Ambika
Mother Goddess, Mother of the Universe and all Beings
Painting of Ambika by Raja Ravi Varma
AffiliationMahadevi
AbodeManidvipa
WeaponDiscus, Conch Shell, Trident, Mace, Bow, Sword, Lotus Flower
MountLion or Lioness
TextsMarkendeya Purana, Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana
ConsortShiva

Ambika (Devanagari: अम्बिका, IAST: Ambikā) is generally an epithet or form of Mahadevi, the supreme goddess of Hinduism. In her iconography, she is depicted with eight arms, holding multiple weapons. In this aspect, she is regarded to be the mother of the universe as well as all beings. She is identified with the goddesses Chandi, Durga, Bhagavati, Lalitambika, Bhavani, and various others.[1] In Vaishnavism, Ambika is one of the many forms of the shakti of Vishnu.[2]

Legend

According to the Devi Mahatmya, after the death of the asura Mahishasura at the hands of Durga, the divinities undertook a pilgrimage to the Himalayas and sang a hymn of praise dedicated to the supreme goddess. The goddess Parvati, who had come to the source of the Ganges to bathe, observed the hymn and asked the divinites to whom it was dedicated. Before they could respond, she shed her outer corporeal form to reveal her true and auspicious form, who is named Ambika.[3]

Manifestations and aspects

In the Devi Bhagavata Purana, Ambika is described to be the lineal progenitor of all other goddesses. She is worshipped with many forms and names. Her form or incarnation depends on her mood.

  • Bhadrakali is one of the fiercest forms of Ambika, the destroyer of the yajna of Daksha.
  • Chandi is an epithet of Durga, considered to be the power of Ambika; she is black in color and rides on a lion, the slayer of the demon Mahishasura.
  • The Mahavidyas are the ten aspects of Shakti. In Tantra, all are important different aspects of Mahakali.
  • The 52 Shakti Pithas are sacred sites associated with Sati, a form of Mahadevi in Shaktism.
  • The Navadurga, the nine forms of the goddess Durga.
  • The Matrikas, a group of seven mother-goddesses.
  • Meenakshi, a regional form of Parvati.
  • Kamakshi, goddess of love and devotion.
  • Akilandeswari, found in coastal regions of India, is a goddess associated with water.[4]
  • Annapurna, the goddess of nourishment and form of Parvati.
  • The yoginis, the 64 forms or aspects of Parvati.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Dalal, Roshen (2010). Ambika. Penguin Books. p. 18. ISBN 9780143415176. Retrieved 22 June 2016. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  2. ↑ Pintchman, Tracy (21 June 2001). Seeking Mahadevi: Constructing the Identities of the Hindu Great Goddess. SUNY Press. p. 82. ISBN 978-0-7914-5007-9.
  3. ↑ Padma, Sree (3 July 2014). Inventing and Reinventing the Goddess: Contemporary Iterations of Hindu Deities on the Move. Lexington Books. p. 221. ISBN 978-0-7391-9002-9.
  4. ↑ Subhash C Biswas, India the Land of Gods, ISBN 978-1482836554, pp 331–332
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