A powerful mythological story from the Devi Mahatmya tradition illustrates the profound consequences of disrespecting women and the true essence of Kanya Puja. The tale follows King Adityanathan of Avantipur, who, driven by ego and societal pressure, rejects his newborn daughter and later attempts to marry her out of lust. The goddess Durga intervenes, curses the king to be reborn as a dog, and teaches a timeless lesson about the sanctity of the feminine divine.

The story begins with the king’s two queens: the arrogant Kamini and the devout Damini. When Damini gives birth to a girl, the king orders the child abandoned. Damini escapes with her daughter, Meera, who is raised by a poor woodcutter and his family. Years later, the king encounters the beautiful Meera and, not recognizing her, tries to force her into marriage. Meera flees to a Durga temple, where the goddess appears in her fierce Mahakali form, reveals the truth, and curses the king to become a dog. The king’s soul experiences his sins as a stray dog, ultimately finding redemption through Meera’s compassion.

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The narrative then transitions into a powerful commentary on modern hypocrisy. It contrasts the ritualistic Kanya Puja—where young girls are worshipped for one day—with the everyday discrimination, female infanticide, dowry deaths, and violence against women. The speaker calls for genuine worship: respecting women daily, educating daughters, and empowering them to fight against injustice. True Kanya Puja, it argues, is when a girl’s birth is celebrated, when she is given equal opportunities, and when society protects her dignity every day of the year.