“Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shakti-Rupena Sansthita”: a salutation to the goddess who resides in all beings as strength.
Navratri begins with Maa Shailputri, the first form of Maa Durga. According to Hindu tradition, after her life as Sati ended, the goddess was reborn as Parvati, daughter of the mountain king Himalaya. She came to be known as Shailputri, the daughter of the mountain.
Seated on Nandi, the bull, with a trident in one hand and a lotus in the other, she is worshipped as steady as the peaks she was born to. Her story is one of renewal: the courage to begin again after loss, and a faith that does not waver when everything must start from the beginning.
Devotees open Navratri at her feet for a reason. Every journey needs a first step, and every first step needs a strength that is quiet, patient and unshakable. Like a mountain, it does not announce itself. It simply holds.
A gentle echo of that spirit lives in Star Plus’ upcoming supernatural show Apsara, where Sunehri, played by Samiksha Jaiswal, is a girl in Mumbai who is only beginning to find her way. Sharing her thoughts, Samiksha says, “There is something exciting about playing an Apsara whose story goes beyond her beauty. Sunehri’s courage, her emotions and the choices she makes are what define her. She feels fear and worries about those she loves, but still finds the strength to step forward. An Apsara isn’t waiting for her hero. She is the hero.”
View Apsara only on JioHotstar , dropping soon!
Apsara premieres on 21st Oct at 10:30pm on Star Plus and JioHotstar
