She- Sati or Shakti
This time of the year where the entire country celebrates history with an ode to spirituality in various shapes and forms – it invokes various human emotions. From bowing down to the deity powers, celebrating the win of good over evil, overwhelmed with return of peace and tranquillity somewhere there is a deep surrender to the greater power of gods and re-alignment with the energies of universe.
On all of these, there is a strong idolisation of power of Shakti- the 9 forms of goddess Durga- worshipping the qualities from strength, calmness, peace, courage, boldness, love and wisdom. Thinking it through a commoner lens, aren’t these the qualities that human being aspire for. Isn’t this what is being needed to survive and thrive and live a grateful and blissful life. While we all know that only women are capable to encompass all of these in one – why do we forget this for rest of the year?
Even in the patriarchal society, who hasn’t noticed the motherly love and devotion- if there is any purest form of love- it’s the motherly love. Who hasn’t noticed the passion and care of a lover- What Radha was to Krishna- was the epitome of love in its highest forms, Who has ever questioned the spiritual love of Meera – if someone has the capability to love selflessly the lord and the lover- it’s the women. Who can underestimate the courage of a wife – where Parvati was the only one who could complete Shiva in true sense. It was only a wife who could save the life of her dying husband by snatching it from Gods- which is still celebrated by fasting every year.
While we all know what it takes to be a women- why does even the progressive world still neglects this for rest of the year. Why even now, the primary duty of a wife is to feed her husband and not live equitably in true sense. Why only a mother gets engulfed in a guilt of not spending time with her child while managing other duties? Why does nurturing which is the second nature of a women- has become an unsaid responsibility or burden for her? Even after giving the privileges- why is she looked down upon in the name of Diversity?
Every time a women steps out of house to work- shes being obliged with a permission to do so. Every time, a women reaches the top of her career- credit is being given to the diversity ratios. Every time, a women aspires to follow her dreams, she is reminded of her roles and responsibilities- sacrifices that have been termed as chores for her. Every time a women goes extra mile to take care of her family- its considered as a part of her existence. As a women, I dare to ask- when we worship and bow down to the powers of Goddess and all the men would somewhere acknowledge that right from their existence, to their human values, from their success to their peace, from their spiritual and worldly progress- they are dependant on women around them- why can’s they just remember this as husbands, fathers, bosses, peers and friends. Why cant this world be more conducive to co-existence of both genders which are ultimately one only- the eternal combination of Shiva and Shakti and make rest of the year same as this part flowing with positivity, radiance and thriving for all.
