Giriraj Singh Greets Nation on Navratri's Fourth Day
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
On the fourth day of Sharadiya Navratri 2026, Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh extended devotional greetings to the nation, invoking the blessings of Maa Kushmanda — the fourth of the nine sacred forms of Goddess Durga — with a Sanskrit shloka and a prayer for universal well-being.
The minister's post opened with the classical Sanskrit verse: 'Surasampurnakalashan rudhiraplutameva cha, dadhana hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda shubhdaastu me' — 'May Kushmanda, holding a pot brimming with wine and blood in her lotus hands, bestow auspiciousness upon me.' He followed it with a prayer to Jagajjanani Maa Bhagwati, seeking her grace and blessings for all.
Who is Maa Kushmanda, the fourth form of Durga?
In the nine-night festival of Navratri, each day is devoted to a distinct form of the Goddess. Maa Kushmanda is venerated on the fourth day (Chaturthi) and is believed to be the creator of the universe — her name literally meaning 'the one who created the cosmos with a small, warm smile.' Devotees seek her blessings for health, energy, and prosperity.
BJP leaders and Navratri: a consistent pattern of public devotion
Senior BJP leaders, including ministers and chief ministers, routinely mark each of the nine Navratri days with devotional posts — a practice that reflects the party's long-standing emphasis on engaging with Hindu cultural and religious traditions in public communication. Giriraj Singh, a vocal advocate of this cultural ethos and a two-term MP from Begusarai, Bihar, is among the most consistent voices in this tradition.
The Sharadiya Navratri — the autumnal edition of the festival — is observed every year in the Hindu calendar month of Ashwin, drawing millions of devotees across India into nine days of fasting, prayer, and celebration culminating in Vijayadashami (Dussehra).