Articles

Story     Whereas Kātyāyanī incarnates as a dolly daughter, Kālarātri personifies death and destruction. If a woman can be as cordial as a daughter, she can also be as horrendous as death as well. If she can embody the warmth and kindness of a caregiver, she can also possess the capacity for profound darkness. Just as […]

Story     Now, that Skandamātā was euphoric to have her son, it is to be noted that there was a time when she was born as a daughter too, other than her reincarnation as Śailaputrī. In ancient Bhārata, there lived a revered sage named Kātyāyana, known for his deep wisdom and spiritual insight. A dedicated brahmacārī, he

Story       When Kūṣmāṇḍā gave birth to the cosmos, she became the cosmic mother. The entire clan of the devatās exhorted in delight. She had not only given birth to the cosmic spheres of their governance, but also to the subjects who are to be ruled. All was set and everyone was happy. Until the devī willed to

Story     So, the devī was married to Śiva— the cosmic feminine was reunited with the cosmic masculine! A pleasant daughter to a prosperous wife, she was now ready to tread upon the greatest phase of a woman’s life— motherhood! Indeed, motherhood is the bedrock of womanhood itself! What else can make a woman the most loving and

Story Now, that the devī had attained the company of Śiva whom she yearned for, she refrained from her Brahmacāriṇī rūpa and embraced the gṛhastha life. Exulted, she returned to the Himālaya after her assiduous venture and the whole nature was cocooned with mirth and mellow. Garments and jewels poured in from every nook and corner to adorn her glistening limbs.

Story When Śailaputrī was born, she was greeted by everyone in the mountains and everyone cheered with jollity to receive the new-born baby girl. Since then, having a daughter is considered having devī herself in the house. This notion has long been cherished by the folks cultured in the tradition of the Sanātana Dharma. Fondled and pampered,

Story So, it was a busy day and the arrangement for the yajña at king Dakṣa’s palace was in full swing. The altar was furnished and everyone was decked with robes and jewels. From the nymphs and apsarās of the heaven to the celestial deities of the five elements— all were invited with congenial etiquettes. All except Śiva,