The Saptamatrikas, though varying in number across different texts, mainly consists of the seven goddesses namely, Brahamani, Vaishnavi, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Varahi, Indrani and Chamunda. The Matrikas have been dated back to third century BCE by some scholars although they only appear in iconic depictions after 1st and 2nd century CE. There are several myths concerning their creation. One, in where they are created by Shiva to drink the blood of demon Andhakasura. According to Markandeya Purana, they emerged out of the god’s (Brahma, Shiva, Kartikeya, Vishnu, Varaha, Narasimha and Indra) bodies in order to aid the divine Devi in her fight against the demons Raktabija, Sumbha and Nisumbha. It is also notable that, in Markandeya Purana and Varaha
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In Devimahatmya, Devi is battling Sumbha and Nisumbha, and the gods watching over this battle creates female counterparts of themselves, investing their powers into them, to aid Devi. These Saktis are similar in appearance to their creator and share many iconographical traits. Brahmani is seen to hold the rosary and water pot, which is usually held by Brahma. Mahesvari rides a bull, holds a Trishul (trident), and wears a crescent moon and bracelets of snakes – all of which are noticeably Shiva’s ornaments and traits. Likewise, Kaumari who emerged from Karttikeya has peacock for a vahan while she holds a spear, Vaisnavi rides upon the Garuda and holds the chakra and conch, Varahi takes up the form of a boar, Narasimhi who is half lion and half woman and Indrani or Aindra whose vahan is a white elephant and holds the thunderbolt. These Matrkas, along with Devi herself, destroys the demons followed by them getting drunk upon their blood and dancing to celebrate the victory. Later, in Devimahatmya, it is said that demon Sumbha challenges Devi to yet another battle wherein she has to fight by herself. Devi, who agrees to the terms, imbibes all of the Matrkas into herself. In the Vamana purana, the male gods have no role to play in the creation of the matrkas; they emerge out of Devi herself from different parts of her body. In Matsya purana, Shiva creates the Matrkas in order to drink the blood of demon Andhaka who possess the ability to clone himself through the blood spilled from his wounds. It is seen that through the centuries and varying myths the bloodthirsty characteristics does not seem to
In Devimahatmya, Devi is battling Sumbha and Nisumbha, and the gods watching over this battle creates female counterparts of themselves, investing their powers into them, to aid Devi. These Saktis are similar in appearance to their creator and share many iconographical traits. Brahmani is seen to hold the rosary and water pot, which is usually held by Brahma. Mahesvari rides a bull, holds a Trishul (trident), and wears a crescent moon and bracelets of snakes – all of which are noticeably Shiva’s ornaments and traits. Likewise, Kaumari who emerged from Karttikeya has peacock for a vahan while she holds a spear, Vaisnavi rides upon the Garuda and holds the chakra and conch, Varahi takes up the form of a boar, Narasimhi who is half lion and half woman and Indrani or Aindra whose vahan is a white elephant and holds the thunderbolt. These Matrkas, along with Devi herself, destroys the demons followed by them getting drunk upon their blood and dancing to celebrate the victory. Later, in Devimahatmya, it is said that demon Sumbha challenges Devi to yet another battle wherein she has to fight by herself. Devi, who agrees to the terms, imbibes all of the Matrkas into herself. In the Vamana purana, the male gods have no role to play in the creation of the matrkas; they emerge out of Devi herself from different parts of her body. In Matsya purana, Shiva creates the Matrkas in order to drink the blood of demon Andhaka who possess the ability to clone himself through the blood spilled from his wounds. It is seen that through the centuries and varying myths the bloodthirsty characteristics does not seem to