​The Tenth Head: This Dussehra, Win the Battle Within

“The greatest victories are the ones won within ourselves.”

Every year, as the autumn air fills with festive cheer, we celebrate Dussehra. We watch the towering effigies of the ten-headed Ravana crackle and burn, a powerful and timeless symbol of good triumphing over evil. It’s a story of courage, righteousness, and the ultimate victory of light over darkness.

But beyond the stories we tell and the rituals we perform, Dussehra offers us a profound invitation: to look within and win our own inner battles. This year, let’s use the spirit of this incredible festival to embark on a journey of personal victory—a victory for our health, our energy, and our well-being.

You see, in our modern lives, we face our own multi-headed “Ravana.” It’s not a demon king, but a collection of challenges that can steal our vitality and joy. And the secret to conquering them lies in identifying the true source of their power.

The Nine Heads We All Face

Think of the health struggles you might be familiar with as Ravana’s visible heads. Each one represents a common battle that many of us fight every single day:

• 1. The Head of Lethargy: That constant feeling of tiredness that a good night’s sleep just can’t seem to fix.
• 2. The Head of Brain Fog: The mental cloudiness that makes it hard to focus, be creative, or feel sharp.
• 3. The Head of Cravings: The powerful, sudden urges for sugar and junk food that can derail our best intentions.
• 4. The Head of Poor Digestion: The uncomfortable bloating, gas, or sluggishness that weighs us down after meals.
• 5. The Head of Stress: The relentless feeling of being overwhelmed, which takes a toll on both our mind and body.
• 6. The Head of Weak Immunity: The frustration of catching every cold and flu that goes around.
• 7. The Head of Inflammation: The silent, low-grade internal fire that can contribute to numerous health issues.
• 8. The Head of Restless Sleep: The inability to get deep, restorative sleep, leaving you tired before your day even begins.
• 9. The Head of Nutrient Gaps: The feeling of running on empty because our body isn’t getting the essential fuel it needs.

Fighting these nine heads one by one can feel like an exhausting, never-ending battle. You might conquer one, only for another to grow stronger. But what if there was a way to weaken all of them at once?

The Tenth Head: The True Source of Power

This brings us to the master head, the one that gives power to all the others. This is the Tenth Head: Mindlessness.

The Tenth Head is the act of eating without awareness. It’s the hurried lunch at your desk, the distracted snacking in front of the TV, the emotional eating when you’re stressed, and the simple act of not listening to your body’s true signals of hunger and fullness. It is the disconnect between our mind, our body, and the food we eat.

Your Divine ‘Astras’: The Weapons of Mindful Nourishment

In the great epics, heroes are armed with divine weapons, or ‘astras,’ to ensure their victory. In our journey to health, we too have a powerful arsenal at our disposal. These are the practices and nutrients that allow us to conquer the Tenth Head and, in turn, all the others.

• The Astra of Mindfulness: This is your primary and most powerful weapon. It is the simple, profound act of paying full attention to your food. Notice the colors, the smells, the textures. Chew slowly. Savor each bite. This one practice is the foundation of your victory.
• The Astra of Vitality (Vitamin C): Think of this as your divine shield. Foods rich in Vitamin C are essential for building a strong immune system, protecting you from the head of ‘Weak Immunity.’
• The Astra of Satiety (Fiber): This is the weapon that conquers cravings. Foods rich in fiber keep you feeling full and satisfied, breaking the chains of the head of ‘Cravings.’
• The Astra of Clarity (Healthy Fats): To vanquish ‘Brain Fog,’ you need this powerful astra. Healthy Fats are the premium fuel your brain needs to feel sharp, focused, and clear.

Your ‘Vijay Muhurat’: A Personal Dussehra Ritual

This Dussehra, as you celebrate the victory of light, I invite you to create your own ‘Vijay Muhurat’—your personal, sacred moment of victory. This isn’t about restriction or saying “no” to festive treats. It’s about adding one small, powerful “yes” to your day.

The Ritual:
Before you join the festive feast, find a quiet moment. Take one single almond, one slice of a crisp apple, or one creamy piece of avocado. Hold it in your hand. This is your personal ‘astra’.

Close your eyes. Take a slow, mindful bite. As you chew, visualize this small piece of food as a golden arrow of light, traveling through your body and striking the Tenth Head of mindlessness. Feel the sense of calm, control, and nourishment spread through you. This is your victory.

This simple act is your personal Ravana Dahan. It is a declaration that you are in charge of your health, one mindful bite at a time.

---

The journey to vibrant health is not about a single grand gesture, but about a thousand small, mindful victories. This Dussehra, let’s not just celebrate an ancient story of triumph; let’s write our own.

I’d love to hear from you. In the comments below, share with our community: What ‘Tenth Head’ will you choose to conquer this festive season?

Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy, healthy, and victorious Dussehra!