Rashmi invokes Durga, the Adya Shakti (Primeval Mother), the supreme source of power and energy to slay the demons of the present day. A poem on contemporary women’s issues for the Durga Puja special feature, in Different Truths.

Durga – the Adya Shakti,
The supreme source of power and energy.
Mother Goddess eliminates all the sufferings.
Durga was created to cast away evil forces.
The creator, nurturer and annihilator.
She is the beginning and the end,
She is the power house of learning, wisdom, force and strength.
People chant her name to attain salvation,
Brahmacharini, Shailputri, Katyayani, Kushmanda, Mahagauri, Chandraghanta,
Skandamata, Siddhidatri are some of her names.
Kalyug is dark, enigmatic, mystical and dangerous
O mother! Give strength and power to your daughters
The Kalyugi Mahishasurs are found in every nook and corner.
Grant the boon of courage to women.
Statics of crime against women are rising high
Every second a girl is pushed to death’s lane
O mother! The world needs your help,
Durga – the Adya Shakti,
The supreme source of power and energy.

Picture design by Anumita Roy, Different Truths

Rashmi Jain

Rashmi is Assistant Professor, Department of English, Iswar Saran Degree College, Prayagraj. A bilingual poet/author, she writes in English and Hindi. Her debut collection of poems, ‘Kaleidoscopic Visions’ has been published by Authorspress (2015). Her poems and research papers are published in reputed journals and magazines.