Sadhguru says in the calm of Jagadhatri, we find the strength to sustain, the patience to nurture, and the resilience to rise above adversity. Jagadhatri’s grace reminds us that true power lies not in force but in the silent, enduring strength that holds the universe together.
Article | Shree Siddhashram | November 08, 2024
Sadhguru: Jagadhatri Puja, a revered festival deeply rooted in Bengal's spiritual and cultural heritage, celebrates the Divine Mother in her form as Jagadhatri—"the one who sustains the universe." Held in the month of Kartik (October–November), shortly after Kali Puja and Diwali, this festival embodies the community’s reverence and devotion towards the Goddess, who represents resilience, strength, and the nurturing power that sustains all creation. In Sanskrit, "Jagadhatri" translates to "the sustainer of the world," highlighting her essential role in upholding balance and order amidst chaos.
Unlike the dramatic and warrior-like iconography of Goddess Durga, Jagadhatri is a more serene, benevolent form of Shakti (divine feminine energy), symbolizing compassion, patience, and a sense of protection. Her calm demeanour invites reflection on the deeper, sustaining aspects of life and the quiet strength that sustains existence. Though her worship is widespread in Bengal, especially in cities like Chandannagar and Krishnanagar, her significance resonates across spiritual circles due to her deep esoteric symbolism and the message of inner resilience.
Worshipping Jagadhatri is a journey into the essence of resilience—a call to nurture, protect, and sustain life with compassion and inner strength.
Mythological Background of Goddess Jagadhatri
Jagadhatri is believed to be a manifestation of Durga, who, in her compassionate form, came to symbolize the nurturing force of the universe. According to legend, she appeared to pacify the fears of the gods and devotees when faced with Asuras (demonic forces). The story goes that after vanquishing the demons in her form as Durga, she reappeared as Jagadhatri to instil faith, hope, and courage among the gods and humanity. Her form as Jagadhatri, with the lion as her mount and the serpent as her ornament, is a visual representation of fearlessness, wisdom, and steadfast strength.
Her imagery is rich in symbolism: the lion represents the primal force of life, the serpent signifies wisdom and inner awakening, and her four hands hold a conch, a bow, a disc, and a noose. These elements together suggest mastery over the forces of nature, control over the senses, and the power to guide humanity on a righteous path.
The Iconography of Jagadhatri: A Symbolic Interpretation
The iconography of Goddess Jagadhatri is replete with spiritual symbolism. Her calm, compassionate expression, her upright posture, and her aura exude a sense of stability that represents her role as the sustainer of the cosmos. Her four hands carry:
Conch (Shankha): The conch symbolizes the primordial sound "Om," representing the universe's eternal vibration. It signifies purity, clarity of thought, and communication with the divine.
Bow and Arrow: These weapons represent focus, determination, and control over desires. The bow also signifies strength in readiness, embodying the vigilant nature of the goddess in protecting her devotees.
Chakra (Disc): The disc symbolizes the cyclic nature of time, indicating that everything in life comes full circle. It also represents dharma (cosmic law) and the goddess’s role in maintaining order in the universe.
Noose: The noose represents restraint and control over negative forces. It symbolizes the goddess’s ability to bind destructive energies and prevent them from disturbing the cosmic order.
Jagadhatri stands on a lion, a symbol of courage and strength, indicating her mastery over primal forces. The serpent that adorns her body is an ancient symbol of wisdom, inner power, and kundalini energy, which, when awakened, brings spiritual enlightenment.
In a world of chaos, Jagadhatri’s serene gaze teaches us to find balance, embracing the harmony within and around us.
Rituals and Celebrations of Jagadhatri Puja
Jagadhatri Puja is performed with devotion, precision, and adherence to ritualistic practices that enhance the spiritual experience. In Bengal, artisans craft magnificent clay idols of the goddess, and devotees gather in large numbers to worship her. The puja begins with rituals like Nabapatrika snan (bathing of nine plants representing the goddess), the Anjali offering, and pushpanjali (flower offerings), followed by arati (a devotional song and dance ceremony with lamps).
Throughout the three-day festival, devotees offer bhog (food offerings) to the goddess, consisting of rice, fruits, sweets, and other traditional foods. Special dishes such as khichuri, labra (mixed vegetable curry), and payesh (rice pudding) are served to the goddess and later distributed among devotees as prasad. Community meals, or bhog distribution, are a significant part of the celebration, promoting a sense of unity and equality.
In Chandannagar, a historical town in West Bengal, the celebrations reach their peak with elaborately decorated pandals (temporary shrines) and processions with lights and music, symbolizing the vibrant cultural heritage of Bengal. The festival also showcases a stunning array of lights and fireworks, a tradition that dates back to colonial times, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness.
The true essence of Jagadhatri Puja is not in vanquishing, but in sustaining—the art of holding together what life would otherwise pull apart.
Spiritual Significance of Jagadhatri Puja
Jagadhatri Puja holds a profound spiritual significance that goes beyond the ritualistic worship. Each aspect of the festival—from the rituals and offerings to the stories and symbols—teaches devotees essential spiritual lessons. Some of the core teachings and significances of Jagadhatri Puja are:
Strength in Patience and Calmness: Jagadhatri is not a fierce warrior; instead, she represents the quiet strength that sustains life. Her calm demeanour signifies the importance of patience and resilience in the face of challenges. This form of the goddess teaches us that true strength lies not in aggression but in calmness and unwavering resolve.
Balance and Sustenance: Jagadhatri embodies the principle of sustenance. She represents the force that maintains the balance between creation and destruction, holding the universe in harmony. In our own lives, this concept teaches us to nurture balance within ourselves, cultivating a harmonious relationship with our surroundings, families, and communities.
Conquering Inner Demons: While Durga is often seen as the destroyer of external demons, Jagadhatri’s symbolism delves deeper, urging devotees to conquer internal obstacles. Her noose represents control over desires and negative emotions. Worshipping her is a call to purify oneself, to rise above base instincts, and to establish inner equilibrium.
Unity and Inclusiveness: Jagadhatri Puja in Bengal is an individual affair and a community celebration. People from all walks of life, regardless of caste, creed, or economic background, come together to celebrate the goddess. This reflects the spirit of inclusiveness and unity—a reminder that true spirituality transcends societal divisions.
Focus and Concentration: The bow and arrow in Jagadhatri’s hands symbolize focus and concentration. Just as the goddess holds her bow steady, we are reminded to stay focused on our spiritual goals, practising discipline and mindful awareness in every action.
Kundalini Awakening and Spiritual Progress: The serpent symbolizes kundalini energy, lying dormant within every individual. Worship of Jagadhatri is believed to aid in awakening this inner spiritual power, leading one on a path toward self-realization and enlightenment. In this sense, the goddess acts as a guide for those on a journey toward inner awakening and heightened consciousness.
Triumph of Light over Darkness: The lights and fireworks symbolize the triumph of wisdom over ignorance. In spiritual terms, the festival reminds us of the ever-present potential within each individual to overcome negativity, ignorance, and ego, just as light dispels darkness.
Jagadhatri embodies the quiet courage within us all, a reminder that strength often speaks in the language of calm and patience.
Comparison with Other Forms of the Divine Mother
While Jagadhatri is often compared to Durga, Kali, and Saraswati, each form of the goddess represents a distinct aspect of the Divine Feminine. Durga embodies the warrior spirit, vanquishing evil with her power. Kali represents the fierce and transformative aspect, destroying the ego to pave the way for spiritual liberation. Saraswati, in contrast, symbolizes wisdom, music, and the arts, guiding devotees towards learning and enlightenment.
Jagadhatri stands as a unique aspect of the divine, representing the nurturing, sustaining force that maintains order in the universe. While she shares Durga’s strength, she is portrayed in a more composed and maternal form, embodying the calm after the storm, where life can be nurtured and sustained.
Jagadhatri in Tantric Tradition and Kundalini Awakening
In Tantra, Jagadhatri is often associated with the awakening of kundalini energy. The serpent wrapped around her symbolizes this dormant energy residing at the base of the spine, which, when awakened, rises through the chakras to bring spiritual illumination. Jagadhatri represents the guide who helps this energy ascend in a controlled, balanced manner, preventing the chaos that unbridled energy might bring. Her role in Tantra is thus as the compassionate guru who sustains the practitioner through the challenges of spiritual awakening.
Jagadhatri worship is also a form of Shakti Sadhana, in which devotees seek to connect with and embody the goddess’s qualities within themselves. Through meditation, offerings, and chanting, practitioners aim to awaken the qualities of balance, patience, resilience, and courage that Jagadhatri represents.
Like the goddess herself, may we find the power to tame our inner demons, nurturing resilience, compassion, and unwavering faith.
Contemporary Relevance of Jagadhatri Puja
In the modern world, where individuals face an array of challenges—be it social, emotional, or existential—Jagadhatri Puja serves as a reminder of the power within us to sustain and persevere. Her worship encourages people to embrace patience, nurture life’s beauty amidst turmoil, and find strength in quietude. As society grapples with change, uncertainty, and division, the message of Jagadhatri’s resilience and calm is more relevant than ever.
Furthermore, her symbolism speaks to the need for environmental and social balance. As the sustainer of the universe, Jagadhatri’s essence urges us to protect nature, strive for sustainability, and remember that humanity is part of a larger interconnected whole.
Conclusion
Jagadhatri Puja is a celebration of the nurturing and sustaining power of the Divine Mother. It reminds devotees that true strength lies in resilience, patience, and the ability to nurture life amidst adversity. The goddess’s serene, yet powerful, form represents the quiet, unwavering energy that sustains the universe, symbolizing an aspect of Shakti that often goes unrecognized but is crucial for the stability of life.
In every prayer, ritual, and offering, devotees invoke her grace to sustain them in their personal lives and to guide them towards spiritual awakening. Jagadhatri Puja thus transcends mere tradition; it becomes a spiritual journey into the heart of resilience and a reminder of the sustaining love that upholds the world. This puja is not only a celebration of divinity but a call to embrace and cultivate the qualities of the goddess within ourselves.
