Dussehra and Financial Freedom: Lessons from Ramayana

Introduction

Popularly, Dussehra is celebrated as a victory of good over evil. During this time, the streets are filled with the magical storytelling of the Ram Leela act, followed by Ravan Dehan on the 10th day. And it is widely celebrated in more than seven countries worldwide.

With more than 300 versions of the Ramayana, every story has its own unique twist, but all share the same core lesson — the triumph of Lord Rama over Ravana. Beyond personal values, Ramayana also carries powerful financial lessons that help us navigate investments wisely.

In this blog, let us discover the top 14 financial lessons from Ramayana and how they can drive your finances and investments towards your goals.

The Cost of Misguided Promises: Avoid Taking Wrong Advice

Destiny was on the cards, and King Dasaratha gave a promise to Queen Kaikeyi. His hasty vow to Kaikeyi changed everything, resulting in the exile of Lord Rama from the palace, along with Lakshmana and Ma Sita.

But there lies a hidden financial lesson for us.

Many investors, like Dasaratha, make impulsive commitments for their investments. They keep falling for hype, fake promises, or half-baked advice, and let their money cry. This aftermath can be costly and impact your finances. This Impulsive Behavior in markets often leads to regret, eroding both wealth and peace of mind.

King Dasaratha's mistake teaches us to Always think twice before acting on financial tips, hot stock picks, or flashy schemes. One wrong decision can exile your hard-earned money from your portfolio.

Stay alert, verify sources, and avoid scammers who promise the crown but deliver exile.

Dharma above Comfort: Stick to Financial Discipline

With the decision to honor Dharma and leave comfort is the core learning from Ramayana. In short, Lord Rama chose exile (Dharma), leaving behind luxury.

The same applies to our financial journey. Who doesn't have goals? Buying a house, securing retirement, funding a child's education, or planning a dream vacation are reasons why we end up saving. But along the way, short-term pleasures and overspending often tempt us, pulling us away from these very goals.

This Dussehra, just as Lord Rama stayed loyal to Dharma, stay faithful to your financial goals

Devotion & Loyalty: Stay Loyal to Your Financial Goals

If someone followed Lord Rama's footsteps from start, it was Maa Sita and Lakshmana. The devotion, love, and loyalty stuck throughout their journey and taught us to be loyal to what we love – be it dreams or goals.

In finances, loyalty translates into commitment. As popularly quoted, Commitment is an act, not a word.Whether it's SIPs, systematic retirement planning, or consistent savings, staying devoted through ups and downs is what ensures success.

Greed Brings Ruin: Avoid Speculation Traps

During the Aranya Kanda (Forest), Ravana found a way to lure Lord Rama and Sita. While she found the golden deer (hiran) captivating, Lord Rama went behind it. But who knew – it was Rakshasa Maricha in disguise, a trap that paved the way for Ravana to abduct Sita.

And that's where a financial lesson lies.

Just as with the divine beings, we too encounter golden deer in our financial lives. Mostly, those schemes that look shiny and promise extraordinary returns. But more often than not, they're nothing more than traps. Investors chasing these illusions usually fall prey to scammers, losing not only money but also their peace of mind.

Keep in mind, If it looks too good to be true, it probably isn't. After all, not all glitters are gold. .

Patience & Perseverance: Wealth Building Takes Time

Nothing comes quickly, even if it's Lord Rama who has to complete 14 years of exile. Just like the quote goes, Rome wasn't built in one day.

From a financial perspective, even building wealth takes time. Building wealth is not about shortcuts, but all about patience. You cannot fast-forward compounding; you can only let time work its magic.

Just as Rama's exile had to be completed before Ayodhya saw its king return, your financial journey too needs patience and discipline. This Dussehra, remind yourself that Wealth built steadily lasts longer than riches gained quickly.

Friendship & Trust: Choose the Right Financial Partners

From Kiskanda to Uttar Kanda, if someone helped Lord Rama with strategic moves, it was Sugriva, Hanuman, and later Vibhishana. Or else, call them the advisory council of Lord Rama.

So, how does it turn into a financial lesson for us?

In the world of money, guidance matters as much as money does. And to take advice, you need to put trust in the person giving it. A right financial advisor, like Rama's allies, can help you strategize, avoid traps, and march toward your goals with clarity.

Remember, “A battle fought together is better than one fought alone – be it financial or personal.

Every Being, Every Stone Has a Role: Small Saving Habits Like SIPs Matter

Fast forward to the time when the Atal Setu (Ram Setu) was ordered to be built. Vanar sena, Hanuman, bears, and even squirrels were contributing to the bridge towards Lanka. No matter how small their efforts seemed, they had a significant role to play.

In the world of investing, the same principle applies. Small contributions matter. So, whether it's your monthly SIPs, spare savings, or disciplined budgeting, these seemingly minor actions compound over time.

After all, it doesn't have to be big stones, but only a stone.

Utilization Of Resources: Use Funds To Their Full Potential

Owning the Golden Lanka made Ravana one of the wealthiest kings, surrounded by immense riches and resources. Yet, his arrogance and misuse of those very resources led to his downfall.

In today's world, many young professionals fall into a similar trap. Despite earning well, they often find themselves buried under EMIs, credit card bills, and personal loans. By the end of the month, when they review their expenses, they can't even trace where they spent their money..

Just as Ravana failed to use Lanka's wealth for good, mismanaging your resources can drain financial potential, no matter how high your income is.

Build a Resilient Team: Create a Diversified Portfolio

Unity drives a purpose faster – be it Lord Rama or people in this modern generation. With the help of the Vanaras, he assembled a resilient army, possessing expertise in jungle warfare and military tactics. This resilience helped them win the battle at the ground level.

Similar to Lord Rama's army, our portfolio must also have resilience to tackle the market. This strength can also come from diversification. A well-diversified mix of assets (like equity, debt, gold, and real estate) ensures balance and stability.

When one asset/security falters, the other stands firm, just like Rama's army members complemented each other's strengths

Adapting To Challenges: Restructure Your Portfolio With Market Situation

Throughout the Yuddh Kanda, constant battles were fought, and each day demanded a new mark as <h2>strategy. With Sugreeva's planning, Hanuman's courage, Lakshmana's discipline, and the collective strength of the Vanaras, Lord Rama adapted to every challenge on the battlefield.

The same applies to our financial lives. Markets are never constant—they shift, surprise, and sometimes shock. What worked last year may not work today. That's why “Reviewing and, in fact, adapting your portfolio according to the market is crucial.

Overconfidence Leads to Downfall: Don’t Be Proud of 'I Know Everything'

As a popular quote says, Confidence is fine. Overconfidence isn't. To a point, even Lord Rama praised Ravana's wisdom and instructed him to take knowledge from the latter at his deathbed. However, his arrogance and overconfidence in his knowledge were the main factors in this downfall.

At present, SEBI's survey states that, Around 70% of the day traders experience losses due to overconfidence. And not just traders, but even others are targets of it. They believe the past performance will continue later on as well. But that's not true.

Ignoring the warning signs and investing in overvalued assets can pose a significant risk to your portfolio. Investors feel they can outbeat the market, but the real game begins when they hold these investments even at unsustainable prices.

By taking this financial lesson from Dussehra, “Do stay confident, but don't let pride blind you.”

No Situation Is Permanent: Don’t Panic in the Market

Even 14 years of exile felt difficult, but eventually, Ayodhya saw the return of Lord Rama. It teaches us that every situation has an end – be it good or bad. We can also observe this in the markets.

Bull runs don't stay forever, and neither do bear markets. So, getting into panic mode and making impulsive buys doesn't make sense. Just as Rama's return to Ayodhya brought joy after hardship, market recoveries also follow periods of downturns.

The only thing you need is PPP - Patience, Persistence, and Perseverance

Truth Always Triumphs: Stick to Honest Financial Practices

Ramayana is not about a battle win or the end of Ravana, but a triumph of truth over evil. Continuous learning and the right advice helped Lord Rama achieve this victory.

In this ever-evolving financial world, staying updated on market rules and SEBI regulations can provide a protective shield for your investments. It protects you and your investments from fraud, scams, and poor decisions that can divert your financial journey.

By applying the financial lessons from the Ramayana, investors can adhere to honest financial practices and guide their investments better.

Final Thoughts

Lastly, this guide serves as a condensed version of financial lessons. From Ravana's greed and overconfidence, Lord Rama's resilient army and adherence to Dharma, to the Vanara sena's small contribution, each character has a lot to teach from a financial perspective.

Ultimately, what matters is staying informed about the latest rules, scams, and investment options. And if anything feels confusing, do consider consulting a financial adviser or professional help.