Writers at Our Blog | Bodha

Siddhidātrī | Navadurgā - Part 9

Ninth and final in the Navadurgā series - the theology and iconography of Siddhidātrī Devī - the granter of all siddhis, the form who completes the Navarātrī cycle and whose worship is the culmination of the entire nine-day journey.

Mahāgaurī | Navadurgā - Part 8

Eighth in the Navadurgā series - the theology and iconography of Mahāgaurī Devī - the luminous, peaceful form that follows Kālarātri, representing the purity and grace that emerge after the destruction of all that is false.

Kālarātri | Navadurgā - Part 7

Seventh in the Navadurgā series - the theology and iconography of Kālarātri Devī - the most fearsome form, destroyer of darkness and ignorance, whose terrifying appearance conceals absolute protection for the devotee.

Kātyāyanī | Navadurgā - Part 6

Sixth in the Navadurgā series - the theology and iconography of Kātyāyanī Devī - the fierce warrior form born to destroy the demon Mahiṣāsura, and the deity invoked for strength in the face of civilizational threat.

Skandamātā | Navadurgā - Part 5

Fifth in the Navadurgā series - the theology and iconography of Skandamātā Devī - mother of Skanda (Kārttikeya), the form that holds together the energies of motherhood, courage, and cosmic order.

Kūṣmāṇḍā | Navadurgā - Part 4

Fourth in the Navadurgā series - the theology and iconography of Kūṣmāṇḍā Devī - the form who created the universe with her smile, and who is propitiated for health, vitality, and the removal of darkness.

Candraghaṇṭā | Navadurgā - Part 3

Third in the Navadurgā series - the theology and iconography of Candraghaṇṭā Devī - the warrior form whose crescent-bell emblem signals the transition from inner austerity to active, world-facing śakti.

Brahmacāriṇī | Navadurgā - Part 2

Second in the Navadurgā series - the theology and iconography of Brahmacāriṇī Devī - the form of Durgā who represents austerity, renunciation, and the discipline through which the soul approaches the absolute.

Śailaputrī | Navadurgā - Part 1

Opening the Navadurgā series - an introduction to the Navarātrī tradition followed by the theology and iconography of Śailaputrī Devī - daughter of the mountain, first of the nine forms, embodiment of primal śakti.

Freedom of Expression

Why clarity about the nature of prophetic monotheism's claim on speech is a prerequisite for any meaningful Hindu engagement with the politics of free expression - the conceptual tools for a discourse that currently lacks them.