Published: 12:00 AM, 22 October 2015
Religion for individual, festival for all
Dr. N. C. Bhowmik
How the universe has been created is always a burning question for us. Civilizations, religion, values have been developed for the advancement of mankind. The battle between the force of wellbeing and evil force started from the veiy beginning of the universe. Science has provided many theories about the creation of the universe including the widely accepted "The Big Bang Theory". According to this theory there had a massive explosion and Higgs- Boson particles (God particles) had been created. After different phases Sun, Earth, human beings and environment had been created. According to the Hindu religion Madhu and Kaitav (evil force) were creating massacre and Brhama called for super power to demolish them. Besides every religion including Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Christianity has its own explanation about the creation of this universe. From the primitive stage of the earth we are experiencing a battle between the force of well-being and the evil force where force of well-being always triumphs over the evil force every time. The Hindu Goddess Devi Durga represents the good force that was originated to demolish the evil forces. Due to this she is also considered as "The great spell", "Tire super power" , "The origin of power" , "Tire slayer of Ashur". Devi Durga is considered as the united force.
Durga, the Goddess of power and strength, is the most important Goddess of the Hinduism. She is a multi-dimensional Goddess, with many names, many personas, and many facets. As Mahishasura Mardini or Shakti, She is the destroyer of evil - with her ten mighty arms carrying lethal weapons She triumphantly slays the demon Mahishasura. As Sati, the beloved daughter of King Daksha and Queen Menaka She gives up a kingdom and earns her father's wrath. As Kali, she turns black as the night and omnipotent, terrible in rage and fury, with just a string of skulls as Her garland and Her only garb. As Parvati, she is serene, the pretty consort of Lord Shiva by His side in the snowy peaks of the Kailash mountain. She is Bhawani, symbol of life. She is Sati, the object of death. She is Basanti, the heralder of springtime. She is also Amba, Jagadhatri, Tara, Ambika, and Annapurna. She is worshipped as the Goddess of power, peace and knowledge.
Durga, through all her forms, encompasses the essence of salvation and sacrifice. She is the mother of bounty and wealth as well as of beauty and knowledge, for her daughters Lakshmi and Saraswati (Hindu goddesses of wealth and knowledge, respectively).
She is the embodiment of purity, knowledge, truth and self-realization. The highest form of truth present in any being or Jiva is known as "Aatman" or supreme consciousness. This supreme consciousness or the absolute soul is infinite, birthless, deathless, beyond time and space, and beyond the law' of causation. Goddess Durga is the inherent dynamic energy through w'hich this supreme consciousness manifests itself. She is the energy aspect of the Lord. Without Durga, Lord Shiva has no expression and without Shiva, Durga has no existence.
The Sanskrit w'ord Durga means a fort, or a place that is protected and thus difficult to reach. Durga, also called the Divine Mother, who protects mankind from evil and miser}' by destroying evil forces such as selfishness, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger, and ego.
The absence of any male influence as w'ell as of any male assistance, in Durga’s fierce battles with male demons, is worth noting. The most interesting facet of the tales of Her origin is not that She is presented as Shakti - the divine power - but rather, that she assumes the pow'- ers of the male gods to save the universe.
Hindu mythology tells an interesting tale of the fierce battle of Durga with Mahishasura, a demon who earned the favour of Lord Shiva after a long and hard penance. Empowered with the boon, Mahishasura started his reign of terror over the Universe and people were killed mercilessly. He even attacked the abode of the gods. In this contest the army of the gods was defeated by the more powerful demons. When Mahishasura conquered the gods, he became their leader .The gods, utterly defeated, took refuge under Lord Brahma, w'ho took them to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Having heard of the misdeeds of the demons, pure energy blazed forth from Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - the trinity forming the pure energy of Godhood. Thus from the energy of these gods, as w'ell as from many other gods, was formed the goddess Durga.
The Gods then gifted the Goddess with their w'eapons and other divine objects to help her in her battle with the demon, Mahishasura. Being armed Devi fought for the establishment of truth and beauty. She killed Mahishasura or the evil force and regained heaven(Shargolok).
The w'orship of Devi Durga is organized in two times, one in BASANTA and another in SHARAT. The myth says Raja Surat and Somadhi Baidya organized her w'orship in Spiing for their betterment at the Asram of Madhash Muni, w'hich is also known as BASHANTI PUJA. The incarnation of God Ramchandra organized her worship in autumn to kill Ravan. This is also called OKALBODHON. We are following this tradition of worshiping Durga in autumn till now. In Bangladesh, Durga Puja took momentum by Raja Kangsha Narayan during the time of Akber. Some other says it w'as the king of Nadia Raja Krishna Chandra Roy who took the initiative. One month of the holy festivals stars with MAHALAYA hindus all over the w'orld celebrate the festival in different forms, such as Durga Puja, Dashara, Dashai , Bijoy Dashami , Kojagori Laxmi Puja, Dhvali and Kali Puja. During Durga puja Chandi is recited w'hich is the substance of Tantra Shastra and Bedh is the substance of Upanishad and Gita.
If we think about our Liberation War then w'e will see that we were under the domination of an evil force till 1971. We got united based on Bengali nationalism and non-commu- nalism. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman w'as the leader of the good force and Bangladesh got its independence and established nation state under his leadership. Through this war w'e have upholded the values of civilization. The Constitution of 1972 was a clear reflection of this idea. After the killing of Father od the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, Bangladesh had gone through a catastrophic situation and basic principles either distorted or abolished and they tried to destroy the force of well-being. Now, under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina Bangladesh is experiencing the axis of development in all sectors. We are moving forward being irrespective of religion, race and gender under her leadership for being a middle income country by 2021. Basic principles of Liberation War have been included in the constitution and dissimilarities mil be removed in time. Now all religious groups including ethnic minorities are going through a greater unification. Vested property' return act is being implemented. Some positive steps have been taken in case of recruitments and promotion of minorities. Chittagong Hill Tracts Peach Treaty and demands of other ethnic minorities are under progress. Trial of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's killing and Jail Killing have been completed. Trial of w'ar criminals is going on. Still militants, terrorists and communal forces are active in Bangladesh. In some cases we find government to take actions against them and we are hopeful that government will take necessary' steps for other cases. In festivals like Eid-ul-fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Eid-e-MiladunNabi, Durga Puja, Janmastami, Boudya Purnirna, Christmas Day all groups of people are participating with a great enthusiasm that is obviously a positive sign. Though religious customs are for individual groups, above all one can say, "Religion for individual, but festival for all". In this context we can say that in 1982 about 5000 Durga Puja was celebrated but now it has reached up to 29074. It is because of organizational activities of Mahanagar Sharbojanin Puja Committee, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parissad, and Hindu Buddha Christian Oikya Parissad. Besides, democratic forces and government are also very helpful.
We are hopeful that Devi Durga will establish truth and beauty in Bangladesh and all over the world destroying all the evil forces. Being united Bangladesh will move forward with an unstoppable force when we will be able to say, "Religion for individuals, but country for all.
The writer is Professor of the
Dhaka University.
Durga, the Goddess of power and strength, is the most important Goddess of the Hinduism. She is a multi-dimensional Goddess, with many names, many personas, and many facets. As Mahishasura Mardini or Shakti, She is the destroyer of evil - with her ten mighty arms carrying lethal weapons She triumphantly slays the demon Mahishasura. As Sati, the beloved daughter of King Daksha and Queen Menaka She gives up a kingdom and earns her father's wrath. As Kali, she turns black as the night and omnipotent, terrible in rage and fury, with just a string of skulls as Her garland and Her only garb. As Parvati, she is serene, the pretty consort of Lord Shiva by His side in the snowy peaks of the Kailash mountain. She is Bhawani, symbol of life. She is Sati, the object of death. She is Basanti, the heralder of springtime. She is also Amba, Jagadhatri, Tara, Ambika, and Annapurna. She is worshipped as the Goddess of power, peace and knowledge.
Durga, through all her forms, encompasses the essence of salvation and sacrifice. She is the mother of bounty and wealth as well as of beauty and knowledge, for her daughters Lakshmi and Saraswati (Hindu goddesses of wealth and knowledge, respectively).
She is the embodiment of purity, knowledge, truth and self-realization. The highest form of truth present in any being or Jiva is known as "Aatman" or supreme consciousness. This supreme consciousness or the absolute soul is infinite, birthless, deathless, beyond time and space, and beyond the law' of causation. Goddess Durga is the inherent dynamic energy through w'hich this supreme consciousness manifests itself. She is the energy aspect of the Lord. Without Durga, Lord Shiva has no expression and without Shiva, Durga has no existence.
The Sanskrit w'ord Durga means a fort, or a place that is protected and thus difficult to reach. Durga, also called the Divine Mother, who protects mankind from evil and miser}' by destroying evil forces such as selfishness, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger, and ego.
The absence of any male influence as w'ell as of any male assistance, in Durga’s fierce battles with male demons, is worth noting. The most interesting facet of the tales of Her origin is not that She is presented as Shakti - the divine power - but rather, that she assumes the pow'- ers of the male gods to save the universe.
Hindu mythology tells an interesting tale of the fierce battle of Durga with Mahishasura, a demon who earned the favour of Lord Shiva after a long and hard penance. Empowered with the boon, Mahishasura started his reign of terror over the Universe and people were killed mercilessly. He even attacked the abode of the gods. In this contest the army of the gods was defeated by the more powerful demons. When Mahishasura conquered the gods, he became their leader .The gods, utterly defeated, took refuge under Lord Brahma, w'ho took them to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Having heard of the misdeeds of the demons, pure energy blazed forth from Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - the trinity forming the pure energy of Godhood. Thus from the energy of these gods, as w'ell as from many other gods, was formed the goddess Durga.
The Gods then gifted the Goddess with their w'eapons and other divine objects to help her in her battle with the demon, Mahishasura. Being armed Devi fought for the establishment of truth and beauty. She killed Mahishasura or the evil force and regained heaven(Shargolok).
The w'orship of Devi Durga is organized in two times, one in BASANTA and another in SHARAT. The myth says Raja Surat and Somadhi Baidya organized her w'orship in Spiing for their betterment at the Asram of Madhash Muni, w'hich is also known as BASHANTI PUJA. The incarnation of God Ramchandra organized her worship in autumn to kill Ravan. This is also called OKALBODHON. We are following this tradition of worshiping Durga in autumn till now. In Bangladesh, Durga Puja took momentum by Raja Kangsha Narayan during the time of Akber. Some other says it w'as the king of Nadia Raja Krishna Chandra Roy who took the initiative. One month of the holy festivals stars with MAHALAYA hindus all over the w'orld celebrate the festival in different forms, such as Durga Puja, Dashara, Dashai , Bijoy Dashami , Kojagori Laxmi Puja, Dhvali and Kali Puja. During Durga puja Chandi is recited w'hich is the substance of Tantra Shastra and Bedh is the substance of Upanishad and Gita.
If we think about our Liberation War then w'e will see that we were under the domination of an evil force till 1971. We got united based on Bengali nationalism and non-commu- nalism. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman w'as the leader of the good force and Bangladesh got its independence and established nation state under his leadership. Through this war w'e have upholded the values of civilization. The Constitution of 1972 was a clear reflection of this idea. After the killing of Father od the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, Bangladesh had gone through a catastrophic situation and basic principles either distorted or abolished and they tried to destroy the force of well-being. Now, under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina Bangladesh is experiencing the axis of development in all sectors. We are moving forward being irrespective of religion, race and gender under her leadership for being a middle income country by 2021. Basic principles of Liberation War have been included in the constitution and dissimilarities mil be removed in time. Now all religious groups including ethnic minorities are going through a greater unification. Vested property' return act is being implemented. Some positive steps have been taken in case of recruitments and promotion of minorities. Chittagong Hill Tracts Peach Treaty and demands of other ethnic minorities are under progress. Trial of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's killing and Jail Killing have been completed. Trial of w'ar criminals is going on. Still militants, terrorists and communal forces are active in Bangladesh. In some cases we find government to take actions against them and we are hopeful that government will take necessary' steps for other cases. In festivals like Eid-ul-fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Eid-e-MiladunNabi, Durga Puja, Janmastami, Boudya Purnirna, Christmas Day all groups of people are participating with a great enthusiasm that is obviously a positive sign. Though religious customs are for individual groups, above all one can say, "Religion for individual, but festival for all". In this context we can say that in 1982 about 5000 Durga Puja was celebrated but now it has reached up to 29074. It is because of organizational activities of Mahanagar Sharbojanin Puja Committee, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parissad, and Hindu Buddha Christian Oikya Parissad. Besides, democratic forces and government are also very helpful.
We are hopeful that Devi Durga will establish truth and beauty in Bangladesh and all over the world destroying all the evil forces. Being united Bangladesh will move forward with an unstoppable force when we will be able to say, "Religion for individuals, but country for all.
The writer is Professor of the
Dhaka University.
