Maa Durga

Navaratri, one of the important festival for Bharatiya culture. The western world has "Women's day" for celebrating womenhood and their roles. However, Navratri is different as we not only cherish womenhood but its all about women's victory over male dominion. 

                          Mahisasur; Sanskrit term which translates "Demon Buffalo" , a shape shifter who meleciously used his powers against Devtas and eventually  was defeated. This power ambitious Demon began to meditate for supreme boon by Lord Brahma the creator of universe. The Lord was impressed and pleased by demon's focus and dedication of years so asked the wish. Mahisasur wished immorality. But creator deny the wish and so again the vain demon asked for boon that prevents his killing from any Male God, human or beast. The proud demon avoided the name of women. The Brahma granted him his nufarious wish so he can defeat Devtas and control over them. With this powers he was able to be the sole ruler of three realms. Devasted devatas went to Brahma, he took them to Lord Vishnu the preserver and at last they went to Kailash for help from Lord Shiva the destroyer.When three Gods met creating the divine Trinity a heavenly light appeared from their forehead which merged with each other and a feminine beauty was created.

          We all know this ancient incident, I used the word incident because it is not a mythological stories instead a real event that is affecting us in positive way. Dear Sisters and Mothers, a question I want to ask. Tell me when you felt like a machine without any soul or opinion. Or when you felt like people treating you differently as you are a kid and dominating their thoughts by hiding their odd behaviour beneath the caring and kind face. I am not exaggerating, but the question is about your respect. Caring behaviour is different while treating you as fool or animal is definitely the worst treatment for any women. In society we live, always talk about women's limitations, we are subject to biases. Or in more direct terms we cannot be unique and our whole being is based on incorrect assumptions. Sometimes it just feel like I am not real and we all feel in the same way. I don't think there is any women who have not experienced that prejudice. 

                       If someone is mocking you, keep silent try to find the reason of your mockery to avoid future incidents. A women cannot drive, as she is busy with her makeup and lack of decisions. "Try to be more friendly" , as no one likes dull and boring girls. If you are a social animal and frank talker then you are selfish and using people for your needs. If you wear makeup than people will judge on your capabilities but if you are simple that they will treat you outsider. Society had created many illogical prejudices and expectations, its just unable to tick mark all for being that ideal girl or women. Instead of changing the attitudes, many people claims that this happens in India even they worship goddess. Well, till mid 40s there was a law in England to burn a woman alive as she has been accused for witchcraft. The lives of women around the world was not good, there were malnourished and subjected to various inhuman treatment like flogging, marital rape, murder and till this happens. It has became our mindset that a women is weak and when brave emerges they face serious allegations or surprised comments like "She did it even with weak gender". Its illogical to be surprised as many women had contributed to development of science, art and culture. Then why surprised faces stare at them. Men and women are different but it does not affect capabilities as every individual is different. They consists of different energies but none of them is superior which is beautifully depicted in "Ardhnarishwar (half women and half Lord). On one side we see Lord Shiva depicting male energy and on other side Maa Parvati depicting female energy. They are equally united without any differences. The legend of Annapurna also explain, according to scriptures one day Lord Shiva claimed that materialistic aspect of life is just an illusion. Goddess was furious on this claim as she was one who manages the materialistic world so she just disappeared. Without Prakriti world cannot survive so it was left unmanaged and faced frequent famines. There was no food only one community kitchen was actively serving people in Varanasi. When Lord Shiva visited the kitchen he saw the the form of Annapurna. (This is the reason why a women who cooks delicious food is called "Annapurna", my Annapurna is my mother) the legend ends with a conclusion that Shakti is dynamic, infinite  and continues to take forms. On the other hand, male energy is static, finite and a being. The Earth can harmoniously perform only when Prakriti and Male energy complete theirs task.

                           In Bhartiya Sanskriti, we believe that God is within us and so a Spark of truth flashes somewhere in our dark heart. So do you think that we worship Maa Durga only because she is a Devi. The nine forms of Maa Durga depicts nine emotions and stages of women. At first she is just a child then she grew and continue to develop new emotions. In her fifth form she is a mother. Once a mother becomes the fierce slayer of Demon this is one of beautiful transition. Moreover, the become as deadly that she tooks the form of Kali, more dangerous and fierce than Maa Durga. For many people its just a mythical form but they ignore a fact that these forms celebrate womanly emotions, her powers and phases of life.

A goddess who is strong by will and emotions and inteligent with the reference of her third eye. Furthermore; as per as one legend, when world was a complete turmoil and everywhere was only dark but a light emerged and take the form of Goddess Mahashakti. She gave birth to Trinity of lords and assign them there roles. 

                 Dear female companion, lets bound ourselves with an unbreakable vow that we will never let our Maa Durga to be evaporated from our heart as deep down in every women (who are weak as per as society) dwells Maa Durga a fighter. Being a women is our blessing not a curse and when we will prove ourselves that is real worship of Goddess. Lets make "Aigiri Nandini" our anthem. Our aim is not to be male hatters, instead it is to break social biases. Lets do this.