Vijayadashami is one
of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated in various forms, across Nepal, India Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The name Vijayadashami is also derived from the
Sanskrit words "Vijaya-dashami" literally meaning the victory on the dashami (Dashmi being the tenth lunar day of the Hindu calendar
month). The day marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasur. Goddess fought
with evils for 9 nights and 10 days.
Victory of Durga Mata over Mahishasura
Some of the demons, or Asuras, were very powerful and ambitious and
continually tried to defeat the Devas, or Gods, and capture Heaven. One Asura, Mahishasura, grew very
powerful and created havoc on the earth. Under his leadership, the Asuras
defeated the Devas. The world was crushed under Mahishasura's tyranny; the
Devas joined their energies into Shakti, a single mass of incandescent energy, to kill
Mahishasura.
A very powerful band of lightning
emerged from the mouths of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and a young, beautiful female virgin
with ten hands appeared. All the Gods gave their special weapons to her. This
Shakti coalesced to form the goddess
Durga. Riding on a lion, who assisted her, Durga fought Mahishasura. The
battle raged for nine days and nights. Finally on the tenth day of Ashvin
shukla paksha, Mahishasura was defeated and killed by Durga.
Hence Vijayadashami is also known as Dasha-Hara, Navratri or Durgotsav and is a celebration of Durga's
victory. Durga, as Consort of Lord Shiva, represents two forms of female energy
– one mild and protective and the other fierce and destructive.
