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By Medha Bhaskar, Co-founder and Senior Yoga Teacher at Amrutha Bindu Yoga, a Bangalore based yoga studio. She is also the Vice-President of the Karnataka Yoga Council.
The universe is built on the harmony between energies: light and dark, vital and mental, masculine and feminine, hard and soft, yin and yang. The two polar forces interact dynamically creating a dance of life: each powerful in its own right, but also interdependent and balancing to the other. Masculine energy represents vitality, strength, endurance and accomplishment whereas feminine energy is the dynamic, creative and nurturing force that builds the cosmos.
Our present world is dominated by the assertive masculine energy. Our economic and governance structures, cultural narratives and social interactions have been built to propagate competition, control and conquest. We find ourselves idealising masculine virtues such as strength, dominance, and rationality at the cost of feminine qualities such as empathy, collaboration, and emotional intelligence.
This is reflected in yoga practice too. Disproportionate emphasis on discipline and form-based accomplishment of body practices such as asana has resulted in a lopsided, ambitious approach to spirituality. Most of us miss out on a big part of ourselves in the process: the bigger picture. Emotions play a huge role in helping us direct our vital and physical energies and making sense of life. Thus, emotional tempering can elevate our yoga practice to new, more sublime heights.
The worship of the Divine Feminine is predicated on the principle of tempering the intensity and expression of emotions to achieve a state of equilibrium that facilitates greater self-awareness, better decision-making, healthier relationships, and overall well-being. The worship of Shakti is deeply rooted in both Vedic and Tantric traditions, reflecting its centrality in a broad spectrum of theological, philosophical, and devotional knowledge systems. Shakti is frequently depicted in various forms and goddesses, each embodying different aspects of her divine power, such as Durga (the Divine Mother), Kali (the fierce protector), Lakshmi (Goddess of abundance and fortune), Saraswati (the Goddess of Knowledge and Learning). These forms illustrate how feminine energy manifests in various aspects of life and the universe.
Navaratri (which means "nine nights") is the festival of great pomp celebrating Shakti in her various forms to awaken the richness and purity of life. This nine-night festival recalls the triumph of Chamundi (a form of Shakti) over Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed demon that terrorised the world and heavens. It is said that Chamundi (another name for Durga), was created with the combined powers of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver) and Shiva (destroyer). She was armed by a trident from Shiva, a chakra from Vishnu, a lotus and kamandala (container of holy water indicating wisdom) from Brahma and bows and arrows from Vayu. Seated on a ferocious lion, she beheaded the mighty Mahishasura after a long and arduous 9 day battle.
Navaratri commemorates victory of good over evil and celebrates the Goddess’s power and virtues. More importantly, each day of the Navaratri is attributed to the form of the Goddess who can behead one of our many vices within: ahamkara (egotism), anyaaya (injustice), kama (lust), krodha (anger), lobha (greed), moha (infatuation), mada (arrogance), matsara (jealousy), and swartha (selfishness). Thus, this period is celebrated as a significant period of personal evolution.
How to evoke the Divine Feminine within
Self evolution through feminine practices can be difficult, simply because we, as a society, are out of touch with softness. Activities that trigger the awakening of intuition, empathy, nurturing, and creativity help rid us of this emotional vulnerability. Here are some practices that may help you experience and embrace Shakti:
Learn more about Shakti
A great place to start understanding shakti is to learn from wise teachers. In April 2024, we hosted an enlightening conversation with an exceptional scholar and teacher, Dr. Pravina Rodrigues. She illustrated the foundations of Shakta Yoga and what we as practitioners can learn from its principles. According to Dr. Pravina, Shakta theology focuses on the Divine Feminine and offers diversity to the practitioner that helps transcend the borders of religion, politics, society, and speciesism - a concept especially relevant in the current global context of hyper-polarization and war. By invoking the Divine Feminine, we embrace nature and life in all forms and expressions. Watch this conversation and find your coordinates to celebrate the Divine Feminine this Navaratri: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ROkuN6bMbo&t=3s.
Explore Bhakti
A great way to reflect on the feminine is to read accounts of women sadhakas (practitioners). Literature captures the essence of living a practice - the trials, tribulations, successes and failures. These yoginis capture the role of discipline, the fight against social order and gender norms, the bliss of bhakti and the process of self-refinement. You can find inspiration, poise and beauty in the works of Andaal, Akka Mahadevi, Mirabai and Janabhai.
If you like to chant or sing, or even listen, you can look at -
a. Shree Suktam:
This is a collection of hymns from the Rig Veda that describe the Goddess of abundance and fertility. Considered one of the highest expressions of the Divine Feminine, it is very popular. It is chanted during every major festival or pooja (prayer). It is highly descriptive and rich in its poetic content. It provides a rhythmic, vivid and awe-inspiring description of the goddess (golden-hued, resplendent like the moon, bedecked in gold and silver necklaces, having a smiling face, seated on a lotus). Here’s a beautiful rendition of Shree Suktam by the Challakere brothers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9jNyFgFang.
b .Lalitha Sahasranama:
Lalitha Sahasranama, often translated as the "Thousand Names of Lalitha," is a Hindu text dedicated to the goddess Lalitha Tripura Sundari, a supreme goddess representing the divine feminine. It is a profound spiritual text that encapsulates the essence of Shakta philosophy. It reflects the understanding of the divine as both immanent and transcendent. It is believed to purify the mind, body, and spirit of the devotee, fostering a sense of spiritual connection and devotion. Read more about it here:
c. Aigiri Nandini:
This a powerful and revered devotional song dedicated to the goddess Chamundi, the slayer of the demon Mahishasura, written by Adi Shankaracharya, a revered saint in Hinduism. This song is widely cherished for its devotional intensity and poetic brilliance. It is also specially sung during Navaratri. Here is the link to Subbalakshmi’s rendition of this powerful song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB_SMk_ETLI
d. Listen to devotional songs:
Indian classical music has amazing musical portrayals of the feminine energy. The sublime music can transport you into a different world. There are many youtube playlists that curate these kirtans. Here’s a collection of Carnatic songs that you can listen to:
Art and mandalas, vibrant rituals and cultural practices trigger creativity. Whether you seek to draw geometric mandalas or rangolis and play with a splash of colour, Navaratri is a great time to unleash your inner Picasso! He did, afterall, say, “art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life!”
In conclusion, worshipping the divine feminine is a deeply enriching journey that reconnects us with the nurturing, intuitive, and creative aspects of our own nature. Whether through the veneration of goddesses, cultivating compassion and empathy, or simply seeking balance within ourselves, these recommendations offer a pathway to greater self-fulfilment and self-discovery. I hope you try one or more of these recommendations. I would love to hear about your experiences with them!
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