NOTE: This blog is based on my understanding and perspective. Any other perspective that is there to what is written, would like the reader to post in the comments. The moderated comments would add knowledge to the other readers as well.

MAnvi: thAthA, I was thinking of the significance of what these three Devis stand for – Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, in our daily lives.

thAthA (with a smile): Hmmn.. Religious conversation, MAnvi?

MAnvi: If you were to look at it from the perspective of deities, then one would think so. However, since I would like to focus on the application of it to daily living, I think the conversation is spiritual. You always say isn’t it thAthA, that a spiritual person will also be religious but a religious person may not be spiritual :-). thAthA, this conversation is perhaps a part of a larger knowledge on this topic; though I think it is important to understand this part, to seek further knowledge.

thAthA (continuing to smile): Go on, MAnvi.

MAnvi: Looking at each of these Devis. thAthA, I may say her or she when I speak about the characteristics of the Devis but when it comes to daily living, it applies to men and women alike. I will take the first one for this conversation.

Durga: Stands for Strength and Protection.

Strength – to do what needs to be done.. to stand up for herself.. to fight against what appears as injustice.. to use the resources that are available to her..

Protection –  both of herself and for those who reach out to her, again within the realms of what she thinks is appropriate.

thAthA: Go on, MAnvi.

MAnvi: thAthA, taking a few examples for strength –

In life, there are many situations where we need to do what needs to be done – and this could be being frank and candid in giving some information to someone. We know what we say will be unpleasant for them to hear. What we have to share, may cause a break in the relationship. Despite all this, we need to do it. Strength is alo in the manner in which we influence another to do what needs to be done, no matter what.

A friend of mine felt that no matter what she did, it never seemed right in the eyes of a few around her, In addition, sometimes, what others did became something that she was found fault for. She wanted to fight for it but she could not bring herself to do it. She could not gather her strength to stand up for herself. Quite unfortunately, it wasn’t just for herself that she could not stand up for, she also could not not fight for someone else who was in a similar situation as her.

thAthA: That is protecting someone, isn’t it MAnvi?

MAnvi: Yes, thAthA. It could be protecting confidentiality, protecting another person from being hurt, protecting an object from being damaged. It also brings into picture protecting oneself – this could mean insulating oneself from being hurt, having the strength to move away from a situation that has the potential to cause hurt or damage – to one’s feelings and self-esteem.

thAthA, on one hand, we may move to protect someone proactively. On the other hand, when someone reaches out to us asking for help, which means they are seeking to protect themselves against something or someone, we need to have the strength to do stand by them.

thAthA: It is interesting to see how strength and protection go hand in hand. One is needed for the other to fall in place. MAnvi, it is also important that we have no fear or have minimal fear, in any of the situations that you had spoken about. To have the valour!!

MAnvi: Why thAthA?

thAthA: When there is fear, there is a block in our mind and that reflects in our body and in our thinking. That would impact the decisions we make and the actions we take.

thAthA: MAnvi, each one of us have Durga in us – characteristics of Strength, Protection and Valour. We display it in different situations that matter to us. We may struggle to find these within us, because the situation that we are in, seems to loom large. However, we need to have the strength to push away the fear and trust that there is a source that will protect us; or we seek the source that may offer the protection to us. How we do it, depends on each of us. But do, we should.

Remember MAnvi – The problem is you. The solution is you. 

MAnvi remained quiet mulling over the conversation and thinking of herself with respect to Durga’s characteristics. So much to learn and find!!!

NOTE: The fear being a block is a learning from the book – The Tenth Insight by James Redfield.