The Saptamatrkas, An Exploration of Narratives Part 2

Who is Maheshwari?

When we speak about Matrka Maheshwari, we can imagine the attributes of Bhagavan Shiva. As the Shakti of Shiva, she is also known as Raudri and Rudrani. White in complexion, she is depicted with three eyes, two hands in abhaya and varada mudra each and the other two holding the trishula and akshamala or sometimes even the kapala. Like Shiva, her emblem is Nandi and her head is adorned by the jata-mukuta while her hands sport snake bracelets.

According to the Tantra Raja Tantra, Maheshwari rules over Krodha - an emotion that has destructive aspects. If we go back to Chapter 2, Verses 62-63 of the Bhagavad Gita, we see that anger immediately follows if our desire to possess something is not fulfilled.

Hence, in the panel of the Saptamatrkas we also see how Maheshwari is placed next to Brahmani who is associated with creation. Anger is an emotion that demands release, understanding and work. Maheshwari’s grace helps the sadhaka master this emotion and move forward on his journey towards Bhagawati.

In the Yogic tradition, Maheshwari rules over the powerful Ajna chakra which is the seat of Prana Shakti and all forms of awareness. This is the energy that directs all our activities both outwards and inwards as we will. It is also representative of both the heat of tapas and the silent awareness of the subconscious and unconscious that rises in meditation.

As per the Ayurvedic tradition, Devi Maheshwari rules over the Rakhta-dhatu or blood which by its function preserves the human body by becoming the medium that transports nutrients and oxygen to all its parts. But symbolically it is also the symbol of ferociousness and strength that a sadhaka acquires as he moves further on his path.

In the Devanagari script, she is associated with the cha-varga and she guards the divine city of Tripura from the northern direction. In the Narayani Stuti, we meditate upon Maheshwari as who is adorned with the graceful moon, holding the powerful trident and riding the great bull, Nandi. This aspect of Devi is the epitome of valour, righteous destruction and awareness gained through deep contemplation upon the Supreme Truth.

Who is Kaumari?

Matrka Kaumari is the Shakti of Shri Karthikeya or Shri Murugan as He is called down south. One can visualize the valour she stands for, because Karthikeya is Devasenapati - the Chief Commander of the Devas!

Also known as Kumari and Kartikeyani, she is golden yellow in complexion and adorned in red garments. In one hand she holds the Shakthi, in another she holds either the kukkuta (cockerel) or the ankusha. The other two hands are depicted in abhaya and varada mudra. While she wears a garland of red flowers around her neck, she rides the peacock and her head is adorned with the karanda-mukuta.

Karthikeya is also known as Arumugam in Tamil - meaning the one who has six faces. Interestingly, in the Vishnudharmottara Purana, Devi Kaumari is depicted with six faces and 12 arms each of them carrying a symbol or a weapon. True to her name, Kaumari represents eternal youth, the aspirations we hold during our youth and the courage and valorous spirit of these years. She is thus also called Guru-guha or the intuitive being that guides us on our spiritual path.

In the Tantric tradition, Kaumari rules over Lobha or greed - ideally that aspect of us which chases material wealth and praises mindlessly. However when the Matrka showers her grace over the sadhaka, he is able to harness the courage and discernment within him to channel this greed into a mindful aspiration to attain his spiritual goals.

According to the Yogic tradition, Kaumari is associated with the Vishuddhi Chakra where she presides over our aspirations to create and express. She is the bestower of confidence in ourselves and our intelligence as well as the destroyer of any fears that haunt the sadhaka and stall his growth.

As per Ayurveda, Devi Kaumari rules over Mamsa which is muscle. Muscle provides the body its strength and stability and is also associated with the vigor of youthfulness. It represents that essential aspect of physical well-being that any sadhaka requires to pursue his sadhana without obstacles.

In the Devanagari script, she is associated with ta-varga and she stands guard at the gates of the mystical city of Tripura in the east. In the powerful Narayani Stuti, we meditate upon Devi Kaumari as the one of noble virtues, surrounded by peacocks, cocks and bears - each perhaps holding a significance of their own.

Who is Varahi?

Matrka Varahi is the Shakti of Shri Varaha Swami - the 3rd avatara of Shri Maha Vishnu. One of the attributes of Shri Varaha Swami is that of the fierce protector, as the one who saved Mata Prithvi from the demonic Hiranyaksha and re-instated her at the position she deserved. Similarly, Devi Varahi is also worshiped as the one who destroys all sickness from the mind and body for the welfare of all beings, thus becoming their protector.

She is depicted with a boar-face and a dark complexion that resemble the fierce storm clouds. Thus she is appropriately also called Dhumavati or the goddess of darkness. In the midst of our battles we discover deep awareness and in the silence of darkness, we attain the mystery of the Self.

Seated under the Kalpaka-vruksha, her head adorned with the karanda-mukuta, she wields the hala (plough), the Shakthi and sometimes even the Saranga-dhanusha (bow) and the musula (pestle). She is resplendent, clad in ornaments made of corals and the sweet sound of anklets on her feet become pleasing to our ears. She is the bestower of boons and her emblem is the wise elephant.

In the tradition of Tantra, Varahi rules over mada which is pride and arrogance. It was in his arrogance that Hiranyaksha even dared to drag Prithvi Maa into the depths of the ocean. When arrogance overcomes a sadhaka, it can become his worst enemy and pull him down from all progress he had made until then. However, the grace of Devi Varahi can both protect him from this obstacle as well as destroy it completely with the light of awareness, allowing him to move closer to Shri Lalita Devi situated in his heart.

As per the Yogic tradition, Varahi presides over the Manipura Chakra located at the navel center. It is the center of vitality, for the fire element manifests here as the digestive fire and as heat which sustains the body. Varahi is thus the life energy that helps create balance for the body and mind. She burns the negative in order to sustain the positive within us.

In Ayurvedic tradition, Varahi is associated with the Asthi dhatu - our bones or the skeletal structure which gives us our strength and existence. Asthi is also closely related to the ideas of birth and death, the ultimate destruction of the material and the Truth of the immortal Atman. Isn’t the symbolism intricate?

Varahi represents the pa-varga in the Devanagiri script and she guards over the city of Tripura from the north-west. The Narayani Stuti praises her as the illustrious one who appears as the ferocious boar sporting powerful tusks that rescue Mother Earth from her state of distress.

Authored by Lakshmi Sivaraman. Published by Brhat.