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THE GODDESSES
Thc Devimahatmya of the Märkandeya-Puruna contends that all the forms of Devi-Sättvika, Rajasi and Tamasa have evolved from the Super Being Mahalakshmi Sarasvati, Gauri and Vishnu are the Sättvika manifestations of the Goddess, Lakshmi and Hiranyagarbha are its Rajasa manifestations, while as Mahakali. Sarasvati and Rudra are its Tämasika manifestations (See Gopinath Rao, Vol. I, Part II, p. 337). This Supreme Mahalakshmi becomes the basis for the worship of Sakti.
Devi is worshipped both in Saivism and Vaishnavism, but she has more numerous forms in the former. When she appears as the consort of Siva, she has lour arms. Iwo of which carry the noose and the goad and two are in the boon-giving and protection poses. When the Devi accompanies Niva, she has two hands, one of which holds a lotus. The other hangs loosely by the side. Even when she is alone, she may hold a parrot or a mirror, and the other a flower. She may also have six hands and carry in them noose, yoad, conch and wheel. Two are in the boon-giving and protection poses. The Devi might be seated with Niva, cither on his left or right, with one leg pendant.
GAURI
MANONMANI
SIVA
AMBA
UMA
PARVASI Four
Hands
Two
Four
Colour
White
Ever
Three
Three
Vehicle
Bull
Ohjects in hands
Sula and mirror
(AGP)
Not mentioned
Protection pose, serp ent, drum and trident
Protection pose. noone. Aktasütra, lotus, mirrer Rosary. Siva Ganapati lofus and vase
and vase (RM) and vase (RM)
Faces
Variations
1-Two hands: kajaka
or lotus. Karanda
crown (PK) 11-Two hands: lotus
and boon-giving pose (MS)
1-Protection posc.
goad, noose and skull-cup: half-moon
in crown (SR) 11-Protection pose,
noose, kalpalata and skull-cup (SR)
Five 1--Lotus pedestal.
Red lotus, protection and boon-giving poses, chisel and
sūla; three eyes (AB) I-Standing on
lap of Siva or seated on it. Hands: protection, noose, goad and boon-giving. Three eyes, karanda croun (UK) Or six-handed: Suka, lotus, šūla. noose, conch and
wheel (UK) 11- Akçasūtra, pro
tection pose, lotus. and vase (RM)
