Pushing Boundaries
Maa Siddhidatri
Part 9 of the Navaratri Series from Modern Parivar: A Dharmik Perspective
The injunction given to every Hindu king is to expand the boundaries of his kingdom and build an empire. This is because we instinctively understand that political stability and prosperity are the foundation for citizens’ well-being. We know the importance of economies of scale. Whether it be Sri Rama’s Ashwamedha Yaga, Yudhishtira’s Rajasuya, Chandragupta and Chanakya’s Mauryan empire or any that followed, Hindus have been empire builders.
The same Chandragupta who built an unprecedented empire also undertook sallekhana (fasting until death). Is that a contradiction? Or was it his constant need to push boundaries that led the mighty emperor on a path of spiritual growth? We have a framework for everything, including pushing boundaries! That’s the beauty of Sanatana Sanskriti.
We have all heard the story of Hanuman as children. When little Hanuman’s mischief grew out of hand, Rishis gave him a shrapa that he would not remember his own strength until he was reminded of it. Just like Hanuman before he made the leap to Lanka, none of us knows what we are capable of. And we will never know until we try.
My yoga teacher has a few favourite phrases, as all teachers do. To motivate me when an asana is challenging, he says, “Reach forward! Push one more inch. Experience something new!” For Veerabhadrasana, he says, “Expand! Push the boundaries of your fingertips!” At the end of the hour, I feel (for lack of a better word) bigger. I stand straighter, my head is straight (instead of looking into my phone), and my walk is strident. Of course, these benefits wear off by the end of the day. I’m slouching and looking into my phone. But I know that just a tiny change persists. That is how I get better at asanas as I go along. What seemed unimaginable a year ago is easy today. The right guru knows how to nudge us along towards progress.
I had a jolt of realization when my son had his first music class and his guru taught him the first sarali varasai (basic exercise using the seven notes). Here sat the child in shorts and a t-shirt. In front of him sat his guru wearing jeans and a kurta with an electronic tanpura for accompaniment. Yet the guru wore a timeless nama on his forehead, and Shishya had vibhuti on his. Guru faced East as gurus always have. And they sat on a straw mat woven with the techniques of so long ago. How different would it have been when Purandara Dasa taught his students centuries ago. Yet how same. Hindus understand the value of passing down what is essential while changing the superficial. That is how we have been able to build a culture that endures.
Our traditional practices are designed to help us push boundaries and grow. Classical music, dance, art, languages, and shlokas are designed for deep thought and practice (sadhana). Our traditional entertainment used to be intelligent. People would listen to stories, Ram Katha or attend pravachans in the local temple. Or we would dance (not gyrate) in celebration. Even everyday activities like drawing a kolam or making laddus and other snacks use fine motor skills and require focus. We could do with a bit more of both as we spend more time on our devices. As we go deeper with repetition, each activity brings new learning. It’s a virtuous cycle.
Every Uttarayana, we take care of worldly cares - we harvest our crops in time for Makara Sankranti, conduct weddings, and do #LifeThings. But every Dakshinayana, we draw inwards. We pause our weddings, keep upavasa, worship our favourite devi-devatas, and think about Moksha. This cycle repeats year after year. And each year, we grow a little more. The first year we try to observe vrata for Navratri is the hardest. We learn from our mistakes and do better the following year. Navratri might become easier as time passes, so we might try to observe Ekadashi vrata too. If we miss a Navratri, we can try again next time. And so it goes.
Each year also gives us a new opportunity to teach our children and reinforce the significance of our festivals. Following a predictable cycle - any cycle - gives children something to look forward to. Making a clay Ganesha for Ganesh Chaturthi, pandal visits for Durga Puja, fireworks for Deepavali, and traditional games for Pongal/Lohri/Sankranti - are activities that keep a child connected to their culture. In each celebration, a child can contribute a little more than the last. Let us teach our children to make rangolis, shape modaks, fly kites, sing songs, and light flower pots. Our culture teaches us to grow through joy. Bit by bit, we push boundaries and grow.
https://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/how-chandragupta-maurya-died/death-of-chandragupta
The last word from Hindu Parenting: Anyone who has lived even briefly in the USA knows how hard they try to hold on to - and create from scratch - what they call “family traditions”. It could even be something like watching a movie with a tub of popcorn every Friday night. We (Hindus) who have 5000 year-old family traditions have been told - and we have believed - that our traditions are useless. That they are mere superstitions. It’s time we learn to ask questions, think for ourselves and stand proud as the last few peoples of the world to have uninterrupted traditions. As parents, we play the most important role in safeguarding and handing down Hindu traditions unique to our own sampradayas.