Durga Puja Diaries!! Part 2

Be Game!

“Be Game” is not the absence of fear, rather it is the willingness to walk through it.

It isn’t a calculated risk, it is just a risk!

It isn’t about safety nets and guarantees and assurances,

It’s about you, the tight rope and the blue sky above!

It isn’t about later, it’s about sooner.

It should be at the top of your mind

And dwell at the bottom of your soul!

And before it surprises you, one thing’s for sure..

It will scare the hell out of you!

I found these lines in one of the brand tags of a jeans I bought as a part of my Durga Puja shopping. Yes, Durga Puja is the most awaited event of any bong’s year. Our whole calendar revolves around these 5 days. That time of the year is here now. Am I excited? Like hell! Is this article about that? No, this time it’s about something else.

When I read the above lines, I realized a long forgotten thing- What Durga Puja actually means? Of late, the autumn fest has been a means to lose your hard earned money over some materialistic pleasures and a long awaited vacation with your family and loved ones, which is sometimes the only thing that drags us to office daily. Yes, of course, it is all that. But with all the superficial pleasures we actually overlook the real reason of celebration. 

Durga Puja is the celebration of the triumph of good over evil, truth over lies. It is the biggest exemplary legend of Women Empowerment! Yes, that again! Guys, every time we look at the idol of the Goddess what do we see? We see the Goddess Durga on a ferocious lion demolishing the monster or as we call it per Hindu mythology, Mahishasura, half exposed out of the skin of a buffalo, with a trident. The legend goes something like this, when the Gods were unable to tolerate the increasing cruelty and tyranny of the demon king Mahisasura any longer, the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar, upon their request, came together to create a powerful female form with ten arms - Goddess Durga or 'Mahamaya', the Mother of the Universe who embodies the primeval source of all power. The gods then bestowed upon this Supreme creation their individual blessings and weapons. Armed like a warrior, the goddess rides a lion to battle with the Mahisasura and eventually slays him with Her trident After a fierce combat. And the Heaven and earth rejoice her victory. 

Yes, we have heard this story a million times before. But ever wondered why the Trinity chose a female form? Why the Supreme creation to protect the world’s as we know it, was a woman, a form of Parvati? Because a woman has the power to create and protect the world, and only she can harness the power to face and destroy the evil. That’s mythology speaking, not me! That’s what we celebrate and rejoice about in the last five days of Navratri. Too much of Feminism, right?

Moving on then, with devil in the picture, shouldn’t be the representation be a bit violent? After all She is annihilating and killing someone. We find blood from Mahishasura’s chest, but we don’t find the whole picture violent. Instead there is a certain glow, grace, solace, beauty and peace in her eyes. The right word is “divine”, of course!! Yes, She is mad with anger, She has had enough of evil! She is so bold and powerful, yet so graceful. She has this mysterious smile always which gives us assurance that whenever we are in trouble, She will protect us. 

If you think of it, wasn’t Goddess Durga scared to face the monstrous devil? Of course she must have been. At least a little, comparing her apparent fragile but subtle and bold frame and Devil himself!! She faced all her fears and struggled through the scariest part of the battle with valor and courage. She took the risk to save her children. The depiction of Mahishasura Mardini in television always shows a momentary set back which Devi Durga had to face. But that did not stop her. She was game. She was in it to win it. She took a step back and pushed forward with all her strength and voila! Victory was Hers.

So, be Game, just like Durgatinashini.  Be open to challenges and face your fear. Walk through it and rise above it, with a smile!! Chase your dreams and make it happen. Live!! 

When you get a glimpse of the Devi next time, think about her valor and bravery, her vibrant struggle and glorious victory along with all other good things. You might find a tinge of different flavor in your Puja this year!!

Enjoy!! :) :)