Various Indian Goddesses bless us

Bhagya Lakshmi is the goddess of luck in Hinduism and she is a form of Goddess Lakshmi. There is a popular belief among some communities that six days after the birth of a child Bhagya Lakshmi writes the child’s fate on the forehead. Yet another and the most widespread belief is that Bhagyalakshmi can transform a beggar into king and a king into beggar. bhagya lakshmi comes in ashtalakshmi avatar of mata lakshmi. bhagya lakshmi literally means bhagya - luck , means she is goddess of luck.

When Lord Shiva severed the fifth head of Lord Brahma, which gazed skywards, he became guilty of slaying a priest. The fifth head became a bowl made of skull bone and Lord Shiva became Lord Bhikshataan, the Lord of hunger, and the guardian of beggars. As a penance he wandered the earth dependant on the charity of others. Goddess Parvati took the form of Annapoorna to join him. Annapoorna is the Goddess of food. Where Lord Bhikshataan symbolises need, Annapoorna is eternal bounty. You will often see restaurants named after her, and images of her in eating establishments.

As someone who has visited Periyapalayam Amman (my aunt’s clan goddess) and our own Kanni Amman (my paternal clan goddess) numerous times, I think I may be somewhat qualified to answer this. Yes, yes. I am an atheist. That does not mean I should not study history of folk religious practices. And Mariamman is the Mother Goddess of a religious practice in ancient Tamil region. Let us the get the etymology done first because there are apparent confusions that it comes from Meru, Mother Mary and so on. Etymology of Mariamman is simple and it is this in Tamil: Mari = Rain, Am = Water, An - Lack of. In other words, it is the Goddess you pray to when there is lack of water, which ties up neatly considering Mariamman celebration is at its peak during summer period. Basically Mariamman is the primitive nature worship. Note: Primitive here means first of its kind.

Mariamman is a simple village level deity, who takes care of any evil trying to enter the village. And she leaves any evil arising within the village to her seven sisters. So our Mariamman is least interested in cosmic order. Her only job is to protect the village and its inhabitants. Yes, the neem tree is the object of worship that signified Mariamman. A typical ancient practice called Totemism. I could not find a photo. But in lot of Mariamman temples you would have seen only Amman’s head buried in the sand. Do you know what that means? Her missing body symbolizes the village. Another ancient practice called Fetishism.

I am sure you would have experienced this. When the Aadi starts, you will have to tie kaapu and you are not allowed to go out of your area for overnight stays (my grandmother did not even allow me to stay at my friend’s place in the same area). That is marking the territory. Another ancient practice called Taboo. You will often see all our Ammans associated with snakes and other animals. Another ancient practice called Animatism. Basically Mariamman is totemist, fetishist, taboo and animatist Mother Goddess from Tamil folk religion, which is distinct from religions that came later. Now do we evidence for it? Of course we do. The Great Men of Bhakti Movement derided folk religions thusly: ??????? ????????? ??????????? ???????????? ???????? ?????? ????? ???????? - Periyazhwar in Thirumozhi. Translation - Do not run around looking for non-veg food served to a ghost god. ?????? ???? ??????????? ?????? ??????? - Appar in Devaram Translation - We will not seek solace from folk deities.

Amman worship has many pracitices like Koozh, Manjal Neeratu, Sami Aatam, which are very different from organized religious practices. Therefore, based on history, anthropological studies, it is safe to conclude that Mariamman is the original and main folk deity of Tamil folk religion but who was fortunate enough to escape the fate of Murugan and still gets to enjoy non-vegetarian offerings. How this process of conversion of folk deities works will be explained in detail with examples in another post.

Goddess Bhuvaneshwari is the fourth among the 10 Mahavidyas and the form in which Mahakali resides in Manidweepa and governs millions of universes. She is both Purusha and Prakriti as well as Brahman and Shakti at the same time. Her exploits are narrated in the Devi Bhagwatam in detail. When Tridevas Brahma , Vishnu and Shiva were regardless about their birth and purpose, a divine aircraft appeared out of no where , and directed them to climb up . They did and the craft began to move with the speed of mind . During their way to Manidweepa , they witnessed millions of universes , each having it’s own set of Trimurti . Some were being created by Brahma , some were being sustained by Vishnu , while some were being destroyed by Rudra Shiva.

They reached Manidweepa , which was the abode of Bhagwati Bhuvaneshwari. It was surrounded by ocean of divine necter. It was of pure gem and many precious diamonds . They reached Chintamani Greh, and beheld bhuvaneshwari, the Lady of all universes seated upon the lap of Bhuvaneshwara Mahadeva . The cosmic couple was enthroned upon Panchpretasana , which was made by the essence of five dieties (Brahma , Vishnu , Rudra , Ishwara and Sadashiva) . then , the Devi showed her cosmic form to the Trimurti . She had innumerable heads , hands , eyes and feets.

Then Devi addressed the Trimurti as thus- “I am Bhuvaneshwari, the empress of all universes. I am the power , by the virtue of which Brahma creates , Vishnu sustains , and Shiva destroys. I am both Brahaman and Brahamshakti. For the sake of creation , I took twofold forms of Purusha and Prakriti, I am Prakriti , and Bhuvaneshwara is Purusha , by the union of Purusha and Prakriti , a new creation takes place .When there is no creation exists , I a neither male , nor female and nor hermaphrodite.I am myself and then projects the whole creation by my person.

You three are the parts of Bhuvaneshwara Mahadeva , there is no difference between you three , you three are one and the same , the one who will discriminate between you , will go directly to hell. Brahma is of Rajas Gun , Vishnu is of Satva Guna , while Shiva has all three Gunas . To let you perform your respective tasks , I will provide you your respective shaktis. Oh Brahma , take this Savitri , She will be your cosort. Create a new world by Her powers . Oh Janardana Sri Hari Vishnu , you will be the sustainer of the universe. You will incarnate in the material realm for the establishment of dharma. Take this Lakshmi Devi .She will be your eternal consort and will accompany you in your earthly incarnations.

Oh Lord Shiva , you are the perfect incarnation of Sriman Bhuvaneshwara Mahadeva, hence, your consort will be the perfect incarnation of mine. Take this beautiful Mahakali Gauri . She is my perfect incarnation . She will be the lone power beneath all tasks of creation , sustainance and destruction . She will be renowed as Durga , Bhavani , Chandika and Yognidra and Mahamaya. Only She will delude as well as liberate the Jivas of the material realm. She will be the slayer of asuras and upkeeper of dharma .”

Tridevis Lakshmi (left) , Gauri (middle) Savitri (right) Thus uniting the Tridevas with Tridevis, Bhuvaneshwari dismissed them ./|\_ . May Bhagwati shower her blessings on all. ||Jai Ho Maiyya Ki ||