Grace, Humility, Power are among various attributes that we associate our Mother Goddess with when it comes to the 9 days of Navratri. But do we not celebrate otherwise? In our everyday life, we do come across various women who strive to be where they want to be with sheer will-power, strength in character, grace, and humility. 

Let’s look at the characteristics of the 9 Goddesses we worship during Navratri and let us know if this matches yours, or you know of someone who is fighting her own battle like Mother Goddess!

Day 1: Shailaputri Devi

The first day of Navratri is celebrated by worshipping Shailaputri Devi -which literally means the daughter of the Mountains. Variously known as Sati Bhavani/Parvati or Hemavana, the daughter of the Himalayas, she is the first among Nava Durgas. Shailaputri is the essence of the earthly existence. The Divine Energy is latent in every human being. 

Shailaputri at your workplace: The person who has a great conviction about her work possesses great energy throughout the day, allows co-workers to blossom with their ideas and creates a nice harmony in office. 

Day 2: Bhramacharini

Bhramacharini means one who practices devout austerity. She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace. She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her. Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to emancipation - Moksha.

Brahmacharini at your workplace: You will always see her enlightened with grace. She is soft-spoken, yet is not submissive. Always proves her point with humility, and is an example how office squabbles can be handled gracefully without getting murky. You always wonder – how does she manage tiffs so peacefully.

Day 3: Chandraghanta

Chandraghanta is worshipped for peace, tranquillity, and prosperity in life. She has a 'chandra' or half-moon in her forehead in the shape of a bell. She is the apostle of bravery to fight in the battle against demons.

Chandraghanta at your workplace: Have you noticed someone at work who will always fight for others, and for the right reasons? She is the one who embodies the bravery which Chandraghanta exudes. She doesn’t need to be told to raise her concern over an issue which is wrong. She will do it on her own and win it with panache!

Day 4: Kushmanda

Kushmanda is considered as the creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness until her light spread in all directions like rays from the sun. 

Kushmanda at your workplace: The person in any meeting/discussions comes up with an exclusive idea which, however, far-fetched is the best idea of the day or for the project. It is often impossible to come up with another idea, and soon after you all decide to go ahead with that. Yes, the creativity is a blessing and any form of creation must be valued!

Day 5: Skandamata

Skandamata - the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya who was chosen by Gods as their commander-in-chief in the way against the demons. She is accompanied by the Lord Skanda in his infant form. Devi Skandamata is a symbol of the mother-son relationship. 

Skandamata at your workplace: The mother-figure in the office with whom you share everything – right from what is bothering you at work to personal problems. She advises you from her experience, and every problem seems to have a solution which works for you. And you always wonder how does she do it!

Day 6: Katyayani

In Shaktism, Katyayani is associated with the fierce forms of Shakti or Durga, a Warrior goddess, which also includes Bhadrakali and Chandika, and traditionally she is associated with the colour red.

Katyayani at your workplace: She essentially looks very timid and will come across as a person who you think does not possess the ‘fighting spirit’. Don’t even think that way. Her looks are deceptive, and when she decides to annihilate her competitors or stand up for the right, you will be astonished about her strength!

Day 7: Kalaratri

She is fearless, violently demolishes devils and monsters. Also known as Maa Kali, she wears a bead that gleams like the fire of electric power. Durga manifested herself as a completely destroy demons from existence. 

Kalaratri at your workplace: That little firebrand in your office who is always up for an adventure, doesn’t mind taking on projects which are way too risky for her profile. Handles them with such confidence that you wonder where does she get such courage. Her idea is to take everything heads-on and she doesn’t care about the result. Because she thinks, failure is also a victory – because she learnt from them!

Day 8: Maha Gauri

Goddess Maha Gauri is the eighth form of Devi Durga and one of the graceful Goddesses among the Nava Durgas. Her beauty glows like a gleam of white pearl. She denotes peace and endurance. She is represented with four arms seated on a bill. She cleans dregs from the hearts of her worshippers.

Maha Gauri at your workplace: She is the one who always clears all the air of animosity between two warring colleagues. Arguments and debates are part of life, and she is always the mediator in such cases. She ensures that team-bonding is not compromised, and also listens to all but doesn’t like to spread malice.

Day 9: Siddhidatri

Siddhidatri has supernatural healing powers. Always in a blissful happy enchanting pose, she blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantrics and all devotees as a manifestation of Mother Goddess. She is the possessor of 26 different wishes (Siddhis) which she grants her worshipers. 

Siddhidatri at your workplace: Her outlook towards life and work is very spiritual. When you go to her, you find a different perspective and problems seem to get healed by her soothing words of wisdom. 

We all have such people in our lives who represent each aspect of the Mother Goddess. Maybe some have two or more such powers. Because we celebrate their existence every day and in every way!

Tag your colleague/best friend/boss who helps you combat the struggles and navigate your path for success!

(All the ideas expressed here are that of the author and do not reflect the views of People Matters)