Mahadevi

Mahadevi
All Hindu goddesses, Brahman
Mahadevi in the form of Mahishasuramardini Durga
Affiliation Devi, Adi Parashakti, Brahman, Parvati, Durga
Abode Varies by interpretation
Mantra Sarva mangala mangalye shive sarvaartha saadhike Sharanye trayambake Gauri Narayani namost
Weapon All
Mount Varies by iconographic form
Consort Mahadeva (Shiva)

In Hinduism, Mahadevi (Sanskrit: Mahādevī, Devanagari: महादेवी) or "Great Goddess" is the goddess or devi that is the sum of all other devis – an all-encompassing female deity as the consort or complement to an all-encompassing male deity (deva) or the Ultimate Reality (Brahman) in Shaktism.

She is often identified with a specific goddess, the most common being Parvati, Durga, Adi Parashakti, Kali or Mahakali. Adi Parashakti or Mahadevi, the Supreme power, is called Durga Shakti as per Devi-Mahatmya.

Mahadevi (as Tridevi) is the supreme force that creates, preserves, and destroys the universe. She is the highest intelligence referred as Brahmavidya. Mahadevi is the soul of the universe and the universe itself. She is the source of wealth, knowledge, forgiveness, peace, faith, fortitude, fame, modesty and mercy. The purans mention her as Nirguna Maheshwari Devi Mahamaya, meaning "the absolute truth", and mother of all. Along with Nirguna form Mahadevi is also mentioned as Sarguna (attributes) and Vagdevi (speech).

See also

Notes

    References

    • Seeking Mahadevi: Constructing the Identities of the Hindu Great Goddess ( ISBN 0-7914-5008-2) Edited by Tracy Pintchman
    • Encountering The Goddess: A Translation of the Devi-Mahatmya and a Study of Its Interpretation ( ISBN 0-7914-0446-3) by Thomas B. Coburn
    • In Praise of The Goddess: The Devimahatmyam and Its Meaning ( ISBN 0-89254-080-X) by Devadatta Kali
    • The Triumph of the Goddess: The Canonical Models and Theological Visions of the Devi-Bhagavata Purana ( ISBN 0-7914-0363-7) by C. MacKenzie Brown
    • The Srimad Devi Bhagavatam ( ISBN 81-215-0591-7) translated by Swami Vijnanananda


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