I somewhat remember a conversation of many decades back that I had with my mother, just before the festive season of Durga Puja. Now with the festivities just around the corner; this has been refreshed in my memory. I thought of sharing it with some friends and people, who have encouraged me in the past and present that experience and thoughts are some of the things one should share freely despite what appreciation or criticisms may come in one’s way. My mother would always encourage us to do this, she would often tell me, “ Only the dead have nothing to say , so when you are alive learn to live – just don’t merely be alive for the sake of being alive -life will then have no purpose. Life is not merely about biology, it must also be an art of many hues and mixtures of many colours. Art is the divine spark of creativity in every person- its only that some see it and some don’t. That is the reason that some live and some just stay alive”.
We began the conversation with Durga Puja and it was like in the bygone era of Tripura. She said, “ Durga Puja, was a major festival in Tripura. The musicians from Varanasi arrived a month before to herald this festival. The soulful music of their Shenai (An instrument like the flute) from the turret of the Ujjayanta Palace at dawn and at dusk filled the air with expectancy.” She went on to add that,
Durga Puja came as an influence from neighboring Bengal, as such it was celebrated mostly within the family and among the people of the plains; it filled Agartala with the spirit of celebration. The fact this was a festival that was adopted later was reflected in a story that a Maharani fainted on seeing the ten armed goddess Durga. It was after this incident that the idol of Durga installed in the Durga Temple was made with only two arms, the rest being hidden. On seeing this goddess in the Palace dressed up differently in a sari and with unfamiliar features; the people had also once commented “ Ochai motai ta naidi; konoijukragon naidi” meaning “The goddess Durga is not pretty; in fact our Koloi (a tribe of Tripura) girls are prettier” this became a saying that was popular amongst the tribes people. The Durga Puja however, over the years became an important festival .
It was a festival that lasted four days; the last day was the Vijaya Dasami—the day of victory of good over evil. On this day, the Maharaja addressed a Durbar (formal assembly) where all the functionaries of the state came to pay their respects to the ruler. He then attended the Hashan Bhojan (Annual Feast) and sat down with all the Sardars (chiefs) of the tribes and shared a meal with them. It was said that the tribe known as the Halams were accorded a special welcome because it was from them that the Manikyas took over the kingdom. In the evening the idols of Durga assembled in front of the palace in the order of precedence. The Durga idol of the Guru Bari- house of the Royal Priest led the procession followed by the idol of the Durga Temple, which was of the Palace and then others followed. After a gun salute, they were taken in procession through the city and finally immersed in the Howrah River; bidding farewell to the goddess. Late in the evening the famous courtesans, who came from Lucknow and Calcutta regaled the Maharaja with their songs and dances. The ladies of the Aandar ( royal house) witnessed all this from behind a bamboo ‘chik’ (curtain). There was indeed hectic activity within the Palace during Durga Puja.
With the sound of the victory Dhaak (drum) in the background we come to the present and she says, “Do you know that Durga comes from the word Dur- far off or difficult to reach? A fortress is also called a Durg because it’s difficult to enter. Durga is therefore difficult to understand and once she is, the Goddess grants victory. In Hindu mythology the festival is largely celebrated as the victory of good over evil. Goddess Shakti (Maa Durga) kills the buffalo – headed demon, Mahishasura after a long battle of nine days and nights. On the tenth day Vijaya Dashmi- victory is celebrated. Such adoration to Mother Goddess is unique to Hinduism.” In puzzlement I had asked, “If this is Durga Puja, how come so many other gods and goddesses are also worshipped along with Durga?”
She gently says , “I told you that Durga is the symbol of victory after a tumultuous war with the demon. You cannot go to war alone; if you do you will be defeated. The goddesses and gods standing beside her are the essentials for victory. There is Ganesha the elephant headed god for he is the leader of the masses- Vinayaka, because without people on your side there is no victory. The goddesses Saraswati and Lakshmi are also there; the former is knowledge and the latter wealth. Without them there is no triumph. Lastly, there is Kartick the general of the gods. All of them are put on the same platform as Durga; the embodiment of Sakti- power. If you want to be powerful you will require all this, Sakti does not stand by itself in isolation”.
Our Q&A session continues, “ But why did she slay Mahisasur and what led to the battle?” She goes on to narrate the story, “Mahisasur was totally captivated by Durga’s dazzling beauty and asked Durga to marry him. Devi challenged him to a fight and she would marry Mahisa only if he defeated her in battle. For nine days a fierce battle was fought. Mahisa changed forms many times from buffalo to Lion to man to elephant every time putting up a great fight. But Durga’s infinite power (shakti) was finally able to pin down Mahisa’s buffalo form beneath her foot and she thrusts her spear into his heart and her mighty sword cuts his head into two while her mount, lion too attacks Mahisa. The ability to change himself instantaneously into a variety of forms is associated with the changing human condition. We too wear various masks at various times. The mind’s capacity to change shape and even become invisible is something that many of us have experienced.” Many things have faded in my memory but it’s not surprising that this conversation has revisited me now after decades for we were talking about “ Shakti” perhaps a term that has no English equivalent so I wish:
“ May the Divine Mother bless each one to experience Shakti and also wish this
Durga Puja be joyous for all”.
( The views expressed here are solely personal and of the author)
