What is 'Shakti'? A Parent's Guide to Explaining Navratri's Core Meaning

As parents, we often find ourselves looking for ways to share our traditions with our children. Festivals like Navratri give us the perfect opportunity to do this. But when kids ask, “What is Shakti?”, how do we explain such a deep and divine idea in a way they can understand?

The answer lies in bringing it back to something they already know, the love and power of a mother. From the very beginning, our first connection with the Divine is through our mother. She gives birth to us, nurtures us, and shapes us into who we are. That same nurturing, protective, and creative force is what we call Shakti.

Shakti means "power," but not the kind that controls or dominates. It's the power that creates, nurtures, and protects. It's the energy that turns a tiny seed into a mighty tree, that transforms a house into a home, and that helps a crying baby feel safe in loving arms.

Without Shakti, nothing would exist. If Lord Shiva is pure consciousness, then Shakti is the energy that brings that consciousness to life. You can explain it to your child like this:

It is the motherly power in the universe that creates, sustains, and protects.

For parents, understanding Shakti is not only about religion. It’s also about values. Shakti teaches us balance, compassion, and strength. Just as Goddess Durga fought Mahishasura, we too must help our children fight the negative forces within, like anger, greed, jealousy, and laziness.

When we share stories of Devi Durga, Kali, or Saraswati, we are not only teaching them mythology but also guiding them towards courage, wisdom, and kindness.

Think of it this way:

These are the same values we want our children to carry in life.

Navratri is more than just nine days of celebration. It is a time to awaken the Shakti within us. It is a reminder that each one of us (man, woman, or child) has divine strength inside.

When you celebrate Navratri with your children, tell them:

This way, children can see Navratri as not just a festival of lights, music, and dance, but also a time to grow spiritually.

These days, children often look up to superheroes. But we can remind them that our culture already has the greatest superheroes: our Goddesses. Shakti is not a power outside of us; it is the light within us. Navratri helps us awaken it.

When we teach our children about Shakti, we give them more than stories. We give them confidence, faith, and the strength to walk the right path. We remind them that just like the Goddess, they too have the power to create, protect, and spread goodness.

Explaining Shakti to children does not need big words or heavy philosophy. It is about showing them that Shakti is the love of a mother, the wisdom of a teacher, the courage of a protector, and the kindness in their own little hearts.

This Navratri, let’s not just celebrate with lights, music, and rituals. Let’s also plant the seed of Shakti in our children’s minds. Let’s remind them that every time they choose goodness, they honor the Divine Mother. And as parents, may we also awaken the Shakti within us to nurture, guide, and raise children who shine with strength and compassion.