New Delhi: On the occasion of Vijayadashami or Dussehra 2022, a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going viral on social media.
The video is from 2009, when Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Back then PM Modi performed ‘Shastra Puja’ (worship of weapons) at his Gandhinagar residence in the presence of police and security personnel on the occasion of Vijaya Dashmi.
In video, he can be seen worshipping the weapons such as sword, bows and arrows etc which was received as gift during public programmes.
In the video PM Modi can be heard saying that the festival of Vijayadashmi is celebrated following Navratri. It is a celebration of triumph of godly powers against the evil forces.
PM Modi said that while the weapons are integral part of security personnel’s lives, its worship keeps them distant from its misuse.
Citing Ravan’s example, PM Modi said that Ramayana teaches us that we can keep away from the ego of power and possession with the wisdom and virtues.
He said this is evident by the triumph of the virtuous life of Lord Rama against the fall of egoistic Ravana.
“In the history of mankind, only India has preached ‘Shaastra’ on the war field while wielding ‘Shastra’ in our hands!”
On #Vijayadashami, listen to PM @narendramodi explain how India’s weapons policy is guided by its scriptures, which forbid their misuse.
[#Dussehra, 2009] pic.twitter.com/iWG7mYrBbs
— Modi Archive (@modiarchive) October 5, 2022
According to the Hindu calendar, Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami is celebrated on the 10th day after the nine days of Navratri festivities in the month of Ashvina.