How the concept of Mahishasurmardini unites the country during Navaratri

Celebrating Durga’s valour and the defeat of demon Mahishasur

Many look at the allegorical ancient scriptures as mere stories . The antecedents of Mahishasur becomes irrelevant to them when they learn that the mighty demon king, who was granted the boon of immortality, becomes so powerful that he turns into an evil force to reckon with, and is finally vanquished by the goddess. However for them, the most astonishing aspect is the acceptance of a woman warrior. The feminine gender of the word ‘mardan’ (in Sanskrit it means destroy) is ‘mardini’, hence the one who destroyed the evil spirit is called ‘Mahishasur-Mardini’.

Since the Vedic era down to the times of Upanishads and Puranas, goddesses such as Saraswati, Lakshmi and Durga were worshipped for their exceptional virtues, firmly establishing that shava (inert body) comes to life when its ichha-shakti (mental power) is awakened. This Aadi Shakti (libido) transforms the body into Shiva. Unitedly both Shiva and Shakti begin to create, protect and, if necessary, destroy to start the process of the creation afresh.

This mythological divine concept or macrocosmic union is represented in this mortal world at microcosmic level. That is why creation of a new life springs out from ‘Anand’. According to our seers we are ‘Amritasya Putrah’, we are not born out of any sin committed by our parents. The omnipotent Purush, as described in the Vedas, and his consort Prakriti (Mother Nature) bear the testimony to this fact. According to modern science, we get half of molecular DNA from the mother and the rest from the father. But we get mitochondrial DNA from the mother. Mitochondria produce ATP, the source of energy. Evidently, it’s a mother who transmits energy in her baby, both mental and physical.

How the sages of ancient India developed this scientific understanding is a mystery, but Vedic rituals , handed down by gurus to their disciples, establish the supremacy of Devi or women-power. Amongst them Chandi-puja, replete with oration of ‘Durga Saptashati’ from Markandeya Purana, is for every seeker who wish to possess good health (roopam dehi), wealth/success (dhanam/jayam dehi) and honours (yasho dehi), and that too without the prickly thorns of jealousy of fellow beings (dwisho jahi)!

A compilation of 700 shlokas spread over 13 chapters, ‘Durga Saptashati’ is as invaluable as the Gita. Myth has it that if a critically ill person listens to Chandi-paath, he gets cured or else gets released from his decaying body and worldly bondages. The mantras of ‘Devi-Mahatmyam’ exalting Maa Durga, work on a subtle level to inspire and empower. This divine energy principle of the universe is said to have nine manifestations, namely Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayini, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. Each are worshipped in every nook and corner of this subcontinent in different ways.

Chandi or Devi-Mahatmyam establishes that Durga resides in every living being as energy (Shakti), illusion (Maya), motherly instinct (Matri), compassion (kshama) and peace (Shanti) among many other valued virtues respected by the mankind in general. Entire Bharat, therefore, reverberates with mantras beseeching Maa ‘Sarvasyaarti harey Devi, Naraayani namostute’ (we salute you O goddess, the beloved of Narayana, the protector, for eradicating everyone’s misery).’ Intriguingly, Durga is also hailed as Brahmani and Rudrani, the reason being, she was blessed with the powers of Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and many other divinities who wished to see her win the battle against Mahishasur.

This shows the advantages of community-living or the rewards of joint family system which believed in assisting a deserving member to tide over dangerous situations and inspired its members to celebrate life at every given opportunity. Autumn represents respite period after a harvest season and also the change in weather conditions that ushers in fresh arrival of winter fruits, vegetables and grains.