Hate The Evil & Love The Good
Last week we all celebrated Dussehra Festival in many parts of the country. This festival is described as a victory of good over bad; a victory of light over darkness. I always visit Mysore during Dussehra. I love to watch the illuminated palace, historical monuments, ancient temples, folk arts, classical music, traditional dances, Dasara jumbos through the streets & finally the procession which brings alive the centuries old traditions.
On Dussehra people burn Ravana’s effigy to symbolise the victory of dharma over adharma. With due respect to the religious traditions, I am really not able to understand why the effigy of Ravan is burnt ? I know there is a deeper meaning behind this action but unfortunately we have lost the real meaning behind it. We should hate the evil not Ravan.
From several years I have been watching on television, the corrupt politicians burn the effigy of Ravan. These selfish & corrupt politicians do not think even for a minute that they have many bad qualities than Ravan. Sometimes I ask myself, Why burn the effigy of Ravan, when we have the real ones. I think it is better the burn the effigies of our dirty politicians than burning the effigies of Ravan.
Ravan was not as bad as he is portrayed. He was a great scholar, master of many arts, & a Shiv bhakt blessed with numerous boons from Lord Shiva. But despite all his knowledge, Ravana failed to keep his senses under control & also some bad qualities like ego, jealousy, cruelty, anger, power & lust destroyed him.
Burning the effigy of Ravan once in a year does not bring any change in our lives. First we have to burn our bad qualities & destroy the demon of our ego. I personally think this is the true spirit of celebrating the festival.
We are each our own devil & we make this world our hell. (Oscar Wilde)
