Can Durga Ma slay the gender warmongers?

The Hindu celebration of the feminine principle of nature, could result in a parliamentary status quo in Oz

Fortunately for the innocent public supporting both sides with their tax dollars, the battleground was limited to a U-shaped chamber with opponents comfortably placed in cushioned trenches of green leather

By lP AyeR

Thank God! Or, should I say thank Goddesses, for bringing on Dusshera in time to edge out the great Gender War that is gripping this country out of our psyches. This WoW (war of words) was getting fiercer than WWII, with both sides tossing stink bombs at each other, turning serene springtime into a season of sleaze and slander.

Fortunately for the innocent public supporting both sides with their tax dollars, the battleground was limited to a U-shaped chamber with opponents comfortably placed in cushioned trenches of green leather, facing each other with a mound of bound tomes in the middle. Both sides had similar numerical strength with a few aligning with one side or the other, depending on the situation. Another unique aspect of this stoush was the presence of a supposedly neutral person, not unlike the UN observer, whose job was to see the battle was kept within bounds.

Of the two fighting forces, the ‘Handbag Hit Squad’ was better equipped with finance, health and legal resources; whereas the opposing Coalition forces were only a shadow of their rivals. The Handbag squad’s verbal missiles, sounding very identical, showered the opposition with seldomheard-of terminology, forcing the general public to Google-search that word. The Coalition’s captain, with his habit of shooting from the hip and lip at the same time, was alleged to have fallen out of favour with the fair sex. But he had the full backing of his reserves in the home front. Sadly his allies ‘on’ air attack misfired, sending his supporters away.

The funniest thing about this gender war was that both sides claimed they were fighting for the same cause – regard for women. The Handbag Brigade branded the Opposition of having very little respect for women, quoting some ancient incidents. The Coalition hit back that the Women Warriors not only went mum, but tried to shield a spokesperson when he slipped so low as to make disgusting remarks about women. So much for the clamour of the two sides fighting for women’s honour in a season when women are raised to the highest level of respect and reverence in a land half the globe away - Mother India.

Yes, it is that time of the year - Dusshera (Karnataka and Bengal) and Navratri (Tamil Nadu) - when every female form of the Almighty is worshipped. In Hindu mythology every God has a Goddess including Ganesha (in some parts of Maharashtra), emphasising the concept of equal status of women. An in-depth analysis of Hindu philosophy will help one to understand that various deeds in the divine domain are just a reflection of daily happenings in human lives.

For any individual or society to prosper, a certain amount of wealth is needed. To create and manage that wealth, proper skills are required that come about through education. And above all, to survive from external or internal threats, security is of utmost importance.

Realising this basic principle, these three important endeavours are entrusted in Hindu mythology to Durga (security), Lakshmi (wealth) and Saraswati (education). And as an act of great reverence, Shakti is regarded as an absolute equivalent to her male consort.

Refreshing this principle of equality and re-emphasising the need to pay due respect to women, the Dusshera/Navratri festival serves as an annual reminder. Dusshera celebrations in Mysore and Durga puja in Bengal are very well known all over the land. During Navratri, in many Tamil households statuettes of goddesses are decorated and displayed in layers of steps (kolu) and women are invited to join in special prayers.

The two sides fought for women’s honour in a season when women are raised to the highest level of respect and reverence in a land half the globe awayMother India.

So it is very appropriate that this festival has arrived in time to end the war of words and the duel for dominance between the sexes. Thank Goddesses!