Ashtamatrikas | अष्टमातृका

Saktaism is sect of Hinduism where female dignity are worship. In this cult there are different mother goddess. Among them ASHTAMATRIKAS are popular and powerful goddess worship in Indian sub-continent. These matrikas are worship alone as well as in group.

The concept of Asthamatrika was emerge from SAPTSMSTRIKAS. After adding one mother goddess to Saptamatrika, Asthamatrika is formed. There is a story about Saptamatrika that how are they formed.

 Here is a story according to Devi Puran, ‘When lord Vishnu killed Hiraanyacha and Hirayanakasipu, Bhakta Prahlad leave his throne and in this period another demon Andhakashur came in power. He had got boon from Lord Brahma & become more powerful. Then he started to persecute gods. So, to defeat Andhakashur all gods went to lord Shiva. Shiva denided to help gods but Andakashur himself went to Kailash to ransack Parvati. Then Shiva along with Bishnu, brahma and other gods started a war in opposite to demon Andhakashur. All gods except Shiva ran out of war. At last, Shiva throw trishl to Andakashur hurting his body. Blood start to come out of his body. But when the blood fall and touch in to the ground another Andhakashur start to emerge. Like this huge numbers of Andakashur start to appear. Then to stop this, Manadev split fire from his mouth in anger which become goddess Yogishwori. Like this other gods also start to manifest their own goddess like Brahmi from Brahma, Indri from Indira, Vaishanavi from Vishnu, etc. After this those goddess start to drink Andakashur’s blood so that no new Andakashur came in life.’

Like this Saptamatrika was came in to life. Here is a list/ideas about Saptamatrikas:

 

1.     BRAHMI/ BRAMAYANI

The creation of Brahma. Her consort is Astangha Vhairav. She have four or six hands holding kalash, rudrachya, book and lotus halum with four heads. She is seated in swan or lotus wearing karanda mukut in her head. She is represent in yellow color.

 

2.     VAISHAVANI

The creation of Vishnu. Her consort is Krodh bhairav. She also have four or six hands with gadha, Padma, chakra & sankha. She have three eyes with shree yantra as ornaments and cylindrical crown on head. She is described as seated in garuda.

 

3.     MAHAESHWORI

She is creation of Shiva. Her consort is Ruru bhairav. She is depict with two or four hands holding trishul, damaru, rurdrachya or achyamala. She have three eyes with snake as ornaments.

Maheshwori, 9  CE Rajasthan

4.     ANDRI/INDRAINI

The creation of Indra. Her consort is Kapali bhairav. She is depict in dark colour in an elephant with two or four hands holding kalash, Vajra, noose (pasa) and a lotus. She have three eyes with different ornaments.

 

5.     CHAMUNDA

She is similar to kali as described in Devi matmyata. Her consort is Vishand bhairav. She is consider as destroyer of demons. She is depict in black colour with numerous including naramunda mala as well. Moreover, she have four hands holding trishul, damaru, khadga and noose.

 

6.     KAUMARI

She is creation of Kumar and consider as goddess of war. Her consort is Chanda vhairab. She is often depict with six heads also & four or twelve hands with axe, noose, spare, kalash etc. She is consider as young and represent in red colour. She rides peacock.

 

7.     BARAHAI

She is creation of Baraha or Yama. Barahai’s head is of boar and body is of human. She is depict with four hands also holding sanka, chakra, garda and Padma. But in some iconography she is shown with patra, plough, danda, khadga, chamar, bowl, bell, and bajra. She ride buffalo or dead human.

 

 

After adding one goddess in this list of seven mother goddess assemble ASTHAMATRIKA. But according to place, time and mythology the name of eighth goddess is vary.

 

 According to Varaha puran Yogeshwori is first matrika of Asthamatrika; after adding saptamatrikas to it. Moreover, adding yami on the list. In Devi Matmatya there is no mention of Chamunda. Likely, in Mahabharata, Narshmni is skipped. Like this in Devi Puran, goddess Binayak is mention. But in Nepal, Narshmni is replaced by Mahalakxmi.

 

These gods are worshipped in groups. But in many place their own independent temple can seen along with their consorts. Many tantric and secret puja are performed in such temples. Not only in temples there are various dance and jatras in the name of these goddess.