Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, symbolizes the victory of good over evil in our society. The burning of Ravana on this day is said to convey the message of the end of evil and the establishment of righteousness and morality. However, today this festival is becoming merely a means of celebration and entertainment. While effigies of Ravana are burned, the demons of Ravana – crime, vice, and moral degradation – continue to pervade society.
Every year on Dussehra, people enthusiastically break and burn effigies of Ravana. The purpose has always been to destroy evil and ensure the triumph of good. However, in modern society, this symbolic act has become merely a visual entertainment. People come to watch, post photos and videos on social media, but make no effort to change the evils prevalent in their lives or society.
In ancient times, Ravana was a wise, powerful, and ethical ruler. He was a devotee of Lord Shiva, a scholar, and a valiant warrior. His one mistake—his lustful abduction of Sita—led to his doom. Ravana’s life teaches us that no one can stay on the path of moral degradation by virtue of their wisdom, power, or resources. If ego and lust overwhelm the heart, destruction is certain.
Today’s society is also filled with similar Ravana figures. The Ravana of old was merely a figure, while today’s Ravana exists in every home, street, city, and village. Crime, murder, rape, domestic violence, bribery, and corruption are constantly on the rise. This is not just a police or law and order issue, but also a sign of society’s moral decline.
The burning of effigies during our Dussehra festival symbolizes the end of evil. But the reality is that evil has not diminished in society. Today’s “Ravanas” are cunning, arrogant, and cruel. They do not hesitate to harm anyone for their own gain. Burning wives for dowry, kidnapping women, rape, and child abuse—these are just a few examples. All of this is happening on a large scale in society.
The Ravana of old chose the path of destruction because of his inner desires and ego. The Ravana of today is even more dangerous, as he uses external power and law to pursue his own selfish ends. He has no respect for morality, honesty, or religion. As a result, the crisis of trust and humanity in society is growing.
The true purpose of Ravana Dahan isn’t simply to burn effigies. It teaches us to recognize and overcome our inner Ravanas—faults, negative emotions, and evils. Lasting change in society is impossible until we kill the ego, hatred, lies, deceit, and lust within us.
Your poem, “Burning Puppets Ask…,” beautifully conveys this message. It shows that effigies are burned, but the real Ravana continues to grow in society. Ravana is killed every year, but the Ravana grows elsewhere in our hearts. This means that external celebrations are merely symbolic, while the real battle must be waged within us.
Today’s society is educated and aware, yet evils are on the rise. Crime, rape, domestic violence, corruption, and immoral trade—all are examples of modern Ravanas. Children and youth are particularly affected. If we simply enjoy the Ravana Dahan celebrations without making real efforts to combat evil, the festival will become an empty symbol.
The true meaning of Dussehra is realized when we destroy our inner vices. True victory lies in recognizing and eliminating these—lies, deceit, ego, lust, and hatred. This is not only the path to social and moral reform, but also to personal progress.
Ravana’s life is deeply instructive. He was a great scholar, but was destroyed by ego and lust. This lesson is crucial for today’s society. We must understand that external symbols can only guide; real change must come from within.
Change in society is possible only through the efforts of individuals. Parents, teachers, senior members of society, and policymakers must all work together to sow the seeds of moral education, virtue, and humanity in young people and children. Only then can the true message of Dussehra—the triumph of good over evil—be realized.
If we want the festival of Ravana Dahan to be more than just a burning of effigies, we must eradicate the lies, deceit, arrogance, and hatred within ourselves. We must overcome the crime and immorality prevalent within our society. Only then will Dussehra become not just a celebration, but a true symbol of social reform and morality.
Today, Ravana is not just the name of a person, but a symbol of all the evils prevalent in society that harm relationships, family, and social life. Until we destroy these Ravanas within ourselves and in society, Dussehra will continue to lose its true meaning.
Ultimately, this should not be merely a symbolic festival, but an opportunity for introspection and reform. Burning effigies only reminds us that Ravana’s end is necessary, but true victory is possible only over the evils within ourselves and in society. If we fail to understand this message, the annual killing of Ravana on Dussehra will remain merely a spectacle, and the real Ravanas will continue to multiply in society.
Author is a Research Scholar in Political Science. She can be mailed at priyankasaurabh9416@yahoo.com
