fbpx
Wikipedia

Mahadevi

Mahadevi (Sanskrit: महादेवी, IAST: Mahādevī), also referred to as Adi Parashakti, Mahamaya and Devi,[3] is the supreme goddess in various sects of Hinduism.[4][5] According to the goddess-centric sect Shaktism, all Hindu gods and goddesses are considered to be manifestations of the goddess, who is comparable to the deities Shiva and Vishnu as Para Brahman.[6] Mahadevi as the Mulaprakriti (Primordial Goddess) is described having five primary forms—Durga, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Gayatri and Radha—collectively referred to as Panchaprakriti. All other goddesses are regarded as her Amshavatara or partial incarnations.

Mahadevi
An 18th-century painting of Mahadevi from Bikaner, Rajasthan
Devanagariमहादेवी/आदिशक्ति/पराशक्ति
Sanskrit transliterationMahādevī / Ādiśakti / Parāśakti
Affiliation
AbodeManidvipa
MantraŌm āim hrīm śrīm klīm[1]
WeaponDevi Chakra, Pasha, Ankusha, Trishula (trident), Panchajanya
SymbolOm, Sri Yantra
MountLion and Tiger
TextsDevi Suktam, Devi Mahatmya, Devi-Bhagavata Purana, Markandeya Purana, Mahabhagavata, Kalika Purana, Lalita Sahasranama, Soundarya Lahari, Shiva Purana, Shakta Upanishads such as the Devi Upanishad[2]
FestivalsNavaratri, Durga Puja, Vasanta Panchami, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja, Durga Ashtami, Lalita Jayanti, Adi-Puram

Shaktas often consider her primary form to be Durga, also believing her to have many other forms such as Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshvari, Kali, Parvati, Navadurga, Mahavidya, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and others.[7][8] Author Helen T. Boursier says: "In Hindu philosophy, both Lakshmi and Parvati are identified as part manifestations of the great goddess—Mahadevi—and the Shakti or divine power".[9] In Krishna-centric sects, Radha is regarded as the supreme goddess.[7]

Epithets edit

Mahadevi is known by many names. She is commonly known as Mulaprakrti ('she who is primordial matter') and Mahamaya ('she who is the great maya').[10] The Devi Bhagavata Purana and Lalita Sahasranama describe Mahadevi's numerous epithets. These names include her divine and destructive characteristics.[10] In the Devi Bhagavata Purana she is described as 'the mother of all', 'the life force in all beings', and 'she who is supreme knowledge'. The Lalita Sahasranama also describes her as Visvadhika ('she who transcends the universe'), Sarvaga ('she who is omnipresent'), Vishvadharini ('she who supports the universe'), Raksasaghni ('she who slays demons'), Bhairavi ('the terrible one'), and Sarhharini ('she who destroys').[10] Mahadevi's destructive features are further described in a hymn called Aryastava, calling her Kalaratri ('night of death') and Nistha ('she who is death').[10]

Attributes edit

Mahamaya edit

In the first episode of the Devi Mahatmya Mahadevi is referred as Mahamaya, meaning the great illusion.[11]

Literature edit

Vedas edit

The Vedas name numerous forms of goddess such as Devi (power), Prithvi (earth), Aditi (cosmic moral order), Vāc (sound), Nirṛti (destruction), Ratri (night) and Aranyani (forest). Bounty goddesses such as Dinsana, Raka, Puramdhi, Parendi, Bharati and Mahi are among others are mentioned in the Rigveda.[12]

The Devīsūkta of the Rigveda (10.125.1 to 10.125.8) is among the most studied hymns, declaring that the ultimate reality is a goddess.[13][14]

I have created all worlds at my will without being urged by any higher Being, and dwell within them. I permeate the earth and heaven, and all created entities with my greatness and dwell in them as eternal and infinite consciousness.

— Devi Sukta, Rigveda 10.125.8, Translated by June McDaniel[15][16]

Upanishads edit

Shakta Upanishads are a group of minor Upanishads of Hinduism related to the Shaktism theology. There are eight Shakta Upanishads in the Muktika anthology of 108 Upanishads.[17] The Shakta Upanishads are notable for declaring and revering the feminine as the Supreme, the primal cause and the metaphysical concepts in Hinduism called Brahman and Atman (soul).[18][19]

Shakta Puranas edit

 
A modern depiction of Mahadevi as the Supreme Goddess encompassing all divinities.

Shaktas conceive the Goddess as the supreme, ultimate, eternal reality of all existence, or same as the Brahman concept of Hinduism. She is considered to be simultaneously the source of all creation, its embodiment and the energy that animates and governs it, and that into which everything will ultimately dissolve. She has manifested herself as Shiva in male form. Her half is Shiva.[20]

Devi Bhagavata Purana edit

The Devi Bhagavata Purana describes Mahadevi in her form of Bhuvaneshvari. It is stated that Shiva worshipped and meditated on the goddess for thousands of years using the bīja mantra hrīm. The goddess is described to possess both the aspects of Para Brahman, nirguna (without form) and saguna (with form). In her form of saguna, she is extolled as the mother of the universe, residing upon the highest abode named Manidvipa. All the gods and goddesses are described to be her various forms. In the Devi Mahatmya, the Trimurti and the demigods praise the goddess.[citation needed]

गायन्ती दोलयन्ती च बालभावान्मयि स्थिते ।
सेयं सुनिश्चितं ज्ञातं जातं मे दर्शनादिव ।।
कामं नो जननी सैषा शृणु तं प्रवदाम्यहम् ।
अनुभूतं मया पूर्व प्रत्यभिज्ञा समत्थिता ॥

Now I recollect all what I felt before at Her sight & recognize that She is the Bhagavati. These very things I now communicate to you. Hear attentively that She is this Lady & She is our Mother.

— Devi Bhagavata Purana Canto 03, Chapter 03, Verse 66:67

In the third canto of the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam, Devi addressed the Trimurti as follows:

There is oneness always between me & the Purusha; there is no difference whatsoever at any time between me & the Purusha (the Supreme Self). Who is I, that is Purusha; who is Purusha, that is I. The difference between force & the receptacle of force is due to error. He who knows the subtle difference between us two, is certainly intelligent; he is freed from this bondage of Samsara; there is no manner of doubt in this. The One Second less Eternal ever lasting Brahman substance becomes dual at the time of creation.[21][better source needed]

— Srimad Devi Bhagavatam Canto 03, Chapter 06, Verse 02:03

In the Devi Gita of Devi Bhagavatam, it is suggested that before incarnating as Parvati, she appeared to King Himalaya and revealed divine, eternal knowledge to him. She explained herself, in the words of the Vedas, as having neither beginning nor end. She is the only, eternal truth. The whole universe is her creation. She is the only victor and the manifestation of victory itself. She is a manifested, un-manifested and transcendent divinity. She then displayed her scarcely seen form to him: Satyaloka was located in her forehead; the created universe were her hairs; the sun and moon were her eyes; in her ears were the four directions; the Vedas were her words; death, affection and emotion were her teeth; Maya was manifested by her smile.[22] The goddess Parvati as Kushmanda gives birth to the universe in the form of a cosmic egg which manifests as the universe. Ultimately, Adi Shakti herself is the zero energy which exists even after destruction of the universe and before its creation.[8]

According to the Tripura Rahasya, only Mahadevi was existed in her form of Tripura Sundari before the beginning of the universe. She is supposed to have created the Trimurti, and began the creation of the universe.[23]

Long ago, at the time of creation, Tripura the Universal Consciousness was all alone. There was nothing other than Her. She, the embodiment of Power, who is Self independent wanted to create; the desire developed. From desire, knowledge was born & then action. From Her 3 glances the 3 gods were born. Pashupati represented desire, Hari knowledge & Brahma action. They were looked at by Sankari & became naturally powerful & Truth abiding.

— Shri Tripura Rahasya (Mahatmya Khanda), Chapter 10, Verses 18 to 22

Shaiva Puranas edit

The Shiva Purana says Adi Parashakti incarnated in materialistic form as Parama Prakriti from the left half of Lord Shiva (Parabrahman) during the beginning of the Universe. The Linga Purana states that Adi Shakti brings forth the evolution of life in every Universe through the union of every Shiva and Parvati in all of the Universes.[24][25]

That alone, Paramesvari of three attributes, creates the universe; she alone sustains it and she alone destroys it at the proper time.

— J.L.Shastri, Shiva Purana (Umasamhita), Chapter 45, Verse 49

I bow to the great Maya, the Yogic slumber, Uma, Sati, Kalaratri, Maharatri, Moharatri, greater than the greatest, the mother of the three deities, the eternal, the bestower of the fruits of the cherished desires of the devotees, the protectress of the gods and the ocean of mercy.

— J.L.Shastri, Shiva Purana (Umasamhita), Chapter 45, Verses 58-59

Vaishnava Puranas edit

 
A painting of Lakshmi surrounded by two elephants
 
Radha as the Supreme Goddess being worshipped by Krishna

The goddess Lakshmi is revered as manifestation of Mahadevi in the Vaishnavite tradition, extolled to possess a thousand names and qualities.[26] Various texts like the Garuda Purana, Bhagavata Purana, and Lakshmi Tantra refer to Lakshmi as form of Mahadevi. According to Devdutt Pattanaik, "Lakshmi is worshipped as maya, the delightful delusion, the dream-like expression of divinity that makes life comprehensible, hence worth living. She is true shakti, energy, boundless and bountiful".[27]

इच्छारूपां भगवतस्सच्चिदानन्दरूपिणीम् । सर्वज्ञां सर्वजननी विष्णुवक्षस्स्थलालयाम् । दयालुमनिशं ध्यायेत्सुखसिद्धिस्वरूपिणीम् ॥

I always meditate on that Goddess who has the form of pleasure & salvation,

Who takes that form that is dear to the God, who is the form of divine joy, Who knows everything, who is the mother of all,

Who lives on the chest of Lord Vishnu & who is very merciful.

— Vyasa, Lakshmi Sahasranama Stotram, Skanda Purana

According to Krishnaism, Radha is the chief female deity and is associated with Krishna's maya (material energy) and prakriti (feminine energy). At highest level Goloka, Radha is said to be united with Krishna and abiding with him in the same body. The relationship between Radha Krishna is that of substance and attribute: they are as inseparable as Milk and its whiteness or Earth and its smell. This level of Radha's identity transcends her material nature as prakriti and exits in the form of pure consciousness (Narada Purana, Uttara Khana - 59.8). While Radha is identical to Krishna at this highest level, this merger of identities seems to end when she separates from him. After separation she manifest herself as the goddess Primordial prakriti (Mūlaprakriti) who is called the "Maker of Universe" or "Mother of All" (Narada Purana, Purva-Khanda, 83.10-11, 83.44, 82.214).[28][29]

In Nimbarkacharya's Vedanta Kamadhenu Dashashloki (verse 6), it is clearly stated that:

In Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Radha (or Rādhikā), who is inseparable from Krishna, appears as the main goddess. She is mentioned as the personification of the Mūlaprakriti, the "Root nature", that original seed from which all material forms evolved. In the company of the Purusha ("Man", "Spirit", "Universal soul") Krishna, she is said to inhabit the Goloka, which is a world of cows and cowherds far above the Vishnu's Vaikuntha. In this divine world, Krishna and Radha relate to one another in the way body relates to the soul. (4.6.216)[30][31]

Forms edit

 
As Parvati, she is kind and tender and represents motherhood
 
As Tripura Sundari, she is the complete supreme form.[32][33]
 
As Kali, she is ferocious and destroys evil

According to Shakta traditions, Mahadevi is the ultimate goddess with Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva of this Universe as her subordinates who cannot function without her power. Whatever deity one is worshiping they are, ultimately, worshiping Devi.[8] According to the Srikula tradition in Shaktism, Tripura Sundari is the foremost of the Mahavidyas, the highest aspect of Mahadevi and also the primary goddess of Sri Vidya. The Tripura Upanishad places her as the ultimate Shakti (energy, power) of the universe.[34] In Vaishnavism, Lakshmi is traditionally worshipped as secondary to her consort Vishnu, and represents the bliss of a settled and domestic life. However, in Shakta traditions Lakshmi either is, or is a representation of, the supreme deity. In texts such as the Lakshmi Tantra, she is both the creator and the destroyer. In her capacity as Mahalakshmi, she is synonymous with Mahadevi.[35] In Shaivism, the goddess Parvati is the complete incarnation of Devi.[10]

Pancha Prakritis edit

According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana, Mahadevi is worshiped in five distinct forms: Durga, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Savitri, and Radha, collectively referred to as the Panchadevis or Panchaprakritis.[3]

Durga or Parvati, the mother of Ganesha and consort of Shiva, is revered as the eternal, all-powerful force upholding dharma. She is both the giver of happiness and the remover of sorrows for devotees seeking refuge in her.[3]

Lakshmi, as the sublime form of the universal soul, embodies wealth, beauty, compassion, and all goodness. She is revered in various realms, serving Vishnu in Vaikuntha, adorning heaven with glory, and manifesting prosperity in households.[3]

Sarasvati, the embodiment of knowledge, arts, and intellect, is considered the deity of learning. She bestows intellect, poetic skill, reason, and logic to her devotees, being the source of fine arts and every branch of knowledge.[3]

Savitri or Gayatri, identified as the mother of the four Vedas, represents the essence of truth, existence, and supreme bliss. She grants salvation and forms the core of the universal soul, purifying the world with her sacred presence.[3]

Radha, the fifth of the Panchaprakriti, presides over the five pranas. She is described as exceptionally beautiful, the consort of Krishna, and possesses divine attributes. Radha is formless, beyond attributes, and her sacred feet are so revered that even Agni cannot burn her clothes.[3]

Amsharupa edit

The Devi Bhagavata Purana also mentions about Amsharupa (s), who are partial manifestations of the Devī, distinct from the five complete forms discussed earlier. There are six Amsharupa(s) of the Devi, born from specific parts of her divine being — Ganga, flowing in the form of water, serves to cleanse individuals of their sins; Tulasi, who acts as both a lover and servant of Vishnu, purifies individuals of their sins and promotes their well-being; Manasa, the daughter of Kashyapa, she holds a unique position in learning, erudition, and is associated with Mantras; Devasena, also known as Shasthi Devi, grants offspring to living beings and provides protection; Mangalachandika, born from the face of Prakriti, ensures the recipient of all favorable outcomes such as sons, grandsons, wealth, reputation, and general welfare; and Bhumi, who serves as the origin of the vegetable kingdom, the repository of gems, and embodies compassion and sympathy.[3]

The ten Mahavidyas edit

The Mahavidyas are ten Tantric goddesses, or aspects, of Mahadevi that show her nature and ability to manifest in different forms for various purposes. The word Mahavidya means 'Great Knowledge' and the epithet 'Dasamahavidyas', the ten great mantras, is also used to refer to them.[36] The Mahavidyas have been identified as a group since the tenth century CE[36] and usually includes, in order, Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshvari, Chinnamasta, Bhairavi, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi, and Kamala.[37] Texts such as Guhydtiguhya-tantra, Todala-tantra, and Mundamala-tantra compare the ten Mahavidyas to the ten avatars of Vishnu. According to Kinsley, though the Mahavidyas serve less cosmic roles than the avatars of Vishnu, their purpose is to show that through her various forms Mahadevi pervades all aspects of reality.[37]

Iconography edit

Adi Parashakti is generally seen as an abstract goddess but her appearance is described in the Devi Bhagavata Purana, Kalika Purana, Markandeya Purana-Devi Mahatmya, Brahmanda Purana-Lalita Sahasranama, and the Tripura Rahasya. According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana, the goddess once invited the Trimurti to Manidvipa. The Trimurti saw the supreme goddess Bhuvaneshvari sitting on a jeweled seat on a throne. Her face contained the radiance of millions of stars and her celestial beauty was so great, that the Trimurti were not able to look at her. She carries the Abhaya and Varada Mudra, Pasha, and Ankusha.[10]

In popular culture edit

References edit

Citations edit

  1. ^ Narayanananda 1960, p. 50.
  2. ^ Jones, Constance; Ryan, James (2014). Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Infobase Publishing. p. 399. ISBN 978-0816054589.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic encyclopaedia : a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature. Robarts - University of Toronto. Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 217–219. ISBN 978-0-8426-0822-0.
  4. ^ Vanamali (21 July 2008). "3. Mahadevi". Shakti: Realm of the Divine Mother. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-59477-785-1.
  5. ^ Dalal, Roshen (6 January 2019). The 108 Upanishads: An Introduction. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-5305-377-2.
  6. ^ Hay, Jeff (6 March 2009). World Religions. Greenhaven Publishing LLC. p. 284. ISBN 978-0-7377-4627-3.
  7. ^ a b Pintchman, Tracy (21 June 2001). Seeking Mahadevi: Constructing the Identities of the Hindu Great Goddess. SUNY Press. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-7914-5007-9.
  8. ^ a b c Bonnefoy 1993, p. 95.
  9. ^ Boursier 2021, p. 30.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Kinsley 1998, p. [page needed].
  11. ^ Hawley, John Stratton; Wulff, Donna Marie (1998). Devī: Goddesses of India. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 33.
  12. ^ Kinsley, David (1988). Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions. University of California Press, ISBN 0-520-06339-2.
  13. ^ McDaniel 2004, p. 90.
  14. ^ Brown 1998, p. 26.
  15. ^ McDaniel 2004, p. 90; Brown 1998, p. 26.
  16. ^ Sanskrit original see: ऋग्वेद: सूक्तं १०.१२५;
    for an alternate English translation, see: The Rig Veda/Mandala 10/Hymn 125 Ralph T.H. Griffith (Translator); for
  17. ^ Deussen 1997, p. 556.
  18. ^ McDaniel 2004, pp. 89–90.
  19. ^ Brooks 1990, pp. 77–78.
  20. ^ Dikshitar 1999, pp. 77–78.
  21. ^ "Cosmology". Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo & The Mother. 9 May 2009. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  22. ^ "The Devi Gita index". Sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  23. ^ Rao, T.B. Lakshmana (2011). Shri Tripura Rahasya (Mahatmya Khanda). Sri Kailasamanidweepa Trust, Bengaluru. p. 108.
  24. ^ Shastri, J. L. (1970). English translation by J. L. Shastri (ed.). The Shiva Purāṇa (includes glossary) – via Wisdom Library.
  25. ^ Shiva Mahapurana | Gitapress Gorakhpur
  26. ^ "Lakshmi Sahasranama Stotram - Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia". www.hindupedia.com. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  27. ^ Pattanaik, Devdutt (2002). Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Fortune: An Introduction. Vakils, Feffer and Simons. ISBN 978-81-8462-019-1.
  28. ^ Pintchman, Tracy (14 June 2001). Seeking Mahadevi: Constructing the Identities of the Hindu Great Goddess. SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-9049-5.
  29. ^ Pintchman, Tracy (8 April 2015). Rise of the Goddess in the Hindu Tradition, The. State University of New York Press. p. 159. ISBN 978-1-4384-1618-2. Radha is said to be produced from half of Krishna's body and she manifest as Mulaprakriti Isvari, the Primordial Goddess Prakriti.
  30. ^ Dimitrova, Diana; Oranskaia, Tatiana (14 June 2018). Divinizing in South Asian Traditions. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-351-12360-0.
  31. ^ Amore, Roy C (1976). "Religion in India". Journal of the American Academy of Religion. XLIV (2): 366–a–366. doi:10.1093/jaarel/XLIV.2.366-a. ISSN 0002-7189.
  32. ^ Vasantānanta, Nā Irāmaccantiraṉ (1993). Sri Lalita Sahasranamam: Nama-wise Commentary in English with Text in Sanskrit. p. 358.
  33. ^ Śaṅkarācārya; Tapasyananda; Lakṣmīdhara (1987). Saundarya-lahari of Sri Sankaracarya: with text and translation, and notes based on Lakṣmīdhara's commentary. Sri Ramakrishna Math. p. 70. ISBN 9788171202447.
  34. ^ Mahadevan 1975, p. 235.
  35. ^ Dalal 2010, p. 206.
  36. ^ a b Foulston, Lynn; Abbott, Stuart (2009). Hindu goddesses: beliefs and practices. Brighton: Sussex Academic. pp. 116–117. ISBN 978-1-902210-43-8.
  37. ^ a b Kinsley, David (1997). Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine. University of California Press. pp. 9, 21, 22. doi:10.1525/9780520917729. ISBN 978-0-520-91772-9.
  38. ^ "on writing a book with the core theme of sacred feminism - The News Now". www.thenewsnow.co.in. Retrieved 12 July 2022.

Works cited edit

  • Bonnefoy, Yves (1993). Asian Mythologies. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-06456-7.
  • Boursier, Helen T., ed. (2021). The Rowman & Littlefield Handbook of Women's Studies in Religion. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1538154458.
  • Brooks, Douglas Renfrew (1990). The Secret of the Three Cities. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0226075693.
  • Brown, Cheever Mackenzie (1998). The Devi Gita: The Song of the Goddess: A Translation, Annotation, and Commentary. SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-3939-5.
  • Dalal, Roshen (2010). The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths. India: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0143415176.
  • Dikshitar, V. R. Ramachandra (1999) [1942]. The Lalitā Cult. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-8120814981.
  • Deussen, Paul (1997). Sixty Upanishads of the Veda. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-1467-7.
  • Kinsley, David (1998). Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0394-7.
  • Mahadevan, T. M. P. (1975). Upaniṣads: Selections from 108 Upaniṣads. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-1611-4.
  • McDaniel, June (9 July 2004). Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls : Popular Goddess Worship in West Bengal: Popular Goddess Worship in West Bengal. Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 978-0-19-534713-5.
  • Narayanananda, Swami (1960). The Primal Power in Man: Or, The Kundalini Shakti. India: N. K. Prasad. ISBN 978-0787306311.
  • Rajeswari, D. R. (1989). Sakti Iconography. India: Intellectual Publishing House. ISBN 978-8170760153.

Further reading edit

  • Brown, C. Mackenzie (1990). The Triumph of the Goddess: The Canonical Models and Theological Visions of the Devi-Bhagavata Purana. State University of New York Press. ISBN 978-0791403648.
  • Brown, C. Mackenzie (1998). The Devī Gītā: The Song of the Goddess: A Translation, Annotation, and Commentary. State University of New York Press. ISBN 978-0791439401.
  • Rao, S. K. Ramachandara (2012). Lalitaarchana-Chandrika, Hymns to Lalita, Form of Tripurasundari. Lala Murari Lal Chharia Oriental Series. Delhi: Divine Books. ISBN 978-93-81218-45-7.

mahadevi, this, article, about, supreme, goddess, hinduism, common, term, hindu, goddess, devi, personification, power, shakti, concept, shaivism, parashakti, article, about, sanskrit, astronomical, table, text, titled, astronomy, book, sanskrit, मह, iast, mah. This article is about Supreme Goddess in Hinduism For common term for a Hindu goddess see Devi For the personification of power see Shakti For the concept of Shaivism see Parashakti For article about a Sanskrit astronomical table text titled Mahadevi see Mahadevi astronomy book Mahadevi Sanskrit मह द व IAST Mahadevi also referred to as Adi Parashakti Mahamaya and Devi 3 is the supreme goddess in various sects of Hinduism 4 5 According to the goddess centric sect Shaktism all Hindu gods and goddesses are considered to be manifestations of the goddess who is comparable to the deities Shiva and Vishnu as Para Brahman 6 Mahadevi as the Mulaprakriti Primordial Goddess is described having five primary forms Durga Lakshmi Sarasvati Gayatri and Radha collectively referred to as Panchaprakriti All other goddesses are regarded as her Amshavatara or partial incarnations MahadeviThe Supreme GoddessMother GoddessGoddess of Maya and ShaktiMulaprakriti Primordial Goddess Para Brahman Supreme Being in ShaktismAn 18th century painting of Mahadevi from Bikaner RajasthanDevanagariमह द व आद शक त पर शक त Sanskrit transliterationMahadevi Adisakti ParasaktiAffiliationDurgaLakshmiParvatiSarasvatiGayatriRadhaTripura SundariKaliAbodeManidvipaMantraŌm aim hrim srim klim 1 WeaponDevi Chakra Pasha Ankusha Trishula trident PanchajanyaSymbolOm Sri YantraMountLion and TigerTextsDevi Suktam Devi Mahatmya Devi Bhagavata Purana Markandeya Purana Mahabhagavata Kalika Purana Lalita Sahasranama Soundarya Lahari Shiva Purana Shakta Upanishads such as the Devi Upanishad 2 FestivalsNavaratri Durga Puja Vasanta Panchami Lakshmi Puja Kali Puja Durga Ashtami Lalita Jayanti Adi Puram Shaktas often consider her primary form to be Durga also believing her to have many other forms such as Tripura Sundari Bhuvaneshvari Kali Parvati Navadurga Mahavidya Lakshmi Saraswati and others 7 8 Author Helen T Boursier says In Hindu philosophy both Lakshmi and Parvati are identified as part manifestations of the great goddess Mahadevi and the Shakti or divine power 9 In Krishna centric sects Radha is regarded as the supreme goddess 7 Contents 1 Epithets 2 Attributes 2 1 Mahamaya 3 Literature 3 1 Vedas 3 2 Upanishads 3 3 Shakta Puranas 3 3 1 Devi Bhagavata Purana 3 4 Shaiva Puranas 3 5 Vaishnava Puranas 4 Forms 4 1 Pancha Prakritis 4 2 Amsharupa 4 3 The ten Mahavidyas 5 Iconography 6 In popular culture 7 References 7 1 Citations 7 2 Works cited 8 Further readingEpithets editMahadevi is known by many names She is commonly known as Mulaprakrti she who is primordial matter and Mahamaya she who is the great maya 10 The Devi Bhagavata Purana and Lalita Sahasranama describe Mahadevi s numerous epithets These names include her divine and destructive characteristics 10 In the Devi Bhagavata Purana she is described as the mother of all the life force in all beings and she who is supreme knowledge The Lalita Sahasranama also describes her as Visvadhika she who transcends the universe Sarvaga she who is omnipresent Vishvadharini she who supports the universe Raksasaghni she who slays demons Bhairavi the terrible one and Sarhharini she who destroys 10 Mahadevi s destructive features are further described in a hymn called Aryastava calling her Kalaratri night of death and Nistha she who is death 10 Attributes editMahamaya edit In the first episode of the Devi Mahatmya Mahadevi is referred as Mahamaya meaning the great illusion 11 Literature editVedas edit The Vedas name numerous forms of goddess such as Devi power Prithvi earth Aditi cosmic moral order Vac sound Nirṛti destruction Ratri night and Aranyani forest Bounty goddesses such as Dinsana Raka Puramdhi Parendi Bharati and Mahi are among others are mentioned in the Rigveda 12 The Devisukta of the Rigveda 10 125 1 to 10 125 8 is among the most studied hymns declaring that the ultimate reality is a goddess 13 14 I have created all worlds at my will without being urged by any higher Being and dwell within them I permeate the earth and heaven and all created entities with my greatness and dwell in them as eternal and infinite consciousness Devi Sukta Rigveda 10 125 8 Translated by June McDaniel 15 16 Upanishads edit Shakta Upanishads are a group of minor Upanishads of Hinduism related to the Shaktism theology There are eight Shakta Upanishads in the Muktika anthology of 108 Upanishads 17 The Shakta Upanishads are notable for declaring and revering the feminine as the Supreme the primal cause and the metaphysical concepts in Hinduism called Brahman and Atman soul 18 19 Shakta Puranas edit nbsp A modern depiction of Mahadevi as the Supreme Goddess encompassing all divinities Shaktas conceive the Goddess as the supreme ultimate eternal reality of all existence or same as the Brahman concept of Hinduism She is considered to be simultaneously the source of all creation its embodiment and the energy that animates and governs it and that into which everything will ultimately dissolve She has manifested herself as Shiva in male form Her half is Shiva 20 Devi Bhagavata Purana edit The Devi Bhagavata Purana describes Mahadevi in her form of Bhuvaneshvari It is stated that Shiva worshipped and meditated on the goddess for thousands of years using the bija mantra hrim The goddess is described to possess both the aspects of Para Brahman nirguna without form and saguna with form In her form of saguna she is extolled as the mother of the universe residing upon the highest abode named Manidvipa All the gods and goddesses are described to be her various forms In the Devi Mahatmya the Trimurti and the demigods praise the goddess citation needed ग यन त द लयन त च ब लभ व न मय स थ त स य स न श च त ज ञ त ज त म दर शन द व क म न जनन स ष श ण त प रवद म यहम अन भ त मय प र व प रत यभ ज ञ समत थ त Now I recollect all what I felt before at Her sight amp recognize that She is the Bhagavati These very things I now communicate to you Hear attentively that She is this Lady amp She is our Mother Devi Bhagavata Purana Canto 03 Chapter 03 Verse 66 67 In the third canto of the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam Devi addressed the Trimurti as follows There is oneness always between me amp the Purusha there is no difference whatsoever at any time between me amp the Purusha the Supreme Self Who is I that is Purusha who is Purusha that is I The difference between force amp the receptacle of force is due to error He who knows the subtle difference between us two is certainly intelligent he is freed from this bondage of Samsara there is no manner of doubt in this The One Second less Eternal ever lasting Brahman substance becomes dual at the time of creation 21 better source needed Srimad Devi Bhagavatam Canto 03 Chapter 06 Verse 02 03 In the Devi Gita of Devi Bhagavatam it is suggested that before incarnating as Parvati she appeared to King Himalaya and revealed divine eternal knowledge to him She explained herself in the words of the Vedas as having neither beginning nor end She is the only eternal truth The whole universe is her creation She is the only victor and the manifestation of victory itself She is a manifested un manifested and transcendent divinity She then displayed her scarcely seen form to him Satyaloka was located in her forehead the created universe were her hairs the sun and moon were her eyes in her ears were the four directions the Vedas were her words death affection and emotion were her teeth Maya was manifested by her smile 22 The goddess Parvati as Kushmanda gives birth to the universe in the form of a cosmic egg which manifests as the universe Ultimately Adi Shakti herself is the zero energy which exists even after destruction of the universe and before its creation 8 According to the Tripura Rahasya only Mahadevi was existed in her form of Tripura Sundari before the beginning of the universe She is supposed to have created the Trimurti and began the creation of the universe 23 Long ago at the time of creation Tripura the Universal Consciousness was all alone There was nothing other than Her She the embodiment of Power who is Self independent wanted to create the desire developed From desire knowledge was born amp then action From Her 3 glances the 3 gods were born Pashupati represented desire Hari knowledge amp Brahma action They were looked at by Sankari amp became naturally powerful amp Truth abiding Shri Tripura Rahasya Mahatmya Khanda Chapter 10 Verses 18 to 22 Shaiva Puranas edit The Shiva Purana says Adi Parashakti incarnated in materialistic form as Parama Prakriti from the left half of Lord Shiva Parabrahman during the beginning of the Universe The Linga Purana states that Adi Shakti brings forth the evolution of life in every Universe through the union of every Shiva and Parvati in all of the Universes 24 25 That alone Paramesvari of three attributes creates the universe she alone sustains it and she alone destroys it at the proper time J L Shastri Shiva Purana Umasamhita Chapter 45 Verse 49 I bow to the great Maya the Yogic slumber Uma Sati Kalaratri Maharatri Moharatri greater than the greatest the mother of the three deities the eternal the bestower of the fruits of the cherished desires of the devotees the protectress of the gods and the ocean of mercy J L Shastri Shiva Purana Umasamhita Chapter 45 Verses 58 59 Vaishnava Puranas edit nbsp A painting of Lakshmi surrounded by two elephants nbsp Radha as the Supreme Goddess being worshipped by Krishna The goddess Lakshmi is revered as manifestation of Mahadevi in the Vaishnavite tradition extolled to possess a thousand names and qualities 26 Various texts like the Garuda Purana Bhagavata Purana and Lakshmi Tantra refer to Lakshmi as form of Mahadevi According to Devdutt Pattanaik Lakshmi is worshipped as maya the delightful delusion the dream like expression of divinity that makes life comprehensible hence worth living She is true shakti energy boundless and bountiful 27 इच छ र प भगवतस सच च द नन दर प ण म सर वज ञ सर वजनन व ष ण वक षस स थल लय म दय ल मन श ध य य त स खस द ध स वर प ण म I always meditate on that Goddess who has the form of pleasure amp salvation Who takes that form that is dear to the God who is the form of divine joy Who knows everything who is the mother of all Who lives on the chest of Lord Vishnu amp who is very merciful Vyasa Lakshmi Sahasranama Stotram Skanda Purana According to Krishnaism Radha is the chief female deity and is associated with Krishna s maya material energy and prakriti feminine energy At highest level Goloka Radha is said to be united with Krishna and abiding with him in the same body The relationship between Radha Krishna is that of substance and attribute they are as inseparable as Milk and its whiteness or Earth and its smell This level of Radha s identity transcends her material nature as prakriti and exits in the form of pure consciousness Narada Purana Uttara Khana 59 8 While Radha is identical to Krishna at this highest level this merger of identities seems to end when she separates from him After separation she manifest herself as the goddess Primordial prakriti Mulaprakriti who is called the Maker of Universe or Mother of All Narada Purana Purva Khanda 83 10 11 83 44 82 214 28 29 In Nimbarkacharya s Vedanta Kamadhenu Dashashloki verse 6 it is clearly stated that Ange tu vaame vrishabhaanujaam mudaa viraajamaanaam anuruupasaubhagaam Sakhiisahasraih parisevitaam sadaa smarema deviim sakalestakaamadaam The left portion of the body of the Supreme Lord is Srimati Radha seated blissfully as beautiful as the Lord Himself who is served by thousands of gopis we meditate on the Supreme Goddess the fulfiller of all desires In Brahma Vaivarta Purana Radha or Radhika who is inseparable from Krishna appears as the main goddess She is mentioned as the personification of the Mulaprakriti the Root nature that original seed from which all material forms evolved In the company of the Purusha Man Spirit Universal soul Krishna she is said to inhabit the Goloka which is a world of cows and cowherds far above the Vishnu s Vaikuntha In this divine world Krishna and Radha relate to one another in the way body relates to the soul 4 6 216 30 31 Forms edit nbsp As Parvati she is kind and tender and represents motherhood nbsp As Tripura Sundari she is the complete supreme form 32 33 nbsp As Kali she is ferocious and destroys evil According to Shakta traditions Mahadevi is the ultimate goddess with Brahma Vishnu Shiva of this Universe as her subordinates who cannot function without her power Whatever deity one is worshiping they are ultimately worshiping Devi 8 According to the Srikula tradition in Shaktism Tripura Sundari is the foremost of the Mahavidyas the highest aspect of Mahadevi and also the primary goddess of Sri Vidya The Tripura Upanishad places her as the ultimate Shakti energy power of the universe 34 In Vaishnavism Lakshmi is traditionally worshipped as secondary to her consort Vishnu and represents the bliss of a settled and domestic life However in Shakta traditions Lakshmi either is or is a representation of the supreme deity In texts such as the Lakshmi Tantra she is both the creator and the destroyer In her capacity as Mahalakshmi she is synonymous with Mahadevi 35 In Shaivism the goddess Parvati is the complete incarnation of Devi 10 Pancha Prakritis edit According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana Mahadevi is worshiped in five distinct forms Durga Lakshmi Sarasvati Savitri and Radha collectively referred to as the Panchadevis or Panchaprakritis 3 Durga or Parvati the mother of Ganesha and consort of Shiva is revered as the eternal all powerful force upholding dharma She is both the giver of happiness and the remover of sorrows for devotees seeking refuge in her 3 Lakshmi as the sublime form of the universal soul embodies wealth beauty compassion and all goodness She is revered in various realms serving Vishnu in Vaikuntha adorning heaven with glory and manifesting prosperity in households 3 Sarasvati the embodiment of knowledge arts and intellect is considered the deity of learning She bestows intellect poetic skill reason and logic to her devotees being the source of fine arts and every branch of knowledge 3 Savitri or Gayatri identified as the mother of the four Vedas represents the essence of truth existence and supreme bliss She grants salvation and forms the core of the universal soul purifying the world with her sacred presence 3 Radha the fifth of the Panchaprakriti presides over the five pranas She is described as exceptionally beautiful the consort of Krishna and possesses divine attributes Radha is formless beyond attributes and her sacred feet are so revered that even Agni cannot burn her clothes 3 Amsharupa edit The Devi Bhagavata Purana also mentions about Amsharupa s who are partial manifestations of the Devi distinct from the five complete forms discussed earlier There are six Amsharupa s of the Devi born from specific parts of her divine being Ganga flowing in the form of water serves to cleanse individuals of their sins Tulasi who acts as both a lover and servant of Vishnu purifies individuals of their sins and promotes their well being Manasa the daughter of Kashyapa she holds a unique position in learning erudition and is associated with Mantras Devasena also known as Shasthi Devi grants offspring to living beings and provides protection Mangalachandika born from the face of Prakriti ensures the recipient of all favorable outcomes such as sons grandsons wealth reputation and general welfare and Bhumi who serves as the origin of the vegetable kingdom the repository of gems and embodies compassion and sympathy 3 The ten Mahavidyas edit Main article Mahavidya The Mahavidyas are ten Tantric goddesses or aspects of Mahadevi that show her nature and ability to manifest in different forms for various purposes The word Mahavidya means Great Knowledge and the epithet Dasamahavidyas the ten great mantras is also used to refer to them 36 The Mahavidyas have been identified as a group since the tenth century CE 36 and usually includes in order Kali Tara Tripura Sundari Bhuvaneshvari Chinnamasta Bhairavi Dhumavati Bagalamukhi Matangi and Kamala 37 Texts such as Guhydtiguhya tantra Todala tantra and Mundamala tantra compare the ten Mahavidyas to the ten avatars of Vishnu According to Kinsley though the Mahavidyas serve less cosmic roles than the avatars of Vishnu their purpose is to show that through her various forms Mahadevi pervades all aspects of reality 37 Iconography editAdi Parashakti is generally seen as an abstract goddess but her appearance is described in the Devi Bhagavata Purana Kalika Purana Markandeya Purana Devi Mahatmya Brahmanda Purana Lalita Sahasranama and the Tripura Rahasya According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana the goddess once invited the Trimurti to Manidvipa The Trimurti saw the supreme goddess Bhuvaneshvari sitting on a jeweled seat on a throne Her face contained the radiance of millions of stars and her celestial beauty was so great that the Trimurti were not able to look at her She carries the Abhaya and Varada Mudra Pasha and Ankusha 10 In popular culture editThe Tenth Riddle a novel by Sapan Saxena is based on Mahadevi and her ten forms or Mahavidyas 38 References editCitations edit Narayanananda 1960 p 50 Jones Constance Ryan James 2014 Encyclopedia of Hinduism Infobase Publishing p 399 ISBN 978 0816054589 a b c d e f g h Mani Vettam 1975 Puranic encyclopaedia a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature Robarts University of Toronto Delhi Motilal Banarsidass pp 217 219 ISBN 978 0 8426 0822 0 Vanamali 21 July 2008 3 Mahadevi Shakti Realm of the Divine Mother Simon and Schuster ISBN 978 1 59477 785 1 Dalal Roshen 6 January 2019 The 108 Upanishads An Introduction Penguin Random House India Private Limited ISBN 978 93 5305 377 2 Hay Jeff 6 March 2009 World Religions Greenhaven Publishing LLC p 284 ISBN 978 0 7377 4627 3 a b Pintchman Tracy 21 June 2001 Seeking Mahadevi Constructing the Identities of the Hindu Great Goddess SUNY Press p 9 ISBN 978 0 7914 5007 9 a b c Bonnefoy 1993 p 95 Boursier 2021 p 30 a b c d e f Kinsley 1998 p page needed Hawley John Stratton Wulff Donna Marie 1998 Devi Goddesses of India Motilal Banarsidass Publ p 33 Kinsley David 1988 Hindu Goddesses Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions University of California Press ISBN 0 520 06339 2 McDaniel 2004 p 90 Brown 1998 p 26 McDaniel 2004 p 90 Brown 1998 p 26 Sanskrit original see ऋग व द स क त १० १२५ for an alternate English translation see The Rig Veda Mandala 10 Hymn 125 Ralph T H Griffith Translator for Deussen 1997 p 556 McDaniel 2004 pp 89 90 Brooks 1990 pp 77 78 Dikshitar 1999 pp 77 78 Cosmology Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo amp The Mother 9 May 2009 Retrieved 13 November 2021 The Devi Gita index Sacred texts com Retrieved 5 August 2012 Rao T B Lakshmana 2011 Shri Tripura Rahasya Mahatmya Khanda Sri Kailasamanidweepa Trust Bengaluru p 108 Shastri J L 1970 English translation by J L Shastri ed The Shiva Puraṇa includes glossary via Wisdom Library Shiva Mahapurana Gitapress Gorakhpur Lakshmi Sahasranama Stotram Hindupedia the Hindu Encyclopedia www hindupedia com Retrieved 8 May 2022 Pattanaik Devdutt 2002 Lakshmi the Goddess of Wealth and Fortune An Introduction Vakils Feffer and Simons ISBN 978 81 8462 019 1 Pintchman Tracy 14 June 2001 Seeking Mahadevi Constructing the Identities of the Hindu Great Goddess SUNY Press ISBN 978 0 7914 9049 5 Pintchman Tracy 8 April 2015 Rise of the Goddess in the Hindu Tradition The State University of New York Press p 159 ISBN 978 1 4384 1618 2 Radha is said to be produced from half of Krishna s body and she manifest as Mulaprakriti Isvari the Primordial Goddess Prakriti Dimitrova Diana Oranskaia Tatiana 14 June 2018 Divinizing in South Asian Traditions Routledge ISBN 978 1 351 12360 0 Amore Roy C 1976 Religion in India Journal of the American Academy of Religion XLIV 2 366 a 366 doi 10 1093 jaarel XLIV 2 366 a ISSN 0002 7189 Vasantananta Na Iramaccantiraṉ 1993 Sri Lalita Sahasranamam Nama wise Commentary in English with Text in Sanskrit p 358 Saṅkaracarya Tapasyananda Lakṣmidhara 1987 Saundarya lahari of Sri Sankaracarya with text and translation and notes based on Lakṣmidhara s commentary Sri Ramakrishna Math p 70 ISBN 9788171202447 Mahadevan 1975 p 235 Dalal 2010 p 206 a b Foulston Lynn Abbott Stuart 2009 Hindu goddesses beliefs and practices Brighton Sussex Academic pp 116 117 ISBN 978 1 902210 43 8 a b Kinsley David 1997 Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine University of California Press pp 9 21 22 doi 10 1525 9780520917729 ISBN 978 0 520 91772 9 on writing a book with the core theme of sacred feminism The News Now www thenewsnow co in Retrieved 12 July 2022 Works cited edit Bonnefoy Yves 1993 Asian Mythologies University of Chicago Press ISBN 978 0 226 06456 7 Boursier Helen T ed 2021 The Rowman amp Littlefield Handbook of Women s Studies in Religion Rowman amp Littlefield ISBN 978 1538154458 Brooks Douglas Renfrew 1990 The Secret of the Three Cities University of Chicago Press ISBN 978 0226075693 Brown Cheever Mackenzie 1998 The Devi Gita The Song of the Goddess A Translation Annotation and Commentary SUNY Press ISBN 978 0 7914 3939 5 Dalal Roshen 2010 The Religions of India A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths India Penguin Books ISBN 978 0143415176 Dikshitar V R Ramachandra 1999 1942 The Lalita Cult Delhi Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 8120814981 Deussen Paul 1997 Sixty Upanishads of the Veda Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 81 208 1467 7 Kinsley David 1998 Hindu Goddesses Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 81 208 0394 7 Mahadevan T M P 1975 Upaniṣads Selections from 108 Upaniṣads Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 81 208 1611 4 McDaniel June 9 July 2004 Offering Flowers Feeding Skulls Popular Goddess Worship in West Bengal Popular Goddess Worship in West Bengal Oxford University Press USA ISBN 978 0 19 534713 5 Narayanananda Swami 1960 The Primal Power in Man Or The Kundalini Shakti India N K Prasad ISBN 978 0787306311 Rajeswari D R 1989 Sakti Iconography India Intellectual Publishing House ISBN 978 8170760153 Further reading editBrown C Mackenzie 1990 The Triumph of the Goddess The Canonical Models and Theological Visions of the Devi Bhagavata Purana State University of New York Press ISBN 978 0791403648 Brown C Mackenzie 1998 The Devi Gita The Song of the Goddess A Translation Annotation and Commentary State University of New York Press ISBN 978 0791439401 Rao S K Ramachandara 2012 Lalitaarchana Chandrika Hymns to Lalita Form of Tripurasundari Lala Murari Lal Chharia Oriental Series Delhi Divine Books ISBN 978 93 81218 45 7 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mahadevi amp oldid 1219894736, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.