand that bravery is not the absence of fear; it is exercising caution in the face of fear without letting it dictate our actions.

Lesson 4: Do Not Confuse Knowledge With Wisdom

One of the biggest lessons that we can learn from the story of Lord Rama and Ravana is to not confuse knowledge with wisdom. The story also teaches us that wisdom enables us to make the right choices at the right time. Knowledge empowers us, but wisdom guides us. In a world where everyone wants to position themselves as ‘wise,’ it is important for us to understand that wisdom requires a lot of self-control. Therefore, we ought to be careful before making important decisions or sharing ‘truths’ that we do not have concrete evidence for.

Lesson 5: Use Your Intelligence and Power To Empower Others

The story of Goddess Durga and Mahishasura teaches us to use our power and intelligence for the empowerment of others. Strength can take different forms, ranging from financial stability to social influence. Whatever form it takes, it is important for us to understand that we should use it to help others instead of hurting them.

Lesson 6: Never Give Up on Life

The stories of Lord Rama and Goddess Durga are all about overcoming the odds and achieving victory through perseverance and determination. Similar to Lord Rama, who fought the seemingly impossible battle to rescue Sita with no assurance of victory, we too ought to fight to achieve our dreams and goals, no matter how impossible they may seem.

When it comes to making progress in life, it is important to stay positive and persistent. It is also important to understand that success and happiness are not a one-day affair; they come gradually as a result of continuous hard work and dedication.

Lesson 7: Make Self-Improvement a Priority In Life

Self-improvement should not just be a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ thing; it should be an everyday affair. One of the key reasons for this is that self-improvement enables us to be better versions of ourselves. It enables us to make better choices that contribute to our overall well-being.

While it is important to strive to be better people, it is essential for us to understand that the journey of self-betterment is a gradual process that entails making smarter choices on a daily basis. It could be as simple as choosing peace over anger or honesty over ego.

Some of the things that we can do to make self-improvement a daily ritual include:

  • Making a list of your weaknesses
  • Working on them consistently until you conquer them
  • Making a list of your strengths
  • Using them to improve your life and the lives of others.
  • Asking yourself three important questions every day
  • What did I do right today?
  • What could I have done differently?
  • What can I do better tomorrow?

Celebrate Dussehra At Home With Family

Dussehra is also a great time for families to come together and bond. In addition to learning the stories and rituals that are associated with the festival, families can also bond by engaging in the following activities:

  • Share the stories and rituals of Dussehra with the kids.
  • Ask the family members to identify their weaknesses and strengths.
  • Encourage them to make a list of things that they would like to change about themselves as well as their goals and dreams.
  • Engage in an activity that involves helping others, such as helping your neighbors, donating old clothes and other items to charity, and so on.
  • Celebrate courage and selflessness by sharing stories of people who have made a difference in society.
  • Ask them to acknowledge the positive things about their relatives, as well as the things that they can do to improve their relationships.
     

These are some of the fun and exciting ways that families can bond and celebrate the Dussehra festival together.

What Can We Learn From the Gods Without Expecting Life To Be Easy?

As mentioned earlier, Dussehra is a festival that teaches us the importance of goodness and righteousness. From the stories of Lord Rama and Goddess Durga, we learn that life will not be easy, but it will always be rewarding as long as we make the right choices.

While Lord Rama taught us to be honest and virtuous, and Goddess Durga taught us to be strong and courageous, both of them taught us to live a good life. In addition to praying for wealth and prosperity, we ought to pray to God for peace of mind. Similarly, while we ought to admire the virtues of the gods, we should also strive to develop our own good character.

Therefore, while praying to God for a prosperous life, it is also important for us to understand that life will never be easy, especially if we are not honest and upright.

Conclusion: Let This Dussehra Be The Beginning Of Something Great

Dussehra is all about the victory of good over evil. But what exactly does it mean in our day-to-day lives? It means living a virtuous life that is rooted in integrity and honesty. It means exercising caution before we accuse or criticize others.

It also means choosing kindness and compassion over arrogance and ego. And most importantly, it means understanding that while praying for a prosperous life is important, the most rewarding prayer that we can make is to God for peace of mind and happiness.

While the Dussehra festival is all about the victory of good over evil, it is important for us to make it about making better choices in life. It is important for us to make it about strengthening our relationships with others, being grateful for what we have, and striving to be better versions of ourselves every day.

This Dussehra, apart from enjoying the festivities, let us also strive to become better people. After all, the best way to honor the festival is to embody the qualities that are associated with it.

Let us all have a great Dussehra, and a prosperous Vijayadashami!