Which Durga we should worship, asks a little girl. Sutapa pays tribute to the mortal Durga and the Goddess, in this verse, in Different Truths.
‘Durga Puja?’ My little Juhi asks And giggles, ‘Will we worship our Durga? She, who sweeps and swabs our home?’ I look at her five-year-old innocence And wonder… Is it possible that her third eye has opened? Rupam Dehi, Jayam Dehi, Yasho Dehi, Divsho Jahi… There she was, the brilliant Devi. Golden, radiant, ten-armed Venerated by incense, flowers, invocations. Here she was, my young Durga. Dusky-hued, wise beyond years Two hands juggling more than ten jobs, Yet, taking time to slake her thirst for books from me. Lightning flashes from painted eyes, As the Devi ferociously fights a bull-headed demon. Dreams lurk in Durga’s dark eyes, too. Daily she confronts the multi-headed hydra… Of poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy Of lechery leering from every street corner. Fiercely, the Devi plunges her trident in, Three sharp points drawing blood. My Durga also owns a three-pronged trident Of patience, determination and strength, Nurturing it with her own blood. My Durga declares… ‘I shall learn I shall earn Until I stand on my own two feet Certainly, all odds I will beat Until I’m able to raise more like me up the hill, you will see.’ Rupam Dehi, Jayam Dehi, Yasho Dehi, Divsho Jahi… Indeed, my Juhi has sightfulness When life is consecrated into the idol, I am sure It is my own Durga who breathes in the Devi. I ask you… Does it matter Whether we worship the Devi or my Durga? For we adulate the spirit that rises from the quicksand of desolation. For we revere the vision that pierces the darkness of misery For we honour the voice that is raised Aloud against all injustice. Why do we wait to idolise Durga once a year? Why can’t we constantly worship the innumerable Durgas around us? Why don’t we identify with the Durga within us? I pray to Devi-Durga… Offering handfuls of starry shiuli. ‘May you take the flame from their hearts And ignite fire in my daughter’s soul!’ To my Juhi, I say, ‘My fulfillment Is in the lessons of Passion, resolve and courage You learn from our Durga… She, who sweeps and swabs our home.’ Rupam Dehi, Jayam Dehi, Yasho Dehi, Divsho Jahi… Grant us your form, Grant us victory, Grant us benediction, Eliminate all animosity…
Picture design Anumita Roy, Different Truths
Sutapa Basu is an author, poet, editor and publishing consultant. As an undergraduate student of English Literature, she spent four halcyon years at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan. Author of novels, Padmavati and Dangle, she has co-authored four anthologies, Crossed & Knotted, Defiant Dreams, When They Spoke, Write India Stories, and two poetry collections. Her writings have been published in Readomania, TOI Blog, Muse India, Café Dissensus, New York and other magazines.
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