Who is Goddess Kaumari?
Devi Kaumari is one of the SaptaMatrikas. She is the female counterpart or the creative energy of Lord Kartikeya. Lord Kartikeya is also the lord of war.
मयूरकूक्कुटवृते महाशक्तिधरेऽनघे ।
कौमारीरूपसंस्थाने नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
(Salutations to You O Narayani) Who is Surrounded by Peacocks and Cocks and bear the Great Spear, and who is the Sinless One. And Assume the Form of Devi Kaumari; Salutations to You O Narayani.
Mythology Behind The Origin Of Goddess Kaumari (Matrika)
According to Purana, Lord Kartikeya sent Devi Kaumari to protect Devi Parvati in Lord Shiva’s absence from lustful Andhakasura. She later joined Lord Shiva, along with other Matrikas, in His battle against Andhakasura. Read the story here.
According to Vamana Purana, the Saptamatrikas originated from each other and helped Devi Ambika in her battle against Raktabeeja. When Raktabeeja entered the battlefield on a chariot, along with many elephants, horses, and infantry, Devi Ambika made a loud war-cry. From her mouth emerged Devi Brahmani and from Devi Brahmani’s eye-brows came out Devi Maheshwari. And from the lion of Devi Maheshwari came out Devi Kaumari on peacock, holding a lance.
Devi Purana mentions Goddess Kaumari as the daughter of Goddess Lalita; Mayipuri is the place sacred to her. She is also the Goddess of war and gets the credit of killing all sons of demon Bhandas. According to this Purana she gave birth to Lord Karthikeya.
Iconography of Devi Kaumari (Matrika)
The sculptures of Devi Kaumari must be an embodiment of valor and courage. She is depicted as four or twelve armed Goddess. As four armed Goddess she carries shakti and sula and her other two arms are carved in Abhaya and Varada poses.
According to Vishnudharmottara, Devi Kaumari should be carved having six faces and twelve arms. Each of these six faces have three eyes. Out of the twelve arms, in ten of them she carries shakti, dhwaja, danda, dhanush, baana, padma, patra, parshu, akshamala and ghanta. Her other two hands are carved in Abhaya and Varada poses.
In Devi-Purana she is mentioned as goddess who wears garland of red flowers. Sometime she is carved carrying a baby in her lap. She sits in Lalitasana with one foot on ground and other bent and resting on a seat. She wears cylindrical crown – karanda mukuta. She is carved as youthful representing aspirations. She guides her devotees to the interiors of one’s own heart that inspires aspirations to develop and evolve.
She has yellow complexion and is clad in red robes and her vehicle is peacock.
Tree Belonging to Devi Kaumari
Her abode is under Fig tree (Udumbara). She is the deity of West Direction.
Devi Kaumari represents illusions or Maya
All Sapta-matrikas represents one bad-quality. And Goddess Kaumari represents illusion or मोह. She is a horrendous destroyer of illusion. Devotees worship her to free themselves from falsehood and illusions of Maya. She awakens devotees to the path of spiritual reality.
References
- Saptamatrikas in Indian Art and their significance in Indian Sculpture and Ethos – Meghali Goswami, Dr.Ila Gupta, Dr.P.Jha
- Saptamatrikas by Bharati Pal
- Goddess Cult in North India
- Elements of Indian Art by S.P.Gupta
- Elements of Hindu Iconography, By T. A. Gopinatha Rao
- https://greenmesg.org
- Iconography in Hinduism by Sherline Pimenta
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