Shakti Cult: Embracing These 7 Labels of Divine Feminine
Introducing You The Womanhood in My Culture.
NAVARATRI — The celebration of the Divine Feminine, 9 nights dedicated to the goddess Durga and to all the women who exist in the world. The whole of India is currently celebrating this 9-day festival by worshipping Maa (mother)Durga and women.
We believe in the supreme energy that created the whole Universe and that is a feminine energy called “SHAKTI”. Shakti is regarded as the creative and dynamic power of the universe, and this cult emphasizes her role as the source of all energy, strength, and transformative forces.
Although Womanhood in Hinduism is vast and it’s too difficult to compress it into this single article, I would love to introduce you to this so that at the end you’ll know your divinity as woman.
That’s why I’m givin’ these 10 labels to you in this Navaratri.
Devi:
This is a general term for the feminine aspect of the divine and is often used to refer to various goddesses.
As “Shailaputri” you represent the nature.
As “Brahmcharini” you represent the divine energy of meditation, devotion and austerity.
As “Chandraghanta” you represent bravery and fortitude.
As “Kushmanda” you represent the divine energy that provides warmth and energy to the world.
As “Skandamata” you represent the energy of motherhood and protection.
As “Katyayni” you represent the fierce and warrior-like energy.
As “Kalaratri” you represent the destruction of evil.
As “Mahagauri” you represent purity and serenity.
As “Siddhidatri” you represent the divine energy of accomplishment and spiritual perfection.
These were the 9 forms of “Devi Durga” we worship in the 9 days. These 9 forms represent the energy of all women, that exists in them.
Lakshmi:
“The goddess of wealth and prosperity.”
In my culture, people label us as Lakshmi, according to their beliefs we bring wealth and prosperity. So you and I both are the form of “Lakshmi”.
Saraswati:
“The goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts.”
The origin of knowledge, music and art is Maa Saraswati. Let’s embrace the energy of Saraswati together. Let’s spread knowledge and peace together.
Gauri:
“A gentle and nurturing form of Parvati.”
We symbolize compassion, leisure and the heart of a mother. We are the form of “Gauri” as we nurture the destructive side of this world.
Annapurna:
“The goddess of food and nourishment.”
In our households, women are symbolised as Annapurna, they make food for us, and they nourish the family.
Katyayani:
“A warrior goddess and one of the forms of Durga.”
This form represents the fierce and independent aspect of women, signifying their strength and courage.
I think every woman is a warrior. This form of Durga represents the strongest side of the feminine. You are strong, you’re a warrior, you’re “Katyayani”.
Bhuvaneshwari:
“The goddess of the universe and creation.”
Women create the world, women are the creators, this form shows the side of motherhood in all of us.
“Women” is the whole label in itself. It represents us and it’s our identity, we’re women and;
Women are daughters, women are sisters, women are partners, and women are mothers.
Women are gentle, women are strong, women are calm and women are warriors.
Women symbolize prosperity, women symbolize knowledge, women symbolize nature, women symbolize love, women symbolize nourishment, women symbolize destruction, women symbolize serenity, women symbolize motherhood, women symbolize power.
This is the real definition of women, so what do you think about the label “Woman”? Isn’t it the best label we obtained?
