Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, is one of the most vibrant festivals in India.
It is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country, symbolizing the victory of good over evil and truth over lies.
For students, it’s a festival full of meaningful lessons hidden within ancient tales, epic battles, and folk traditions.
Beyond burning effigies of Ravana or watching Ramleela plays, Dussehra offers moral stories that can guide young minds to live with courage, honesty, and discipline.
In this blog, we bring you 7 Dussehra stories for students—expanded into engaging narratives that are easy to follow, thought-provoking, and full of life lessons.
1. Lord Rama Defeats Ravana
Long ago, in the kingdom of Ayodhya, Prince Rama was sent into exile along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana.
Life in the forest was peaceful until Ravana, the mighty demon king of Lanka, abducted Sita. This act led to one of the greatest battles in Indian mythology.
Rama did not fight alone. With the help of Hanuman, the Vanara (monkey) army, and loyal companions, he built a bridge across the sea to reach Lanka.
For ten days, fierce battles were fought. Arrows flew, warriors clashed, and the entire world seemed to hold its breath. Finally, on the tenth day—Vijayadashami—Rama shot a powerful arrow that struck Ravana’s heart, ending his tyranny forever.
When Rama returned victorious with Sita, the people of Ayodhya celebrated with lights, joy, and love.
Lesson for Students: Even the strongest evil cannot survive before truth and righteousness. For students, this story teaches that honesty, courage, and perseverance will always bring success, even in the face of huge difficulties.
2. Goddess Durga Defeats Mahishasura
Mahishasura, a demon with the ability to change forms, grew so powerful that he defeated the gods and created terror everywhere. No single god could defeat him. To protect the world, all the gods combined their powers to create Goddess Durga—a warrior with ten arms, each carrying a divine weapon.
For nine days and nights, Durga fought Mahishasura. The battle shook mountains, lit the skies with divine light, and filled the earth with roaring energy. On the tenth day, she finally struck Mahishasura down, bringing peace and balance to the world.
This day is remembered as Vijayadashami, the day of ultimate victory.
Lesson for Students: The story shows the power of unity.
Just as the gods combined their strength to form Durga, students too can achieve greatness when they work together. Teamwork, collaboration, and standing united for the right cause always lead to success.
3. The Tale of Meghnad’s Bravery
Meghnad, also known as Indrajit, was Ravana’s brave son. Unlike Ravana, Meghnad was respected for his courage and skills. During the war with Rama, he fought fearlessly, using celestial weapons and strategies that even the gods admired.
However, Meghnad chose the wrong side by standing with Ravana. Eventually, Lakshmana, guided by Rama’s blessings, defeated Meghnad in a fierce duel. His bravery was remembered, but his decision to fight for evil brought his downfall.
Lesson for Students: Being brave is good, but bravery must serve the path of truth. Supporting the wrong cause, no matter how powerful, will never lead to lasting victory. For students, it’s a reminder to always align their strength and talents with honesty and goodness.
4. Kautsa’s Gift of Knowledge
Kautsa, a young student, once completed his studies under Sage Varatantu. As tradition demanded, he wanted to give his teacher guru dakshina—a token of gratitude. His guru asked for 14 crore gold coins, not for himself but to test Kautsa’s devotion.
Kautsa prayed to Lord Rama, who approached Kubera, the god of wealth. Kubera showered gold coins from the sky near Ayodhya. Kautsa humbly offered them to his teacher, who, touched by his devotion, kept only what was necessary and returned the rest. Rama then ensured the surplus coins were distributed among the poor.
Lesson for Students: Respecting teachers and valuing knowledge is more important than riches. For students, this story emphasizes gratitude, humility, and the belief that true wealth lies in wisdom, not material possessions.
5. Arjuna’s Victory on Vijayadashami
In the Mahabharata, during their exile, the Pandavas had to live in disguise. Arjuna hid his weapons in a Shami tree to protect them. On the day of Vijayadashami, he retrieved them with reverence and prepared for the great war of Kurukshetra.
The timing was significant—choosing Vijayadashami symbolized victory and righteousness. With those weapons, Arjuna later played a key role in ensuring justice and defeating the Kauravas.
Lesson for Students: Preparation and timing are crucial for success. Knowledge and skills must be used wisely and at the right moment. For students, this teaches the value of patience, readiness, and making smart decisions at the right time.
6. The Farmer’s Story of New Beginnings
In many parts of India, farmers associate Dussehra with prosperity. A famous folk tale tells of a farmer who, after facing a year of failed crops, decided to start afresh on Dussehra. He cleaned his tools, sowed new seeds, and prayed with hope. With hard work and determination, his fields flourished, and he harvested abundance in the coming season.
Since then, many farmers begin new agricultural activities on Vijayadashami, considering it a symbol of hope and renewal.
Lesson for Students: Failure is never the end—it’s the beginning of another opportunity. Like farmers, students must learn to rise after setbacks, start again with fresh energy, and never lose hope.
7. The Story of the Shami Tree
During their exile, the Pandavas hid their weapons in a Shami tree for safekeeping. Years later, on Vijayadashami, they returned to find the weapons intact. They worshipped the tree as a symbol of protection and strength before heading into the Kurukshetra war.
Even today, in some traditions, people exchange Shami leaves as a gesture of goodwill and prosperity.
Lesson for Students: The story shows the importance of respecting nature. Just as the Shami tree safeguarded the weapons, trees and the environment protect life on earth. Students should learn to care for nature and treat it as a trusted companion.
Conclusion
Dussehra is more than a festival of fireworks, sweets, and celebrations—it is a festival of wisdom. Each of these Dussehra stories for students carries a timeless lesson: that courage, truth, teamwork, gratitude, hope, and respect for nature will always lead to victory.
As students celebrate Dussehra, they should remember that every small act of goodness contributes to the larger triumph of light over darkness.
