Paying Obeisance To The Goddess

By Author: Chetan Merchant
Total Articles: 2
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The Devi Is Supreme

Puja is an integral part of Hindu culture and all devout Hindus are regular in bowing to their gods and to bow before them in humility. Whether a puja is being performed in a home or a place of worship; the prime objective is the same and that is to surrender to the will of the supreme. In a country where one finds temples in the nooks and corners, there is a special place for the deity revered as the ‘Devi’; and Devi Puja is something that is conducted with fervor and devotion.

All Pervasive

Devi is all pervasive and powerful and a source of inspiration and guidance to turn to. Those with a deeper understanding of the entire concept know that all women are expected to be respected and treated like Devi. Indeed, without the female form, there can be no procreation and thus it is the female goddess who is credited with creation of life on this planet. In Hinduism, equal importance is attached to female and male deities and there are major festivals and pujas related to each.

Many Avatars

Maa Durga is perched ...
... atop a ferocious Tiger and armed to the teeth to fight all types of adversities affecting the human form. All Hindus are familiar with the prominence given to Durga Puja and the goddess is believed to be one of the many forms of Parvati; Lord Shiva’s consort. Her worship finds as much prominence as that of Shiv Pooja and for good reason. Folk lore attached to Durga Puja makes for an enchanting read and continues to inspire millions. It is believed that she was created with the combined power of male gods who feared that all creation was under serious threat from an ‘Asura’ named ‘Mahisha’. Thus ‘Durga’ carrying multiple- weapons of war, each representing a god, went to war with the demon and emerged victorious. Her strength is depicted in her calm and composed appearance even in the face of extreme danger and adversity. She is of special significance to women folk.

In another form of Indian Pooja, devotees worship ‘Goddess Lakshmi’, seeking her blessings for prosperity and health and well-being of the family. Considered to be Lord Vishnu’s wife, the goddess resides atop her ‘Lotus Throne’, with lotus buds in her hands. She signifies fertility and beauty. Simple recitation of the ‘Aarti’ composed in her praise gives one a strong belief that riches will flow into his house if he submits himself in her worship. The diverse nature of our culture provides us with many other female deities to be worshipped with reverence. Take for example Mata Vaishnu Devi in the North and ‘Mata’ in the Central India. Goddesses are many but they all serve the same purpose and that is to provide a source of inspiration to worshippers and be a guiding light for them when things turn sour.