T oday is Ramchandra Vijayotsava. In Mayapur, the festival is celebrated with procession of Sri Rama, Lakshman , Sita and Hanuman with kirtan around the campus. Devotees also visit the Sripat of Sri Murari Gupta, located just behind the birthplace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to take darshan of Sri Ramachandra.
Below is the message on Ramchandra Vijayotsava by HH Jayapataka Swami
“After the construction of the bridge, a fire was set all over the kingdom of Rāvaṇa. During the fighting with Rāvaṇa, every part of his limbs was slashed to pieces by Your sharp arrows, and his heads fell to the face of the earth” Srila Prabhupada
Shri Ramachandra Vijayotsav (Dusshera)
Dusshera celebrates the victory of Lord Ramachandra over Ravan during the battle in Lanka. After his soldiers were all defeated, Ravan personally attacked Ram. When they were fighting, Lord Ram managed to sever Ravan’s head with an arrow. But, as that head fell to the ground, a duplicate one miraculously cropped up in its place. Lord Ram then severed that head, but once again, another one immediately manifested itself as a replacement. Again and again Lord Ram cut off Ravan’s head, until altogether one hundred such heads lay on the battlefield.
Because each time a new head appeared to replace the old one, Lord Ram began to wonder, “How is it that my arrows that have conquered so many enemies are now ineffectual against Ravan?” The duel continued at a furious pace. Both combatants were obsessed with the desire for killing the other. In fact, several days and nights passed without any break in the fighting.
At last, when Matali saw that Lord Ram was not gaining His desired victory, he suggested that He use the divine brahmashtra weapon. Being thus reminded of this ultimate weapon, Lord Ram picked up the arrow. That arrow had been constructed personally by Lord Brahma for Indra’s use, and later on it was presented to Agastya. Garuda supplied the feathers of that wonderful arrow and the sharp head combined the energy of the Firegod, Agni, and the Sungod. Mount Meru and Mount Mandara contributed their gravity to the arrow’s weight, and its shaft was made from the subtle ethereal element.
This brahmashtra weapon was omnipotent and infallible, and its dazzling effulgence made it rival the splendour of the sun. After empowering the brahmashtra with the required mantras, Lord Ram placed it upon His bowstring. As the monkeys gazed upon that flaming arrow, their hearts became filled with delight, while a dreadful fear penetrated the cores of the hearts of all the of Ravan’s associates.
As Lord Ram pulled the bowstring back to His ear, the earth trembled and the heavens also appeared to become disturbed. When Lord Ram released the brahmashtra, it sped through the air like death itself, and then violently fell upon the chest of the wicked Ravan. After piercing right through the King’s heart, that effulgent arrow entered deep into the earth, taking his sinful life along with it. As that awesome brahmashtra came and re-entered Lord Ram’s quiver, Ravan dropped the bow from his hand and fell down dead from his chariot.
With great, transcendental ecstasy, the monkey warriors loudly proclaimed Lord Ram’s victory as they attacked the fleeing Rakshasa army. From the sky, the demigods shouted, “Sadhu! Sadhu!” (“Well done! Excellent!”), as they completely covered Lord Ram’s chariot with showers of flowers, and beat upon their celestial drums.
Ravan was a great obstacle to Ram and he was only destroyed when his heart was pierced. Similarly, we have many bad qualities that form an obstacle to us developing love for God. These bad qualities can only be completely destroyed when the Lord Himself removes them from our heart. On this day, we can pray to Lord Ram to destroy those bad qualities in our heart, so we can quickly return to His kingdom where there is eternal happiness.”
From Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita:
In the pastimes of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu he absorbed Himself in the transcendental lila of Lord Ramacandra in the following manner as recorded by Srila Krishna dasa Kaviraj Goswami.
Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya-lila Chapter 15 Texts 31-35.
Madhya 15.31
parama-avese prabhu aila nija-ghara
ei-mata lila kare gauranga-sundara
TRANSLATION
In great ecstasy, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to His residence. In this way, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, known as Gauranga-sundara, performed various pastimes.
Madhya 15.32
vijaya-dasami——lanka-vijayera dine
vanara-sainya kaila prabhu lana bhakta-gane
TRANSLATION
On the victory day celebrating the conquest of Lanka–a day known as Vijaya-dasami–Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu dressed up all His devotees like monkey soldiers.
Madhya 15.33
hanuman-avese prabhu vriksha-sakha lana
lanka-gade cadi’ phele gada bhangiya
TRANSLATION
Displaying the emotions of Hanuman, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took up a large tree branch, and, mounting the walls of the Lanka fort, began to dismantle it.
Madhya 15.34
‘kahanre ravna’ prabhu kahe krodhavese
jagan-mata hare papi, marimu savamse’
TRANSLATION
In the ecstasy of Hanuman, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu angrily said, “Where is the rascal Ravana? He has kidnapped the universal mother, Sita. Now I shall kill him and all his family.”
Madhya 15.35
gosanira avesa dekhi’ loke camatkara
sarva-loka jaya’ jaya’ bale bara bara
TRANSLATION
Everyone became very astonished to see the emotional ecstasy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and everyone began to chant, “All glories! All glories!” again and again.
—-
Sri Ramchandra Vijayotsav (Dassera)
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