Sa Ham- I am She (2024 series): Complete Links

 

Navami Kumari Puja in progress

This year’s Navratri vows were varied and very special.

I had felt I wanted to offer a hibiscus flower to Mother everyday of these nine days. It turned out to be a beautiful way to connect with my neighbourhood. I learnt about different trees and plants in my area. Today when I close my eyes, my area is no longer cement construction with cars. I first see the greenery—the many fruits trees and flowering plants and small bushes and leaves of so many kinds. Inadvertently, I also became acquainted with the birds in the different trees and bushes. Sometimes I felt I was walking around their homes and sometimes I knew where they liked to perch.

The hibiscus flower led to offering food to Mother. And I felt I couldn’t repeat the same food. I ended up making nine different prasadams for the period. What that meant was I researched and read recipes, asked my mother what to make and in turn received many stories from her. The food that I made was simple but I learnt about more complex prasadam that I might try over the year.

All of these rituals led me to give away something little everyday. It was nothing much but I got into the practice of actively giving everyday. I realised daanam is at the core medicinal. It provides what a person/family needs to thrive. I have some other gifts to give – like I need to provide compost to the trees and plants I took flowers from. And some gifts for the gardeners in the area. And so on.

I was surprised and not surprised to have been able to write everyday. When I started the series, I had no more than 3-4 ifffy topics to write on. However, ideas emerged and each piece made me reflect further on our worlds. I feel grateful to the act of writing.

Like in 2017 series, I prayed that there would be one reader who would read carefully and provide a comment. Happily, for all posts except the last one I received at least one in-depth or heartfelt spontaneous messages. And even surprising conversations. In the world of algorithms, one has to decide what one seeks and not let the algorithms dictate. And for me, it is genuine engagement.

I am grateful to each one who engaged with what I wrote and made the effort to communicate. This Navratri felt complete through you.

I visited a Durga Puja Pandal here in Hyderabad and most happily could attend the Navami Kumari Puja. I find it interesting that after all the pujas and homas, the final day of the goddess is dedicated to the Goddess as a little girl. That we receive blessings from the young form. So it is.

The complete links of the 2024 series is provided below

First day: Tipping Point

Second Day: Child Goddess

Third day: Unbiography

Fourth day: Many Forms of the Feminine

Fifth day: Learning and Dark Learning

Sixth day: Not Religion, Not even Spirituality

Seventh day: Cybernetics of Body Image

Eighth day: Surrender is Abundance

Nineth day: She is Sound