Goddess Kamala is the tenth and last Mahavidya. She is considered the Hindu Goddess of consciousness, prosperity, generosity and creation. She is depicted as a beautiful woman with golden skin, seated or standing on a lotus. Her four hands represent four spiritual virtues. She sits on a fully blossomed lotus, a seat of the divine truth. Her personal charm is considered par excellence. An atmosphere of divine happiness, mental and spiritual satisfaction, and prosperity always exists around her. Her palm is always extended to bless people. She wears a resplendent crown and a silken dress. As a Mahavidya, she represents the unfolding of inner consciousness into the fullness of creation. Her greatest power is the removal of poverty, both material and spiritual. 

The name Kamala means "she of the lotus" and is a common epithet of Goddess Lakshmi. Indeed, Kamala is none other than the goddess Lakshmi. Though listed as the last of the Mahavidyas, she is the best known and most popular. She sits on the lotus. The lotus symbolizes a number of things. Kamala literally means ‘lotus’ in Sanskrit, and spiritually it denotes purity, auspiciousness and piety. Goddess Kamala is also considered the most beautiful Mahavidya and is the creative force, the power to create beauty and wealth around us. As the creative force, goddess Kamala blesses families with children. 

Goddess Kamala’s other names and epithets include, Mahashakti, Mahamaya, Durga, Gauri, Sati etc. The form of Goddess Kamla is similar to Goddess Lakshmi. As the goddess of material and spiritual wealth and beauty, goddess Kamala is worshipped for her most revered power, the power to eliminate poverty. In tough economic times, goddess Kamala or Lakshmi is worshipped in order to bring material wealth and prosperity. The elephants pouring nectar onto her are symbols of sovereignty and fertility.All paintings are courtesy of Art of Legend India.