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Mahadevi

Mahadevi (Sanskrit: महादेवी, IAST: Mahādevī), also referred to as Adi Parashakti and Mahamaya,[3] is the supreme goddess in Hinduism.[4][5] According to the goddess-centric sect Shaktism, all Hindu gods and goddesses are considered to be manifestations of this great goddess, who is considered as the Para Brahman or the ultimate reality.[6]

See also: Shakti and Devi

Mahadevi

महादेवी/आदिशक्ति/पराशक्ति

Mahādevī / Ādiśakti / Parāśakti

Manidvipa

Ōm āim hrīm śrīm klīm[1]

Devi Chakra, Pasha, Ankusha, Trishula (trident), Panchajanya

Hreem, Om, Sri Yantra

Lion and Tiger

Devi 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]

Navaratri, Durga Puja, Vasanta Panchami, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja, Durga Ashtami, Lalita Jayanti, Adi-Puram

Shaktas often worship her as 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 manifestations of this great goddess—Mahadevi—and the Shakti or divine power".[9]

Epithets[edit]

Mahadevi is known by many names. She is commonly known as Mulaprakrti ('she who is primordial matter') and Mahamaya ('she who is beyond 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 one who controls maya.[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]

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]

, a novel by Sapan Saxena, is based on Mahadevi and her ten forms or Mahavidyas.[33]

The Tenth Riddle

Bonnefoy, Yves (1993). Asian Mythologies. University of Chicago Press.  978-0-226-06456-7.

ISBN

Boursier, Helen T., ed. (2021). The Rowman & Littlefield Handbook of Women's Studies in Religion. Rowman & Littlefield.  978-1538154458.

ISBN

Brooks, Douglas Renfrew (1990). . University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0226075693.

The Secret of the Three Cities

Brown, Cheever Mackenzie (1998). . SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-3939-5.

The Devi Gita: The Song of the Goddess: A Translation, Annotation, and Commentary

Dikshitar, V. R. Ramachandra (1999) [1942]. The Lalitā Cult. Delhi: . ISBN 978-8120814981.

Motilal Banarsidass

Deussen, Paul (1997). . Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-1467-7.

Sixty Upanishads of the Veda

Kinsley, David (1998). Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions. Motilal Banarsidass.  978-81-208-0394-7.

ISBN

Mahadevan, T. M. P. (1975). Upaniṣads: Selections from 108 Upaniṣads. Motilal Banarsidass.  978-81-208-1611-4.

ISBN

McDaniel, June (9 July 2004). . Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 978-0-19-534713-5.

Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls : Popular Goddess Worship in West Bengal: Popular Goddess Worship in West Bengal

Narayanananda, Swami (1960). The Primal Power in Man: Or, The Kundalini Shakti. India: N. K. Prasad.  978-0787306311.

ISBN

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.  978-0791403648.

ISBN

Brown, C. Mackenzie (1998). The Devī Gītā: The Song of the Goddess: A Translation, Annotation, and Commentary. State University of New York Press.  978-0791439401.

ISBN

Dalal, Roshen (2010). The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths. India: Penguin Books.  978-0143415176.

ISBN

Rajeswari, D. R. (1989). Sakti Iconography. India: Intellectual Publishing House.  978-8170760153.

ISBN

Rao, S. K. Ramachandara (2012). Lalitaarchana-Chandrika, Hymns to Lalita, Form of Tripurasundari. Lala Murari Lal Chharia Oriental Series. Delhi: Divine Books.  978-93-81218-45-7.

ISBN