Aspects of Shakti


	Other Aspects of Shakti
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As already mentioned, the number of aspects, both major and minor, of DevI or Sakti (i.e., ParvatI) is too numerous to deal with in a small book like this. Apart from the three major ones dealt with so far, a few others which are more commonly known will now be dealt with very briefly.
Annapurl)a: 'The possessor and giver of food.' ParvatI got
this name since she served food to Siva when he was roaming about as a mendicant. She is shown serving food from a vessel of ruby. Her worship ensures that the household will never lack food. Her temple at KasI is very famous.
Aparajita: 'The Invincible.' It is actually one of the names of Durga and the wellknown series of verses in the Cal)qI ending with the words 'namas tasyai' are called 'Aparajitastotra' .

Bala: 'The Child.' Considered to be the daughter of Lalita and always nine years old, she is said to have destroyed the thirty sons of Bharyqasura.
BhadrakalI: One of the several aspects of MahakalI. She is said to have sprung from Vma's wrath when Dak~a insulted Siva and fought along with Vlrabhadra to destroy Dak~a's sacrifice.
BhUtamata: 'The Mother of goblins.' She resides under the Asvattha (pi pal) tree and has a host of demons, goblins and demigods as her retinue.

Camunda: Same as KalI. She got this name since she killed
Camunda in the battle against Sumbha and Nisumbha. She is sometimes included under the Saptamatrkas.

GayatrI, SavitrI and SarasvatI: These three goddesses repre?sent the presiding deities of the famous GayatrI Mantra chanted three times a day. GayatrI is the presiding deity of the morning prayer, rules over the !J.gveda and the Garhapatya fire. * She has four faces, four or ten arms and rides on a swan. SavitrI presides over the noon prayer, rules over the Yajurveda and the Dak~il)a fire. She has four faces, twelve eyes, four arms and rides on a bull. SarasvatI is the deity presiding over the evening prayer, rules over the Samaveda and the Ahavanlya fire. She has one face and four arms, and rides over Garuqa.

Indrakshi: "One whose eyes are similar to Indra's." She is the aspect of DevI specially worshipped by Indra as also the Apsara women (heavenly damsels). She is richly decorated and holds the Vajrayudha. If she is pleased by hymns, she can cure even incurable diseases.
Jagad-dhatrI: 'One who sustains the world.' Another aspect of the DevI which is more common in Bengal. She has four arms carrying the conch, discus, bow and arrow and rides on a lion.

Kamesvari: 'The Mistress of desire.' Since Lord Siva destroyed Kama, the god of lust, he is known as Kamesvara, 'One who is the lord of lust or desire.' The DevI being his consort, is known as KameSvarI. This is actually one of the names of Lalita. She can fulfil any of our desires for which we supplicate her.

Katyayani:: Since the DevI was once born as the daughter of a sage Kata by name, she is known as KatyayanI. She is the totality of the powers of the Hindu Trinity. Her description practically tallies with that of Durga as Mahishasuramardini.

Manonmani:: 'One who lifts the mind up to the highest state of Yoga.' She is the Sakti established in the psychic centre in the top of the head, just below the Brahma?randhra. She is pictured as blue or black in complexion and carries a skull-cup as also a sword. When she is pleased by the devoted prayers of her votaries, she can grant wealth and terrify their enemies.
RajarajeSvarI: 'One who rules over the king of kings.' The DevI is the mistress of even Brahma, Vi~t:lu and MaheSvara as also Kubera (the lord of wealth), who are known as 'king of kings'. She is an aspect of Lalita.
SivadutI: In her battle against Sumbha and Nisumbha, the DevI once sent her spouse Siva himself as a messenger (Duta) to them. Hence she came to be known as SivadutI, 'one who has Siva himself as her messenger.' Iconographically she is sometimes shown like KalI and sometimes like Durga.