Dil Chahta Hai

Story Time …..

First of all, hope everyone had a great Navratri season. It was really nice for me and Brat. A couple of Golu invites, on Sunday we had a few people come over to our place for Golu. It felt festive, just like being in India. Garba and Dandiya were thrilling, as usual. I am going to attempt presenting some mythological tales linked with Navratri and Dassera (Vijaya Dashami) today.

The story I associate with Dassera is the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama, victory of good over evil. Here are some more, I found online.

1. Defeat of Mahishasura by Durga

“According to North Indian stories, Mahishasura, the mighty demon with the power to change into a buffalo obtained a boon from Lord Brahma that he could not be killed by any man in the world. Puffed up by the protection of the boon, he Mahishasura set out to conquer the three worlds of heaven, earth and hell and drove away Indra and other deities from their kingdom. To protect the world from his atrocities the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva united their powers to give birth to a female warrior-goddess Durga. Dazzled by the divine beauty, Mahishasura proposed the Goddess for marriage but was instead challenged to a duel that went on for nine days and nights and at last, resulted in the beheading of Mahisa on the tenth. The nine nights came to be known as Navratri, while the tenth day was called vijaya dashami, the tenth day that brought the triumph of good over the evil.”

Quoted from: http://festivals.iloveindia.com/navratri/navratri-history.html

Beautiful description of Goddess Durga: Durga as Consort of Lord Shiva represents two forms of female energy - one mild & protective and the other fierce & destructive.

Quoted from: http://www.panditjiusa.com/Dasara_Info.htm

2. End of adnyatvaas for Pandavas

“In Dwapar Yuga, after Pandavas lost to Kauravas in the game of Dice, they had to proceed to 12 years of “Vanwas” (exile to forest) followed by one year of Adnyatwas. Pandavas spent 12 years in forest and hid their weapons in a hole on a “Shami” tree before entering the Kingdom of Virat to complete the last one year of Adnyatwas. After the completion of that year on Vijayadashmi they took the weapons from the Shami tree, declared their true identity & defeated Kauravas, who had attacked King Virat to steal his cattle wealth.
Since that day the exchange of Shami leaves on Dassera day became symbols of good, will and victory. Hence on Dasara Shami Tree & the weapons are worshipped.”

Quoted from: http://www.panditjiusa.com/Dasara_Info.htm

3. “Sona lutne”

“Kautsa, the young son of Devdatt, a Brahmin, was living in the city of Paithan. After studying under the guidance of Rishi Varatantu, he insisted on his guru accepting a present, or gurudakshina. Initially the guru refused but later asked for 140 million gold coins, one hundred million for each of the subjects taught. The obedient student went to the King Raghu to ask for the money, as the king was renowned for his generosity. Within three days the king made the God of Wealth Kuber make a rain of gold coins near the shanu and apati trees. After giving the promised amount to the guru, Kautsa distributed the rest of the coins among the needy on the day of Dussehra. Even today, in Ayodhya, the capital of King Raghu, people loot the leaves of the Apati trees and present to each other as sona or gold.”

Quoted from: http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in/attractions/fair&festival/dussehra.htm

Now I remember this tradition, from back home. We would exchange “sona” with everyone at home, and within our building. My grandfather would be the first person I would exchange my “sona” with. I would keep the “sona” leaves he would give me and not exchange it with anyone in the world.

One of my best friends M., who is three years elder to me, would ask me to touch her feet and gain her “aashirwad” in the process. It was atrocious. Thanks A., I revived some old memories due to your email.

So long then! Until next time ……

posted by PH @ Tuesday, October 03, 2006