Blessing or curse

Sipping tea on my balcony, my memories drifted back a few years. It was the day of Navami. My eight-year-old daughter, Devi, had gone for the ritual Kanya Pujan along with the other neighborhood girls. When she returned, she asked a question that left me speechless. "Ma! Why didn’t Aarti Didi come with us for the puja today?" "Did you go to call her?" I asked casually. "Yes, but Aunty said that Didi is 'grown up' now, so she won't be coming for the puja anymore. She said you would explain the reason to me." There was a mix of curiosity and confusion in Devi’s eyes. Thinking quickly, I said, "Go wash your face and hands first, then I’ll tell you." A little later, she was back. I sat her down next to me, took a deep breath, and said, "Devi, little girls are forms of the Goddess. We worship them so that Maa Durga grants them her powers. And when they finally receive those powers, they become the embodiment of Shakti themselves. Once you become the Power, you no longer go to be worshipped as a child." "Does that mean I will get powers too one day?" she asked excitedly. "Yes, absolutely," I replied. "But Ma, how will I know when the powers have arrived?" she shot back. Explaining the biological process of the menstrual cycle to an eight-year-old felt impossible at that moment. "You will know when they arrive. I will tell you." "But how, Ma? How will you know?" she persisted. "I’ll tell you tonight," I said, just to buy some time. That night, before sleeping, she was by my side again with the same question. Having no other choice, I told her the story of Lord Hanuman. I told her how Hanuman had immense powers since childhood—he could run faster than the wind, leap from the earth to the sky, and change his size at will. But he was just a child and didn't understand when or how to use those powers. Once, mistaking the sun for a ripe fruit, he took a giant leap and caught it, tucking it inside his mouth! The whole world went dark. It was only after the elder Gods intervened and scolded him that he released the sun. Because he would often use his strength to playfully disturb the sages during their prayers, a wise Rishi eventually cursed him to forget his powers. The Rishi told him, "When you grow up and learn how to use your strength and wisdom correctly, you will remember your powers again." Years later, it was Jamvant who finally reminded Hanuman of his true potential. I stroked her hair and whispered, "You, too, will know when the time is right." The Present Today, the sound of sobbing came from Devi’s room. She had started her first period. She was terrified. I held her close and reminded her of our conversation from years ago—that this was the 'blessing' we had talked about. The power to create new life. Wincing in pain, she cried, "Ma, what kind of blessing is this? It feels like a curse." My heart sank. It is a cruel irony that the very power which carries the world forward brings with it unbearable pain and a web of social restrictions. I gave her a pad, explained how to use it, and hurried to prepare a hot water bag. A Few Months Later... Navratri returned. We completed the Kanya Pujan at home. After the little girls had left, my five-year-old son, Rudra, walked up to me. His innocent face carried a question, much like Devi's once did. "Ma, why do we only worship girls during Navratri?" I smiled. Another 'Jamvant' was ready to teach the next generation the lesson of strength, respect, and the true meaning of Shakti.