After Dussehra, What Have We Really Burned?
Yesterday, we celebrated Dussehra, which is also known as Vijayadashami. We watched the effigy of Ravana burn down to ashes, and we celebrated the victory of good over evil. So, have we actually supported good over evil just by participating in this ritual? No, we have not. Have we ever paused and asked ourselves what are we actually burning?
Perhaps Ravana is not just an effigy standing in the Ramleela maidans. He is the ego we refuse to surrender, the jealousy we conceal, the hatred we nurture, and the cruelty we justify when it serves our interests. But the greatest tragedy is that we have learnt to burn Ravana once a year without even recognising him in our everyday lives.
Recently, I came across news about a social media influencer who reportedly died by suicide after facing threats and online harassment. Popularity does not make us invulnerable. Success does not guarantee protection from emotional pain. A person with millions of followers can also feel deeply alone. Everyone has struggles, responsibilities and emotions that remain hidden behind the face they show to the public.
Today, we live in a society that is quick to judge and slow to understand. People may criticise us, spread rumours, celebrate our failures and attempt to destroy what we have built. But another person’s cruelty must never become the measure of our worth.
Many of us may have experienced moments of lost opportunities, damaged reputations, failed relationships, failed businesses or online controversies. But these should not make our lives, our human lives, less valuable. We cannot always control what people say or do. But we can definitely learn to seek support, protect our peace and remember that a painful chapter is not our entire life. In these moments of distress, we just need one honest person in our lives who can be there for us, understand us, listen to us, guide us and not judge us. We must never underestimate the impact our words and actions can have on another person.
A person may use their position, wealth, influence or popularity to intimidate someone weaker. A powerful nation may use economic leverage to pressure a less powerful one. The scale may differ as we move from an ordinary individual to people in power, and from national to international levels. The ethical question remains the same across all these levels: How do we exercise the power we possess without losing our humanity?
When we read about different religions, we find that the core of their teachings includes calls for self-control, compassion, justice, humility and responsibility, all aimed at building a peaceful society where everyone can live in harmony.
The Bhagavad Gita encourages qualities such as truthfulness, compassion and freedom from malice. The Quran warns against ridicule, insults and backbiting. Jesus teaches people to examine their own faults before condemning others. Buddhist teachings remind us that hatred is not overcome by hatred, while Sikh principles emphasise honest living, sharing and service.
All these teachings constantly encourage human beings to become better people. Each new morning of our lives should be the oppurtunity to try and become a better version of ourselves. Nobody is perfect in this world. Everyone has flaws. Even if we have done wrong in our lives, we can always turn back, recognise our faults, ask for forgiveness and promise not to repeat those mistakes. Our Ego will always be a hinderance but we have to crush it and transform ourselves. As the saying goes, keep doing good karmas, and slowly they will replace your bad karmas.
We should never pull down people who are trying to change for the better. They should always be encouraged. Who are we to judge?
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Faith should not merely be something we profess. It should be reflected in how we treat our families, friends, colleagues, strangers and even those with whom we disagree.
We should first defeat the Ravana within us: the Ravana of arrogance, jealousy, dishonesty, hatred, disrespect for others, and the many other Ravanas that reside within us.
It is a continuous effort, and these traits must be addressed at their source so that they do not resurface the next time we are triggered. Our negative traits need not become our permanent identity. We can recognise them, take responsibility for them and work towards changing them. The real victory over evil begins when we choose humility over ego, patience over impulsiveness, honesty over deception and kindness over cruelty. The effigy takes no time to burn, but overcoming the Ravana within us may sometimes take a lifetime.
It is never too late to develop good habits. We can always begin with small, everyday decisions. Whenever a situation triggers anger, pause before reacting. A few seconds of pause can drastically change the way you respond. Whenever someone criticises you, accept constructive criticism, but do not allow cruelty to define your worth. Whenever you see another person’s success, celebrate it without comparing it to your own. Everybody is different and will reach their moments of success at different points in time.
If you have caused harm to someone, apologise, and set boundaries when others harm you. You do not need to be part of a gathering where people do not like you or hurt you. You can keep your distance while exchanging only formal greetings.
Try to be kind to your family, fairer to your colleagues and more responsible towards your community. Above all, never be shy about seeking help when life feels overwhelming. Be ready to offer support when someone else is struggling. Even if you simply sit down and listen quietly to another person’s struggles, it can help ease their anger and distress.
We cannot change people, situations or the injustices happening around us. But we can always refuse to add to the cruelty already present in this world. You become part of that cruelty not only by physically involving yourself in an act but also by promoting it on your social media handles. So, always pause and ask yourself what you are actually supporting. We do not have to live for the world’s approval.
The greatest victory is not the destruction of another person. It is the defeat of the evil within ourselves, the protection of human dignity and the courage to keep choosing truth and goodness over evil and injustice.
This Dussehra, let us not merely watch Ravana burn. Let us become a little less cruel, a little less judgemental, a little humbler and more compassionate to our fellow beings.
Let Ravana burn not just in the Ramleela maidans, but in our hearts. And let humanity rise from the ashes.
Which of Ravana’s traits would you like to burn within yourself?
