Hindu Goddesses

Goddesses perform a vital role in Hinduism. Some are Matrikyas, or "Mothers." Each village has its pantheon of guardian Matrikyas. Some Goddesses are providers of comfort and enlightenment.

Ahalya, Lady Wisdom

This myth is an excellent example of patriarchal versus matriarchal values. It may also recount, in the obscure language of myth, the ancient Aryan invasions.

Anumati, Lady Who Favors

Her name means "Divine Favor." She is a Moon Goddess. Many Hindu Goddesses are worshipped as givers of wealth, intelligence, prosperity, children, and spiritual enlightenment. Anumati is one such Goddess.

Devi, The Goddess

Her name means, literally, "Goddess." She is the sum total of all existence; all derives from Her and all ultimately returns to Her. The Goddesses here profiled are but some of Her infinite number of aspects.

Durga, Lady Destruction

This manifestation of Devi was created in a moment of crisis. She is a fierce Goddess with a multitude of Her own manifestations and names. Her creation likely recounts an historical invasion and/or battle, but between whom is difficult to say for certain.

Ganga, Cleansing Stream

The Ganges is the Holy River of Hinduism. Bathing in its waters cleanses one of all sins. The Ganges Herself, however, has been terribly polluted by the factories along Her banks. Environmentalists are fighting to restore Her physical purity.

Kali, Lady Black Time

Kali is the most well-known and least-understood of the Hindu Goddesses. An aspect of Devi, She is often portrayed as a bloodthirsty, barbaric Goddess by those who do not understand Her.

Lakshmi, Lady Wealth

She is the Goddess of Prosperity and Beauty, the wife of Vishnu. She is said to have arisen from the churning of the primal milk ocean. Sita and Radha are two of Her incarnations, profiled below.

Lalita, The Playful Child

Lalita is a woman-child Goddess. She delights in all play and pleasure, both child-like and sexual. The universe is a great toy to Her, created for Her enjoyment.

Parvati, Lady Carnality

She is passionate sexuality. Parvati is the wife of Shiva, and ruler of all the elves and spirits of the earth.

Radha, Infinite Love

Her name means "Beloved One." In Hindu mythology, She is a milkmaid, the beloved of Krisha. She is an incarnation of Lakshmi, he an incarnation of Vishnu. Throughout Hindu mythology, spousal Goddesses and Gods take on mortality and reunite in human form.

Sarasvati, Lady of Knowledge

Her name means "The Flowing One." She is the personification of the Sarasvati River in north-western India. She is the Goddess of Knowledge, Speech and the Arts.

Shakti, Cosmic Energy

Shakti is a concept difficult for many Westerners to comprehend, unfortunately. Each God in Hinduism has His Shakti, the very energy of existence. Without His Shakti, the God would be mind without life, without movement, without creativity. Shakti is active, creative energy, while the God is mind (sometimes described as passive energy). Each Goddess profiled here is the Shakti of a God. Quantum physicists seem to have an easier time with this....

Sita, Faithful Wife

Sita is an ancient Goddess of the Fields adopted into Hindu folkmythology. She is an incarnation of Lakshmi, the wife of Rama (who is, in turn, an incarnation of Vishnu). The tale told here is my reinterpretation of a famous scene from the RAMAYANA.

Usas, Lady of the Dawn

Usas is the Goddess of the Dawn. She remains eternally young while men grow old.

Yakshi, Spirits of Air and Tree

The Yakshi (singular Yakshini), inhabit the sacred tree of every village. Their male counterparts are the Yaksas. They are similar to the Nymphae (Graeco-Roman section).