Kaushiki

Kaushiki
The Emergence of Kaushiki, Folio from a Devimahatmya, from Guler, Himachal Pradesh, circa 1750 or earlier Drawings; watercolors
Other namesAmbika Mahasaraswati, Chandika
Affiliation
AbodeVindhya Parvata, Himalayas, Manidvipa, Vaikuntha
MantraOṃ Kauśikyai Namaḥ
WeaponTrishula, Bell, bow and arrow, Plough, Pestle, Shanka, Sudarshana Chakra
MountLion
TextsMarkandeya Purana, Devi Bhagavata Purana, Lakshmi Tantra, Shiva Purana, Devi Mahatmya, Skanda Purana, Tripura Rahasya, Kalika Purana
FestivalsNavaratri

Kaushiki (Sanskrit: कौशिकी, romanizedKauśikī, lit.'woman of the cell',[1]) is a Hindu goddess, a deity who emerged from the sheath of Parvati.[2] She was created before Parvati's conflict with the asura brothers Shumbha and Nishumbha, and was also the reason the Matrikas come into existence.

  1. ^ Bhattacharji, Sukumari; Sukumari (1998). Legends of Devi. Orient Blackswan. ISBN 978-81-250-1438-6.
  2. ^ Mitter, Sara S. (1991). Dharma's Daughters: Contemporary Indian Women and Hindu Culture. Rutgers University Press. p. 78. ISBN 978-0-8135-1678-3.