By Sanket Sangwikar
My mother embodied the perfect blend of discipline, love and commitment to social causes. She was unwavering when it came to standing up against injustice or disciplining me and my brother: nothing could sway her resolve.
Yet, in moments of illness or hardship, she transformed into a source of warmth and compassion, instinctively knowing when I needed a hug or words of encouragement. I also witnessed her brilliance and wit when she sat with us, patiently teaching and guiding us through life’s lessons.
Navratri festival celebrations are enjoyed by Hindu communities throughout the world.Credit: AP
Each year, during the month of October, we celebrate Navratri, a festival dedicated to Devi, the feminine embodiment of Shakti – the source of all energy in the universe. Navratri, which means “nine nights,” is one of the most significant festivals for Hindu practitioners. It honours the divine feminine through vibrant decorations, devotional songs, folk dances and a disciplined practice of rituals and fasting.
Devi is revered in three main forms: Durga, the warrior goddess who vanquishes evil; Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and kindness; and Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom. As a child, I often wondered if these aspects of Devi were reflected in my mother’s character. She could be fierce, nurturing, or wise, depending on what the moment called for. It made sense to me why we call Devi “Mother” in our prayers and mantras.
As I delved deeper into Vedic philosophy, the connection between these feminine energies and the material and spiritual aspects of life became clearer. Hindu philosophy, often referred to as Sanatana Dharma, or the “eternal way of life,” is more of a psychological and spiritual philosophy than a rigid religion. It encompasses many forms of worship, all pointing to a singular truth.
There are no doctrines or dogmas in Hindu religion. In Hindu belief, there is only one supreme God, called Brahman – a genderless, formless principle that encompasses everything in the universe. All living and nonliving forms are seen as manifestations of Brahman. This plurality and flexibility of worship created a sense of spiritual joy for me, as I could connect with the divine in whatever form I chose.
Respect and reverence for the divine feminine is deeply ingrained in Hindu religion. The concept of addressing women, the earth, nature and even cows as “mother” comes so naturally that I didn’t realise we were nurturing feminist ideals through it. From an early age, I was taught to treat all women as mothers and sisters.
In ancient Vedic society, women had full rights to education and governance and contributed to sacred texts. They were teachers, warriors, traders and held important social roles. Even the ritual of lighting the sacred fire was reserved for the lady of the house. In wedding ceremonies, women were repeatedly asked for their consent, and had the right to walk away until the very last moment. Sadly, with the rise of patriarchy, invasions, social instability and fear, especially during the Middle Ages, women’s rights to education and leadership were diminished. However, even in these challenging times, the reverence for the feminine as divine has persisted.
My grandmother always encouraged me to see the divine in my own mother and to extend that perspective to the entire universe. Everything around us works in a nurturing, motherly way, providing for us and sustaining life.
Sanket Sangwikar is a counsellor of Hindu tradition, an expositor of Vedic philosophy and a Hindu purohit (family priest). He works with the Hindu Council of Australia on interfaith collaborative initiatives for peace and harmony.