Matangi is the Hindu Goddess of inner thought. She is one of the Mahavidyas, the wisdom Goddesses. She has dominion over the throat chakra, and therefore the spoken word as well. Matangi is the dark form of the Goddess Sarasvati, Goddess of knowledge, and as such she presides over the more mystic inner kind of knowledge. She is depicted with dark green skin and three eyes, and she holds a parrot and a veena (the same musical instrument as Sarasvati).

Matangi is also referred to as the Goddess who loves pollution. This strange epithet comes from one story of her origin. Vishnu and Lakshmi had gone to visit Shiva and Parvati, bringing with them various foods. Some of the food fell to the floor, and from the pieces there arose a maiden, who asked for the leftovers. Shiva told her that whoever worshipped her would be very successful, and named her Uccishtha-matangini. Leftover food is considered to be polluted in Hinduism, and thus her epithet.

Okay, I’m back from my little break. I gave away an art card in Mrs. B.’s 31 Days of Halloween today, and some people said really nice things about the card and this site, so I decided it was time to get back to posting. I’m still feeling kind of grumpy, though, so I was looking for a nasty Goddess. This one looks nasty, but she isn’t really.

Chinnamasta is the Hindu Goddess of transformation. She is one of the Mahavidyas, the wisdom Goddesses, and is probably the most terrifying of them. She is depicted holding her own head, which she has just cut off. Stories of her origin vary, but one relates that Parvati was bathing with two attendants, Jaya and Vijaya, when the attendants asked the Goddess to satisfy their hunger. After putting them off several times, Parvati looked all around and then cut off her own head. Three streams of blood came from her neck—one went to the mouth of Jaya, one to the mouth of Vijaya, and the last to the mouth of Parvati herself. At this point, Parvati is transformed into the Goddess Chinnamasta, whose name literally means “severed head.” When they were satisfied, she put her head back on, became Parvati again, and went home. In other versions, the attendants are named Dakini and Varnini, and Chinnamasta is standing on a couple in the middle of having sex. The couple is Rati, Goddess of sexual desire, and her husband Kama, God of love.

Taken all together, the symbolism in Chinnamasta’s depiction represents the transcendence of the body. Standing on the couple having sex, she has mastered the physical body, and then by cutting off her head she frees the mind. Her happy face shows the joy that she feels in bringing together life, sex, and death—three forms of transformation, three parts of the cycle. Chinnamasta’s name is also seen as Chhinnamasta and Chinnamastaka, and in Tantric Buddhism she is known as Chinnamunda. Her stotra of 108 names is as follows:
Chinnamasta
Mahavidya (great knowledge goddess)
Mahabhima (great fierce one)
Mahodari (great bellied one)
Candesvari (fierce goddess)
Candamata (mother of fierce beings or the fierce mother)
Candamundaprabhanjini (killer of demons Canda and Munda)
Mahacanda (great fierce one)
Candarupa (fierce form)
Candika (fierce one)
Candakhandini (destroyer of Canda)
Krodhini (wrathful one)
Krodhajanani (creator of wrathful beings)
Krodharupa (wrathful form)
Kuhuh (new moon day)
Kala (skillful one)
Kopatura (afflicted with rage)
Kopayuta (filled with rage)
Kopasamharakarini (destroyer of rage)
Vajra
Vajravairocani (adamantine one)
Vajrakalpa (competent with a vajra)
Dakini
Dakinikarmanirata (involved with the work of dakinis)
Dakinikarmapujita (worshipped as the work of dakinis)
Dakinisanganirata (delighted in the company of dakinis)
Dakinipremapurita (filled with love of dakinis)
Khatavangadharini (holder of a khatvanga)
Kharva (mutilated one)
Khadgakharparadharini (holder of a scimitar and a skullcup)
Pretasana (feeder of pretas [hungry ghosts])
Pretayuta (united with pretas)
Pretasangaviharini (plays or dwells in the company of pretas)
Chinnamundadhara (holds a severed head)
Chinnacandavidya (fierce mantra of the one with the severed body)
Citrini (having variegated forms)
Ghorarupa (terrific form)
Ghoradrsta (terrific to behold)
Ghorarava (having a terrific roar)
Ghanodari (firm abdomen)
Yogini (practices yoga)
Yoganirata (practitioner of yoga)
Japayajnaparayana (absorbed in sacrifice and recitation)
Yonicakramayi (possessing yonicakra)
Yonih (embodying the yoni)
Yonicakrapravarttini (arising from the yonicakra)
Yonimudra (has the yonimudra)
Yonigamya (accessible to the yoni)
Yoniyantranivasini (abides in the yoniyantra)
Yantrarupa (has the yantra form)
Yantramayi (possesses the yantra)
Yantresi (goddess of the yantra)
Yantrapujita (worshipped with a yantra)
Kirtya (renowned one)
Kapardini (has matted hair)
Kali
Kankali (emaciated)
Kalavikarini (constantly transforming)
Arakta (being slightly red)
Raktanayana (having red eyes)
Raktapanaparayana (quaffing blood continuously)
Bhavani
Bhutida (gives prosperity)
Bhutih (prosperity)
Bhutidatri (bestows prosperity)
Bhairavi (formidable one)
Bhairavacaranirata (engaged in the practice of bhairavas)
Bhutabhairavasevita (served by fierce beings)
Bhima (formidable one)
Bhimesvaridevi (goddess who is lord of the formidable one)
Bhimanadaparayana (having continuous formidable sounds)
Bhavaradhya (praised by Sankara)
Bhavanuta (worshipped by all)
Bhavasagaratarini (crosses over the ocean of existence)
Bhadrakali (a form of Kali)
Bhadratanuh (having a beautiful body)
Bhadrarupa (beautiful form)
Bhadrika (goodness)
Bhadrarupa (embodies goodness)
Mahabhadra (magnanimous)
Subhadra (wonderful goodness)
Bhadrapalini (protectoress of goodness)
Subhavya (exceedingly beautiful)
Bhavyavadana (having beautiful face)
Sumukhi (good face or mouth)
Siddhasevita (served by siddhis)
Siddhida (gives siddhis)
Siddhanivaha (has the collection of siddhis)
Siddha (accomplished one)
Siddhanisevita (honoured by siddhas)
Subhada (gives auspiciousness)
Subhaga (elegant)
Suddha (pure)
Suddhasattva (has pure sattva)
Subhavaha (bearer of auspiciousness)
Srestha (excellent)
Drstamayi (embodies the right view)
Devi
Drstisamharakarini (capable of destroying by her gaze)
Sarvani (Siva’s wife)
Sarvaga (omnipresent)
Sarva (complete)
Sarvamangalakarini (creator of all auspiciousness)
Siva (pacifier)
Santa (peaceful)
Santirupa (embodiment of peacefulness)
Mrdani (gladdened)
Madanatura (indomitable by Kamadeva)

Today is my one-year anniversary! I can’t believe it’s already been a year. I have written about 330 Goddesses, amassing a list of almost 3000 names. Today’s Goddess will put me over the 3000 mark—gotta love those Hindu astottaras!

Gayatri is the Hindu Goddess of the Vedas, the sacred texts. She is the personification of the Gayatri Mantra, a hymn of praise to the Sun God Savitr. She is usually depicted sitting on a red lotus and accompanied by a white swan. She has five heads, each with different colored skin, symbolizing the four main Vedas and the supreme God, and she has ten hands, which hold such symbols as a wine cup, a conch, and a noose. Gayatri is considered to be a consort of Brahma, identifying her with his other consort, Sarasvati. One hymn to Gayatri lists these 108 of her thousand names, which correspond to some of her different aspects:
Taruna-ditya samkashayai
Saha-srana-yanoj-valayai
Vichitra-malya-bhara-nayai
Tuhina-chala-vasinyai
Varada-bhaya-hastab-jayai
Revareera-niva-sinyai
Nipatraya-vishesha-gynayai
Yantra-kruti-virajitayai
Bhadha-pada-prayayai
Govinda-pada-gaminyai
Devarhsi-gana-samstu-tyayai
Vana-mala-vibhu-shitayai
Syanda-nottama-samsdha-nayai
Deergha-jeemata-nisva-nayai
Matta-matanga-gamanayai
Hiranya-kamala-sanayai
Deeja-nadhara niratayai
Yoginyai
Yoga-dharinyai
Nata-natyai-kani-ratayai
Prana-vadya-ksharat-mikayai
Chora-chara-kriya-saktayai
Daridrya-chedaka-rinyai
Yada-vendra-kulod-bhutayai
Tureeya-padha-gaminyai
Gayatryai
Gomatyai
Gangayai
Goutamyai
Guruda-sanayai
Geya-gana-priyayai
Gouryai
Govinda-pada-pujitayai
Gandharva-nagara-karayai
Goura-varnayai
Gane-shvaryai
Gadashra-yayai
Guna-vatyai
Gahvaryai
Gana-pujitayai
Guna-traya samayu-ktayai
Gunatraya-vivarji-tayai
Guha-vasayai
Guna-dharayai
Guhyayai
Gandharva-rupinyai
Garya-priyayai
Guru-padayai
Guhya-linganga-dharinyai
Savitryai
Surya-tana-yayai
Sushu-mnanadi-bedinyai
Supra-kashayai
Sukha-seenayai
Sumatyai
Sura-pujitayai
Sushu-patya-vasdhayai
Sudatyai
Sundaryai
Saga-ramba-rayai
Sudham-shubimba-vadanayai
Sustanyai
Suvi-locha-nayai
Seetayai
Sarva-shrayayai
Sandhyayai
Sapha-layai
Sukhada-enyai
Subhruve
Suna-sayai
Sushronyai
Samsara-rnavata-rinyai
Sama-gana-priyayai
Sadhvyai
Sarva-bharana-pujitayai
Vaishnavyai
Vimala-karayai
Mahendryai
Mantra-rupinyai
Maha-lakshmyai
Maha-sidyai
Maha-mayayai
Mahe-sharyai
Mohinyai
Madana-karayai
Madhu-sudhana-choditayai
Meena-kshyai
Madhura-vasayai
Nagendra-tanayayai
Umayai
Trivikrama-pada-krantayai
Trisva-rayai
Trivilo-chanayai
Surya-mandala-madya-sdhayai
Chandra-mandala-samsdhitayai
Vahni-mandala-madya-sdhayai
Vayu-mandala-madya-sdhayai
Vyoma-mandala-madya-sdhayai
Chakrinyai
Chakra-rupinyai
Kala-chakra-vitana-sdhayai
Chandra-mandala-darpanayai
Jyotna-tapanuli-ptamgyai
Maha-maruta-veejitayai
Sarva-mantra-shrayayai
Denave
Papagnai
Parame-shvaryai

I seem to have accidentally skipped Hindu Goddesses in my rotation for the last couple of weeks. I wondered why my name count was going so slowly!

Bagalamukhi is the Hindu Goddess of truth and deceit. She is one of the Mahavidyas, the wisdom Goddesses. She has the power to tell truth from lies, and to stun liars into silence. She is usually depicted dressed in yellow, seated on a golden throne, and surrounded by yellow lotuses. With one hand, she holds the tongue of a demon, and her other hand holds a club with which she will silence the demon. Bagalamukhi is called on by worshippers for success in stopping gossip, for victory in legal matters, and to undo the effects of black magic or the evil eye. Her name is also seen as Bagala, Bagla, or Baglamukhi, and her stotra of 108 names is as follows:
Bagala (restrainer)
Bagalamukhi (she who restrains the mouth)
Bagalavasi (she who restrains speech)
Vacamata (mother of speech)
Mantramata (mother of mantra)
Stambhani (paralyzer)
Pranayami (restrainer of breath)
Mudgaravini (she who holds the mace)
Jivhaunmulayati (she who pulls out the tongue)
Pitisurya (she who is yellow like the sun)
Kanaki (she who is golden)
Tejasurya (she who is resplendent like the sun)
Hlima (the embodiment of the bija hlim)
Asuraghni (she who slays asuras)
Gambhiraghosi (she whose voice is profound)
Vimochani (she who gives release)
Mokshachani (she who gives liberation)
Haima (golden)
Raktasana (she who loves blood)
Stambhanakarti (she who causes paralysis)
Sudarshani (she who is pleasant to look upon)
Jivhasthiti (she who is stationed on the tongue)
Vashini (she who keeps persons under control)
Saptavidya (the seventh wisdom)
Mahanadi (she who has great sound)
Vijaya (she who is victorious)
Sarvamantravidya (she who knows all mantras)
Amarsani (she who is angry)
Krodhavani (she whose voice causes agitation)
Hastathadamoksha (she who gives liberation from her hand)
Damanadambha (she who suppresses arrogance)
Bhogakara (she who enjoys pleasures)
Unmattavesi (she who appears insane)
Mahabala (she who is very strong)
Tigmamanyu (fiercely angry)
Niyantra (she who restrains)
Sukhakara (she who causes joy)
Madhusana (she who loves wine)
Vihasa (she who laughs)
Matta (she who is intoxicated)
Akshakashama (she whose eyes are akasha)
Jihvastambhini (she who paralyzes the tongue)
Brahmarandhrapavartri (she who opens the brahmarandhra)
Hriyantrini (she who has a yantra for a heart)
Mahakalamukhi (she whose mouth is very black)
Maunakarta (she who causes silence)
Sambrahmi (she who is a furious and awesome attendant upon Shiva)
Kriyapada (she whose words are actions)
Kritabhayana (remover of fear)
Bandhaki (she whose form is illusion)
Simhanadi (she who makes a sound like a lion)
Tryaksi (she who has three eyes)
Rathakarti (chariot-maker)
Ratnayoni (she whose yoni is a jewel)
Devasuravaraprada (she who gives boons to gods and demons)
Muktakesi (she whose hair is unbound)
Gabhira (she who is somber and profound)
Vyakaranodbhavi (originating from correct use of language)
Gayatri (identical with the Gayatri-mantra)
Mahanga (having great limbs)
Pitamanirupa (she whose form is topaz)
Mamsatti (meat-eater)
Vara (she who is excellent)
Nadipatya (belonging to sound)
Pitaromana (she whose hair is yellow)
Manamukha (she who measures the mouth)
Balaha (she who is strong)
Sukhambika (mother of pleasure)
Yuddhambika (mother of war)
Sunadikarta (maker of good sounds)
Bhrantikaramardini (slayer of those who cause error and confusion)
Hastastambhana (she who paralyzes the hand)
Rudrani (she who wails)
Vagaladi
Adharata (she who is in the south)
Krodhini (agitated)
Vajrayani (she who has a thunderbolt)
Manograhini (she who captivates the mind)
Sumanohara (very captivating)
Mantraprana (she whose breath is mantra)
Smashani (she who dwells in the cremation ground)
Palashasapaduka (she who wears sandals of Palasa wood)
Katuravamukhi (frog-mouthed)
Helakarta (she who causes hatred)
Haritalani (she who loves yellow pigments)
Kapalaprakshudi (she who crushes the skull)
Aksharambika (mother of letters)
Bhasmadatva (giver of sacred ashes)
Yami (consort of Yama)
Svajapa (she who commands that mantras be recited)
Siddhaushadha (panacea)
Shiva (auspicious)
Durvacamardini (slayer of the demon Durvaca)
Raktamkrita (she who is adorned with blood)
Girnimata (mother of praise)
Trilokamohani (she who stuns the three worlds)
Nilakanthadharni (supporter of the blue-necked god)
Vimada (sober)
Suvarcasi (splendidly shining)
Bhisha (she whose actions are frightening)
Gamaki (she who clarifies and convinces)
Anapayya (she who does not drink water)
Rasavaca (the essence of speech)
Anapahnava (she who does not conceal the truth)
Abhivadya (she who is worthy of being saluted)
Abhayada (bestower of fearlessness)
Pretacarini (she who walks among ghosts)
Sarvabhidha (all-hearing)

Kundalini is the Hindu Goddess of inner power. She is visualized as a snake that lies sleeping at the base of the spine, wrapped three and a half times around the first chakra. When she is awakened, through devotion or yoga, she undulates up through the other chakras to the top of the head, where her lover Shiva is said to reside. Awakening Kundalini and reuniting her with Shiva leads to a divine completeness and inner peace. Kundalini, whose name means “circular power,” is also known as Kundalini Shakti.

Annapurna is the Hindu Goddess of food and nourishment. An avatar of Parvati, she has the ability to provide as much food as is necessary to as many as people as necessary. Shiva asked her to come to earth in response to a food shortage, and she is often shown with Shiva begging food from her. Her name, which means “full of food,” is also seen as Annapoorna, and the Annapurna Stotram lists 108 of her names:
Annapurna (she who is full, complete, and perfect with food and grains)
Siva (she who is the energy of the Consciousness of Infinite Goodness)
Devi (she who is the Goddess)
Bhima (she who is terribly fearful)
Pustira (she who gives nourishment)
Sarsvati (she who is eternal)
Sarvajna (she who knows all)
Parvati (she who is the daughter of the mountain)
Durga (she who is the reliever of difficulties)
Sarvani (she who belongs to all)
Sivavallabha (she who is the strength of Shiva)
Vedavedya (she who knows all knowledge)
Mahavidya (she who is the great knowledge)
Vidyadatri (she who is the grantor of knowledge)
Visarada (she who is mature)
Kumari (she who is the ever pure one)
Tripura (she who dwells in the three cities)
Bala (she who is strength)
Lakshmi (she who is the ultimate goal)
Srir (she who is respect)
Bhayaharini (she who takes away all fear)
Bhavani (she who is manifested existence)
Visnujanani (she who is the mother of Vishnu)
Brahmadijananitatha (she who is the mother of Brahma and the other Gods)
Ganesajanani (she who is the mother of Ganesha)
Saktih (she who is energy)
Kumarajanani (she who is the mother of Kartikeya)
Subha (she who is pure)
Bhogaprada (she who gives enjoyment)
Bhagavati (she who is the supreme Goddess)
Bhaktabhishtapradayini (she who gives the desired result to devotees)
Bhavarogahara (she who takes away all disease from the world)
Bhavya (she who is the attitude of being)
Subhra (she who manifests purity)
Paramamangala (she who is the supreme welfare)
Bhavani (she who is being)
Cancala (she who is restless)
Gauri (she who is rays of light)
Carucandrakaladhara (she who supports the attributes of the dark moon)
Dhismalaksi (she who has big eyes)
Visvamata (she who is mother of the universe)
Visvavandya (she who is praised by the universe)
Vilasini (she who is desired)
Arya (she who is purified by knowledge)
Kasthananilaya (she who rests in welfare)
Rudrana (she who takes away the tears)
Kamalasana (she who sits upon a lotus)
Subhaprada (she who grants purity)
Subhavarta (she who distributes purity)
Vrttapinapayodhara (she who shows swelling breasts overflowing with milk)
Amba (she who is the mother)
Samharamathani (she who churns the ocean of objects and relationships)
Mrdani (she who is compassionate)
Sarvamangala (she who is all welfare)
Visnusamsevita (she who is served by Vishnu)
Siddha (she who has attainment)
Brahmani (she who is the creative energy)
Surasevita (she who is served by the Gods)
Paramanandada (she who gives the supreme bliss)
Santih (she who is peace)
Paramanandarupini (she who is the intrinsic nature of the supreme bliss)
Paramanandajanani (she who is the mother of the supreme bliss)
Parananda (she who is the giver of bliss)
Pradayini (she who is an outsider)
Paropakaranirata (she who is always benefiting others)
Paramabhakta (she who is the supreme manifestation)
Vatsala (she who is a pure devotee)
Purnacandrabhavadana (she who is radiance of the full moon over existence)
Purnacandranibhamsuka (she who is the pure reflection of the full moon)
Subhalaksanasampanna (she who displays all of the pure characteristics)
Subhanandagunarnava (she who contains the ocean of purely blissful qualities)
Subhasaubhagyanilaya (she who reposes in purely good fortune)
Subhada (she who is the giver of purity)
Ratipriya (she who is the beloved of spring)
Candika (she who tears apart all thought)
Candamathani (she who destroys passion)
Candadarpanivarini (she who destroys the pride of passion)
Martandanayana (she who is the eyes of the sun)
Sadhvi (she who manifests truth and efficiency)
Candragninayana (she whose two eyes are the moon and fire)
Sati (she who is true existence)
Pundarikahara (she who is the cause of Vishnu)
Purna (she who is full, complete, and perfect)
Punyada (she who is the giver of merit)
Punyarupini (she who is the intrinsic nature of merit)
Mayatita (she who is beyond maya)
Srestamaya (she who is the ultimate illusion)
Srestadharma (she who is the ultimate ideal of perfection)
Tmavandita (she who is the praise of the soul) 
Asrstira (she who is not created)
Sangarahita (she who brings all together in unity)
Srstihetu (she who motivates the creation)
Kapardini (she who holds a skull)
Vrsarudha (she who sits upon a bull)
Sulahasta (she who holds a spear in her hand)
Sthitisamharakarini (she who is the cause of creation and dissolution)
Mandasmita (she who limits laziness)
Skandamata (she who is the mother of Kartikeya)
Suddhacitta (she who is pure consciousness)
Munistuta (she who is praised by the wise)
Mahabhagavati (she who is the great supreme Goddess)
Daksa (she who has ability)
Daksadhvaravinasini (she who destroyed the activities performed by Daksha)
Sarvarthadatri (she who is the creator of all objects)
Savitri (she who is the daughter of the light)
Sadasivakutumbini (she who is the family of the Pure Consciousness of Infinite Goodness)
Nityasundarasarvangi (she whose every limb is eternally beautiful)
Saccidanandalaksana (she who has the character of pure existence, consciousness, and bliss)

Dhumavati is the Hindu Goddess of widows. She is one of the Mahavidyas, the wisdom Goddesses. Dhumavati embodies unsatisfied desires—she is always hungry and thirsty. She is one of the avatars of Parvati, Shiva’s mate. In one myth relating her origin, when Parvati was manifested as Sati, Shiva’s first wife, on one occasion she asked Shiva for some food because she was extremely hungry. Shiva refused to give her any food, so she ate him instead, widowing herself. Shiva persuaded her to spit him back up, and he cursed her to remain in the form of Dhumavati, the widow.

In another telling of her origin, Dhumavati is said to have arisen from the smoke when Sati immolated herself. Her eyes burn with the fire that consumed Sati. Dhumavati symbolizes the power of nature over all other forces, and the fact that death is inevitable. She is usually depicted riding in a chariot, on which crows or vultures perch. She is old and ugly, wearing a dress taken from a corpse. Dhumavati’s name means “the smoky one”, and other names for her include Jyestha, Daridra (poverty), Vidhava (widow), Nirrti (misery), and Alakshmi (misfortune). 

Ammavaru is the Hindu Goddess of the beginning. She existed before time began, and she is the mother of the Trimurti—the Gods Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu—by means of an egg that she laid.

Devaki is a Hindu mother Goddess. She was the daughter of Devaka and wife of King Vasudeva. Devaki’s cousin, King Kamsa, had been told by a prophet that Devaki’s eighth son would kill him. Kamsa wanted to kill Devaki outright, but instead imprisoned her and her husband and killed their children as they were born, six sons in all. When Devaki became pregnant with her seventh son, the baby was miraculously transferred to the womb on Vasudeva’s other wife, Rohini, and was named Balarama when he was born. Devaki’s eighth son was placed in her womb by Lord Vishnu, and he was secreted away from the prison before Kamsa learned of his existence—this child was Lord Krishna. He grew up in close proximity to his brother Balarama, and eventually fulfilled the prophecy and killed Kamsa. He then freed his mother and father from their prison.

Sita is the Hindu Goddess of female virtue, the ideal wife and mother. She is the wife of Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu, which therefore makes her an incarnation of Vishnu’s wife, Lakshmi. Sita followed her husband into exile when he gave up his throne to one of his younger brothers. She was then kidnapped by the demon king Ravana and held by him for a year. During her confinement, Sita remained faithful to her husband Rama, and even the demon Ravana did not touch her. He saw that her virtue was such that it would be death to violate her.

When Rama freed Sita from the demon king, he doubted her fidelity. To allay his fears, Sita volunteered to an ordeal by fire, which proved that she was virtuous. Her purity was such that the God of fire, Agni, was himself burnt by the flames. Even so, Rama was disturbed by the rumors that his wife had been unfaithful to him, and he banished her, even though she was pregnant with his children. Sita gave birth to twin sons, Luva and Kush, and raised them alone.

When the boys were teenagers, Rama heard news of their exploits, and realized that they were indeed his sons. He asked Sita and their sons to return to the kingdom. Unfortunately, the people’s rumors were still more important to Rama than his own wife, and he again asked Sita to undergo an ordeal by fire. This time, Sita refused, saying “If I have remained true to Rama in mind, speech and action, may the Mother Earth embrace me in her bosom.” On her words, the earth opened up and swallowed her, leaving behind a husband who was not worthy of such a faithful and virtuous wife.