Durga: the Mother, the Daughter

The Bengali narrative of Goddess Durga significantly differs from the ancient mythological legend. The second one is of course more popular and more widely taken by the Hindu population that worships Devi Durga during the nine days of Navratri. The ten-handed Goddess is evoked on the days of Navratri to praise her victory over the buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura. It is to be noted that Devi Durga, who is also called Mahishasura Mardini as slayed Mahishasura, is a female deity, but she symbolises power and authority to the largely patriarchal Hindu society.

In spite of that recognition, she accepts a remarkable transformation in the rain drenched soil of Bengal. Here the Warrior Goddess puts off her robe and killer weapons. The village folks of Bengal make her a familiar maiden who is married off at a young age to an old clueless man. This Shiva, the husband who is disdained as a drunkard vagabond, roams in the company of troublemakers ostracised by the society. This Durga, who is dearly called Uma, is a dutiful wife and a mother of four children, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik and Ganesh. A simple young woman, she bears all adversities in her life with a smile in her face. Like an ideal Hindu wife, she places her duty towards her husband above everything else. The primary task in her life is to follow in her husband’s footsteps. Uma's parents are the royal couple – King Himalaya and Queen Menaka. Though she is a princess by birth, she becomes a beggar's wife after marriage. However, she never complains about her fate as she knows she has to uphold custom being a woman. Her womanhood will be fulfilled if she makes her husband happy, no matter how he is. But, a lovable daughter dwells in her mind too. Sometimes she longs to see her parents. 

When the moon god begins his journey in a clear autumn night, Queen Menaka gets a dreadful dream. Her daughter Uma is crying in her bed. The Queen rushes to her husband, “Dear King, aren’t you a father of a young daughter? Don’t you feel the pain in her tender mind? She cries for me in the house of her husband. Please go and fetch her here.” Though busy with his kingly duties, the King cannot ignore his wife’s urgent appeal. He immediately sets out for the house of his son-in-law on the mountain-top in Kailash. 

Every patriarchal household follows some rules set by the husband. The house of Uma and Mahesh is no exception to that. King Himalaya requests his son-in-law to take his daughter and the children with him. However, Shiva is not a man who will agree to send off his family with just one appeal. After a lot of persuasion, he gives permission, but in one condition. Uma can stay with her parents only for five days. The King has no way to object to this term. After all, a daughter belongs to her husband not to her father.

Finally Himalaya brings Uma and her children to his palace on the sixth day to full moon. A female attendant runs to the Queen’s chamber. "Rani Menaka, your beautiful daughter is waiting with her sons and daughters at the palace gate. Welcome them to your house. They must be tired after a long journey,” she says. Menaka comes quickly to see her daughter and the grandchildren. She hugs Uma with an unbound joy and asks her innocently, “How do you tolerate that lazy fellow, your husband? My sources give me some weird news about your domestic life. Tell me frankly how that man treats you. Does he really take care of your wellbeing?" Uma knows it's not easy to make her mother understand how content she is with her family. She answers, "Don't worry about me, mother. It is true that my husband spends much of his time in the company of miscreants and he is addicted to Bhaang (a drink made from crushed hemp leaves). But, remember he is the Lord; he knows how to control himself and carry the burden of his duties. He drives the wheel of time and can naturally go anywhere as per his wish. He never ignores my presence and loves me as much as he loves himself. Without me, he thinks he is nothing.” Mother Menaka finally believes what her poor daughter tells her convincingly. The moment angelic Uma enters her parents' house, celebration begins with all the traditional pomp and ceremonies. The royals as well as commoners join the home-coming of a dear daughter. The Goddess makes herself a mortal and the mortals get to know there is not much difference between the heaven and the earth. The celebration of Uma’s home-coming, which is called Durga Puja in Bengal, becomes a festival of social union.

Five days of her homestay pass rapidly and the celebration soon reaches the ending day of Vijaya Dashami. Shiva can't live any longer without his dutiful wife and loving children. He appears riding on his bull carrier to take his family back to Mount Kailash. Queen Menaka observes him approaching her house with a large band of ghosts and miscreants. Having drunk with opium, his movement looks distorted, strange and shameful. Even the children feel their father should not have done that in front of a large gathering of men and women. Shiva doesn't dress up in fine clothes which a visiting son-in-law should wear. Instead he looks terribly fearsome. Worried about her daughter, the Queen cries incessantly. She utters, “What a hopeless fate my daughter has chosen. I don't know what will happen with her.” Shiva doesn't want to wait. He asks his wife to be ready. They have to return now. The royal family bids a touching farewell to Uma and the children. The distressed parents bless their dearest daughter in traditional rituals. Mother holds her daughter’s face with tearful eyes and says, “I will count the days for your return. Come back again, please.” Men and women join in the prayer when the effigy of Durga is immersed in the river. They chant in chorus, “Mother, come back every year to make us happy.”

Picture source: Kalighat Pat, The Victoria and Albert Museum collection, London

Song and video: the author