BY MALAVIKA
EBY
this children’s book is dedicated to anyone who has ever read a Hindu mythological tale and felt annoyed that their favorite goddesses or female figures were always presented as one-dimensional side-kicks to male gods and heroes when they should be celebrated for their own abilities. Goddesses and female deities are just like mortal women; we all have stories, identities, and wishes of our own, whether or not they are seen and recognized by others. This story is my attempt to see and recognize the strengths and bonds shared by my favorite Hindu goddesses and deities to support the little readers who might look up to them.
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at the closing of every divine turn of the century, eight women of the heavens, the sister-friends, gather by the same waterfall and share their wisdoms and love with each other. The women were all goddesses and deities celebrated by hindus worldwide: parvati, lakshmi, saraswati, ganga, sita, radha, kali, and durga.
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Parvati, Saraswati, and Lakshmi were the oldest of the sister-friends. they were like elder sisters or teachers to the rest. “Parvati, Saraswati, and Lakshmi, when you are so busy protecting and serving other people, how do you stay true to who you are inside? what helps you to be ’the very best you’?” asked radha.
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Sita spoke first, in her infinite wisdom. “move away from places where your honor is questioned and your boundaries are broken. Remember when I left Rama and the rest of the unjust world to find peace with my mother, the earth?” the sister-friends knowingly nodded. they admired how sita made the right choice for herself, though it was difficult.
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LAKSHMI offered her advice next. “put kindness and blessings out into the world and they will come back to you. Be a giver, with one condition: when someone tries to take too much, hold off on being generous. Do you guys really think I massage Vishnu’s feet on the days when he’s a bad husband to me? of course not!”
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then, Parvati chimed in with her own experience. “build a support system, and draw from that strength to stand up for yourself. Remember how I made Ganesha?” The sisterfriends all nodded. they loved cute ganesha who always supported them in their goals!
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Ganga was excited for her turn. “break rules, don’t mind the nay-sayers, and follow the path your heart and mind take you toward! Remember when I put out Sage Jahnu’s ritual fire?” everyone laughed. they all loved ganga’s free spirit.
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Saraswati, with her ocean of knowledge, spoke up. “always seek new things to learn, and try to understand the world a little better every day, whether it’s through music or reading. That’s why you’ll never see me without my favorite instrument, the veena!” the sister-friends cheered and clapped for their favorite musician.
Durga stepped forward with her keen intuition. “celebrate and Have confidence in all your unique talents! you will come to need them, and so will your community members. we all have tremendous power inside us to accomplish our goals, which is how I have my shakti!”
Finally, kali added her fierce perspective. “Be angry when you want to be angry. feel every emotion as it flows into you, not just the happy, pretty ones. some people might be scared away by my blood and skulls, but the people who matter love me no matter what, like all of you!” everyone cheered again, and blew kisses at their beautiful sister-friend.
radha beamed with heartfelt gratitude for the ocean of support her sister-friends were giving her. She bowed to them, and said, “you all offer me so much love and encouragement and radiate wisdom and power just by being yourselves. our friendship is my greatest source of strength to be the very best that i can be. thank you!”
the sister-friends came together around Radha in a big, warm hug. they felt an unspoken promise that they would always be there for each other like this.
“same time, same place, next yuga?” asked ganga, grinning. “YES!!” everyone yelled.
Sister-friends of the heavens is a fun and heartwarming story for children who are intrigued and enchanted by hindu mythology. the story lifts up an imagined sisterhood and friendship shared by eight goddesses and deities who are key figures in hindu mythological stories, including goddess lakshmi, goddess parvati, sita, and radha.
children can delight in hearing about their favorite mythological characters and the ways in which they uplift and encourage each other to be strong and talented women, each in their own right.