Today is Mahalaya. No one knows the significance of this day more than Bengalis. Because today is the end of Pitri Paksha (The time of Pitri satta or patriarchy) and the beginning of Devi Paksha (The reign of the Goddess Durga or matriarchy)...
Today the Goddess arises and comes to her power.
Those who celebrate Navratri will begin their celebration tomorrow because tomorrow is the first day of the reign of the Goddess...
Bengalis celebrate from 6th day onwards which they call Shashthi . This is the day the face of the Goddess is revealed to all... Bengalis call this day Akal Bodhan.
As per mythology, Lord Ram prayed to Goddess Durga for strength to win against Ravan. But since he was in jungle, he had nothing to offer.
Goddess Durga is always worshipped with 108 offerings. But Ram could only find 107 Blue Lotuses. So he cut one of his eye which resembled a Blue Lotus and offered it to the Goddess as the 108th offering. That unusual offering made the Goddess arise at an unusual time.
She gave him assurance that in her reign, good will always win against evil.
He took that assurance and went to battle against Ravan which started in Saptami (the 7th day) of Dwapar era and ended in Dashami or Dusshera when Ram killed Ravan just like the Goddess killed Mahisasur, the Bull demon in Satya era.
Dashami is symbolised until this day a day when you kill the evil within and place the inner Goddess in power, a day you even forgive your worst enemies and greet each other with sweets and hugs, a day you forget all misery and celebrate humanity.
Now you must be wondering why I am giving a lecture on religion.
I am coming to that point.
Today Sona, the pure gold of Bose family entered the murky waters of Dixit family clutching their only priceless offering, the Blue Lotus - her Dev.
Today with the reign of Goddess begins her marital journey.
It won't be easy. She has to travel through age old superstition, insecurities, jealousy along with many hurtful secrets...
But there is Goddess in every woman who gives them their power at their lowest point and gives them the spirit to fight back.
So Sona, go and start your era in Dixit family.
May be with your footstep, love, peace and family loyalty will enter the stagnant air of that family.
P.S. I won't be writing my thoughts on the episode today because I have a date this evening. But I will write about my thoughts tomorrow.
