VIJAYA is one of the ten names of Arjuna the famous Pandava
warrior of the epic Mahabhararatha! The other names of Arjuna are Phalguna,
Partha Kiriti, Swethavahana, Bibhatsa, Krishna, Savya sachi, and Dhananjaya!
The tenth day of the waxing moon ( sukla paksha) of the month of Aswiyuja has a
winning connection with Arjuna!This is not very well known to many people. The word Vijaya denotes victory
or success. Thus this Dasami is considered the best and the most auspicious day
for commencing any type of activity. What is the story in Mahabharatha behind
this VIJAYADASAMI?
It was the
period of ‘ajnathavasa’, (living incognito) for the Pandavas. They had
disguised themselves and served in the palace of King Virata. Yudhishtira was
the royal adviser to the king. Bhima was the chief chef in the royal kitchen.
Arjuna, as Bruhannala, served as the dance master to the princess UTTARA and
assisted the queen. Nakula and Sahadeva looked
after the herds of cattle and others.
Days went on smoothly for almost the end of the ajnathavasa.
Duryodhana and
the Kauravas were on tenterhooks. They wanted to find out the whereabouts of
the Pandavas. If within the end of this period the Pandavas are found out, they
have to go into the forest for 12 more years and one more year of living
incognito. Through spies and much effort they knew that the Pandavas, in disguise, were with King Virata.
Duryodhana was exuberant with the thought of sending back the Pandavas for
another term of forest life. Plans were contemplated to draw the Pandavas out as
early as possible. It was suggested that the Kaurava forces should attack
northern part and steal away the herds of cattle! Pandavas would surely come
out of their hiding to help the king. That will spell doom for Pandavas as they
have to go to the forest once again! That was the grand plan of the Kauravas!
Orders were passed and
Kauava forces invaded the northern part, rounded up the herds and seized
them! This incident is called UTTHARA GOGRAHANA
There was
alarm in King Virata’s court. This was totally a bolt from the blue. Prince
Utthara Kumara was young and inexperienced. Yudhishtira, being the advisor suggested that if
permission is granted he and his brothers can help in defeating the Kauravas and bring back the herds of cattle. The Prince
was in a dilemma. Prince UTTHARA KUMARA volunteered to go to the battle field
and fight but the king was hesitant. The Prince insisted on fighting the kaurava forces but he had no
competent sarathi—driver of chariot! Thereupon,
Arjuna offered himself to be the driver for prince UTTHARA
KUMARA. The prince was not impressed as Bruhannala was only a dance master for
his sister, Uttara. But Bruhannala pointed out that he was once the driver of
the chariot of Arjuna the pandava warrior. Finally the prince readied himself
to fight the Kauravas and left for the battlefield with Arjuna driving the chariot!
The moment
the prince saw the mighty army of the kauravas , he began to tremble
with fear. He could not stand. Suddenly he threw down his bow and arrows and
asked Arjuna to stop the chariot. Before Arjuna could do so, the prince jumped
down and began running! Arjuna brought back the running prince, encouraged him,
and directed him to drive the chariot. He said that he would fight the
Kauravas. Then Arjuna went to the “SEMI VRUKSHA” the tree where the Pandavas had
hidden all their weapons before they went to king Virata. He bowed down to the
tree, retrieved his great bow Gandiva and the quiver of arrows even as the
prince was bewildered! Arjuna then fought the Kauravas and with his “ sammohanasthra”
made all kaurava forces faint! All the
herds of cattle were brought back to their original Place! That day of the victory
of Arjuna over the Kaurava forces happened to be the ‘dasami’—tenth day of the
waxing moon of the month of Aswiyuja! It was the Day of Victory for VIJAYA ie Arjuna! Hence the day is called ‘ Vijaya
Dasami---the day of victory not only for Arjuna but for all!!
Different
stories are popular in different states in India! VIJAYA DASAMI Is considered
as the celebration of the day of Victory when Adi Parashakti, as DURGA killed
Mahishasura the tormentor of Devas After
killing him on the 8th day of Navarathri she sits in durbar—in court
with all majesty and grandeur! That is the significance of ‘ koluvu’ in South
India! Almost every house has a simple or grand koluvu to signify the end of
EVIL and the rule of GOOD!!
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