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The Labyrinth of Kali Part III: Encountering Nava Durgas through Symbolism
Today, Maya had decided to write a book titled Embodying the Divine Feminine: The Stories of Nine Durgas. This book would be a collection of narratives showcasing the experiences of the women who had inspired her throughout the journey. It will be more than just a book; it is to celebrate resilience and empowerment. Now, how come the concept of the Nava Durgas resonating deeply with her, particularly as she observed and interacted with women from various backgrounds, professions, and walks of life? What were the encounters that illuminated a different facet of Durga’s essence, guiding her understanding of the divine feminine in contemporary contexts? Let’s go to some flashback!
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Today, Maya had decided to write a book titled Embodying the Divine Feminine: The Stories of Nine Durgas. This book would be a collection of narratives showcasing the experiences of the women who had inspired her throughout the journey. It will be more than just a book; it is to celebrate resilience and empowerment.
Sitting at her desk in this evening, Maya is reflecting on the stories she wants to include. She can now almost hear the voices of the women she had met, each one a powerful echo of the Durgas they embodied. “This book will honor their journeys,” she thought, fueled by inspiration.
Maya again reached out to the women who had been part of her project, inviting them to share their stories. Over coffee meetings, personal interactions and virtual calls, she listened intently, capturing their words and emotions, weaving them into a tapestry of shared experiences.
Now, how come the concept of the Nava Durgas resonating deeply with her, particularly as she observed and interacted with women from various backgrounds, professions, and walks of life? What were the encounters that illuminated a different facet of Durga’s essence, guiding her understanding of the divine feminine in contemporary contexts? Let’s go to some flashback!
The Labyrinth of Kali Part III: Encountering Nava Durgas through Symbolism
1. Shailaputri: The Daughter of the Mountains
Maya first met Ananya, a mountaineer and adventure enthusiast, who embodied the spirit of Shailaputri. Ananya was known for her remarkable expeditions in the Himalayas, overcoming obstacles both physically and mentally. One sunny afternoon, Maya joined Ananya at a local café where the two exchanged stories over steaming cups of chai.
“I’ve always felt a connection to the mountains,” Ananya said, her eyes sparkling with passion. “Every climb teaches me about perseverance and strength. Shailaputri symbolizes the roots of our existence, doesn’t she?”
Maya nodded, “Absolutely! She represents the unwavering spirit of a woman who embraces her challenges, much like you do.”
Ananya shared tales of her adventures, revealing how each ascent was not just a physical feat but a journey of self-discovery. “When I stand at the peak, I feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, a reminder that I can conquer anything,” she explained, embodying the essence of Shailaputri.
Shailaputri, often understood as the daughter of Mount Kailasa, holds a deeper meaning: she embodies the highest consciousness, a peak of pure awareness. As Ananya shared her experiences, she explained how each climb brought her closer to herself, stripping away distractions and connecting her to something vast and timeless. “At the summit,” Ananya said, “I forget myself entirely; it’s as if I merge with the mountain.”
Maya saw in Ananya’s journey a profound reflection of Shailaputri. "Have you ever felt fully consumed by an experience?" she asked. “Think of moments when emotions—anger, joy, love—fill you completely. When you’re 100% in it, doesn’t it transform you?”
They discussed how, much like children who feel intensely and let go quickly, each peak offers a glimpse of transcendence, of touching the divine within. Maya wondered aloud, "What would happen if we lived every experience, every emotion, to its fullest, without holding back? Would we find the goddess within?"
Ananya left with a deeper understanding that every mountain she climbed was a path to the sacred peak of her own consciousness. As they parted, Maya and Ananya shared a smile, carrying with them the question: What if Shailaputri resides not just on a mountain but within every summit we face—within each moment we dare to live fully?
2. Brahmacharini: The Ascetic Goddess
Maya’s next encounter was with Kristina Akimova, a yoga instructor and a spinster, who reflected the qualities of Brahmacharini. Kristina was dedicated to her practice, promoting a lifestyle centered on discipline, devotion, and self-control along with running an orphanage. During a yoga workshop, Maya found herself captivated by Kristina’s teachings.
“Brahmacharini teaches us the value of self-discipline,” Kristina said during a meditation session. “Through her ascetic practices, we learn to connect with our inner selves.”
Maya felt inspired by Kristina’s insights. “It’s incredible how embracing discipline can lead to greater freedom,” she remarked after the session. Kristina smiled knowingly, encouraging Maya to explore her own dedication to her passions.
Later, they shared a conversation about the challenges of balancing professional responsibilities with personal growth. “Brahmacharini’s journey reminds us that every sacrifice is worth the growth it brings,” Kristina affirmed.
Kristina’s teachings emphasized the qualities of self-discipline and devotion, helping Maya grasp the subtle essence of Brahmacharya— which is not just celibacy but determination to expand the mind and then consciousness around like she has been doing to serve the orphans. If we consider the latter part then only the spiritual process is meaningful. Yes, the process- a state of moving within infinity, engaging with the greater whole rather than fragmentary desires.
Later, during a meditation session together, Akiva spoke about Brahmacharini’s path. “I am not married. But I have no shortage of children. Right? Ha ha! Actually, Brahmacharini symbolizes the essence of living in infinity, beyond limited attachments,” she explained. "She moves within the infinite, a consciousness that neither clings nor stagnates. When our awareness rests there, the Divine becomes not something external but the very energy that fills us." Listening, Maya felt a calmness wash over her. Could self-discipline be more than restriction? Could it be a doorway to a greater freedom, where one's being resonates with infinity itself?
After the session, Maya shared her reflections. “It’s intriguing that what seems like restriction actually expands us,” she mused. Kristina nodded with a knowing smile. "True discipline liberates, Maya. It allows us to transcend small cravings and touch the all-encompassing.”
Their conversation deepened as they discussed the delicate balance of professional life and personal growth along with social responsibilities. Maya, often caught between responsibilities, found solace in Kristina’s words: “Every step we take in self-discipline is a step toward the boundless. The small sacrifices along the way are like steps leading to the highest peak of consciousness."
As they parted, Maya pondered the infinite. Could she find, within herself, that eternal presence which Brahmacharini embodies? What if true growth means embracing infinity and letting go of the finite boundaries that bind her every day? The questions lingered in her mind, filling her with a serene sense of wonder and calm—a glimpse into the boundless consciousness of the Divine.
3. Chandraghanta: The Bell of Courage
Next, Maya met Zainab, a social activist from tribal Muslim community who fought tirelessly for women’s rights and empowerment. Zainab exuded the fierce energy of Chandraghanta, known for her bravery and determination. During a rally for gender equality, Zainab spoke passionately about the need for societal change.
“We must break the chains of oppression,” Zainab declared to the crowd. “Chandraghanta embodies the strength to challenge injustice!”
Maya felt inspired by Zainab’s words. After the rally, she approached Zainab. “Your passion is contagious! You really channel the energy of Chandraghanta,” she said, impressed.
Zainab smiled, “It’s our duty to raise our voices for those who can’t. Courage is what transforms society.” Their conversation deepened Maya’s understanding of the strength within women who strive for justice, embodying the essence of courage that Chandraghanta represents.
It is worth noting that Maya’s encounter with Zainab, a social activist from a marginalized community, unveiled the fierce, unyielding spirit of Chandraghanta. Zainab’s journey was no simple path; her activism came with intense struggles, facing resistance from all sides as she fought for women's rights and empowerment. During a rally for gender equality, she stood tall, her voice unwavering as she called for change. “We must break the chains of oppression that bind our communities,” Zainab declared, her passion resonating like the steady ring of a bell, embodying Chandraghanta’s unwavering strength and focus. “Chandraghanta isn’t just a symbol; she is the courage within us to challenge injustice head-on.”
For Zainab, the essence of Chandraghanta wasn’t about merely suppressing negative thoughts or fears. Instead, she channeled them into a unified force, much like the steady, singular tone of a bell that rings consistently no matter how it’s struck. As Zainab faced harassment, criticism, and even threats, she stood firm, drawing her strength from a place beyond anger or frustration, embodying the energy of a mind that has transcended scattered emotions. She understood that, just as Chandraghanta consolidates all scattered energies into a singular purpose, her struggles were part of a larger mission for justice.
Maya, deeply moved by Zainab’s resilience, approached her after the rally. “You truly reflect Chandraghanta’s power,” she said, admiring Zainab’s fierce determination. Zainab replied with a knowing smile, “When the mind is resolute and focused on justice, even adversity becomes a part of our path. Courage is the bell that resounds, unchanging, unyielding.” In that moment, Maya saw that Zainab was more than an activist; she was a living embodiment of Chandraghanta, her every action a powerful, focused energy directed at change.
Zainab’s journey to openly embrace her identity as a progressive woman in a conservative Muslim community came with its own emotional battles. Breaking away from traditional expectations, she wrestled with fear, judgment, and rejection, each day becoming a test of her spirit. Yet, she found strength in Chandraghanta’s teachings: the scattered thoughts and emotions of shame, doubt, and anger gradually consolidated into a single, unbreakable force within her.
Her mind, once torn between familial expectations and her own beliefs, became like the steady toll of a bell, clear and unwavering. Zainab saw that her struggles were not to be hidden or suppressed but embraced, as they were as much a part of her journey as her victories. She didn’t seek to silence the doubts in her mind but to let them converge into a deeper understanding of herself, taking them all as the many shades of her own being. "Why should I hide my voice when it is my truth?" she often asked herself.
Her resolve grew stronger with each day, her mind attuned to a singular purpose. Through this clarity, Zainab found a new freedom, becoming a voice for women’s rights and a symbol of courage in her community, resonating with the timeless strength of Chandraghanta.
4. Kushmanda: The Cosmic Egg
The theory of Kushmanda centers on Prana, the life force energy that embodies the cosmic essence within us. Represented by a pumpkin—round, full, and complete—Kushmanda reflects the idea that life itself is a sphere of energy, continuously absorbing and radiating Prana.
Traditionally, pumpkins were reserved for Brahmins in India, believed to enhance intelligence and vitality. Like the Ashwath tree that produces oxygen continuously, the pumpkin absorbs and emits energy, symbolizing the universe’s unending cycle of creation and dissolution. The term Anda means "Cosmic Egg," a sphere that contains both the smallest and largest forms, embodying energy that expands and contracts in harmony.
Ku means "small," and sh means "energy," describing how energy permeates everything, from the tiniest particle to the largest cosmic bodies. Thus, the Mother Divine as Kushmanda represents the vast, yet contained, energy of creation and dissolution within us. By meditating on the concept of Kushmanda, we align ourselves with this boundless intelligence. Envisioning ourselves as a "pumpkin" helps us connect with the sense of fullness and unity in life, where every particle, every breath, is alive with the vibration of Prana.
While attending a creative workshop, Maya encountered Vishnupriya, a poor artist girl of 8 years old with a cosmic vision as bold as a pumpkin in a spice latte. Vishnupriya's pieces, sprawled across her Vaishnav poor father's tiny shop, depicted stars, moons, and what Maya swore was a dancing carrot. “This girl is onto something,” Maya thought, wondering if she too was radiating Prana like this pint-sized Picasso.
During their chat, Maya couldn't resist sharing her newly discovered wisdom. “Kushmanda is like the cosmic egg of creation!” she proclaimed, feeling somewhat cosmic herself. Vishnupriya tilted her head, blinking. “Like a pumpkin?” she asked. “Yes!” Maya said enthusiastically, “Every brushstroke is a burst of universal energy, like you’ve just cracked open the Cosmic Egg!”
Maya resonated with this idea. “It’s amazing how art allows us to express our inner worlds,” she said. Their conversation sparked a deeper exploration of creativity and the importance of nurturing one’s artistic side.
On another fine morning, Vishnupriya invited Maya to her school where she participated in an art competition, showcasing her work. “Okay let’s celebrate our creative energies,” Maya encouraged. However, the experience actually reminded Maya of the power of art as a means of connecting with the divine feminine energy represented by Kushmanda. Maya watched her paintings with the seriousness of a philosopher tackling life's great mysteries—or just a pumpkin getting its daily dose of sunlight. As they celebrated, Maya couldn’t help but chuckle. Was she a cosmic egg now too?
Well, in that competition our Vishnupriya got the first prize, however not for her painting and but a separate artwork on Pumpkin painting! Ha ha!
5. Skandamata: The Mother of Skanda
Next, Maya’s journey led her to meet Malini, a single mother and beggar who exemplified the nurturing and protective qualities of Skandamata. Malini’s dedication to her son was evident in their interactions. At a local park, Maya watched as Malini encouraged her 4 year old kid to explore his surroundings while ensuring his safety.
As Malini sat beside her son, she gently urged him, “Someday, when you learn to read and write, you’ll have the power to change the world, to help others like us.” She smiled, brushing his hair back. “Education will be your tool to end poverty, my love. Imagine a world where no one has to beg.”
“Being a mother means being a guiding force,” Maya told Malini. “Skandamata teaches us the importance of nurturing and empowering the next generation.”
Moreover, Maya was touched by Malini’s commitment. “It’s incredible how you balance being a mother and pursuing your dreams,” she said. Malini smiled, “Every moment spent with him is a lesson for both of us. Nurturing his growth is my greatest joy.”
This encounter illuminated the significance of motherhood and the strength found in nurturing relationships, embodying the essence of Skandamata.