HinduOfUniverse

Hindu Goddesses

As per the Hindu religion, the Supreme Being contains both masculine and feminine traits. The female part is as important as the male part. One has to consider the feminine aspect of the divine, in order to know the ultimate truth. It is believed that all goddesses of the Hindu pantheon are special forms of the divine mother- Shakti. To recognize the feminine aspect, it is necessary to restore wholeness, completeness and universality.

There are many goddesses and local deities in the Hindu mythology. Here we will discuss some of the popular Hindu goddesses (forms of Shakti).

Goddess Durga (Mother)
Durga symbolizes the power of the Supreme Being that maintains moral order and righteousness in the universe. Worship of the goddess Shakti is very popular among the Hindu people. Durga stands for the unified symbol of all divine forces (Shaktis).

Goddess Lakshmi
Lakshmi is the auspicious goddess of wealth and fortune, whether it is material or spiritual. The word ''Lakshmi'' has been derived from the Sanskrit word Lakshay, meaning "aim" or ''goal''. Goddess Lakshmi suggests the aim of life, which includes all worldly and spiritual success.

Goddess Saraswati
Saraswati Devi is the Goddess of arts, music, knowledge, and wisdom. Saraswati is considered as the divine consort of Lord Brahma, the Creator of the universe in the Hindu Religion.

Goddess Kali
Kali is one of the many forms of Shakti. Maha Kaali is the fiercest of all goddesses of Hinduism. The word Kali has its roots in the Sanskrit word "Kaal" which means time. And nothing escapes from time. Goddess Kali is sometimes referred as the goddess of death.

Goddess Parvati
Parvati is a well known goddess in the Hindu mythology. Goddess Parvati is the divine consort of Lord Shiva, the trinity god. Parvati is also considered as a representation of Shakti or Durga, but the gentle aspect of that goddess not the fierce one.

Ganga
The River Goddess Ganga / Ganges is considered as the most sacred river of the Hindu Mythology. River Ganges is very much popular in India and is worshipped as a goddess. Ganga is the most revered river in the world.

Radha
Goddess Radha is a well-known personality in Hindu Mythology. She is also known as Srimati Radharani in the northern part of India. Radha is usually depicted with her paramour Krishna.

Sita
Sita is the consort of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. Sita is the one of the most popular goddesses of Indian History. Devi Sita is regarded as the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, the divine consort of Lord Vishnu.

Durga

Durga
Maa (Mother) Durga symbolizes the power of the Supreme Being that maintains moral order and righteousness in the universe. Worship of the goddess Shakti is very popular among the Hindus. Durga stands for the unified symbol of all divine forces (Shaktis). Goddess Durga is the divine mother, who protects people from evil forces of selfishness, jealousy, hatred, anger and ego. Mother's love and her kindness towards her child, is the best example of pure love in this whole universe.

Likewise, the love of Maa Bhagwati (Durga) towards her devotee (Child) is pure and serene. Maa (Mother) never asks for a favour from her child. She pours her kindness and warmth on the child without desiring anything in return. The love of Jagdamba is like a free flowing river. Durga loves her each and every devotee (Child) without any discrimination.

Origin of Goddess
Durga It is believed that once the existence of the universe was under a threat by Mahishasura (the demon). The Gods pleaded Shiva to protect their world from the evil forces. Lord Shiva asked the three goddesses, Saraswati, Maa Kali and Maa Lakshami to release their powers (shaktis). The Power emerged in a female form. The Divine light emerged and a goddess of exceptional power appeared with many arms. She was beautiful as well as ferocious.

Durga was an extremely gorgeous girl with full of rage. The gods named her Durga, the invincible one and they furnished her with all their arms. Durga rode on a lion to the top of a mountain. In a violent battle, she killed Mahishasura and thus, saved the world from the demon's threat.

Durga - The Image
The word Durga has been derived from Sanskrit language which means a fort or a place that is difficult to reach. In the Images, Shakti is visible in the female form, wearing red clothes. Goddess has eighteen arms, carrying many items in her hands. The red color symbolizes fierceness and it suggests that goddess destroys evil and protects people from pain and misery caused by evil forces. Durga riding a tiger shows that she holds infinite power and uses it to save virtue and destroy evil. The eighteen arms holding weapons signify the unattainable energy that Maa Durga possesses. Different weapons suggest the idea that she can face any evil force without consideration.

 

Durga Chalisa

Namo Namo Durge Sukh Karani, Namo Namo Ambe Dukh Harani
Nirakar Hai Jyoti Tumhari, Tihoun Lok Phaili Uujiyaari

Shashi Lalaat Mukh Maha Vishala, Netra Lal Bhrikoutee Vikaraala
Roop Maatu Ko Adhik Suhaave, Darshan Karata Jana Ati Sukh Paave

Tum Sansar Shakti Laya Keena, Palana Hetu Anna Dhan Deena
Annapoorna Hui Tu Jag Pala, Tumhi Aadi Sundari Bala

Pralayakala Sab Nashana Haari, Tum Gouri Shiv Shankar Pyari
Shiv Yogi Tumhre Gun Gaavein, Brahma Vishnu Tumhein Nit Dhyavein

Roop Saraswati Ka Tum Dhara, Day Subuddhi Rishi Munina Ubara
Dharyo Roop Narsimha Ko Amba, Pragat Bhayi Phaad Ke Khamba

Raksha Kari Prahlad Bachaayo, Hiranyaykush Ko Swarga Pathayo
Lakshmi Roop Dharo Jag Maahin, Shree Narayan Anga Samahin

Ksheer Sindhu Mein Karat Vilaasa, Daya Sindhu Deejey Man Aasa
Hingalaja Mein Tumhi Bhavani, Mahima Amit Na Jaat Bakhani

Matangi Aru Dhoomawati Mata, Bhuvaneshwari Bagala Sukhdata
Shree Bhairav Tara Jag Tarani, Chhinna Bhala Bhava Dukh Nivarini

Kehari Vahan Soha Bhavani, Laangur Veer Chalata Agavani
Kar Mein Khappar Khadaga Virajay, Jako Dekh Kaal Dar Bhajey

Sohe Astra Aur Trishula, Jase Uthata Shatru Hiya Shoola
Nagarkot Mein Toumhi Virajat, Tihoun Lok Mein Danka Baajat

Nagarkot Mein Toumhi Virajat, Tihoun Lok Mein Danka Baajat Shumbh
Nishumbh Daanuv Tum Maare, Rakta Beej Shankhana Sanghaare

Mahishasur Nrip Ati Abhimaani, Jehi Agh Bhar Mahi Akulaani
Roop Karaal Kali ka Dhara, Sen Sahita Tum Tihin Samhara

Pari Gaarh Santana Par Jab Jab, Bhayi Sahay Matou Tum Tab Tab
Amarpuri Arubaa Sab Lokaa, Tab Mahima Sab Kahey Ashoka

Jwala Mein Hai Jyoti Tumhari, Tumhein Sada Poojey Nar Nari
Prem Bhakti Se Jo Yash Gave, Dukh Daridra Nikat Nahin Aave

Dhyaave Tumhein Jo Nar Man Layi, Janma Maran Tako Chhouti Jaayi
Yogi Sur Muni Kahat Pukaari, Yog Na Hoye Bina Shakti Tumhari

Shankara Acharaj Tap Ati Keenho, Kaam Krodh Jeet Sab Leenho
Nishidin Dhyan Dharo Shankar Ko, Kaahu Kaal Nahin Soumiro Tumko

Shakti Roop Ko Maram Na Payo, Shakti Gayi Tab Man Pachitayo
Sharnagat Huyi Kirti Bakhaani, Jai Jai Jai Jagadambe Bhavani

Bhayi Prasanna Aadi Jagadamba, Dayi Shakti Nahin Keen Vilamba
Maukon Maatu Kashta Ati Ghero, Tum Bin Kaun Harey Dukh Mero

Asha Trishna Nipat Satavein, Ripu Moorakh Mohe Ati Darpaave
Shatru Nash Kijey Maharani, Soumiron Ikchit Tumhein Bhavani

Karo Kripa Hey Maatu Dayala, Riddhi Siddhi Dey Karahou Nihaala
Jab Lagi Jiyoun Daya Phal Paoun, Tumhro Yash Mein Sada Sounaoun

Durga Chalisa Jo Nar Gaavey, Sab Sukh Bhog Parampad Pavey
Devidas Sharan Nij Jaani, Karahoun Kripa Jagadambe Bhavani

Different Names of Durga

Lakshmi

Goddess Lakshmi
Lakshmi is the auspicious goddess of wealth and fortune, whether it is material or spiritual. The word ''Lakshmi'' has been derived from the Sanskrit word Lakshay, meaning "aim" or ''goal''. Goddess Lakshmi suggests the aim of life, which includes all worldly and spiritual success. Lakshmi is the divine consort of Lord Vishnu and provides him with wealth for the maintenance and preservation of the creation. Sometimes, Maha Lakshmi is also known as ''Laxmi''.

Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, luxury, fertility, fortune, purity, beauty, power, generosity and auspiciousness. She is claimed to fulfill the promises of material, wealth and contentment.

Lakshmi and her association with "Shri''
According to the Hindu mythology, the sacred name of Lakshmi is ''Shri''. Whether in written or verbal form, ''Shri'' always suggests presence of goddess Lakshmi in it. ''Shri'' is written at the top of most of the documents. It is usually spoken before addressing a god, or any revered individual. The usage of ''Shri'' itself evokes grace, affluence, abundance, authority and auspiciousness. The word ''Shri'' is spoken or written, an aura of holiness is established. Sri is associated with the material side of life, just like the word ''Om'' is associated with the spiritual side of life.

Goddess Lakshmi - The Image
Generally, Lakshmi is portrayed as a beautiful lady with golden complexion, dressed in red color attire and adorned with precious jewels. Lakshmi has four hands representing the four ends of human life, Kama (desires), Artha (wealth), and Moksha (liberation) from the cycle of birth and death. She holds lotus bud in two of her hands, which stands for beauty, purity, spirituality and fertility. She sits on a fully blossomed lotus, a seat of divine truth.

Cascades of gold coins are seen flowing from her hands, illustrating that she blesses people with wealth. The constant effort of two elephants is often shown standing next to the goddess and spraying water. It denotes that, in accordance with one's dharma when governed by wisdom and purity, leads to both material and spiritual prosperity. The personal charm of Lakshmi is considered par excellence. An aura of divine happiness, mental and spiritual satisfaction, and prosperity always exists around her.

Belief Regarding Goddess Lakshmi
It is believed that Lakshmi resides in a place where virtue, righteous- ness, truth and compassion prevail. Goddess Lakshmi is considered to stay at a clean place. Wealth is required to meet the basic needs of life. People worship Lakshmi for the well being and prosperity of the family.
On the auspicious night of Diwali, Hindus worship Lakshmi ceremonially at home, pray for her blessings. It is believed that on this night the goddess herself visits the homes and replenishes the inhabitants with wealth.

Lakshmi Chalisa

Different Names of Lakshmi

Radha

Radha Ashtami

Saraswati

Basant Panchami

Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of the spring season. The festival of spring is celebrated with full vivacity and joy amongst the Hindu people. In Hindi language, the word '' basant / vasant'' means ''spring'' and ''panchami'' means the fifth day. In short, Basant Panchami is celebrated as the fifth day of Spring Season. Vasant Panchami falls on the fifth day of the Indian month, Maagh (January-February). This festival is also known as Saraswati Puja.

Vasant Panchami and its Significance
The festival of Basant Panchami is dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of Wisdom. According to the Hindu mythology, the goddess symbolizes constant flow of knowledge and wisdom. Vasant Panchami is also believed as the birthday of Goddess Saraswati. The spring festival of Basant Panchami is especially celebrated in the institutions of learning. As Saraswati is the goddess of learning, Students observe the blessings from Maa Saraswati. Spring is the season when crops are fully bloomed, so people also celebrate this occasion by flying kites.

Basant Panchami - Celebration
Yellow color is given special attention and dominates everywhere on this particular day. Yellow color is associated with Goddess Saraswati as well as the mustard crop. People wear yellow clothes, make yellow color sweets on the day of Saraswati Puja. The Goddess of art, learning, knowledge and wisdom, Maa Saraswati is worshipped with full dedication. On this day, People also feed Brahmans with the feeling that their ancestors are accepting the food. Kite-flying has become the part of this festival and people really enjoy this event.

Basant Panchami is a festival full of religious, seasonal and social significance. It is celebrated by Hindus all over the world with enthusiasm and new sense of optimism.

Ganga

Ganga Legend

Ganga, the River Goddess is the only living goddess in the Hindu pantheon. There are numerous stories regarding the birth and origin of this goddess. According to the beliefs, Ganga descends on the earth to rinse away the sins of the mankind. Ganga is the sacred river and has been referred to in the various ancient texts of Hindus. It is believed that Ganga used to flow in the heaven and sanctify gods with her holy waters.

River Ganges is repeatedly invoked in the Puranas, the Vedas, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The story of Ganga's descent on the Earth appears slightly different in Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas. According to one story, Ganga is also considered as the sister of Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva being one of the two daughters of Himavat and Meru. According to another legend, Indra had asked for Ganga to be given to heaven to calm the Gods with her cool waters.

One story states that the sacred water in Brahma's Kamandalu (water-vessel) is personified as a maiden, Ganga. Another legend tells that Brahma had respectfully washed the feet of Vishnu and collected this water in his Kamandalu. Being the part of the Kamandalu of Lord Brahma, Ganga is one of the Shaktis of the supreme Goddess Mahamaya Adishakti.

Ganga Origin - Story of Bhagiratha
This is the most popular story regarding the origin of river Ganga. The story goes far back when King Sagar magically acquired sixty thousand sons. Once, King Sagar organized Ashwamedh Yagna, a ritual of worship for the benefit of the kingdom. Jealous Indra planned a mischief and stole one horse from the place. King Sagar sent all his sons all over the earth to look for the horse. They found the horse in the nether-world standing next to Kapila Muni, a meditating sage. The youths, were disrespectful and caused his penance to be disturbed. The sage reduced them to ashes with his withering look.

The souls of these young men wandered as ghosts as their final rites had not been done. On repeated repentance and requests by the descendants of King Sagar, Kapila Muni finally relent that King Sagar's sons would attain mukti (liberation), if their wicked remains are cleansed by the water of the goddess Ganga. Generations of King Sagar did penance to appease Brahma but without success and finally after much praying, pleading and tapasya by Bhagirath - seventh generation of King Sagar, Ganga reluctantly consents to descend to earth.

With this, Ganga found herself insulted and decided to sweep the whole earth with her powerful fall. Troubled, Bhagiratha prayed to Shiva to control the Ganga's descent. Lord Shiva steps in the way and trapped Ganga in his hair. Shiva made the river fall gently through his long hair onto the Himalayas. As Ganga moved to the nether-worlds, she liberated the unfortunate souls of King Sagar's Sons. Since then Ganga is sanctifying the mankind with her divine waters.

Kali

Goddess Kali
Kali is one of the many forms of Shakti. Maha Kaali is the fiercest of all goddesses of Hinduism. The word Kali has its roots in the Sanskrit word "Kaal", which means time. And nothing escapes from time. Goddess Kali is sometimes referred as the goddess of death. But actually Kali brings the death of the ego. Even in the scriptures, she has killed demons but not anyone else. Kali is also not associated with Yama (the Hindu God of Death). Kali is considered a form of mother too. Maa Kali is one of the few Goddesses who are celibate and practice renunciation.

Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva
Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva, both are regarded to inhabit cremation grounds. Devotees go to these places to meditate with the purpose of overcoming the ego. The cremation grounds emphasize the idea that the body is temporary. Kali and Shiva are known to stay in cremation grounds because it is our attachment to the body that gives rise to the ego. Kali and Shiva give the idea of liberation by dissolving the illusion of the ego. The corporeal frame ultimately vanishes but the soul still remains. This is emphasized by the scene in the cremation grounds.

Maa Kali - The Compassionate Goddess
Maha Kaali is the most compassionate of all the forms of goddesses as she provides salvation or liberation to her children. Kali is equivalent to Shiva because both of them are the destroyers of evil fake and unreal. It is considered that with the glimpse of Maa Kali, ego trembles with terror seeing its own eventual demise in her.

People who are attached to their ego would not be able to receive the idea of Kali and she will appear in a wrathful form to them. But people, who are engaged in spirituality, removing the illusion of the ego, will find Maha Kaali in a different form. Maa Kali will appear as sweet, affectionate, and overflowing with perplexing love for them.

Maa Kali - The Image
Goddess Kali has four arms and hands depicting her immense strength. In two of her hands, she holds a sword and a fresh severed head, representing a great battle in which she defeated the demon Raktabija. The other two hands are there to bless her true devotees, suggesting that they will be saved as she will guide them here and in the hereafter.

Kali wears a garland made of 52 skulls and a skirt made of dismembered arms because the ego comes out of identification with the body. It suggests that physical body is false and spirit is the only reality. Her black or sometimes dark blue skin represents the womb of the unmanifest from which all of creation is born and into which all of creation will ultimately return. Therefore, the concepts of color, light, dark, good or bad do not apply to her as she is the pure, un-manifested energy, the Adishakti.

Goddess Kali is seen standing with her one feet on Lord Shiva who is pure formless awareness Sat-Chit-Ananda (being-consciousness-bliss) while Kali represents "form" eternally sustained by the underpinning of pure awareness.

Kali Aarti

 

Parvati

Goddess Parvati
Parvati is a well known goddess in the Hindu mythology. Goddess Parvati is the divine consort of Lord Shiva, the trinity god. Parvati is also considered as a representation of Shakti or Durga, but the gentle aspect of that goddess not the fierce one. Maa Parvati is beautifully presented in the Hindu Literature as being beautiful, as a mediator in the conflicts of heaven, as a daughter of the Great Himalayan Mountains and as the divine sister of Goddess Ganga.

The divine motherly love of Parvati is visible with her two children Ganpati and Kartikay. According to the Hindu Belief, Parvati is the second consort of Shiva, the Hindu God of destruction and rejuvenation. Although, she is not different from Dakshayani (Sati), being the reincarnation of that former consort of Lord Shiva.

Parvati - Form of Shakti
Parvati is believed to be one of the many forms of "Shakti". People take her to be the divine sister of Maa Kali, Maa Lakshmi, Maa Saraswati, Durga and all other forms of Shakti. Durga (Goddess beyond reach) and Kali (Goddess of Destruction) are the two fierce but very powerful forms of Parvati.

Goddess Parvati - Other Names
The word Parvati has been derived from a Sanskrit word "Parvat" meaning mountain. So, "Parvati" means "she of the mountains" and suggests that Parvati is the daughter of Himavat (the personification of the Himalayas) and the apsara (fairy) Mena. Lalita, Uma, Gauri, Kali, Durga, Haimavati etc are the other names for Parvati. Amba is the other name of Parvati being the mother of the universe and Ambika, being the 'mother'. As Lalita, she represents the aspect of beauty and magnificence. Lalita Saharanama contains a thousand of her names.

Parvati - Her Symbolism
Goddess Parvati symbolizes noble virtues admired by the Hindu religion. Parvati is the better half of Lord Shiva, the most innocent and the fiercest god in Hindu tradition. The couple together symbolizes both power of renunciation and asceticism and the blessings of marital felicity. There are legends behind the marriage of lord Shiva and Parvati, being a devotee of Shiv-Shambhu. Parvati did a lot of tap in order to get Shiva as her soul mate. Parvati's dedication was really true which made Lord Shiva to marry her.

Fertility, marital felicity, devotion to the spouse, asceticism and power are different virtues symbolized by Parvati. These virtues are highly valued by the Hindu tradition. As per a famous literary work on the goddess, Saundarya Lahiri, Parvati is the source of all the power in this universe and Lord Shiva gets all his powers from her.

Sita

Goddess Sita Maa
Sita is the consort of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. Sita is the one of the most popular goddesses of Hindu religion. Devi Sita is regarded as the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, the divine consort of Lord Vishnu. Sita is considered as the ideal daughter, ideal wife, and ideal mother, since ages. Goddess Sita is remembered for her virtues and attributes. Devi Sita symbolizes all that is noble in womanhood.

Devi Sita - A Woman of Virtue
Sita is one of the principal characters in The Ramayana, the great epic of India. Her entire life constitutes an example of idealism. Sita is a perfect example of loyalty and morality. Goddess Sita leaves the palace charms and amenities, in order to stay in exile with her husband. During the period of exile, Sita was abducted by the demon-king Ravana and imprisoned for months, in Lanka. When Sita got freed from the clutches of Ravana, she proved her sanctity to Lord Rama by giving Agni - Pariksha (Fire Ordeal). Sita is regarded as the role model of wifely love and adherence to duty.

Maa Sita - Mother of Luv - Kush
After returning from the exile, Ram and Sita were declared as the king and the queen of Ayodhaya, respectively. Sita's imprisonment in lanka became a consideration for the people of Ayodhaya. Lord Rama loved his wife endearly, but with no other option left, he banished Sita from his household. Sita again found herself in exile, this time she was not only alone but also pregnant. Sita got refuge in the hermitage of sage Valmiki, where she delivered twins, and named them Luv and Kush. She brought up her sons single handedly in the hermitage.

Sita is a brave woman of extraordinary brilliance. She has got all the values that people believe, a woman must have in her character. Sita is a woman of virtue and of immeasurable patience. Through her great character, she has captured hearts of millions of people.