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Dussehra or Vijayadashami marks the end of both Durga Puja and the nine-day long Navratri festival. Celebrated with much fervor, the day symbolizes the victory of good over evil when Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura, the demon king. It is also said that this was the day when Lord Rama defeated Raavan. While this day marks the end of two major festivals, it also marks the onset of preparations for the festival of lights – Diwali, which approximately falls about 20 days after the festival. Vijayadashami is celebrated with much excitement and joy, especially in the northern states.
7 teachings from Dussehra festival:
1. Victory of good over evil - no matter how powerful is the evil, it will come to an end one day. in the end truth, justice and goodness prevails.
2. On this day burn the seeds of passion inside you - this day the effigy of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnaad are burnt. this is symbolic that you also burn the qualities which spoil the mind that is lust, anger, identification, greed, too much pride, jealousy, selfishness, injustice, cruelty and ego. according to one opinion, Ravana ten heads represent these ten qualities.
3. Truth and Dharma always wins in the end - If you are on the side of truth then you will always win. at most justice might be delayed but you will always get it. so have patience like lord Rama and stick to the path of dharma. don’t cheat anyone. don’t claim anything which is ethically not yours. don’t take a bribe, don’t promote corruption, and don’t be greedy.
4. Don’t be egoistic - Ravana became too much egoistic about his powers. he thought that no can defeat him. his superego was the cause of his fall. otherwise, Ravana was one of the wisest and learned people of his time. he is considered one of the greatest devotees of lord shiva. he had mastered all the four Vedas and shastras. he was a great veena player and master of astrology and Ayurveda. but despite that, he missed one thing that is to conquer his own ego before setting out to conquer the world. he conquered all the nine planets of astrology. he defeated the mightiest people of that time including devas (gods). but he didn’t defeat his ego. if he had attained inner mastery then he would not have been led astray by his ego. so keep your ego in check and listen to your inner voice. These days mankind is in the footsteps of Ravana. we are out to conquer the whole world and sending a mission to Mars and to the outer world. but we are not mastering our inner world. despite all these technological inventions, people are still miserable, sad, and depressed. we are claiming rights over the whole earth. we forget that birds and animals also have equal rights over the earth. in our greed, we are spoiling the natural resources of the earth.
5. Never share your secrets - if Vibhishan didn’t know the secret of Ravana's death then it would have been difficult to defeat him.
6. Don’t underestimate the power of common men - ravana always thought that human beings and monkeys are too weak to do any harm to him. so when he asked boon from lord Brahma for immortality and protection, then he didn’t mention the name of human. so as per the boon given to him by Lord Brahma, no devta, deity, yaksha, serpents, heavenly spirits, wild beasts, etc can kill him. That's why lord Vishnu has to take birth in human form to kill Ravana. so never be overconfident. stay humble.
7. Follow the path of dharma - vibhishana chooses to follow the path of dharma instead of supporting his elder brother Ravana. today also he is appreciated for his wise decision.
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Give your Hotstar and Netflix a break and come enjoy some LIVE theatre performances. Each night, two comical plays written for a virtual platform will be performed by our talented HS students! Register below:
Thursday, October 29th @ 6pm
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Friday, October 30th @ 6pm
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A Mystery Murdered
A butler, holding a gun, standing over the body of Steve Walters. The butler, John, assures us that things are not what they seem and that this is not a simple case of “the butler did it.” John introduces us to the other suspects. But that’s when the play falls apart, for the actors are as jealous, petty, and conceited as the characters they play. Who is the true victim of this murder?
*Both shows will play on both nights with a brief stretch break in between. A virtual playbill will be shared on the evening of the show.
