Dussehra Wisdom: Burn the Right Ravan - Insights from Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

In the grand tapestry of Hindu festivals, Dussehra stands as a symbol of the victory of good over evil. People gather to celebrate the triumph of Lord Rama over the ten-headed demon king, Ravan. Effigies of Ravan are set ablaze, signifying the destruction of evil forces. However, the celebrated spiritual leader, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, offers a profound perspective on Dussehra that encourages us to burn the right Ravan.

The True Essence of Ravan: A Devotee of God

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj explained the significance of Ravan, a character often vilified in the Ramayana. According to his teachings, Ravan was not just a wicked demon king but a devotee of God from Golok, a realm of divine transcendence. Ravan held a unique role as the gatekeeper of God's divine abode, and he was, in fact, one of the topmost saints.

Ravan's Sacred Seva

So, what was the divine seva that God had assigned to Ravan? He was sent to Earth to enact a play, a divine act. Ravan's purpose was to pretend to perform evil actions. He wasn't actually committing sins but merely playing a role, a cosmic drama ordained by God. A true saint cannot even contemplate evil actions, let alone commit them.

The Challenge of the Vedas

In the spiritual journey, the Vedas present a challenge: once someone attains God, the mother of ignorance, Maya, departs. Ravan was a devout devotee who practiced unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva. His devotion pleased Lord Shiva, who blessed Ravan with profound knowledge and the ability to write a commentary on the four Vedas. Ravan's status as a Brahmin and his spiritual prowess emphasize that he was no ordinary character.

Ravan's Unique Approach

The conventional narrative of Ravan kidnapping Sita is also viewed differently through Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj's teachings. Ravan did not commit any sinful act. He took Sita and kept her separately in a garden, guarding her with other ladies. This seemingly peculiar behavior raises a crucial question: if Ravan had ill intentions, why didn't he take Sita to his palace?

Ravan's actions reflect his lovesickness and power. He offered Sita a one-month grace period, an act of patience and respect unmatched by anyone. Such a powerful and lovesick individual could hardly be expected to show such restraint, let alone grant such a grace period.

The True Ravan: Attachment to the World

According to Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, the true Ravan that we must confront is not an external demon but an attachment to the material world. Burning the effigy of an external Ravan yields no true benefit. Instead, we must focus on eradicating our attachment to the world, which is fueled by Maya's illusion. It is the belief that happiness resides in the world that binds our minds to worldly desires.

The Arrow of Devotion to Shri Krishna

To destroy this attachment to the world, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj advises the use of the arrow of devotion to Shri Krishna. Once this attachment is obliterated, there will be no delay in realizing God. The path to spiritual awakening, according to Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, lies in conquering our own inner demons and not in external acts of destruction.

In conclusion, Dussehra becomes a reminder of the inner battles we must fight, urging us to burn the real Ravan – our worldly attachments. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj's profound insights help us recognize that Dussehra's true essence lies in conquering the attachment to the material world, leading us on a path to spiritual growth and enlightenment. So this Dussehra burns your inner Ravan, not the artificial one. Visit our website to read more about Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj's teachings.