Vijayadashami Baudhik by Ma. Saumitra Ji in NJ on October 25, 2015

Yesterday in New Jersey, I was very fortunate to get an opportunity to listen to one of the best discourses on Vijayadashami that I have ever heard. I, therefore, can't resist sharing it on my blog.

That was perhaps Param Pujyaniya Guru Ji who had once said that unlike communism, capitalism and all other isms, Sangh doesn't have its own ism. Sangh simply follows Hinduism.

It was amazing to see how nicely and easily Saumitra Ji imbibed Hindu aka Sangha view in his baudhik. 

Here is the summary (saransh) of his baudhik with apology in advance for my poor skills of retaining and reproducing. I will try to do my best.

To emphasize Nari Shakti which is symbolized by worshiping of Durga, Saumitra Ji started with a story from the charismatic character of Swami Vivekanand that how in USA females were mesmerized by his magnetic personality and how one leading artist approached him with marriage proposal - not knowing that as a Sanyasi he'd taken a vow to celibacy. Swami Ji  calmly asked her why did she want to marry him and her reply was that she wanted a son like Swami ji. Oh, just that, said Swami Ji and then what he said underlines how high a place a woman has in Hindu culture! 

Swami Ji told her that if all that she wanted was a son like him then she didn't have to wait for that. "Take me as your son and your wish is fulfilled", said Swami Ji.  This is how a woman is respected in Hindu culture.

Saumitra Ji then mentioned two important events that are commemorated on Vijayadashami day - Dussera and Mahishasur Mardan, and our belief that Dharma will always be victorious. 

With these and also with the story of how Durga vanquished Rakta Beej, Saumitra Ji beautifully explained the concept of not only the victory of good over evil but also the importance of choosing proper means to tread the path of Dharma.

Dharma will always be victorious and Hindu dharma always tells us to follow the path of Dharma. That's the reason that a wife is called sahdharmini who will follow the husband on Dharma path only. Story of Ratnakar (Valmiki) was a good example.

Through all these examples and with the example of Rama's answer to Vibhishan's concern about lack of physical protective gear, Saumitra Ji explained the importance of good (good qualities) at individual level. Lord Ram told Vibhishan that the protection (Kavach) of good qualities is a much more effective protection than physical armor.

At individual level we may talk of winning or losing but in a family we actually have a sense of victory by losing to our dear ones. This is how win-lose can easily be transformed to win-win and that's what we want to extend to Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam level, where there is no conflict of interests and it's always win-win for everyone.

It's therefore, important that we all become Dharma following families who will contribute to society and ultimately help create Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.