Burning of Rawana on Vijayadashmi is a symbol of end of evil deeds. On this day lord Rama is worshiped. It is also known as Dushara, on the same date, Rawan was killed by Lord Rama. Though Rawana was very talented, but he also had some evil manners. The bad evils of Rawana and his strengths were overshadowed at the end of his life was very badly. Rawana was evil mannered that he was fascinated at the sight of beautiful women. On this date evils, Rawana, his son, brother and others were decimated. Vijayadashmi is a festival of Hindus.

The festival Vijayadashmi is celebrated every in the month of Ashwin on tenth of the month in shukla paksha by the burning of effigies of Rawana, his son and brother. It is celebrated as an honour of victory over evils by pious deeds. Dushara is a Sanaskrit word which means removal of ten bad deeds within you. These ten bad deeds are

1.    Kamavasana – Lust

2.    Krodha – Anger

3.    Moha – Attachment

4.    Lobha – Greed

5.    Mada – Over pride or overconfidence

6.    Matsara – Jealousy

7.    Swartha – Selfishness

8.    Anyaaya – Injustice

9.    Amanavta – Cruelty

10.  Ahankara – Ego

It is also a festival of victory over the senses, victory of truth over untruth, triumph of introversion over Extraversion, triumph of justice over injustice, victory of virtue over vice, victory of the gods over asuras, triumph of pious deeds over misdeeds, victory of Yoga over indulgence, triumph of divinity over Asurtav (bad people) and victory of the Shivatav (God) over Jiwatav (human).

Large fairs to celebrate the Dushara festival are organized at different places under the open sky. The people enjoy the festival and buy items ranging from toys, clothes and bangles. There is also an abundance of different type of dishes at the same fair.

There are several imaginations regarding the festival of Dushara. In different parts of India there are ceremony of keeping the green and doughy earrings at the entrance of a home over the wall and the act of placing the green newly sprouted twigs of wheat or barley, grown especially, over the ears, forehead and turban. Therefore, some of the people are in the opinion that it is a festival of agriculture.

Dushara festival has also concern with ‘navratri’ as the acts of divine Goddesses played a daring act against the Mahishasur for nine day and nights; and on tenth day Goddess Durga killed Mahishasur; and i.e. why Dushara fell on the tenth day after ninth day. Similar to Goddess Durga who killed Mahishasur, Ramlila skipped every for nine day and on tenth day i.e. on Dushara Rawana (a symbol of evil deeds) is killed every year with hands of Lord Rama.

According to the scriptures there are several contexts, where the evil manners of Rawana are noted.

Among these contexts, one is connected with the heavenly nymph Rambha of Devraj Indra’s heaven. Rawana had women just like a commodity. One Rawana saw the nymph Rambha and he became fascinated at her beauty. Rawana by using his powers modestly abducted Rambha. When Rambha told to Nalkuber, then Nalkuber cursed Rawana that if he (Rawana) abduct any women angaist her desire or touch her without modesty or keep her in his palace, he will be in fires. That’s why, Rawana kept Sita in Ashoke Vatika (grove) instead of his palace. Rambha was similar to Rawana’s daughter-in-law, because at that time Rambha had been engaged with Nalkuber was the son of Rawana’s brother Kuber.

 According to another context Sita, wife of Lord Rama was abducted by Rawana. Lord Rama was a devotee of Goddess Durga – the Goddess of war. During the first nine days of war, Lord Rama worshiped Goddess Durga and on tenth day of worship he killed evil Rawana.

Pride: Overconfidence in powers

Rawana was so confident of his powers that he challenged anyone to war. Because of this habit also had to defeat him in battle many times. According to scriptures, lord Shiva, Sahshatrbahu (Thousandhanded) Arjuna and Bali badly defeated Rawana in the war. Powers because of arrogance of Rawana abducted Sita and Ram also been drawn to war. Rawana was eventually killed by Lord Rama.

Just to hear his praise

Rawana also had a bad habit that he was just listening to praise himself. He gave penalty to those who glorify his enimies. He did not also like those who tell errors without praising him. That’s why Rawana’s brother Vihishan, grandfather Malyant and minister Shuk were turned away from him. Rawana was always surrounded by sycophants.

Defeat of Rawana by Baali

Baali circled the oceans four times by pressing down Rawana in his armpit. Baali was so powerful and stunning that every morning he orbited around the ocean to pay regard to Sun.

Defeat of Rawana by Sahshatrbahu Arjuna

Due to thousand arms Arjuna was named as Sahshtrbahu Arjuna. When Rawana came to battle with Arjuna, then he (Arjuna) halted the flow of Narmada River with his thousand hands and Rawana with his force was drained in the water. After this, Rawana again reached to war with Arjuna. At this time Arjuna made him detained and put in prison.

Defeat of Rawana by King Bali

Bali was the King of underworld (the world below the earth). Rawana reached to the palace of King Bali and provoked for war. But the children playing in the palace clutched Rawana and tied with horses in the stable.

Defeat of Rawana by Lord Shiva

In the proud of powers, Rawana reached to Kailash mountain to fight with Lord Shiva. While Lord Shiva was in meditation, Rawana began lifting the mountain. Then Lord Shiva extended the load of mountain with the help of his toe. Rawana could not bear the load of mountain and his hand was buried under the mountain. After this defeat Rawana made Lord Shiva his master.

Rawana – cognizant of music

Rawana was great cognizant of music. According to scriptures, the musical instrument of Goddess Sarasvati ‘Veena’ was the invention of Rawana. Rawana was also an astrologer. Rawana also composed a treaty named ‘Rawana Samhita’. He was also specialized in the science of ‘Occult’ and ‘Ayurveda’.

The splendour of Rawana

According to ‘Shri Ram Charit Manas’ as composed by Goswami Tulsidas, all the Gods and others standing in the court of Rawana, stood with folded hands. The Ashok Vatika (grove) in the castle of Rawana, there were more than one million trees. Rawana could only go in this grove and no any other person was allowed to go there.

Rawana was a brave warrior

At the time of war Rawana walked much faster than rest of the troops. According to contexts, alone he had won many battles. He also defeated Lord Yam in his premises and freed the helling individuals and all the freed individuals joined his army.

The ten consequences can be erased on Dushara

Always, we talk to eradicate inflation and terrorism like evils, on which we have no control over them, and worry all about it.

1.    What others are thinking: No one cannot know it that what the other is thinking. But always keep assuming.

2.    Then life would have been different: "If that happens, it gets” what's the use of thinking? Today, where we are, it's important.

3.    It would be far worse: Such doubts and fears remain meaningless. Negative thinking can destroy a whole life.

4.    Worry about economy: No one can do anything about the economy except the Government.

5.    Alas! Assuming that: Tend to blame own that if I would accept what my parents told me. But it’s also true that time has gone.

6.    Every work best: Perfection is ideal. For it you can only try. It can’t meet.

7.    Debate with unknown persons: It has been written in contexts that where our words don’t cost, there is better to remain silent.

8.    Remains in the hands of astrology: Lord Krishna said that do work. Don’t worry about the fruit. Work has no choice.

9.    Why are they running: If anyone is driving wrong vehicle, what can we do. But we should have a safe access to path.

10.  Every time complain: We have no and may not be control over weather and politics. So, why complain?

In this way we conclude that Rawana was an evil deed King and finely killed along with his ill deeds by Lord Rama on the tenth day in lunar phase of Ashwin month. We can also learn much more from Dus-(ten)hara(victory).