Ambika (goddess)

Ambika is generally the name of Adi Shakti or Shakti, consort of Parashivam. She has eight arms, holding multiple weapons. She is also known as Bhagavati or Chandi. She is also considered to be Adi Shakti herself and Mother of the Universe as well as all beings, which is also the meaning of the name "Ambika". She is the goddess in the Skanda Purana who appeared from the body of Parvati and slayed the demons Shumbh and Nishumbh. She is also identified as Amba, Durga, Bhagavathi, Parvati, Bhavani, Ambe Maa, Sherawaali, Mata Raani, etc.[1]

Ambika
Mother Goddess, Goddess of Supreme Power, Energy and Invincibility,
Goddess Ambika riding on the back of a Tiger with eight arms
AffiliationAdi Parashakti, Shakti, Devi, Tripura Sundari, Durga, Mahakali, Navadurga, Mahavidya, Annapoorna, Bhuvaneshvari, Bhavani, Bhairavi, Matrika, Parvati, Chandika, Siddhidatri, Sati
AbodeKailash
WeaponDiscus, Conch Shell, Trident, Mace, Bow, Sword, Lotus Flower
MountTiger or Tigress
ConsortShiva

Manifestations and aspects of Ambika

In Srimad Devi Bhagavatham, Ambika is the lineal progenitor of all other goddesses. She is worshiped as one with many forms and names. Her form or incarnation depends on her mood. For example:

  • Sati is an aspect of Ambika who is the first wife of Lord Shiva, who immolated herself. She is also known as Dakshayini.
  • Bhadrakali is one of the fiercest forms of Ambika. She destroyed the yagna of Daksha Prajapati.
  • Parvati is the gentle form of Ambika, also known as Gauri and Uma. She is the wife of Lord Shiva.
  • Durga is a demon-fighting form of Ambika, and some texts suggest Ambika took the form of Durga to kill the demon Durgamasur.
  • Kali is another ferocious form of Ambika, as the goddess of time and change, with mythological origins in the deity Nirriti.
  • Chandi is the epithet of Durga, considered to be the power of Ambika; she is black in color and rides on a lion, slayer of the demon Mahishasura.
  • Ten Mahavidyas are the ten aspects of Shakti. In tantra, all have importance and all are different aspects of Ambika.
  • 52 Shakti Peethas suggests all goddesses are expansions of the goddess Ambika.
  • Navadurga, the nine forms of the goddess Durga, and thus Ambika.
  • Meenakshi, the goddess with eyes shaped like a fish.
  • Kamakshi, goddess of love and devotion.
  • Lalita, the playful Goddess of the Universe; she is a form of the Devi Ambika.
  • Akhilandeshwari, found in coastal regions of India, is the goddess associated with water.[2]
  • Annapurna is the representation of all that is complete and of food.
  • The 64 yoginis are 64 forms or aspects of Goddess Ambika.

References
  1. Dalal, Roshen (2010). Ambika. The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths. Penguin Books. p. 18. ISBN 9780143415176. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  2. Subhash C Biswas, India the Land of Gods, ISBN 978-1482836554, pp 331–332
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