Interesting facts/stories about Goddess Parashakthi

Hi Friends,
Being a strong follower of Goddess Parasakthi, I have always been interested in various stories/anecdotes/mantras and meanings. While none of this information is new and appears in various books and websites across the internet, I am interested in compiling such information from various resources and posting them in a single place.
If you feel this thread has not been placed appropriately, please feel free to move it to where appropriate.
Please share your valuable inputs/stories/anecdotes/mantras and meanings as well.

Adi Parashakthi is the one who rules this world. It is Devi Adi Parashakthi who performs the tasks of the Tri-Murthys : Siva, Vishnu ad Brahma. She is the 8 Siddhis, 7 Rishis, Lords of the 8 directions, 11 Rudras and many more.
She is not only worshipped by men but also by the devas. She is present in everything we see. She is represented in plants, the animals, the birds, the sea, the sky and the holy river. She is Sakthi ( Power ) who drives this world. She is the mother of the mankind.

Devi Parashakti as per mythology and theology has two forms, namely

1. The Auspicious form where, she manifests as Lakshmi, Parvati, Sati and Prthivi. She plays the positive roles of protection, fertility and establishment of dharmic order, cultural creativity, wifely duty and material abundance based on three aspects:

a) As the granter of wisdom, learning and liberation.
Her names appear many times in the following text :
Aryastave : Mukti ( liberation )
Mahabharata : Liberator and the mother of the vedas, Intelligence and the destroyer of ignorance and mankind fetters.
Lalitha-Sahasranama : Mahabuddhi (The great intelligence ), Vijnanabhanarupini ( She whose form is a mass of knowledge ), Prajnatnika ( She who is wisdom itself ), Pasupasavimocini ( She who release creatures from bondage )

b) As embodiment of female beauty.
Saundaryalahari : one of the famous hymn praising the Devi.
Lalitha-Sahasranama : Ramya (the beautiful one), Kanta ( loveliness ), Vamanayana (she who has beautiful eyes ), Ratirupa ( she whose form is Rati )

c) As the source of food and nourishment
She is often associated with earth itself.
Lalitha-Sahasranama : Annanda ( she who gives food ), Pusti (she who gives nourishment ), Satakasi ( she who has on hundred eyes ), Sakambhari ( she who bestows vegetables ), Annapurna ( she who is full of food ), Jagaddhatri ( she who supports the world or another )

2. The Inauspicious Form
The Devi is said to possess fierce and terrible appearance. Often these forms are associated with war, blood, destruction, death, hunger and anger in order to:
1) To maintain cosmic order - Devi enters into battle in form of a great warrior to battle against Demons.
2) Asserting her power as that greater than Siva.

source: indiadivine.org, shakthisadhana.org and various other internet links.

 

From: Devi Mahatmya

The 7 Goddess of Adhi Parasakthi

The classic text of the Devi Mahatmya, tells a story of how Shaktis (Energies) emerged from each of the Gods to aid the Supreme Goddess in fighting the asuras (demons). Each shakthi possessed the form, ornament, and mount of the particular god. These are the goddesses who serve Adhiparasakthi and carry out Her functions.

BRAHMI
Brahmi represents Lord Brahma's energy. She has big eyes. Her body is golden in color with four arms. She is seated on Her vehicle which is a swan.

CHAMUNDI
Chamundi represents an aspect of Mother's energy. She has three eyes and eight hands. She is seated on Her vehicle which is a buffalo. Her left foot is resting on a demon who is praying to Her.

INDIRANI
Indirani represents Lord Indra's energy. She is wearing very beautiful (rich) ornaments and clothing and has four arms. She isseated on her vehicle which is an elephant.

KOWMARI
Kowmari represents Lord Muruga's energy. She is kumkum (red powder) in color with four arms and she wears a diamond studded crown. Her flag which has a peacock on it. She is seated on Her vehicle which is a peacock.

MAHESWARI
Maheswari represents Lord Shiva's energy. She has three eyes (2 normal and 1 in Her forehead). Her body is white in color with four ams. Her hair is shaped into a crown and She has a cobra around Her neck. She also has Her weapon which is a Soolum (trident) and her flag which has a bull on it. She is seated on Her vehicle which is a bull.

VARAHI
Varahi represents Lord Yama's energy. She is very dark in color and she is wearing black silk and black jewelry. Her face is like that of a boar and she has four arms. She is seated on a peetam (seat) with her left foot supported by a small stool.

VISHANAVI
Vishanavi represents Lord Vishnu's energy. She has lotus like eyes and Her body is a dark cloud color (blueish) with four arms. She is seated on Her vehicle which is a eagle.

Source: Supreme goddess Adhiparasakthi and the seven goddesses, Thoughts of Navaratra - Scribd,
India divine.org

 

Shakthi Peethas:

According to legend, in the Satya Yuga, Daksha performed a yagna (named Vrihaspati) with a desire to take revenge on Lord Shiva. Daksha was angry because his daughter Dakshayani also known as Sati had married the 'yogi' God Shiva against his wish. Daksha invited all the deities to the yagna except for Shiva and Sati. The fact that she was not invited did not deter Sati from attending the yagna. Sati, being an uninvited guest, was not given any respect. Furthermore, Daksha insulted Shiva. Sati was unable to bear her father's insults toward her husband, so Dakshayani (the other name of Sati meaning the daughter of Daksha) invoked her yogic powers and immolated herself. Enraged at the insult and the injury, Shiva destroyed Daksha's sacrifice, cut off Daksha's head, and later replaced it with that of a male goat as he restored him to life due to prayers of all demi gods and Brahmaji. Still immersed in grief, he picked up the remains of Sati's body, and danced the dance of destruction through the Universe. The other gods intervened to stop this dance, and the Vishnu 's weapon, or Sudarshana Chakra, cut through the corpse of Sati. The various parts of the body fell at several spots all through the Indian subcontinent and formed sites which are known as Shakti Peethas today.
At all Shakti Peethas, the Goddess Shakti is accompanied by Lord Bhairava (a manifestation of Lord Shiva).

Some of the great religious texts like the Shiva Purana, the Devi Bhagavat the Kalika Purana and the AstaShakti recognize four major Shakti Peethas (centers)
1) Vimala (Pada Khanda) (inside the Jagannath temple of Puri, Orissa)
2) Tara Tarini (Sthana Khanda,Purnagiri ,Breasts) (Near Berhampur, Orissa)
3) Kamakhya (Yoni khanda) (Near Guwahati, Assam)
4) Dakhina Kalika (Mukha khanda) (Kolkata, West Bengal)

Apart from these four there are 52 other famous Peethas recognised by religious texts. According to the Pithanirnaya Tantra the 52 peethas are scattered all over India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Tibet and Pakistan. Please refer to link below for detailed list of the 52 peethas.
http://www.nkdedhann.com/htm/shaktipeet.htm

Map of the 52 shakthi peethas.
http://www.shaktipeethas.org/51-shakti-peethas-map-t11.html

According to Adhi Shankara, 18 places are named as the Maha Shakthi Peethas:
1. Groin - Trimkomali (Sri Lanka) - Sankari devi
2. Back Part - Kanchi (Tamilnadu) - Kamakshi devi
3. Stomach part - Praddyumnam (Gujarat) - Sri Srunkala devi
4. Head hairs - Mysore (Karnataka) - Chamundeswari devi
5. Upper teeth rows - Alampur (Andhra Pradesh) - Jogulamba devi
6. Neck part - Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh) - Bhramramba devi
7. Eyes - Sholapur (Maharastra) - Mahalakmi devi
8. Right hand - Nanded (Maharastra) - Ekavenika devi
9. Upper lip - Ujjain (Madya Pradesh) - Mahakalai devi
10. Left hand - Pithapuram (Andhra Pradesh) - Puruhutika devi
11. Navel - Cuttack (Orissa) - Girija devi
12. Left cheek - Draksharamam (Andhra Pradesh) - Manikyamba devi
13. Vulva - Gauhathi (Assam) - Kamarupa devi
14. Fingers (hand) - Prayaga (Uttar Pradesh) - Madhaveswari devi
15. Head part - Jwala (Himachal Pradesh) - Vaishnavi devi
16. Breast part - Gaya (Bihar) - Sarvamangala devi
17. Wrist - Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) - Visalaksi devi
18. Right Hand - Kashmir - Saraswathi devi

Map of the 18 shakthi peethas.
http://www.shaktipeethas.org/18-shakti-peethas-map-t12.html

Source: shakthipeethas.org, indiadivine, experiencefestival.org, celextel.org and various other internet links.

 

Sri Chakra:

The worship of Devi in Srichakra is regarded as the highest form of the Devi worship. Originally Lord Shiva gave 64 Chakras and their Mantras to the world, to attain various spiritual and material benefits. For his consort Devi he gave the Shreechakra and the highly coveted and the most powerful Shodashakshari mantra, which is the equivalent of all the other 64 put together.
Shiva along with Shakti is engaged in the eternal dissolution and recreation of the universe. The Bindu in the center of the Shreechakra is the symbolic representation of the cosmic spiritual union of Shiva and Shakti. Apart from that the Shreechakra also embodies countless number of deities and represents the whole of creation. Hence by worshipping the Devi in Shreechakra one is actually worshipping the highest ultimate force in the Tantrik form.

Dimensions of Shree Chakra:
Five downward pointing triangles representing Devi intersect with four upward pointing triangles representing Siva, forming 43 triangles including the central triangle.

From the five Shakti triangles comes creation and from the four Shiva triangles comes the dissolution. The union of five Shaktis and four Fires causes the chakra of creation to evolve.

At the centre of the bindu of the Shri Yantra is Kamakala, which has three bindus. One is red, one is white and one is mixed. The red bindu is Kurukulla the Female form, the white bindu is Varahi the Male form, and the mixed bindu is the union of Shiva & Shakti – the individual as the potential Shri Cakra. Varahi, the father-form, gives four dhatus to the child and Kurukulla, the mother-form, gives five dhatus to the child. Theses represent the nine dhatus of the human body.

Varahi’s four fires are the 12 (4 x 3) sun Kalas, the 12 Zodiac constellations. Kurukulla’s five triangles are the 15 (5 x 3) Kalas of the moon, 15 lunar Tithis. These nine triangles also represent the nine stages of growth of the human child in the womb.

Surrounding the 43 triangles formed by the intersection of the nine triangles is the 16 petals circle. Surrounding the 16 petal circle is an 8 petal circle. After that the 3 lines and at the outermost part of the Sriyantra there are 3 lines called the Bhupura. The 43 triangles constitute the six inner sections called Avaranas, the two circles of petals are two more avaranas and the Bhupura of 3 lines is the last Avarana.

These 9 Avaranas of the Sri Yantra have various presiding Devis. They are the Devi’s Parivar (retinue) of total 108. In the Srichakra pooja they are systematically worshipped one by one with their names and mantras. The presiding Deity of Srichakra, Devi, is Known as Lalita Tripura Sundari. The form of Devi Kamakshi of Kancheepuram is the closest resemblance of the Devi as described in the scriptures.

Nava Chakra:
The Shri Chakra is also known as the nava chakra because it can also be seen as having nine levels. "Nava" means "nine" in Sanskrit. Each level corresponds to a mudra, a yogini, and a specific form of the deity Tripura Sundari along with her mantra. These levels starting from the outside or bottom layer are:
1) Trailokya Mohana or Bhupara, a square of three lines with four portals
2) Sarva Aasa Paripuraka, a sixteen-petal lotus
3) Sarva Sankshobahana, an eight-petal lotus
4) Sarva Saubhagyadayaka, composed of fourteen small triangles
5) Sarva Arthasadhaka, composed of ten small triangles
6) Sarva Rakshakara, composed of ten small triangles
7) Sarva Rogahara, composed of eight small triangles
8) Sarva Siddhi prada, composed of 1 small triangle
9) Sarva Anandamaya, composed of a point or bindu

Drawing a shree yantram:
How to Draw a Sri Yantra

 

Order of Creation
She extended Herself in both male and female forms and continued the process
of creation.
A. From the left eye, which was of the nature of Soma (moon) came Brahma
and Lakshmi Devi.
B. From the right eye, which was of the nature of Soorya (sun) came Vishnu
and Parvati.
C. From the third eye, which was of the nature of Agni (fire), came Rudra and
Sarasvati.
D. Lakshmi & Vishnu, Shiva & Parvati and Brahma & Sarasvati became
couples.
E. Lalita Devi directed them to continue the process of Creation.

She herself continued to create certain things.
(i) From her long hair she created darkness.
(ii) From her eyes, she created the sun, the moon and the fire.
(iii) From the pendent hanging in front of her forehead came the stars
(iv) From the chain above her forehead came the nine planets.
(v) From the eyebrows, she created the penal code.
(vi) From her breath, she created the Vedas.
(vii) From her speech, she created poetry and plays.
(viii) From her chin she created the Vedangas.
(ix) From the three lines in her neck, she created various Shaastras.
(x) From her breasts, she created mountains.
(xi) From her mind, she created the power of bliss.
(xii) From her fingernails, she created the 10 incarnations of Vishnu.
(xiii) From her palms, she created the Sandhyas.
(xiv) She created other things as narrated in the Purusha Sookta.
(xv) From her heart, she created Baalaa Devi.
(xvi) From her intellect, she created Shyamala Devi.
(xvii) From her ego, she created Vaaraahi Devi.
(xviii) From her smile, she created Vighneshwara.
(xix) From the Ankusha (a special hook), she created Sampatkaree Devi.
(xx) Form the noose, she created Ashwaa Roodha Devi.
(xxi) From her cheeks, she created Nakuleshvari Devi.
(xxii) From her Kundalini Shakti, she created Gayatri.
(xxiii) From the eight wheels of the Chakra Raja chariot, she created 8
Devatas.
(xxiv) In the 9th landing, in the Bindu Peetha, she herself was seated.
(xxv) Afterwards, she created the Devatas who would protect the Chakra Raja
chariot.

From Lalitopakhyana
source: indiadivine.org, shakthisadhana.org and various other internet links.

 

Hi Malar,

Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback. Was skeptical to continue seeing no feedback at all. I will try to share as much as I know. Please feel free to add to this thread about rituals/poojas/reasons that you might be aware of.

~Navs.

 

Hi Shakambari,
Thank you very much for your valuable feedback. Seeing such feedback fuels me to write more. Thakn you :thumbsup

 

The many forms of Adi-Parashakti

1) Parvati or Sati or Durga:
She is the Dimensional (Sagun) Form of Maa Adi-Parashakti, She is the Adi- Parashakti herself, Devi Gita declares her as complete Goddess who is beyond to reach even by Lord Shiva (her Consort), Lord Vishnu (Her Brother), Lord Brahma (Her Biggest Devotee). Thus She is considered as supreme Goddess and Primary Deity in Shaktism as Lord Krishna is in Vaishnava Tradition. She is one who is every other god or goddess and she is also the one who slew Demon Mahishasura. For any matter for which we are worshipping different deities, ultimately we are worshiping Her. She is every other Goddess e.g. She is Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati in her milder form and Goddess Kali and Goddess Chandi in her wrathful Form, more over She is Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesha in Masculine forms. Color of her Vestment is white, that dipicts that she is Sarva gun Sampan.

2) Mahasaraswati:
She is the 1st partial expansion of Goddess Adi Parshakti, who is primary in satva gun, She is the original power of Lord Brahma. She is Goddess of knowledge, Creation and learning. She is giver of all kinds of arts. She is one who slew Shumbha and Nishumbha. She was born of outer sheath of Goddess Parvati, outer Sheath of Maa Parvati represents her hardwork, spirituality and bhakti. So Maa Mahasaraswati is Primary Deity of Satva Gun. Her Nirgun Form is Sound Energy. Color of her vestment is Yellow.

3) Mahalakshmi:
She is the 2nd partial expansion of Goddess Adi Parshakti, She is Goddess of material, Sustaining and spiritual satisfaction. She is original power of Lord Narayana She is giver of all kinds of wealth and pleasure. She was born of Goddess Parvati's mind expansion whose cosmic form took birth in the home of sage katya which were then created by collection of powers of all gods in her sagun form, So Maa Mahalakshmi is Primary Deity of Raja Gun. Her nirgun form is Light. Color of her vestment is Red.

4) Mahakali:
She is the 3rd partial expansion of Goddess Adi Parshakti, She is Goddess of Spiritual fulfillment and Destruction. She is the giver of Salvation. She is original power of Lord Shiva. She is the one who helped Lord Mahavishnu to slay Demon Madhu-kaitabha. Maa Mahakali is the primary deity of Tamo Gun. Heat Energy is her Nirgun Form. Color of her vestments is Blue.

Source: Wikipedia, Ask.com