Dussehra 2021: Today is the festival of Dussehra, when Lord Shri Ram defeated Ravana, freeing Maa Sita from his clutches. On this occasion, Dussehra also known as Vijaya Dashami is celebrated every year on the dashami tithi of Shukla paksha of Ashwin month.


According to religious beliefs, the arrogant Lankan king Ravana is said to have faced defeat four times before Lord Shri Ram.


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Ravana lost to King Bali: Ravana was firstly defeated by Kishkindha's King Bali. King Bali was blessed with a boon wherein those who came before him to fight him, would habe their strength halved. King Bali was worshipping when Ravana challenged him. After Ravana's repeated attempts at disrupting the puja, King Bali held him tightly under his arm. Bali freed him after Ravana pleaded for it.


Ravana lost to God Shiva: According to the religious texts, when the arrogant Ravana defeated the Indradi gods several times, he went to Mount Kailash with the same strength and challenged Lord Shiva. At that time, Lord Shiva was engrossed in meditation. When there was no answer from Lord Shiva, Ravana began to uproot Mount Kailash. Then Shiva pressed Mount Kailash with his thumb. Following this, Ravana got buried under the mountain. Then Ravana begged Lord Shiva for his life, composing the Shiva tandava. This pleased Lord Shiva and he saved Ravana's life.


Children overpowered him: Ravana went to the Pataal Lok and challenged the king with the intention of capturing it. Since the powers of outsiders do not work in the Pataal Lok, the children playing there held him captive and put him in the stable of horses.


Defeated by Sahastrabahu Arjuna: Ravana was also defeated by Sahastrabahu Arjuna.