Mandaviya offers prayers to Maa Kushmanda on Navratri Day 4
Synopsis
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya marked the fourth day of Navratri by sharing a Sanskrit shloka dedicated to Maa Kushmanda, praying that all be freed from sorrow and disease and blessed with strength and long life.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya posted a devotional message on Navratri Day 4, October 14, 2026 .
The post honoured Maa Kushmanda , the fourth of the nine forms of Goddess Durga.
Mandaviya shared a classical Sanskrit shloka invoking the goddess's auspiciousness.
He prayed for freedom from disease, sorrow, and fear, and for the bestowal of fame, strength, and long life.
The post reflects a broader BJP and cross-party practice of public devotional engagement during Navratri .
On the fourth day of Navratri, Union Labour and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya turned to Sanskrit verse to honour Maa Kushmanda — the fourth of the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga — invoking her blessings for health, courage, and long life for all.
Mandaviya shared the classical Sanskrit shloka: 'Surasampurnakalashan rudhiraplutameva cha, dadhana hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda shubhada astu me' — which translates as: 'She who holds a pot full of divine nectar and one soaked in blood in her lotus hands, may Maa Kushmanda grant me auspiciousness.' He accompanied the verse with a prayer that the goddess's blessings free every person from disease, sorrow, and fear, and bestow upon them fame, strength, and a long life.
Who is Maa Kushmanda?
In Hindu tradition, Maa Kushmanda is venerated as the cosmic creator — the deity whose radiant smile is believed to have given birth to the universe itself. Worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri, she is depicted with eight arms, riding a lion, and is associated with the solar sphere. Devotees seek her blessings specifically for vitality, immunity, and the dispersal of darkness.Ministers, Sanskrit, and the Navratri ritual on social media
Mandaviya's post is part of a well-established pattern across India's political landscape: during the nine nights of Navratri, leaders share devotional shlokas, invocations, and images as a form of public participation in one of Hinduism's most widely observed festivals. For BJP leaders in particular, the practice has become a consistent thread of cultural engagement. Mandaviya, a senior leader from Gujarat — a state where Navratri is celebrated with singular fervour through the Garba dance tradition — brings an especially resonant regional voice to the observance. The nine-day festival culminates in Vijayadashami (Dussehra), marking the victory of the divine feminine over darkness and evil.Point of View
Public devotional practice during major Hindu festivals is a core pillar of political identity and voter connection. The use of classical Sanskrit signals cultural literacy and traditional rootedness, a register the party consciously cultivates. For Mandaviya specifically, his Gujarat base amplifies the resonance, given the state's extraordinarily vibrant Navratri tradition. Collectively, such posts reinforce the party's positioning as the natural custodian of Hindu cultural heritage.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Mansukh Mandaviya post about Navratri?
As a senior BJP leader, Mandaviya regularly marks major Hindu festivals on social media, reflecting both personal devotion and the party's broader practice of public engagement with Hindu religious traditions.
Who is Maa Kushmanda in Hindu tradition?
Maa Kushmanda is the fourth of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri. She is regarded as the cosmic creator and is associated with solar energy, vitality, and the dispersal of darkness.
What does the Sanskrit shloka shared by Mandaviya mean?
The shloka translates as: 'She who holds a pot full of divine nectar and one soaked in blood in her lotus hands — may Maa Kushmanda grant me auspiciousness.' It is a traditional invocation seeking the goddess's blessings.
When is Navratri Day 4 in 2026?
The fourth day of Navratri in 2026 fell on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 , when Maa Kushmanda is worshipped as per Hindu tradition.
What is the significance of Navratri for BJP leaders?
BJP leaders across India consistently use Navratri to share devotional messages, shlokas, and prayers publicly, underscoring the party's emphasis on visible participation in Hindu religious and cultural life.
