Devi
Devi ( Sanskrit , f., देवी, devī , "goddess") is the general name for goddess in Hinduism , in a narrower sense for the wife of Shiva . The male form of the name is Deva . She plays a role in Shaktism as Shakti ("power, energy") and Adi-Parashakti ("original supreme power") and is considered Mahadevi ("great goddess"), the only goddess who unites all other goddesses in herself, because all goddesses appear accordingly only as expressions of devis of different natures. The Devi Bhagavata sees Maheshvari as the primordial Devi. The Devi-Upanishad , however, sees Mahalakshmi as the supreme goddess. The Kashmiri Shaivism knows a highest Parashakti.
The forms of the Devi are diverse: they appear as Lakshmi , Sarasvati , Durga , Kali , Gauri and Parvati or as the Mahavidyas . Their manifestations as matrikas also have a tantric meaning as a symbol of sadhanas for transforming negative emotions, from which their bija mantras are also derived.
The first written source that reports of Devi as the highest being and all-goddess is a Purana from the 6th century, the Devi Mahatmya (“Praise to the Goddess”). In the Lalita- Sahasranama the goddess appears under many names, such as the "root of existence" (Jagatikanda), "you who transcends the universe" (Vishvadika) or "you who is nothing like" (Nirupama)
Devi is considered the creator and ruler of the universe, she is the creative aspect of the absolute ( Brahman ) and universal mother. So she is also called "Mata", mother. Devi is seen as an active force (Shakti) that manifests itself as the universe. It is the primal ground and root of existence and existence itself and in this function also Maya . It is considered the highest reality and in this form is an active, creative and transcendent force. In some cults and myths, it towers over the male gods, is considered to be superior to them and the highest manifestation of the absolute, as absolute reality and absolute truth. In these myths, Devi is the primordial force from which the male gods receive instructions for creation or destruction.
In the Devi-Bhagavata- Purana she is described as the all-goddess as follows: “It is only your power with which Brahma creates, with which Vishnu receives and with Shiva in the end destroys the universe again. Therefore they would be powerless without your intervention and for this reason you are the only creator, sustainer and destroyer of the world. "
Devi in mythology
Devi's central role in mythology is that of the creator and queen of the universe. She is usually described as a beautiful young woman seated on a throne in the highest heaven and surrounded by thousands of subordinates. In one myth, the feet of the Devi throne are the four male Hindu gods, just as in most myths they appear as Devi's creatures. As the queen of the innumerable universes and innumerable Brahmas, Shivas and Vishnus that emerge from her, Devi's function is to create, maintain and destroy. It is said that the world will be destroyed when Devi closes her eyes and will rise again when she opens her eyes. Although she is the queen of the universe, Devi also takes an active role in it, protecting the world, maintaining cosmic order and providing shelter and nourishment for her creatures. However, despite her role as a great mother , she often appears as a warrior too. In this form she is identified with Durga .
In addition to her warlike and benevolent forms, Devi also appears in terrible forms. In the Devi Bhagavata Purana, the gods want to see Devi in her cosmic form, whereupon they freeze in shock, because Devi appears with thousands of heads, thousands of eyes and thousands of feet. Her body is covered in consuming flames and her eyes emit light brighter than a thousand suns. Their teeth grind the universe and make terrible noises, which is why the gods shrink back in horror.
literature
- David Kinsley: Hindu Goddesses . University of California Press 1986, ISBN 0-520-05393-1 .
See also
- Devi Bhagavata Purana - the goddess Maheshvari
