Vijayadashmi also known as Dasara, Dussehra or Dashahara is one of the most important Hindu festivals in our country. The day marks the victory of Lord Rama over the ten-headed demon king Ravana, who abducted Sita Ma, Lord Ram's wife. We all have sweet child-hood memories of celebrating Dussehra in our own towns, cities and villages. Here are just a few.
It was through them that I got to know that the 10 heads of Ravana stands for the ten bad qualitiesin human beings which we burn every year on the eve of Dussehra: Kama vasana (Lust), Krodha (Anger), Moha (Attachment), Lobha (Greed), Mada (Over Pride), Matsara (Jealousy), Swartha (Selfishness), Anyaaya (Injustice), Amanavta (Cruelty), Ahankara (Ego).