Jai Maa Shailputri
Navratri’s first day is dedicated to the first form of Nav Durga - Maa Shailputri. All the nine forms of Maa represent the different stages of any person’s life. Reading & learning about her and pondering over her divine images has made me reflect on the many things that Maa Shailputri signifies in our life.
The daughter of Shail/Hiamavat
Maa Shailputri is Shakti/Parvati worshipped as the daughter of Himalayas. She represents every woman (or man) when they are young and known only by the names of their parents. And rightly so. We gain so much from our parents - our identity, sankars, habits, culture and values. In fact it is believed that the way our life is shaping is mostly a result of our parents karmas and our karmas are going to shape the lives of our progeny.
Even if we view it from the lens of psychology and neuroscience, the impact that our parents have on us is paramount. We carry both our generational blessings and traumas as passed on to us by our parents. Most of our brain develops when we are extremely young and hence the decisions taken by our parents in our childhood is so important for the rest of our lives.
As kids we are completely dependent on our parents to take all our major life decisions. They care for us, nurture and provide for us.
Maa Shailputri is essentially Sati who took a rebirth with the purpose of re-uniting with Shiv Ji. However, as Maa Shailputri she is representing her father and her association with him.
A woman, no matter how many roles that she assumes in her lifetime will always remain her father’s daughter. She experiences infinite bliss, safety and protection in her father’s house. It is an identity that is equally if not more important than any other of her identities. It is a relationship that is destined to have manifested the way it has, that is filled with love and respect and is a bond that is unending and divine.
Maa taking the form of Shailputri signifies that the role of a daughter is not only one of the dearest roles in a woman’s life but also the very first responsibility & identity that any woman (or man) assumes.
Trishul and Lotus:
I am not knowledgeable enough to elaborate on all the things that Trishul and Lotus signify. But what instantly comes to my mind on seeing Maa’s form holding these is the dual side of a woman’s (or human) inherent nature. Maa Shailputri is a young form of Devi. She already has all the bold attributes of action aimed at establishing Dharma as represented by Trishul; while lotus represents her gentle and nurturing side, the beauty that she has filled this creation with. It’s as if Maa is reminding us to maintain a balance of action and reception in our lives, to create and destruct as needed, to be bold and fierce but also nurturing and caring.
Nandi Savari:
It is said that worshipping Maa Shailputri helps in activating the Muladhar Chakra, at the base of our spine which brings in stability in one’s life. It represents the earth element that is grounded, connected and determined.
Nandi is also a representation of stability, hard work, determination and dharma. It is also common knowledge that Nandi is Shiv Ji’s savari as well. Being the common factor between the young form of Maa Shailputri and Shiv Ji, Nandi is signifying that most of our lives, our desires and our purpose is what we are born with and hence is our destiny.
With this thought, I pray to Maa Shailputri and request her to manifest in our lives as stability and safety, dharma and beauty in a way that helps us to carry the name of our family ahead with all righteousness and responsibility.
