When Maa Kalaratri’s Image Came Alive

On the evening of 16 February 2024, something extraordinary happened during my japa of Maa Kalaratri. It was the seventh day of Magh Gupt Navratri, and I was sitting before the image of Maa as depicted in the NavDurga book published by Gita Press, Gorakhpur. As I gazed at Her fierce eyes and continued repeating Her name, I felt as though Her image had come alive. Her eyes seemed to look directly at me, and Her face appeared to radiate a divine glow.

Usually, I perform my japa with the lights switched off, but that evening, I had forgotten to turn them off. In the middle of my japa, something changed. Maa’s large, fierce eyes seemed to draw me towards them with an irresistible magnetic force. My attention became completely absorbed in Her gaze. For those moments, nothing else seemed to exist. I could neither see nor feel anything beyond Maa’s magnificent eyes. It was as though the entire universe had disappeared, leaving only the Divine Mother and Her devotee in a silent communion.

Perhaps this is the mysterious beauty of devotion: when the heart is filled with love, even an image can become a doorway to the Divine. The picture before me seemed to transcend its printed form, and I experienced a profound sense of Maa’s presence. As the saying goes, “The eyes are the window to the soul.” That evening, I felt as though Maa’s eyes were opening a window into a world beyond ordinary perception.

Until then, I had completed only one forty-day sadhana of Maa Kalaratri. I had also worshipped Her with complete devotion during the four Navratris observed throughout the year. I did not worship Her every day, yet I had always felt that She was kind and benevolent towards me, blessing me with spiritual experiences that were unique and deeply moving. I could not explain why such experiences came my way, but my heart received them with gratitude. To me, they were precious reminders of the mysterious bond that can exist between a devotee and the Mother Divine.

Maa Kalaratri is like a flash of lightning in the darkest night.

Imagine a moonless night when thick, dark clouds cover the sky. The darkness is so complete that one cannot see even a few steps ahead. There seems to be no direction, no path and no indication of what lies beyond. Suddenly, a flash of lightning illuminates the sky. For a brief moment, everything becomes visible. The road, the trees, the distant landscape—all emerge from the darkness, and one can see where to go.

To me, Maa Kalaratri’s energy is like that lightning: fierce, sudden and illuminating. There are times in our lives when sorrow, confusion and despair surround us like dark clouds. We may feel lost, unable to decide which path to take or how to overcome our difficulties. Our minds become clouded with fear, and hope seems to disappear. Yet, when we turn towards Maa with a sincere heart, we find the courage to face our circumstances and the strength to seek a way forward. In my faith, She is the Mother who hears the prayers of Her children and illuminates their path when everything seems dark.

As Helen Keller beautifully said, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” Maa Kalaratri reminds me that darkness need not be the end of our journey. Sometimes, the light we need appears when we surrender our fears, pray with sincerity and gather the courage to take the next step.

There is another beautiful aspect of Maa Kalaratri’s appearance that has always touched my heart. She is depicted with uncombed, dishevelled hair. Her attire is simple, and She wears very little jewellery. Unlike the other forms of the Goddess, whose beauty may be enhanced by elaborate ornaments and magnificent garments, Maa Kalaratri appears unconcerned with outward appearance. Her attention seems to be fixed on something far more important: protecting Her children and removing their suffering.

I often wonder whether Her simple appearance conveys a profound message. A mother rushing to rescue her child does not stop to arrange her hair, choose beautiful clothes or adorn herself with jewellery. She simply runs towards the child who needs her. Nothing is more urgent than the child's safety, and nothing is more important than answering the child's call.

That is how I imagine Maa Kalaratri. She is so eager to relieve the pain of Her devotees that She gives no importance to Her own adornment. Her love is not dressed in splendour; it expresses itself through action. Her dishevelled hair and simple appearance seem to proclaim that when a child is suffering, the mother's only concern is to reach that child as quickly as possible.

Even Her weapons seem to reflect this urgency. She is not depicted holding a multitude of weapons. Instead, She carries a vajra and a khadga—a thunderbolt and a sword—with which She destroys obstacles and protects Her devotees from forces that threaten them. I imagine Her as a mother who has hastily picked up whatever is necessary to defend Her children. She does not need an elaborate display of power. Her strength lies in Her divine resolve to protect.

And then there is Her mount—a simple donkey, without the elegance and magnificence associated with many divine mounts. Yet, to me, this simplicity makes Her even more endearing. Maa does not need a majestic vehicle to demonstrate Her greatness. She comes in whatever form She chooses, without concern for appearances or worldly grandeur. Her purpose is not to impress the world but to reach those who call upon Her.

Perhaps this is one of the most beautiful lessons Maa Kalaratri offers us: true greatness does not lie in appearance, but in the willingness to serve, protect and relieve suffering. The Divine Mother does not need to display Her magnificence to prove Her love. She demonstrates it by standing beside Her children when they are frightened, lost or helpless.

Whenever I think of Maa Kalaratri, I remember those fierce, magnetic eyes that held my attention that February evening. I remember how Her face seemed to glow and how, for a few moments, everything else faded away. I cannot explain the experience in ordinary words, but it remains etched in my memory as a moment of deep devotion.

For me, Maa Kalaratri is not merely the Goddess who destroys darkness; She is also the Mother who enters the darkness of our lives with the speed and brilliance of lightning. She comes when we are afraid, when we cannot see the road ahead, and when we have lost the confidence to move forward. Her fierce appearance conceals a compassionate heart, and Her terrifying form reminds us that the power which destroys evil can also shelter a frightened child.

When we call upon Her with love and surrender, we open our hearts to Her strength, courage and Grace. After all, She is Maa Kalaratri—the Mother who rides through the darkness, carrying the light of divine protection.

Jai Maa Kalaratri! Jai Maa Durga!

Pic : Maa Kalaratri's image as depicted in the pictorial book NavDurga.

Maa Durga’s Blessings for a Genuine Seeker

“Would you like this book on Maa NavDurga?” I asked a security guard at a nearby residential society. During Navratri, I had been distributing books on the Divine Mother to the janitors, housekeeping staff, gardeners, plumbers, electricians and anyone else in my own society who showed an interest in reading them. Having shared my collection with them, I decided to visit a neighbouring society and offer these spiritual treasures to more people.

“Of course! I would love to have it. Navratri is going on,” he replied with a smile.

I handed him the book, and he began flipping through its pages with interest. Encouraged by his enthusiasm, I asked whether he would like to read any other books from my collection. As I showed him a few titles, he mentioned something that immediately caught my attention.

“I used to read the Durga Saptashati when I lived in my village, but I don't have a copy here,” he said.

His words touched my heart. Here was someone who genuinely wished to read about the Divine Mother but did not have access to the sacred text he loved. I immediately offered to check my collection at home.

“Let me see if I have a copy. I will return in some time. Please wait for me,” I told him.

When I returned, I carried a paper bag filled with more than one book. I opened it and showed him the Durga Saptashati, the Markandeya Purana, and both parts of the Shrimad Devi Bhagwat Purana. I explained that all these scriptures glorified the Divine Mother. The Durga Saptashati, also known as the Devi Mahatmya, is a celebrated section of the Markandeya Purana, one of the eighteen Mahapuranas of Sanatan Dharma. The Shrimad Devi Bhagwat Purana, meanwhile, narrates the glory, divine power and greatness of the Divine Mother.

His face lit up when he noticed the publisher.

“All these books are published by Gita Press, Gorakhpur!” he exclaimed with delight.

His happiness was contagious. It was clear that these were not merely books to him; they were a means of staying connected with his faith. I felt that the books had found someone who would appreciate them, read them and cherish their teachings.

“If you wish, you can keep all of them,” I told him. “And after you have read them, if you would like to explore more, I will gladly share other books from the same publisher.”

He was delighted. Then, with genuine eagerness, he asked, “Please share your mobile number, Sirji!”

I explained that I did not usually answer phone calls, but he could take my manager's number. He could call him whenever he wished and tell him the name of the book he wanted to read. I would then arrange it for him.

As I returned home, my heart was filled with joy. I had set out to distribute books, but I felt as though Maa Durga had guided me to someone who truly desired them. What could be more satisfying than placing sacred scriptures in the hands of a person who was eager to read them?

“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” This well-known saying is often used to describe the mysterious way in which learning finds its way to a sincere seeker. That day, I felt something similar had happened. A man who wished to read the sacred scriptures had received not one, but five books through an unexpected encounter.

Perhaps devotion does not always express itself through elaborate rituals or grand offerings. Sometimes, it takes the simple form of sharing a book, answering someone's spiritual longing or helping a seeker reconnect with the scriptures he loves.

As the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita teaches in Chapter 17, Verse 20, giving a gift to a deserving person, at the right time and without expecting anything in return, is sattvic daan.

I had gone out to share the glory of Maa Durga, but returned feeling blessed myself. Sometimes, the greatest joy lies in helping someone find what their heart truly seeks.

Jai Maa Durga!

This is the 1,100th post on my blog! :)

Pic : AI Generated

 

Shyama Diaries – 4: The Life I Tried to Save

Shyama Diaries -1

Shyama Diaries -2

Shyama Diaries -3

After the accident, Shyama’s health continued to deteriorate. The lively little bird who had once filled my home with cheerful chirping was growing weaker by the day. Worried about its condition, I rushed to Gurgaon Bird Hospital once again. The doctor examined it and prescribed medicines and supplements. He advised me to feed Shyama frequently and ensure that it received nutritious food.

I returned home with renewed hope. Perhaps, with proper care and nourishment, my little friend would recover. I became even more attentive, feeding it frequently and offering it dead insects as advised. I watched it closely, hoping to notice some improvement, some little sign that it was getting better. But Shyama did not seem to recover.

The following morning, I fed it as usual, but something felt different. My little bird did not seem well at all. A strange uneasiness settled over me, and I found myself wanting to stay beside it rather than attend to my office work.

I gently caressed its tiny body, trying to soothe it with my touch. Usually, Shyama loved to play with me, cling to my hands, and explore my hair. But that day, it wanted none of those things. It did not want to play or cling to me. It seemed restless, almost as though it wanted to move away. I kept stroking it tenderly, hoping that my touch would bring it some comfort.

Then, suddenly, Shyama shuddered and turned upside down, its little legs pointing towards the sky. I froze. For a moment, I could not understand what had happened. I gently tried to turn it back, but there was no movement. I waited, hoping to see its tiny chest rise and fall, hoping to hear even one faint chirp.

But there was nothing.

Shyama had stopped breathing.

My little companion was gone.

I cannot describe the emptiness I felt in that moment. Only a few days earlier, Shyama had been a bundle of energy, flying around the room, hiding beneath the book cabinet, and singing when it thought nobody was watching. Now, the same little bird lay motionless in my hands. The silence in the room was unbearable.

I wrapped Shyama in brown paper and, with a heavy heart, placed it in the dustbin from which I had first rescued it. The thought that its journey had begun there and ended there was deeply painful. I had brought it home with the hope of saving its life, but despite my efforts and affection, I could not keep it alive.

Shyama had come into my life for only a few days. I had fed it, protected it, taken it to the doctor, and tried to make my home a safe place for it. Yet I knew that, however much I loved it, I could never replace its mother. I could offer care and tenderness, but I could not give it everything it needed to grow and thrive.

As I sat grieving for my little companion, I remembered a comment on Facebook that I had read when I first rescued Shyama. A stranger had written that no matter what I did, the little bird would eventually die because it could not survive without its mother.

At the time, I had felt deeply disappointed by those words. Why should anyone give up on a little life before even trying to save it? I had chosen to listen to the friend who encouraged me and guided me on how to feed the bird. His words had given me hope, and I had held on to that hope through every difficult feeding session and every anxious moment.

But now, Shyama was gone.

The stranger’s prediction had come true, and I could not help wondering whether I had been wrong to hope. Had my efforts been futile? Could I have done something differently? These questions troubled me, but I also knew that I had tried my best with the knowledge and resources available to me. I had not abandoned a helpless creature simply because someone had predicted its death.

“It is better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all.”

I cried bitterly, as though I had lost a member of my own family. Perhaps someone else might have seen Shyama as just a little bird, a tiny creature that had briefly crossed my path. But to me, Shyama had become my companion, my responsibility, and a little life I had desperately wanted to protect.

I had not expected to become so attached to a bird I had found beside a dustbin. Nor had I imagined that its brief presence would leave such a deep ache in my heart.

Pic : Shyama wants to be alone.

Shyama Diaries – 3: A Collision That Changed Everything

Shyama Diaries -1

Shyama Diaries -2

“Chirp! Chirp!”

I heard a sweet, tinkling sound while meditating. Someone must have a lovely ringtone on their phone, I thought. The sound came again. And again.

How long can someone’s phone keep ringing? I wondered, trying hard to bring my attention back to meditation. But the melodious chirping continued, gently interrupting my concentration.

When I finished meditating, I realised that the sound seemed to be coming from somewhere inside the house rather than from outside. I followed it, searching for its source, but every time I thought I had found it, the sound stopped. Could it be Shyama singing? Whenever I went close to the little bird, however, it appeared perfectly normal and remained silent.

Finally, I decided to hide behind a wall and observe it without being noticed.

And there it was! My little Shyama was singing its heart out.

I watched in amazement as the tiny bird chirped happily, again and again, expressing its joy in the sweetest language it knew. What a delightful discovery! Until then, I had thought of Shyama as a little creature that needed my care and protection. Now, I was discovering another side of its personality—a playful, joyful bird with a voice of its own. Its cheerful song filled the room, and I found myself smiling at the happiness of my tiny companion.

As Shyama grew, so did its mischievousness. It loved flying around the room, exploring every possible perch. Sometimes, it would settle on the curtain rod; at other times, it would land on the lampshade mounted high on the wall. The sofa, too, was one of its favourite landing spots. The entire room had become its little world of adventures, and I enjoyed watching every new discovery.

But one day, an accident changed everything.

While exploring the room, Shyama took off from the lampshade. Perhaps it misjudged the distance, or perhaps it simply failed to recognise the transparent barrier in front of it. Instead of landing safely on the sofa, it flew straight into the glass door of the wooden book cabinet.

The impact frightened me. I rushed to check on my little friend, hoping it had not seriously injured itself. But what troubled me most was the change that followed. Shyama stopped singing. It ate less and seemed strangely subdued, as though something inside it had gone quiet. The little bird that had once filled my home with cheerful chirping now sat silently, and its silence hurt my heart.

It was as if a part of its joy had been lost in that collision.

Watching Shyama, I was reminded of an accident of my own.

I, too, had once collided with an invisible wall. I had believed there was open space ahead of me, only to discover that what appeared to be freedom was, in fact, a hard barrier. The impact was not merely physical or momentary; something inside me seemed to break. After that, I could no longer laugh as freely as I once had. I cried and cried, and the desire to live seemed to slip away from me.

Shyama’s accident brought those feelings rushing back. I looked at the little bird and wondered how something so small could suffer such a profound change after a single collision. Perhaps it was frightened; perhaps it was hurt. I could not know exactly what was happening inside its tiny body, but I recognised the silence that had replaced its joy.

Sometimes, the deepest wounds are not visible from the outside.

Whether the barrier is made of real glass or an invisible wall we never expected to encounter, the impact can leave something inside us shaken. We may continue to exist in the same surroundings, yet the carefree laughter, the trust, and the desire to explore that once came naturally may no longer feel the same.

And as I watched Shyama sitting quietly after its accident, I could not help wondering whether its song would return.

Shyama Diaries -4

Pic 1: Shyama playing with me

Pic 2 : Shyama sitting on the lampshade

Shyama Diaries – 2: When Shyama Discovered Its Wings

Shyama Diaries -1 

Shyama wanted love and affection, and I soon discovered that my little feathered friend loved playing with me. Feeding time was no longer just about food; it had become an opportunity for the two of us to bond. One day, while I was feeding Shyama, the little bird slipped from my grip and climbed onto my hands. Before I could catch hold of it, it swiftly made its way towards my head and became entangled in my long hair.

Instead of being frightened, Shyama seemed to enjoy clinging to me. I carefully disentangled it from my hair, amused by its playful antics. As the days passed, my little companion grew naughtier and more adventurous. It was no longer content to sit quietly in its nest. It wanted to explore its surroundings, and my balcony had become its playground.

One morning, I went to the balcony to feed Shyama, but to my surprise, it was nowhere to be seen. I searched every nook and corner, looking behind the flowerpots and around its usual hiding places. My heart began to sink. Had it fallen off the balcony? The thought was frightening. Disappointed and worried, I finally turned towards the house, not knowing where else to look.

Just then, something caught my eye. There was Shyama, sitting comfortably on the gas meter!

My relief quickly turned into delight. My little bird had begun to fly! What a wonderful milestone it was to witness. The tiny creature I had once rescued from beside a dustbin was gradually discovering its wings and exploring the world around it.

Over the next few days, Shyama began taking short flights and climbing up the net covering our balcony, which had been installed to keep pigeons away. It would cling to the net and slowly make its way upwards, exploring its newfound freedom with the innocence of a child. Watching it fill its days with such curiosity brought me immense joy. It had no idea how cruel the world could be or how vulnerable it still was.

One day, as Shyama was slowly climbing the net, a shikra—a bird of prey—appeared out of nowhere. In a flash, it swooped towards my little bird, ready to attack. My heart nearly stopped. I was standing just behind Shyama, and perhaps my presence startled the predator. The shikra made a sudden U-turn and flew away without harming it.

I stood there, shaken by how narrowly Shyama had escaped. The predator had retreated, but what if it returned? What if, the next time, I was not there to protect my little friend? Shyama was still too innocent to recognise danger, too trusting to understand that the same open sky that gave it the freedom to fly could also expose it to predators.

The thought of losing Shyama was unbearable. I could not take another chance with its life. I gently brought my little adventurer inside the house, away from the balcony and the lurking danger outside. After exploring its new surroundings, Shyama found a hiding place beneath the wooden book cabinet, which soon became its favourite little corner.

Shyama Diaries -3

Video : Learning to fly without its mother's guidance

Pic : Spreading its wings

Shyama Diaries – 1: Finding a Little Life

“What was that?”

I had caught a fleeting glimpse of a middle-aged woman throwing something towards a dustbin during my morning walk. For a moment, it seemed as though the object had fluttered in the air. I was not sure what I had seen, so I continued walking. But something about that brief moment kept tugging at my mind. Curiosity would not let me move on.

I turned back and walked towards the dustbin. Looking carefully around it, I noticed a tiny black bird clinging to the wall nearby. My heart went out to the little creature. I hurried home, brought an empty box, and asked someone I knew to gently place the bird inside. I was hesitant to touch such a delicate little being myself, and I feared that if I left it there, a cat or a bird of prey might make it its meal.

I brought the little bird home and placed the box on my balcony. But a new question immediately arose: what kind of bird was it, and how could I care for it? I turned to bird-related groups on Facebook, asking people to identify it, tell me what to feed it, and guide me on how to look after it. Did it eat vegetarian food or insects? What did such a tiny bird need to survive? I had rescued a life, but I knew very little about how to protect it.

Several people responded, suggesting that it was a willow warbler or a swallow and explaining that it ate insects. However, two comments particularly caught my attention. One was from a friend who advised me to feed the little bird gently with a syringe or dropper, using suitable liquid food. His words gave me something precious: hope and a practical way to help.

The second comment came from a stranger, who wrote that whatever I did, the bird would eventually die because it could not survive without its mother. Those words saddened me. How could anyone be so certain that a little life had no chance? I felt sorry for the stranger, too, for looking at the situation with such hopelessness. I preferred to hold on to the possibility that my small efforts might make a difference.

As the saying goes, “While there is life, there is hope.” I decided to do whatever I could for my tiny guest. I offered it food and water and tried to make its little nest feel as natural as possible, coating it with mud to resemble its original surroundings. I wanted it to feel safe, as though it had found a small home away from home.

Later that evening, I went to check on it. My heart skipped a beat when I could not find it in the nest. Where had it gone? I searched behind every flowerpot on the balcony, looking into every possible hiding place, but the little bird was nowhere to be seen. My anxiety grew with every passing moment. Then, finally, I spotted it beneath a wooden slab where we kept our brooms. It had tucked itself away in that cool, dark corner, seeking shelter from the scorching heat. I felt relieved to have found my little friend safe.

The next day, I rushed to Gurgaon Bird Hospital. I wanted the bird to be examined properly, and I needed to learn what to feed it and how to feed it. The doctor examined the tiny creature and advised me to give it Cerelac baby food, sometimes mixing in dead insects or small pieces of paneer. Then he demonstrated how to feed it. Gently holding the bird’s neck and carefully pressing the front of its neck, he made it open its mouth. The little one responded as though its mother were feeding it. I watched in amazement. It looked so simple!

But the real challenge began when I returned home.

No matter how carefully I tried, the little bird refused to open its beak. The very technique that had worked so effortlessly for the doctor seemed impossible in my hands. What had looked like a simple task at the hospital turned into an exhausting exercise at home. Sometimes, it took me hours just to feed the little creature.

Looking after it reminded me of trying to feed a young child who would rather play than eat. At times, the bird would retreat into its little nest, as if telling me it wanted to be left alone. At other times, it seemed more interested in exploring or playing than accepting the food I offered. Every feeding session demanded patience, persistence, and a great deal of effort. I had never imagined that caring for such a tiny creature could be so challenging.

As the day drew to a close, I sat talking to my mother and told her about my new feathered friend. My mother has a wonderful gift for naming things, and she did not disappoint me this time either. After hearing about the little bird’s black feathers, she gave it a name: Shyama—the one who is dark or black in colour.

And that was how my little companion came to be called Shyama.

Shyama Diaries -2

Pic 1 : Shyama clinging to a wall near dustbin

Pic 2 : Shyama sitting on my hand

Kindness Should Not Wait

“Buy me a meal,” a ragpicker boy said, pointing towards a street food vendor. I looked at the signboard and asked him, “Would you like to eat chole bhature?” His little eyes lit up with hope as he nodded. Perhaps he had already imagined himself enjoying a plate of his favourite food. I asked the vendor, as it was still morning, whether the food was ready. In a matter-of-fact tone, he replied that it would take another half an hour to prepare. I turned towards the boy and told him that it would not be possible to wait that long. The hope in his eyes faded, and disappointment took its place. In a hurry to feed the stray animals, I continued towards a nearby herd of cows, leaving the little boy behind.

As I fed one of the cows, a thought suddenly struck me. How could I have been so careless? The boy had asked me for food because he was hungry, yet I had walked away simply because the food he wanted was not ready. I could have taken him to another shop, bought him some packed food or even given him some fruits. Why had I not thought of these simple alternatives? I looked back, hoping to find him, but he had disappeared. My heart felt heavy. I had been so busy carrying out my charitable activities that I had overlooked the immediate need of a hungry child standing right in front of me. Yet I wondered whether true service also meant being attentive enough to recognise the needs of those who crossed our path.

Some time later, I stopped at a vegetable vendor's shop to buy fresh vegetables. After filling my basket, I looked up to have the bill prepared, and there he was—the same little boy, walking past the shop. I did not want to miss another opportunity. Without wasting a moment, I picked up a big apple and handed it to him. I later asked the vegetable vendor to add its price to my bill. The boy immediately began munching the apple. I watched him relishing every bite as he walked away, and I felt relieved that this time I had not let the opportunity to help him pass by.

That little encounter taught me a lesson. Kindness is not always about doing something extraordinary; sometimes, it is about noticing someone's hunger and responding without delay. I had not been able to give the boy the meal he had asked for, but at least I could offer him something to eat. As the saying goes, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” I hope that, wherever life takes that little boy, he finds enough food, care and opportunities to live a better life. And I hope I always remember that compassion is not merely about having a kind heart; it is also about acting at the right moment.

Pic : Pexels