Goddess Maheshwari (Matrika)

Who is Goddess Maheshwari (Matrika)

Matrika Maheshwari or महेश्वरी is one of the Sapta-Matrikas. She is the female counter-part or the creative energy of Lord Shiva. She is also known as Mahesvari, Shankari, Raudri, Rudrani and Maheshi.

त्रिशूलचन्द्राहिधरे महावृषभवाहिनि ।
माहेश्वरीस्वरूपेण नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

(Salutations to You O Narayani) Who Bear the Trident, Moon and the Snake, and Ride the Great Bull
In the Form of Devi Maheswari; Salutations to You O Narayani.

Stories behind the origin of Devi Maheshwari (Matrika)

There are many mythological stories about her origin. I mentioned one of these stories in the article on Andhakasura. According to this legend, Lord Shiva created Devi Maheshwari to protect Devi Parvati in his absence.

There is another legend about the origin of Devi Maheshwari. There was a demon Raktabija. Incidentally, this demon, like Andhkasur, had the boon that every drop of his blood, when it falls on earth, will produce another demon.

According to the legend, when Goddess Kali was fighting this demon Raktabija, the demon’s blood produced an army of demons. When goddess Kaali saw the large troupe of the demon army, she made a loud war-cry and from that cry was born Devi Brahmani and from Devi Brahmani’s eye-brows came out Devi Maheshwari.

She had three eyes. She was riding a bull, holding a trident and wearing snakes as her bangles, ear-rings and other ornaments.

Iconography of Devi Maheshwari (Matrika)

According to Vishnudharmottara, Maheshwari has five-faces, and each of these five-faces possess three eyes each. Her headdress is Jatamukuta – formed of piled, matted hairs like Lord Shiva. The matted hairs are further adorned with crescent moon and snakes.

She is carved with two, four and six arms. When she is carved as six armed goddess, she carries Sutra (or Akshamala), damaru, Sula or trident, and a ghanta (bell) in her hands; two of her other hands are carved in Varada and Abhaya Mudra. Sometimes she is also carved carrying a panapatra (drinking vessel), axe, antelope and also a Kapala (Human Skull).

Bull is her vehicle as well as her emblem. She is a white complexion goddess.

Devi Maheshwari (Matrika) represents Anger

All Saptamatrikas represents one bad-quality. Goddess Maheshwari represents anger. By worshiping her, one can get rid of anger. Her devotees are blessed with emotional balance.

Goddess Maheshwari (Matrika)- Goddess deity of South

Matrikas are the presiding deities of different directions too. Devi Maheshwari is the deity of South. Her worship confers magical powers, the eight siddhis to her devotees.

Totemic tree associated with Goddess Maheshwari (Matrika)

Each Saptamatrika has a tree associated with her. In this respect Maheshwari Matrika is associated with Bael or Bilva (Aegle marmalos).

References

Seven Secrets of Goddess – Devdutt Pattanaik
The iconography of Hindu Tantric Deities – Gudrun Buhnemann
Yogini Cult and Temples – VIdya Dehejia
Illustrated dictionary of Hindu Iconography – Margaret Stutley
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
Early Pāṇḍya Siṃhavāhinī and Sapta Mātṛkā Sculptures in the Far South of India by R.K.K Rajarajan