English
Vijayadashami: Rama's Worship of the Devi and the Slaying of Ravana
Source: The Devi worship (Akal Bodhan): Krittivasi Ramayana (Bengali tradition); the slaying of Ravana: Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda
The war at Lanka was in its final stage. Great warriors like Kumbhakarna and Meghanada had fallen. Now Ravana himself was on the battlefield, and defeating him did not look easy.
The Ramayana written in Bengali by the poet Krittivas contains an episode that is not in Valmiki's Ramayana. According to it, Shri Rama resolved to worship the Devi Durga for victory.
But it was autumn, when by tradition the gods are at rest. This was not the season for the Devi's worship. Even so, Shri Rama invoked the Devi out of season. This is called Akal Bodhan, the untimely awakening.
The worship needed 108 blue lotuses. Hanuman brought 108 lotuses from a distant lake. Shri Rama began the worship with full devotion, offering one lotus at the Devi's feet with each mantra.
One, two, ten, fifty, a hundred… the worship moved towards its end. Shri Rama's mind was absorbed in the Devi.
But when he reached for the last lotus, the plate was empty. One lotus was missing. The story says the Devi herself had hidden one lotus to test Shri Rama.
The worship could not be left incomplete. There was no time to fetch another lotus. Shri Rama paused for a moment. Then he remembered that people call him Kamalnayan, the lotus-eyed. He drew an arrow from his quiver…
Shri Rama resolved to offer one of his eyes to the Devi in place of the last lotus. As he raised the arrow, the Devi Durga herself appeared and held his hand.
The Devi said, “Rama, I am pleased with your devotion. Your test is complete. Go; you will be victorious in battle.” Here this episode of the Krittivasi Ramayana ends. Bengal's Durga Puja is tied to the memory of this Akal Bodhan.
Now the story of Valmiki's Yuddha Kanda. Rama and Ravana were locked in battle, and Shri Rama was weary. Then the sage Agastya came and taught him the Aditya Hridayam, a hymn to the Sun god that brings victory over the enemy. Shri Rama recited it three times and was filled with new vigour.
Indra sent his divine chariot for Shri Rama with his charioteer Matali. The two heroes fought a battle beyond compare. Shri Rama cut off Ravana's head with an arrow, but a new head grew in its place. He cut it again, and again it grew. This happened again and again.
Then Matali reminded him, “Lord, have you forgotten? Use the Brahmastra to slay him.” Shri Rama took up the Brahmastra given to him by the sage Agastya. In its speed was the wind, at its point fire and the sun, and in its weight the mountains Meru and Mandara.
Reciting the mantra, Shri Rama released the arrow. It struck Ravana's chest, pierced his heart, and then returned to Shri Rama's quiver. The bow slipped from Ravana's hand, and he fell from his chariot to the earth.
Flowers rained from the sky and the gods sounded their drums. The wind blew fragrant, and the sun shone with a clear light. Dharma had triumphed over adharma.
What this story teaches
Victory is first won within, through surrender and patience; then the battle outside is won. Vijayadashami celebrates that victory of dharma.
Vijayadashami (Dussehra) is celebrated on Ashwin Shukla Dashami. Linking Ravana's death to this date is tradition; Valmiki's Ramayana does not give the date. The Akal Bodhan and the 108 lotuses come from the Krittivasi Ramayana; in Hindi, Nirala's poem “Ram ki Shakti-Puja” also made the episode famous.
You have read the story — now see your own chart
A free kundali with your dashas and planetary positions from your birth date, time and place. Your first 10 questions to the AI astrologer are free — no card needed.
Make my free kundali