The Inner Kurukshetra: The Triumph of Devotion over Power

The festival of Dussehra is here—the culmination of Navratri, the period of nine nights and ten days during which the air is filled with music, prayer, and celebration. Yet, behind all the color, dance, and festive fervor, there lies a timeless message: the art of balancing Bhakti (devotion) and Shakti (power).

This balance is the very rhythm of life, yet one that rarely comes naturally. When devotion leads, power follows in harmony, and if power dominates, devotion goes silent. Only when both walk in a perfect partnership together in harmony does life feel whole. This sacred equilibrium is not confined to places of worship or rituals; it plays out in every home, every society, every nation, and above all, within each one of us.

For centuries, saints and sages have sung the glory of the nine forms of Shakti and the nine sentiments of Bhakti. Each festival, each ritual, was woven into our lives to remind us of this wisdom. Think of it like a sweater—threads of devotion and power, woven in different colors, creating a fine tapestry, too beautiful to ignore, revealing a deeper truth.

But over time, people began to forget, and festivals became more of an entertainment. The Garba dance, for example, is seen as a vibrant group performance, but at its core, it is a meditation of the Garbha, womb, a whirling inward journey preserved across cultures—even by Sufi mystics. The deep meanings behind it have faded beneath pomp, lights, entertainment, food, and performance.

If we observe children, they spin naturally, losing themselves in the pure joy of dynamic stillness. But as they grow, the inwardly calling gets replaced by the outwardly demand for applause. It becomes a spin for recognition, approval, or comparison, losing the authentic experience.

Festivals are designed to beckon us to the original purpose. They remind us that true joy does not come from entertainment but from insight. If we allow them, each festival can lift our consciousness, keeping us steady in the midst of life’s battles.

There is an ancient blessing that says:

May knowledge, devotion, and power be used

for what wishes to manifest on Earth.

This is the essence of the three goddesses—Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Durga. This trinity of goddesses are not just deities to be pleased with offerings. They are epitomes of divine forces that can be nurtured within us.

But we often misunderstand; we think money comes in because Goddess Lakshmi is “pleased”, or Kali is “dark” because she looks fierce. These are surface interpretations. The forms of the goddesses are hints, prodding us to look deeper. Kali looks dark only to those with a disturbed inner rhythm, asura literally meaning “without sur,” not in harmony. To the one rooted in truth, she is radiant, protective, and filled with light.

The festival of Navratri, ending with Dussehra, reminds us that the real battle is not outside; it is the war of balance within. For nine nights and ten days, this inner Kurukshetra (battle) plays out. It may last nine days, or nine years. However, the message remains the same: devotion must lead, and power must follow.

The stories of demons like Mahishasura or Raktabija carry this lesson. They, too, had the devotion; they worshipped, prayed, and received boons from the gods. But when they were bestowed with power without the guiding force of devotion, it turned destructive. They cast away gratitude, truth, and humility, and began to combat the very forces that had blessed them.

This happens even today. A young person gains strength, wealth, or skills, and then falls a prey to temptations and self-praises: “Look how powerful I am! Let me showcase it.” Without purity of mind, power turns into ego, ego into violence, and violence into downfall.

So yes, we should encourage the powerless to gain strength. Parents wish their children to be capable, independent, and powerful. However, they must also be taught how to handle that power. Without devotion, humility, love, and gratitude, power becomes a curse rather than a blessing.

The power of devotion must guide life, not the devotion of power.

Pause for a moment and reflect: when power comes into your life—in the form of success, wealth, influence, or even health—what do you do? Does it increase your devotion, love, stillness, and attitude of service? Or does it pull you outward into the pursuit of validation and superiority?

This is the fine line Dussehra calls upon us to notice. Most people live by the “devotion of power,” worshiping success, strength, or influence. But the festival reminds us of the “power of devotion,” allowing devotion itself to drive our life.

When devotion leads, power becomes auspicious. It leads naturally into joy, harmony, and upliftment. This is why Navratri, the nine nights, is divided into three sets, dedicated to Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. Only when all three are honored, only when they are truly pleased, does the balance set in.

And how are they pleased? Not with incense sticks or rituals alone. They are pleased when they see you living in truth, meditating, growing, serving, and returning to humility again.

Dussehra denotes the victory of light over darkness, of balance over imbalance. But its true miracle happens within us: the moment we resolve, “In my life, only the power of devotion will preside, not the devotion of power.”

Imagine a society where knowledge, devotion, and power are in balance, where Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Lakshmi, and Goddess Durga, walk together in every home, where people live not by ego, but by love, joy, and peace. Where no one sees Mother Kali as dark, but as the white lotus of purity behind the form.

This begins wherever you are, when you choose to establish this fine balance in your own life.

So, this Dussehra, as you watch effigies of Ravana burn or join the Garba dance, remember the deeper invitation. The war outside is only a symbol. The real victory is when devotion and power find their rhythm within you.

Make the promise inwardly:

I will not worship power. I will live by the power of devotion. I will invite the goddesses of knowledge, abundance, and strength into my life—not for ego, but for love.

May this festival not just be celebrated but also lived. May the three goddesses be pleased. May the power of devotion guide your steps always.