FisherKing

Dasa Mahāvidya

Ten Great Wisdoms

Matrika means mother and refers to a group of seven goddesses who are typically depicted together. They are believed to originally personify the Seven Sisters of the Pleiades star cluster, and are revered as the primal mothers of creation. As a collective, the Matrikas embody the feminine principle of Prakṛti, the dynamic counterpart to Puruṣa, the passive consciousness.

According to one account of their origin, the Matrikas arose from the very bodies of the gods as Śaktis, summoned to aid the great Mahādevī in her battle against the formidable demons Śumbha and Niśumbha. These fierce goddesses bore the same weapons, adorned themselves with the same ornaments, and rode the same noble vehicles, vāhanas, as the deities who called them forth. Among them shines Cāmuṇḍā, the fierce and unrelenting manifestation of the Goddess’s supreme power.

The order of the Matrikas mirrors the eternal cycle of existence — creation, preservation, dissolution, and the final liberation beyond the grasp of time.

  • Brāhmaṇī initiates the great cosmic play, bringing creation into being.
  • Vaiṣṇavī infuses this creation with symmetry, beauty, and perfect order.
  • Māhēśvarī breathes life and individuality into the world, granting beings their own unique spirit.
  • Kaumārī inspires aspiration, the yearning to grow, evolve, and reach beyond.
  • Varāhī empowers the soul with the fierce drive to seek fulfillment and to enjoy the fruits of life.
  • Indrāṇī establishes sovereignty, standing firm against chaos and guarding the sacred order.
  • Cāmuṇḍā, the terrible and compassionate, annihilates delusion and dissolves evil, opening the way for true spiritual awakening.

The Matrikas are also revered as the subtle forces behind every vibration of sound. It is from their divine essence that syllables, words, and language arise — weaving the mantras that hold the universe together. Through the ritual of Matrika Nyāsa, the fifty letters of the Sanskrit alphabet are placed upon the practitioner’s body and within the petals of the chakras, sanctifying the seeker and aligning them with the Mother’s cosmic pulse.

Brāhmaṇī

Goddess of Creativity

Brāhmaṇī is the Śakti of Brahmā and her vehicle is a swan, Haṃsa, symbolising wisdom, purity, and the ability to discern truth from illusion.

She embodies the creative and nurturing aspects and is associated with the pursuit of learning and intellectual growth.

Oṁ Hrīṁ
Brāhmanāyai Namahā

Vaiṣṇāvī

Goddess of Devotion

Vaiṣṇāvī is the Śakti of Viṣṇu and is often depicted with his attributes.

Seated on an eagle, Garuḍa, she is dark in complexion and wears a bright yellow garment.

Associated with protection and benevolence, she is worshipped to remove greed and jealousy.

Oṁ Klīṁ
Vaiṣṇāvāyai Namahā

Māhēśvarī

Goddess of Divine Motherhood

She is the Śakti of Maheśvara, another name for Śiva, embodying his ability to both create and destroy.
Her vehicle is Nandi the bull, she is white in complexion and holds a trident, triśūla, and a drum, Ḍamaru.
Worshipped mainly for protection, strength and inner transformation.

Om Hrīṁ Śrīṁ Krīṁ
Parameśhwarāyai Namahā

Kaumārī

Goddess of Youth

The Śakti of Kumāra, another name for Kārtikeya, the god of war.

Dressed in red garments, her vehicle is the peacock.

She represents the energy of dedicated action, kriya Śakti.

Often depicted as a young, warrior-maiden, she also symbolises purity and innocence.

Oṁ Klīṁ
Kaumārāyai Namahā

Varāhī

Goddess of Strength

She is the Śakti of Varāha, an avatar of Viṣṇu.

Depicted with the head of a boar and eight arms, she is both fierce and nurturing. The granter of boons and regent of the northern direction. 

Oṁ Hrūm
Varāhāyai Namahā

Indrāṇī

Queen of the Heavens

Indrāṇī is the Śakti of Indra. She rides a white elephant and holds the weapons of Indra.

A queenly warrior goddess, she represents divine grace, control over the natural forces, victory over chaos, and protection of cosmic law.

Oṁ Huṁ
Indrāṇāyai Namahā

Cāmuṇḍā

Goddess of Rebirth

Unlike the other Matrikas, Cāmuṇḍā is an independent goddess. Her name comes from the words Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa, two powerful demons whom she vanquished in battle.

Known for her terrifying form and protective energy, she is both feared and revered. She resides in cremation grounds and is depicted dressed in red garments with a very emaciated body.

She is pure, untamed power, embodying the ferocity needed for transformation and purification.

Oṁ Aiṁ Hrīṁ Klīṁ
Cāmuṇḍāyai Vicche Svāhā