Adishakti and her avatars

 According to the Devi Bhagvad Puran, once sage Narad asked Lord Narayana, “Who is ‘mula prakriti’? What are her characteristics and powers?”

Lord Narayan answered, “No one can fully describe the ‘mula prakriti’ and her characteristics. The prefix ‘pra’ is the sattva guna, meaning superior and beyond excellence, ‘kri’ is rajo guna, and ‘ti’ is tamas guna, which makes ‘kriti’ mean creation. Devi Prakriti or the Mahadevi is the ‘trigunmatrika’, the primal motive force, the basis of creation, the supreme being who brings about evolution, and change in the empirical universe.”

Adi Shakti or Devi Prakriti

Then Sage Narad requested Lord Narayana to explain the divine forms of Devi Prakriti.

Lord Narayana smiled and answered, ‘Devi Prakriti has infinite forms; all Gods and Goddesses are her expressions. But to bring the universe into existence and maintain its balance and continuity, she took ‘purna swarups’ (complete avatars) and ‘ansha swarups’ (partial avatars), and then there were devis born from her ‘kalaas’ (features). After the creation of the universe, Devi Prakriti took five divine forms: Durga, Laxmi, Saraswati, Savitri, and Radha. Together, these devis are called the ‘panch prakriti.’ Apart from these five Mahadevis, there are two complete manifestations of Devi Prakriti: Mahakali and Vasundhara.”

The Pancha Prakriti

Goddess Durga is the most splendid manifestation of Devi Prakriti. She is the invincible power, called ‘shakti swarupa’, containing within her the powers of all the Gods and Goddesses. She is the most auspicious one and beloved of Mahadeva. Devi Durga is the warrior Goddess, always on the front to protect the universe from evil and demonic forces. She is the ‘dharma,’ ‘satya,’ and ‘punya’ who is worshipped by the tridevas, sages, humans, and animals. She is the greatest refuge of those seeking protection from danger and evil.

Goddess Durga

Goddess Laxmi is Lord Vishnu’s Shakti. She is the embodiment of prosperity, charm, beauty, restraint, and superior nature. Mahalaxmi in swarga is called “swarga Laxmi’, in the castles of kings she is known as ‘Raaj Laxmi’ and in the house of a common man she is called ‘Grah Laxmi’. She is the presiding deity of wealth and prosperity, residing in all grains and vegetables and being the source of life for all beings. Devi Laxmi is the glory and fame of those who have done good and pious works and is the trade of merchants, the mercy of saints. She is one of the most benevolent manifestations of Devi Prakriti, who grants health, wealth, everlasting name, fame, bliss, and all auspicious things to her bhaktas. 

Goddess Laxmi

Goddess Saraswati is the third ‘purna swarup’ of Devi Prakriti. She is the Goddess of knowledge and embodies wisdom of the entire universe. Devi Saraswati is the river of consciousness that enlivens creation and dispels the darkness of ignorance. She resides as ‘medha’ (intelligence) in the hearts of all human beings and is the memory, great wit, light, splendour, and inventive genius. It is because of her grace that we can read and understand, as she removes all doubts and difficulties, and we can think, write, argue, judge, and perform various kinds of art like music. She is the measure, the time (taal) in music, and holds balance and union in vocal and instrumental music. Goddess Saraswati is the bestower of the fruits of the ascetism of the ascetics, the siddhi and vidya of all, always granting success to all her bhaktas.

Goddess Saraswati

Goddess Savitri is also known as Goddess Gayatri, the mother of the Vedas. She is the seed of all mantras, vedangas (limbs of the vedas), the chhandas, the vandanas, and the tantra. Herself an ascetic, she is the tapa power of the sages and embodies the auspiciousness and power of japam. Devi Gayatri resides in the ‘Brahma Loka,’ and all the sacred places of the pilgrimages want a touch of her lotus feet for their purification. Devi Savitri is the ‘shuddha sattva,’ the highest bliss, and is eternal and superior to all. She is the fourth avatar of Devi Prakriti and is the bestower of ‘moksha’ and spiritual knowledge.

Goddess Gayatri

Goddess Radha is the fifth ‘purna swarup’ of Devi Prakriti and is higher that the highest, the pure essence of all, infinitely superior, the eternal, and the highest bliss. Devi Radha is the presiding deity of ‘Prema and Praana’ (love and life). She is known by several names, like ‘Paraavara’, ‘Saarbhuta,’ ‘Paramaadya,’ ‘Parmaananda,’ ‘Rupa,’ ‘Dhanya,’ and ‘Pujya.’ The Rasa Mandalam originated from her, and she is the grace and the ornament of the Rasa Mandalam. Devi Radha is Nirguna (transcends the three gunas), Nirlipta (transcends worldly joys and attractions), Nirakaar (without any physical form), and ‘Aatma Swarupini’ of Lord Krishna. Her nature is one of the highest contentment and excessive joy. Goddess Radha bestows bhakti (devotion) towards Lord Krishna and wealth and prosperity.

Goddess Radha

(Rasa is an ancient concept found in the Upanishads. It is the sense of pure consciousness or the highest reality.) 

There are two more ‘purna swarups’ or the primary manifestations of Devi Prakriti: Goddess Kali and Vasundhara. 

Goddess Kali emerged from the eyes of Devi Prakriti, covering the whole universe with her dark energy. She emerged from the forehead of Goddess Durga in the battle against the demons Shubha and Nishumbha. Devi Mahakali is also called Chamunda, as she slayed the demons Chanda and Munda. She is the half of Devi Durga’s shakti and courage. Goddess Mahakali, on being provoked, could burn the entire universe with her single breath. But when worshipped and pleased, she grants boons of dharma and moksha.

Goddess Mahakali

Goddess Vasundhara is the ‘sarva jeevan pradayani’ (giver of all forms of life) and the ‘sarva saysa prasutika’ (creator of agriculture). Her name means ‘a stream of gems,’ and it is because of her benevolence that life is sustained in the world. Without Devi Vasundhara, the world would fail to exist. She bestows wealth, abundance, prosperity, and fertility.

Devi Vasundhara

As narrated by Lord Narayana to Sage Narad, Devi Prakriti has ‘ansha swarups’ (partial avatars), and they are also called ‘Vidya Devis.’ These devis are Ganga, Tulasi, Mansa, Shashti and Mangal Chandika. 

Goddess Ganga is the primary ‘ansha swarup’ of Devi Prakriti and the elder sister of Devi Parvati. When Lord Vishnu, in his Vamana incarnation, extended his left foot to the end of the universe and pierced a hole with his big toe, then pure water of the casual ocean entered the universe as the River Ganga. The River Ganga directly touches the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu before descending within the universe, hence, Goddess Ganga is also known as ‘Bahgvad-Padi’ and ‘Vishnupadi’ (emanating from the feet of Lord Vishnu). Devi Ganga settled in Brahma Loka before descending to earth at the request of Bhagiratha. She was held by Lord Shiva on his head to save the earth from her powerful force. Later, Devi Ganga was released from Lord Shiva’s hair to purify the earth and give salvation to the ancestors of Bhagiratha. The River Ganga is considered the most superior of all ‘tirthas.’ Goddess Ganga bestows spiritual knowledge and wisdom to attain moksha.

Goddess Ganga

Goddess Tulasi is also a principal ‘ansha’ (avatar) of Devi Prakriti. She adorns Lord Vishnu’s feet and is known as ‘Vishnu Vallabha.’ Any ‘sankalpa’ (proposal), worship, or meditation of Lord Vishnu or Krishna is incomplete without Tulasi leaves. To reach Lord Vishnu or Krishna, Goddess Tulasi must be invoked, and her leaves must be used in prayers. Devi Tulasi, in plant form, is reputed as ‘Kalpa Vrishka’ (tree which grants wishes). Goddess Tulasi is a bestower of boons, a giver of spiritual knowledge and prosperity, and purifies the sins of her devotees.

Goddess Tulasi

Goddess Mansa Devi is another significant ‘ansha’ of Devi Prakriti. She is also called ‘Jaratkaru’ (wife of Sage Jaratkaru, who is an ‘ansha’ avatar of Lord Krishna). She is the daughter of Sage Kashyap and ‘manas putri’ (daughter in human form) of Lord Shiva. Mansa Devi is also known as ‘Vishahari’ (the destroyer of poison) and ‘Nitya’ (the eternal one). She is the sister of Shesha and Vasuki and is the mother of sage Astika. She is the mother of Snakes and is a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Mansa Devi performed a severe penance of six million years and was called ‘Siddha Yogini.’ Once pleased, Mansa Devi fulfills all the wishes of her devotees and grants knowledge for moksha.

Mansa Devi

Goddess Shashti is also known as Devi Devasena (the power of the army of Devtas). She is one of the matrikas and is the wife of Lord Kartikeya (Lord Subhramanyam Swamy). Devi Shashti is especially fond of children and is always around them to protect, nourish, and bless. She is worshipped on the sixth day and twenty-first day after the birth of a child. Goddess Shashti is worshipped for the protection of children from all danger and evil, good health, and long, prosperous life.

Goddess Shashti

Goddess Mangal Chandika is also one of the primary ‘ansha’ avatars of Devi Prakriti. She originated from the face of Adi Shakti and holds the celestial powers of the Tridevas. Devi Mangal Chandika aided Lord Shiva by granting him special powers to destroy the ‘tripuras’ built by the son of the demon Tarakasura. Mahadeva was the first one ever to worship Devi Mangal Chandika. Next, Mangal graha (planet Mars) worshipped her, and at his request, she became the presiding deity, the power source of Kuja or Mars. Goddess Mangal Chandika is the bestower of strength and auspiciousness and removes Kuja dosha of whoever worships her daily with utmost devotion, reciting her mantras and stotras.

Goddess Mangal Chandika

Lord Narayana explains, “the ‘Kalas’ (expressions) of Devi Prakriti has great importance, without whom the universe will fail to function properly and continue. These Devis maintain the balance and are worshipped by the devatas and sages for miraculous boons. There are infinite Kalas of Devi Prakriti as the entire universe originated from her.” 

Some of the infinite Devis born from ‘Kalansha’ of Devi Prakriti are – 

Devi Swaha, the wife of Agni Dev, without her grace, the devatas cannot gain power from the havan.

Devi Dakshina, the wife of Yagya Dev, without her power, all kinds of ‘karma’ becomes futile.

Devi Swadha is the wife of Pitra Dev. The offerings made to pitras become futile if her name is not chanted. Hence, it is only because of her power that our ancestors are satisfied and attain moksha.

Devi Swasti is the wife of Vayu Dev. Without her consent, any exchange of blessings is not possible.

Devi Pushti is the wife of Lord Ganesha. Without her mercy, all beings would become weak, feeble, and powerless.

Devi Tushti is the wife of Lord Ananta. Without her blessings, there would be no contentment and welfare.

Devi Rati is the presiding deity of Love and Play; she is the wife of Kama Dev.

Adi Shakti or Devi Prakriti is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. She is associated with everyone and every object to accomplish various tasks of the world and keep the universe in operation. She takes infinite forms to sustain life, order, and balance in this universe; nothing is possible without her.