Yuva Bharati - October 2019

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When we say that Hinduism is not a mere religion but a way of life it is not a just to browbeat those who try to club all religions together. It actually holds the solutions for every problem that one may encounter in day to day life through its myriad rituals and festivals. Many think that Hinduism is not an organized religion like all other ‘isms’ are. It may appear true at the outset, but when you have closer look at the way this system works, you can understand that it tries to organize the society by shaping the individuals. Every society will have people of various hues and it will be difficult to instill the values in them if the approach is unidimensional. That’s the reason we have so many rituals and festivals which are nothing but values in action. These are meant to promote harmony in the society and at the same time enhance the individual’s quality to such an extent that he becomes an endearing one for others. The Navratra is one such occasion where the festival symbolizes that the rajasvic tendencies are needed to smother the tamasic state. The demon Mahihsasura whom Durga mata slayed is a symbolic representation of the tamasic forces. Tamas is the expression of the darkness which is nothing but Lethargy, ignorance and inertia. Rajas is the action which can fight inertia. This will help us to go to the sattva level. This festival implies that we have to fight the tamasic tendencies which creep in within us, and uproot them. This slaying is essential if we want to shape ourselves as a better human being.