It brings me immense pleasure to share that I, along with 24 other bloggers are celebrating #9daysofwomanhood throughout Navratri. I thank Jinal Gada for introducing me. I loved her blog on the prompt for today - check it out on www.foreversassymommy.com
Prompt for the Day : One Avataar of Matarani That Fits You or a Woman You Know
Today, with this post, once published, will mark the end of this blogathon that I participated in with so many wonderful moms, each with their own stories to tell. We bonded over our shared love for our children and motherhood. Each of them, had fought and conquered their fears, challenges, obstacles and every single one of them had come out stronger than before. I dedicate this post to each one of them...
I also recently, found my girl gang, we bonded over our love for reading. But each day, that I have known them - I have thanked God, for this group of friends - the booktroverts gang. Each of them has shown strength in their own way, we have faltered and we have soared but we all have been together since the day we came together. I dedicate this post to each one of them...
I have been fortunate to have wonderful teachers throughout my student life and whatever I am today, is because how each one of them played a role in molding me. I dedicate this post to each one of them...
Having two moms and two sisters, I feel fortunate. I have seen each one of them carving a path for herself - each one has shown her strength in a certain way. And each one of them inspires me to live my life in an independent manner, the way I want and on my own terms and conditions without compromising on the benefit of others. I dedicate this post to each one of them...
I dedicate this post to every woman, for each one of us is strong in our way. Why wouldn't we be, when Matarani's all nine avatars, reside in each one of us and in different stages of life, an avtaar overpowers the other avataars and surfaces out stronger.
Shailaputri who represents purity and devotion and who holds a tridents whose prongs denote past, present and future.
Each one of us when born are so pure that we are considered bhagwaan ka swaroop (God's avataar) - the very practice of kanyapujan proves this. Also when we are born, it is said that we remember our past, even though we are in our present and are born to create a future. Thus, that is when Shailaputri overpowers other avataars.
Bharmacharini who represents balance between marital life and praying.
When we marry, we do enter the grahastashram that represents marital life but we don't stop being devotees. Even if we dont do idol worship, even if we don't believe Gods per se, we do believe in that divine force and we bow to it. As a couple when we first enter our house, we pray. When we have kids, we pray. And so on and so forth. And thus, we maintain a balance that represents Bharamacharini.
Chandraghanta who is all-seeing and ever-vigilant to battle evil in any form and from any direction.
Once we start understanding the family ties and the importance of our families, we are ready to go to any extent to protect them. We make every effort to protect them from any harm or any evil. We are always looking out for each other in the family and that is nothing but when matarani is present in the form of chandraghanta in us.
Kushmanda who is the creator of the universe.
Every time we give birth, we add a part of our souls to the creation of the universe. Our offspring is our contribution to this universe. Aren't we as mothers then the embodiment of matarani's this avataar called Kushmanda.
Skanda-mata who represents a mother and is the skillful one; who also imparts innocence, courage and compassion.
Having read everyone's views, thanks to this blogathon, I know for a fact that each one of us, the women, have a certain degree of innocence, courage and compassion in us. We bring out the charachter that is required based on the situation. As for being the skillful one, we all juggle between so many roles and responsibilities, that it definitely requires some skills and hence, Skanda-mata too resides in us.
Katyayani who bestows a sense of calmness and inner peace; who helps strengthen relationships.
I have seen, its the women who end up shouldering the responsibility of maintaining family ties and relationships. A woman is the one who if chooses can break a family or hold a family together and why wont she be able to do it, Katyayani devi resides in her to guide her and help her build healthy relationships.
Kaal-Ratri whose name means the one who does good and who offers protection and allays all fears
In the middle of the night, when the child wakes up from a bad dream, or when he experiences something for the first time and gets scared, he looks for no one but his/her mother, comes hides in her arms or behind her pallu - because he feels the mother can protect him from all evil. That's matarani's Kaal-ratri avataar being dominant.
Maha Gauri who washes away all sins and imparts a sense of inner - peace.
when the children leave us alone in our old age and go out to make their life, we don't detest them, we forgive them because we know, our time has ended and now they have to make their lives. Or when as a child, they knowingly or unknowingly end up doing something, we forgive them and show them the right path. Or when those teenage hormones are racing in their veins and peer pressure blinds them, we forgive their attitude, knowing they will realize their mistake soon enough and soon will be on the right path - because we have faith in our up-bringing. Every time we forgive them or anyone and forget and move ahead, its Maha Gauri guiding us.
Siddhidatri who is the giver of supernatural power, who imparts wisdom and insight.
As a girl child, we have the wisdom and the insight to protect our parents, to make them proud and to never let them down. As a married woman, we have the wisdom and the insight to bind the family together and ensure the growth of the family. As a mother we have the insight and the wisdom to teach our children not only the values and morals but skills this world along with all the bookish knowledge. We are able to do so, because we embody Siddhidatri.
I know, there are overlaps in these avataars, I know lots of roles can fall interchangeably under different avataars. But, I also know, that each of this avataar represents Ma Durga. She is the one for all and all are one for her. And thus, for me a woman is complete in herself.
And that was my take on today's prompt. I am sad that this blogathon has come to an end but I am glad, I was able to be part of this beautiful journey. I not only learnt so much more about myself but got to know so many more beautiful souls.
One such beautiful soul, Penelope Braganza blogs at www.pennyponders.com - do check out her blog for today's prompt.
Today, with this post, once published, will mark the end of this blogathon that I participated in with so many wonderful moms, each with their own stories to tell. We bonded over our shared love for our children and motherhood. Each of them, had fought and conquered their fears, challenges, obstacles and every single one of them had come out stronger than before. I dedicate this post to each one of them...
I also recently, found my girl gang, we bonded over our love for reading. But each day, that I have known them - I have thanked God, for this group of friends - the booktroverts gang. Each of them has shown strength in their own way, we have faltered and we have soared but we all have been together since the day we came together. I dedicate this post to each one of them...
I have been fortunate to have wonderful teachers throughout my student life and whatever I am today, is because how each one of them played a role in molding me. I dedicate this post to each one of them...
Having two moms and two sisters, I feel fortunate. I have seen each one of them carving a path for herself - each one has shown her strength in a certain way. And each one of them inspires me to live my life in an independent manner, the way I want and on my own terms and conditions without compromising on the benefit of others. I dedicate this post to each one of them...
I dedicate this post to every woman, for each one of us is strong in our way. Why wouldn't we be, when Matarani's all nine avatars, reside in each one of us and in different stages of life, an avtaar overpowers the other avataars and surfaces out stronger.
Each one of us when born are so pure that we are considered bhagwaan ka swaroop (God's avataar) - the very practice of kanyapujan proves this. Also when we are born, it is said that we remember our past, even though we are in our present and are born to create a future. Thus, that is when Shailaputri overpowers other avataars.
When we marry, we do enter the grahastashram that represents marital life but we don't stop being devotees. Even if we dont do idol worship, even if we don't believe Gods per se, we do believe in that divine force and we bow to it. As a couple when we first enter our house, we pray. When we have kids, we pray. And so on and so forth. And thus, we maintain a balance that represents Bharamacharini.
Once we start understanding the family ties and the importance of our families, we are ready to go to any extent to protect them. We make every effort to protect them from any harm or any evil. We are always looking out for each other in the family and that is nothing but when matarani is present in the form of chandraghanta in us.
Every time we give birth, we add a part of our souls to the creation of the universe. Our offspring is our contribution to this universe. Aren't we as mothers then the embodiment of matarani's this avataar called Kushmanda.
Having read everyone's views, thanks to this blogathon, I know for a fact that each one of us, the women, have a certain degree of innocence, courage and compassion in us. We bring out the charachter that is required based on the situation. As for being the skillful one, we all juggle between so many roles and responsibilities, that it definitely requires some skills and hence, Skanda-mata too resides in us.
I have seen, its the women who end up shouldering the responsibility of maintaining family ties and relationships. A woman is the one who if chooses can break a family or hold a family together and why wont she be able to do it, Katyayani devi resides in her to guide her and help her build healthy relationships.
In the middle of the night, when the child wakes up from a bad dream, or when he experiences something for the first time and gets scared, he looks for no one but his/her mother, comes hides in her arms or behind her pallu - because he feels the mother can protect him from all evil. That's matarani's Kaal-ratri avataar being dominant.
when the children leave us alone in our old age and go out to make their life, we don't detest them, we forgive them because we know, our time has ended and now they have to make their lives. Or when as a child, they knowingly or unknowingly end up doing something, we forgive them and show them the right path. Or when those teenage hormones are racing in their veins and peer pressure blinds them, we forgive their attitude, knowing they will realize their mistake soon enough and soon will be on the right path - because we have faith in our up-bringing. Every time we forgive them or anyone and forget and move ahead, its Maha Gauri guiding us.
As a girl child, we have the wisdom and the insight to protect our parents, to make them proud and to never let them down. As a married woman, we have the wisdom and the insight to bind the family together and ensure the growth of the family. As a mother we have the insight and the wisdom to teach our children not only the values and morals but skills this world along with all the bookish knowledge. We are able to do so, because we embody Siddhidatri.
I know, there are overlaps in these avataars, I know lots of roles can fall interchangeably under different avataars. But, I also know, that each of this avataar represents Ma Durga. She is the one for all and all are one for her. And thus, for me a woman is complete in herself.
And that was my take on today's prompt. I am sad that this blogathon has come to an end but I am glad, I was able to be part of this beautiful journey. I not only learnt so much more about myself but got to know so many more beautiful souls.
One such beautiful soul, Penelope Braganza blogs at www.pennyponders.com - do check out her blog for today's prompt.
Nice,thoughtfully written I loved reading it. I'm glad I met you guys here
ReplyDeleteSame here Uttara, it was a pleasure meeting all. And thank you for such kind words.
DeleteI love the thought and research that's gone into this. I learned a lot, and am glad I found your blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you Akshyaya for such kind words.
DeleteI loved this post and how it is dedicated to all women. More power to us! I am getting all emotional now that this blogathon has ended. Will miss it. Glad to have come across your blog
ReplyDeleteSame here Sumira, it was lovely coming across such wonderful women and their powerful blogs. Will totally miss it.
DeleteThank you.
This year, to research about the 9 forms of Durga Maa we had such difficulty. But next year, when someone looks up to understand these 9 forms your blog will definitely top the list! Loved it!
ReplyDeleteThat's a huge compliment Anjana, thank you so much ☺
DeleteWow such a great amount of research!.. now we don't need to search for explanation of 9 avatars of Mata Rani!.. loved it ����
ReplyDeleteIt was difficult to understand the different avatars, but once that was done, it was easy to relate them to women.
DeleteThank you for such a beautiful compliment.
Lovely interpretation. So true and so practical.
ReplyDelete