Dashain Festival: Celebrating Victory of Good Over Evil
We celebrated Dashain Yesterday in our house, Woodley, with family and friends. Dashain, also known as Vijaya Dashami, is a cherished Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm and reverence. It signifies the victory of good over evil and reflects the rich cultural and religious heritage of the Hindu tradition. This year, our household in Woodley came alive as nearly four dozen people gathered to celebrate this festival from dawn to dusk. It was a day of spiritual significance and shared blessings.
One of the most auspicious moments of the day was receiving a tika from a remarkable 99-year-old Ama, who is the mother of our dear friend Nabraj Adhikari. Her presence added a unique touch to the celebrations, reminding us of the timeless traditions that Dashain represents. In our neighborhood, we also have another elderly neighbor, a spiritual person well into her 90s, who had been performing a havan, a fire ritual ceremony, for the last nine days while fasting. She extended her invitation to me every day, a testament to the spiritual devotion that this festival inspires.
During Dashain, we visited the Hindu temple and joined Laxman Shrestha, who had dedicated his home as a place of worship, where he and his family and friends recited the Ram Charitmanas for nine days. His dedication and fasting during this time underscore the deep significance of this festival in the lives of its observers.
Dashain is celebrated over a span of nine days, known as Navaratri. The length of the festival is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, with each day dedicated to a different form of the goddess Durga. The goddess’s nine-day battle against Mahishasura is a central theme of Dashain, symbolizing the eternal struggle between good and evil and the ultimate victory of righteousness.
The primary myth associated with Dashain centers on the goddess Durga, a fierce warrior who embodies divine feminine power and the ability to combat malevolent forces. This festival is a tribute to her valor and the belief that seeking her blessings can protect one from evil. Additionally, Dashain is linked to the epic story of Bhagawan Shree Rama, who invoked Durga’s blessings before his battle against the demon king Ravana in the Ramayana.
Hindu scriptures, including the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas, underscore the importance of the goddess Durga and her role in upholding dharma, or righteousness. The festival’s underlying theme of the triumph of good over evil is a central message in these sacred texts.
From a scientific standpoint, Dashain often coincides with significant changes in weather patterns in Nepal and India, signifying the transition from the rainy monsoon season to a drier period. This climatic shift serves as a metaphorical reflection of the victory of light (good) over darkness (evil). Famous figures like Mahatma Gandhi have recognized the importance of festivals like Dashain in fostering unity and moral values among communities. Gandhi’s advocacy of non-violence aligns with Dashain’s message of conquering evil through peaceful means.
The Bhagavad Gita, a fundamental Hindu text, contains verses that resonate with the festival’s core theme. Chapter 4, Verse 7, states, “Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, O Arjuna, at that time I manifest myself on earth to protect the righteous and to annihilate the wicked.” This verse underscores the divine intervention to maintain righteousness and eliminate evil, mirroring the essence of Dashain.
In conclusion, Dashain celebrated over nine days, is a festival deeply embedded in Hindu mythology, spirituality, and cultural heritage. It serves as a reminder of the eternal struggle between good and evil and the ultimate victory of righteousness. Dashain continues to be a source of unity, reflection, and spiritual growth, carrying forward its rich traditions through the generations.
