The Impact of Gender Roles in the Representation of the Divine Feminine in Hinduism with Reference to Navadurga and Dasa Mahavidya
The Impact of Gender Roles in the Representation of the Divine Feminine in Hinduism with Reference to Navadurga and Dasa Mahavidya
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Abstract
This paper aims to analyse the contrasting representations of the Divine Feminine in Hinduism as Navadurga (the nine forms of Durga) and Dasa Mahavidya (the ten forms of Kali) - the contrast being justified by the attribution of conventional gender roles. The former has been a more popular representation of the Goddess, whereas the latter has been shoved into the dark esoteric realm of Hinduism, which largely lies under tantric rituals. The popularity of Navadurga has been widespread primarily for its representation of the Goddess in a conventional frame, where her appearance is that of a domestic deity, a symbol of fertility and piety, conforming to a certain tradition. Mahavidya, on the contrary, represent a version of the feminine cosmic powers which have an independent identity - one which transcends the boundaries of a male-centric mode of existence, as they are associated with sexual dominance and destruction, and remain independent of male intervention. Both Navadurga and Mahavidya enfold the prospect of exhibiting immense power and possess the potential to create and destroy. However, it is only the former that has gained acceptance in the popular imagination while the latter still struggles to be discovered and comprehended.
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