Feminine Power

The nine-day Navratri festival is all about ritual worship and veneration of the Divine Feminine. (Even if there is currently a huge disconnect between the way female deities are treated and the way real flesh-and-blood women in the real world are treated.) During Navratri, people religiously read the Durga Stuti that, in its 13 chapters, explains the advent of Ma Durga and how she kills all the asuras in order to protect the Devas. The book beautifully explains how the extremely frightened and troubled Indra, Brahma and other Devas could not handle the atrocities of the asuras and, thus, had to plead for the appearance of the Mother Goddess, who could destroy the extremely powerful rakshasas. By taking various forms, she vanquishes dangerous asuras with utmost ease and ends their barbarity towards the Devas and helps them to reoccupy their respective abodes. In real life, women multitask and are a source of great strength for the family. She manages gracefully all the day-to-day issues of the entire family, along with her own professional, physical and psychological issues. Yet, it is the woman who is rendered vulnerable. But let’s not forget that like Ma Durga, behind the soft appearance of every woman, there is immense power that can be commanded when the situation demands it. Women are sensitive caregivers, but if their dignity and respect is at stake, then she can, if she has the confidence, initiate action for justice. Women should never be underestimated and their contributions should always be acknowledged.

Source: Economic Times, 16/10/2018