I choose to write about ladies today, particularly my fave “Maa Durga.” Like #feminism is all over on Social Media and people are calling it a western idea, so today I decided to share my own concept of woman empowerment that I can’t get enough of and it’s completely Indian. It’s Maa Durga (Devi Adishakti), which means the one who protects the Durg (the cover of a kingdom), and the history of her creation is also pretty fascinating.
Is there anything more powerful than that considering that she was created by summoning all of the gods’ powers—including those of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh—to kill the bull monster Mahishasura.
Devi Kalika practically sucked all of Raktabeej’s blood when it nearly became eternal and was about to fall to the ground to breed more of these monsters. In essence, she is the real defender.
I recall a legend in which Lord Shiva told Lord Ganesha that Kalika is the most beautiful manifestation of the goddess; regardless of what he meant, shouldn’t we celebrate the Kaali within us? The part of ourselves that strikes out at everyone who tries to hurt us? Not to mention that Devi Durga’s 108 names contain every quality a woman may possibly possess.
From a brahmavadini, who imparts the truth to you, to maya, who binds you to attachment, from Dakshkanya to dakshyagyavinashini, and from Yuvti to Apraudha,
Everyday, women are praised for every role they can perform, raising the question: Are we really worshipped? Do we really need to hide anything about who we are? Is the man who recently made a statement about women who are menstruating deserving of the title “educated”?
Since every single sage is performing a penance to honour Maa Kamakhya during the three days she bleeds, why?