Rajnath Singh greets nation on Durga Ashtami
Synopsis
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh marked Durga Ashtami by invoking Goddess Mahagauri, sharing a Sanskrit shloka and praying for devotion, peace, and prosperity for all. The post reflects the senior BJP leader's engagement with Navratri, the nine-night Hindu festival celebrated across India.
Key Takeaways
Rajnath Singh posted Durga Ashtami greetings on 18 October , invoking Goddess Mahagauri on the eighth day of Navratri.
He shared a classical Sanskrit shloka describing Mahagauri as robed in white, mounted on a white bull, and bestowing auspiciousness.
Mahagauri is the eighth of the nine forms of Durga worshipped during Navratri, symbolising purity and the removal of suffering.
Singh prayed that devotion remain lit in every heart and that all lives be filled with love, peace, and prosperity.
The post reflects a broader tradition of Indian political leaders publicly marking major Hindu festivals on social media.
On the auspicious eighth day of Navratri, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh offered his reverence to Goddess Mahagauri — the divine embodiment of purity, peace, and grace — and extended warm wishes to devotees across the country on Durga Ashtami.
Posting in Hindi on Sunday, 18 October, Singh began with the invocation 'Jai Maa Mahagauri!' — 'Victory to Mother Mahagauri!' — before offering a heartfelt prayer: that the light of devotion remain lit within every heart, that all suffering be dispelled, and that life be filled with love, peace, and prosperity.
He also shared a classical Sanskrit shloka in honour of the goddess: 'Shwete vrishe samarudha shwetambaradhara shuchih. Mahagauri shubham dadyanmahadeva pramodada.' — invoking the image of Mahagauri, robed in white, mounted on a white bull, bestowing auspiciousness and joy to Lord Mahadeva and devotees alike.
Who is Mahagauri — the eighth form of Durga
Durga Ashtami, the eighth day of the nine-night festival of Navratri, is dedicated to Mahagauri — one of the Navadurga, the nine principal forms of Goddess Durga. She is venerated as the symbol of absolute purity and the power to cleanse the devotee of past sins. The white colour associated with her — her robes, her mount — carries deep symbolic weight in Hindu tradition, representing radiance and serenity.
A tradition of festival outreach by Indian leaders
Singh's post is part of a well-established practice among Indian political figures across the spectrum: marking major religious and cultural occasions with public messages on social media. For a senior leader of the BJP — a party that has consistently emphasised cultural and civilisational identity as part of its political philosophy — such gestures carry both devotional and symbolic resonance. Singh himself, known for his measured and dignified public persona, has long been seen as a leader who engages sincerely with religious tradition rather than purely for optics.
Point of View
Such messages serve both a devotional and a constituency-reinforcement purpose. Singh's choice to include a Sanskrit shloka — rather than a plain greeting — elevates the post above the formulaic, projecting scholarship and sincerity. It also fits a broader pattern of the BJP's top leadership using religious occasions to maintain an emotional connection with its core voter base ahead of any electoral cycle.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Durga Ashtami and why is it celebrated?
Durga Ashtami is the eighth day of Navratri, dedicated to Mahagauri — the eighth form of Goddess Durga. Devotees worship her as the symbol of purity, peace, and the power to remove suffering, and the day is marked with special prayers, fasting, and rituals across India.
Who is Goddess Mahagauri?
Mahagauri is one of the Navadurga — the nine principal forms of Goddess Durga. She is depicted in white robes, mounted on a white bull, and is venerated for her radiance, purity, and the blessings of auspiciousness she bestows on devotees.
What did Rajnath Singh post on Durga Ashtami?
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted a Hindi message invoking Goddess Mahagauri, praying for devotion, peace, and prosperity for all, and included a classical Sanskrit shloka in her honour.
What does the Sanskrit shloka shared by Rajnath Singh mean?
The shloka — 'Shwete vrishe samarudha shwetambaradhara shuchih. Mahagauri shubham dadyanmahadeva pramodada' — describes Mahagauri as pure, clad in white, riding a white bull, and bestowing auspiciousness and joy to Lord Mahadeva and her devotees.
Do Indian politicians routinely post religious greetings on social media?
Yes. Across party lines, Indian political leaders regularly post greetings on major Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, and other religious occasions as part of standard cultural and constituency engagement on social media platforms.
