Death of Vena

Bhoodevi's Wrath

Purification of Vena's Body

Birth of Prithu

Prithu Chases Bhoodevi

Cowherd of the Cosmic Cow

Milking of the Earth

Bhoodevi's Fear

Bull of Dharma

Birth of Mandhata

Duties of Man

Mandhata's Penance

Stages of Life

Radharani is the Supreme Goddess and a well-known deity in Hindu Mythology. According to the Bhagavata Purana, and the Gita Govinda of the Vaisnava traditions of Hinduism, Radharani is the childhood friend and lover of Krishna. She is usually depicted with lord Krishna. She is considered as the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. She is the feminine aspect of Lord, who is the chief associate and devotee of lord Krishna and topmost of all the Goddesses. Without Radha Rani there is no meaning of lord Krishna and without Krishna there is no meaning of Radha Rani. She is also an expansion of the Lord's energy. Lord Vishnu and Rama are expansions of the one Supreme Lord, Krishna, and similarly Lakshmi, Sita and even Durga are all expansions of this Supreme Feminine form of God, Radharani. She is also called Radhika in the Puranas. Her beauty, power and aura create the ethics of love.

Radharani was born in Vrindavana. Five thousand years ago, when lord Krishna descended in his original form, as a cowherd boy in Vrindavana, Radharani accompanied him in her original form. She appeared exactly two weeks after the appearance of lord Krishna. She was found on a lotus flower by Vrishabhanu and his wife Kirtida near the village of Barsana. It is said that Radharani first opened her eyes only when lord Krishna appeared before her.

The spiritual exchange of divine love between Radha and Krishna is very confidential and difficult to understand. No materialist can begin to understand this topic of the relationship between Radharani and Lord Krishna. In the Vaishnava devotional or bhakti traditions of Hinduism that focus on Krishna, Radha is Krishna's friend and advisor. Krishna means 'all attractive', since lord Krishna attracts every one towards him. But Radharani attracts even Krishna. She is considered to be his original Shakti, the supreme goddess in both the Nimbarka Sampradaya and following the advent of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also within the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. Her worship is especially prominent in Vrindavan. Radha's love for Krishna is held within Gaudiya Vaishnavism as the most perfect primarily because of its endless and unconditional nature. In Vaishnava tradition we always pay respects first to the Lord's internal energy in the form of Radha, and then to the Lord. Thus they are referred as Radha-Krishna, Sita-Rama and Lakshmi-Narayana.

Radharani has many names according to her qualities and characteristics.

Some of the names that Radharani is known by include:

1. Govinda-anandini--She who gives pleasure to Govinda Krishna);

2. Govinda-mohini--She who mystifies Govinda;

3. Govinda-sarvasa--the all-in-all of Lord Govinda;

4. Shiromani Sarva-kanta--the crown jewel of all the Lord's consorts;

5. Krishnamayi--the one who sees Krishna both within and without.

6. Gandharvi - Expert singer

7. Radharani – Radha the queen

8. Vrshabhanu-nandini - Daughter of Vrishabanu

9. Vrindavaneshvari - Queen of Vrindavana etc.

Radharani is as spiritual as the Lord himself. Being the personification of the Hladini-Shakti, the pleasure giving energy of the Lord, She is the only source of enjoyment for Lord Krishna. She is also known as Sarva-kanti, which indicates that all beauty and luster rest in her body. Sarva-kanti also means that all the desires of Lord Krishna rest in Radharani. As Lord Krishna enchants the world with his beauty and charm, Radha enchants him. Therefore she is considered the Supreme Goddess. She is the full power, and Lord Krishna is the possessor of full power. The legends of Radha-Krishna have become immortal.

There are numerous legends and stories of Radha and Krishna depicting their true, eternal and divine love. Radha's devotion and dedication towards lord Krishna is the most sincere one. Radha and Krishna are celestial beings and their love is eternal that made them united for ever. Intense love of Radha for Krishna symbolizes each devotee's passionate longing for ultimate unification with God. With her utmost devotion towards her lord, she became the supreme devotee of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna (to whom the trinity bows) himself bows to Radha’s feet where the trinity resides.All paintings are courtesy of Art of Legend India.

Lakshmana was lord Rama’s younger brother, who is, according to the Hindu mythology, considered an incarnation of Sheshnaga. Sheshnaga is the thousand headed serpent upon whom Lord Vishnu rests in the Ksheerasagara. Lakshmana is said to be an eternal companion of lord Vishnu in all incarnations. He was the twin brother of Shatrughna, born in Ayodhya to Sumitra, the second wife of the king Dasharatha. He married with Urmila, Sita’s sister. Lord Rama was the eldest, Bharata was the second, Lakshmana was the third, and Shatrughna was the youngest of the four brothers. In the images of lord Rama, he is also depicted with Rama and Sita. Lakshmana's life is a symbol of duties performed by a man towards his elders and also depicts the nature of selflessness in a man's character. Lakshmana would not sleep for a moment when Rama was not present. Lakshmana would not eat, if Rama was not present. Devotion to Rama was so intense in Lakshmana that he filled his heart with a feeling that everything that was present belonged to Rama.

Lakshmana is worshipped for his absolute devotion to Rama. For example, when lord Rama was exiled for 14 years, Lakshmana followed him to the forest instead of staying back in the palace and enjoying life. He served lord Rama throughout his whole life and loved, respected and obeyed Rama completely. In the forest, he spent all his energy and time in taking care of and serving Rama and Sita. He followed Rama’s instructions promptly. In the forest, he helped Rama in killing the demons. He is generally considered to be rather short-tempered when compared to Rama. They both went with the sage Vishvamitra to kill demons; who disturbed yagnas of the sages. He also played a very important role in the great epic Ramayana. He killed Kumbhakarna and other powerful demons.All paintings are courtesy of Art of Legend India.

Lord Sheshnag is an important part of Hindu mythology. He is called the king of serpent race and ruler of the infernal regions called Patal (nadir). He is the divine serpent with a thousand heads. According to Hindu mythology, the world rests on the hoods of Lord Sheshnaga, and when he shakes his head, there are earthquakes. He is worshipped in Hindu mythology for maintaining the balance of the earth on his hood and preventing it from sinking into the Patal.

Lord Vishnu reclines on the coils of Lord Sheshnag in the Ksheersagar and Goddess Lakshmi serves him. Sheshnag is always with them and guards them. Lord Sheshnag is also known as Ananta (Eternal and Endless) since he is immortal and is not affected by death even during the destruction of the whole Universe.

Aum also written as ‘Om’ is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism. Om is of supreme importance in Hinduism. It is also sacred for Buddhists and Jains. This symbol represents Brahman, the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism omnipotent, omnipresent and the source of all manifest existence. It is the sound of the infinite, which is said to be the essence of all mantras, the highest of all mantras or divine word (shabda), Brahman (ultimate reality) itself. Most of the mantras begin with it and it is the essence of the Vedas. It is the signifier of the ultimate truth that all is one. Lord Ganesha is sometimes identified with the Aum (Om).

Om symbolizes the deepest concepts of Hindu beliefs. Hindus begin their day, journey, work by uttering Om. Many Hindus, as an expression of spiritual perfection, wear the sign of Om as a pendant. This symbol is enshrined in every Hindu temple. It is the representative of the Trinity of Gods in Hinduism, Brahma- the creator, Vishnu- the preserver and Shiva- the destroyer. It is also considered that in the word ‘AUM’, A stands for Creation, U stands for Preservation and M stands for Destruction or dissolution. The three portions of AUM also relate to the states of waking, dream and deep sleep and the three gunas (Rajas, Satva and Tamas).

Om is said to be the original sound that contains all other sounds, all words, all languages and all mantras. Om mystically embodies the essence of the entire universe. This meaning is further deepened by the Indian philosophical belief that God first created sound and the universe arose from it. It is the root of the universe and everything that exists and it continues to hold everything together. According to Upanishads, OM is god in the form of sound, thus it is the first part of the most important mantras in both Buddhism and Hinduism.All paintings are courtesy of Art of Legend India.

Lord Vishwakarma is the divine carpenter and architect of the universe and the master of all machinery equipments of gods. He is the seventh son of Lord Brahma, who is gifted with a unique creativity. He is also known as the lord of craftsmen and architects. Hindus worship Lord Vishwakarma as the god of engineering and architecture. He is specially worshipped by goldsmiths, blacksmiths, carpenters and masons. Hindus celebrate Vishwakarma Jayanti or Vishwakarma Day on 17th September every year in India. Indians craftsmen celebrate Vishwakarma day by performing rituals and offering prayers to Lord Vishwakarma, within the promise of their workplaces. On this day, industrialists make a resolution to increase the production and also make changes in their way of working. As a mark of reverence he is not only worshipped by the engineering and architectural community but also by all professionals. 

The name VishwaKarma, which means omnificent, was at first the title any strong god, such as Indra or Surya; it gradually came to refer to the divine artificer, honored not for only the creation of the universe but also for having initiated sacrifice and then given the example by sacrificing himself. In his capacity VishwaKarma built the heavens of all the gods and their palaces, such as Indra’s Vaijayanta, Kubera’s and then Ravana’s Lanka, and the Pandavas palace at Indraprashtha. He created many chariots, including Kubera’s Pushpaka; he also produced animals, such as Indra’s wonderful horses. His most famous artifacts were the gods’ weapons, such as Indra’s thunderbolt, Kartikeya’s lance and Shiva’s trident, all of which, according to the Hindu version of the myth, were fashioned from the fragments of Surya’s substance which blazing to earth when VishwaKarma put Surya on his lathe to reduce effulgence. He also made weapons for the epic heroes. 

The Mahabharta describes Vishwakarma as “The lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, and the carpenter of the gods and the most eminent of artisans.” He is pictured with four hands holding a book, a vessel, a noose and craftsmen tools. Hindu scriptures are full of stories of his glorious contributions to mankind. He was the only architect who was imbued with all the qualities of Fine Art, which was necessary for the creation of the Universe. Hindu mythology believes that, everything in this world we see like the dams, the reservoirs, bridges, skyscrapers, and all sorts of mechanics around which our life revolves are the product of Hammer and Chisel, which represent, Lord Vishwakarma. He is also known to have built great cities like Dwarka, Yamapuri and Lanka. Hastinapura was also built by lord Vishwakarma.

Lord Vishwakarma is regarded as the supreme power according to Rig Veda, the very essence of excellence and quality in creation. He is the embodiment of the original power that welds world and heaven jointly. Vishwakarma is the lord who is responsible for all the beautiful designs.All art paintings are courtesy of Art of Legend India.

Kama or Kamadeva is the Hindu deity of love, who is usually represented as a handsome and beautiful man. Kama Deva literally means 'divine love' or 'god of love'. He is known by several names like Ragavrinta, Ananga, Kandarpa, Manmatha, Manasija, Madana, Ratikanta, Pushpavan, Pushpadhanva or simply Kama. In a hymn in the Atharva Veda, he is described as the god of sexual love. The story of the birth of Kamadeva is told differently in several mythological Puranas. In some stories, Kamadeva is said to be the son of lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi and in others he is said to be the mind born son of Lord Brahma. He is also the husband of Rati, the Goddess of Beauty, and is also said to be an incarnation of Pradyumna, a son of Krishna by Rukmini. The vaishnavites believe that he is Krishna himself. The basis of the story is that after Kamadeva was burned to ashes by Shiva because of his anger the cupid god merged into the body of Vasudeva Krishna and in order to get his body again he was placed in the womb of Rukmini.

Kamadeva loves to roam abroad amuse himself by inspiring passion in those he sees about him, and he is quite frivolous in the use he makes of his powers. According to one account, which makes him the son of Brahma, he had no sooner been than he shot one of his arrows at his father, thus causing him to co incest with his daughter and incidentally to lose one of his heads at the hand of lord Shiva. Gods as well as mortals have been victims of Kama. He loves to wander about, especially in spring time. Kamadeva himself suffered most on one occasion when he hesitated to use his power. Shiva burnt him to ashes as a punishment for interrupting his deep meditation but, despite Shiva's protests, the shaft had done its work and Shiva was unable to obtain peace until he married Parvati. During all this time Kama lay dead and love disappeared from the earth, which became an arid desert. At length the gods approached Shiva, who agreed to allow Kama to be reborn as Pradyumna, son of Krishna and Rukmini, and he was ultimately reunited with Rati, who had pleaded for him through Parvati. All paintings are courtesy of Art of Legend India.

Soma is also known as Chandra, Rajanipati and Kshuparaka (one who illuminates the night). According to the ‘Srimad Bhagawat’ Moon-god is the son of Maharishi Atri and Anasuya. He is considered to be all pervading. In Hindu Mythology, Lord Shiva is called Chandra Shekara, which literally refers to the 'Person who wears the moon'. Lord Shiva wears the moon in his matted locks, Chandrama is considered by some to be a one-eighth the incarnation of the Destroyer. He is dazzlingly fair and youthful in appearance. He is wise, peaceable and auspicious, who has a slim but curvy body with lovely limbs. He wears white apparel and white flowers. Lord of the night, Soma (Chandrama) is responsible for scheduling rituals. He holds a mace in one hand and generally represented seated on a lotus which is carried by a shining white chariot pulled by seven powerful white horses. All the horses are divine, incomparable and are quick as the mind. The eyes and ears of the horses are white. According to the ‘Matsyapurana’ the horses are as white as a conch.

Soma or Chandra is entirely identified in Hindu belief with the moon, though one of the explanations of his origin still equates him with amrita, for it claims that he was produced from the churning of the milk ocean. More common accounts of his lineage say that he was the son of Dharma; or that he was the son of Varuna, lord of the ocean from which the moon arises. Yet another account links Soma with Surya, though it is not clear whether Surya is the father of Soma; or, taking Surya as female, Soma is said to be married to Surya. More certain is the belief that Surya nourishes the moon with water from the ocean when Soma is exhausted by the many beings who feed upon his substance. For during half the month thirty-six thousand three hundred divinities feed upon Soma and thus assure their immortality, while during the remaining half of the month the Pitris feed upon Soma; Soma also nourishes humans, animals and insects; not only does the moon give them pleasure, but the watery nectar of its light also sustains the vegetable life on which mortal creatures feed. This account neatly combines the two aspects of Soma; as the amrita or nectar from which the gods derive their strength; and as the moon, whose substance waxes and wanes according to the calendar.

God Soma or Chandra was married to the twenty seven daughters of the sage Daksha, who were personifications of the lunar asterisms. But Daksha had as much trouble with this son-in-law, Shiva. Soma showed such a preference for one of his wives, Rohini (Hyades), that the others became wildly jealous, and went to their father to complain. Daksha's remonstrances were of no avail, so the sage pronounced a curse on Soma which afflicted him with consumption and childlessness. Despite their earlier anger, however, Daksha's daughters soon grew sorry for their husband and went back to their father for advice. Daksha was unable to retract the curse completely but he succeeded in modifying it, so that Soma should suffer from consumption only periodically, for fifteen days at a time. He soon proved himself to be free of the curse of childlessness. He performed the great horse sacrifice, which both demonstrated and procured universal dominion and fertility. Protected by the influence of the sacrifice, Soma became arrogant and daring and one day abducted Tara, wife of Brihaspati. Brihaspati was the sage and preceptor of the gods and often associated with the planet Jupiter. Despite Brihaspati's great occult power he was unable to do anything. None of his entreaties or the sermons of the other sages in any way affected Soma, who with his assurance of universal dominion felt himself quite secure. Brihaspati appealed to Brahma but not even he could persuade Soma to return Tara. Brihaspati then turned to Indra, who decided that the only way would be to take Tara by force. But Soma heard of these plans and promptly made an alliance with the demons (asuras). He was also supported by the sage Usanas, who had an ancient feud with Brihaspati. Brihaspati commanded the support of most of the other gods, under the leadership of Indra. Though the war produced many fierce clashes, during one of which Soma was cut in two by Shiva's trident, it was inconclusive. 

Brahma then made another appeal to reason, and again asked for the return of Tara. By this time Soma had become bored with her and to every one's surprise agreed to send her back to Brihaspati. But it was then seen that she was pregnant. Brihaspati refused to accept her back until the child was born, so Brahma, in order to have done with the affair, commanded this to happen at once. When the gods beheld the infant they were dazzled by its great beauty, and both Soma and Brihaspati at once claimed parentage. Only Tara could say who was the true father but she was reluctant to speak out. Finally, after a great deal of coaxing, she admitted that the child was Soma's. He was named Budha, and was to become the ancestor of the lunar race. Brihaspati, naturally, was enraged with his wife and cursed her to be reduced to ashes but Brahma felt the punishment to be too severe and revived Tara. Varuna punished Soma for his behavior, disinheriting him. But Lakshmi, who since she also was born out of the milk ocean was Soma's sister, decided to campaign on his behalf. She approached Parvati, and asked her to enlist Shiva's support. Shiva agreed and to honor Soma he wore the crescent moon on his forehead. But when Brihaspati caught sight of Shiva thus arrayed at the next assembly of the gods, he declared that Shiva was dishonouring the company by his presence. A great dispute arose between them which had to be referred to Brahma for settlement. Brahma declared in favor of Brihaspati and Soma was thereafter relegated to the outer atmosphere and forbidden entry into heaven. As Soma travels about in the atmosphere, he is represented as a copper-colored man, trailing a red pennant behind his three-wheeled chariot. He is also the master of the world's water and is hence responsible for controlling fecundity.All paintings are courtesy of Art of Legend India.

Goddess Kali is a ferocious and fiercest form of the divine mother Durga. Goddess Kali is Durga's darker aspect, who is represented as the consort of the lord Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing. She is the goddess of time and of the transformation that is death. Lord Shiva and Mother Gauri in their destructive form are known as Mahakala and Mahakali or Kali. Goddess Kali or the Dark Mother is the goddess with whom devotees have a very loving bond, in spite of her fearful appearance. In this relationship, the worshipper becomes a child and Kali assumes the form of the caring mother. She is sometimes referred as the goddess of death, but actually Kali brings the death of the ego. She is the all pervading divine mother of the universe and her name in Sanskrit is derived from the word Kal which means time. She is also not associated with Yama (the Hindu God of Death). She is also known as Kalikamata and Kalaratri (black night), who is worshipped particularly in Bengal. Her best-known temples are in Kalighat and Dakshineshvara. 

Goddess Kali is the most compassionate of all the forms of goddesses and she provides salvation to the devotees. She is considered equivalent to lord Shiva because both of them are the destroyers of evils and demonic powers. Goddess Kali’s appearance is fearsome and dangerous, baleful eyes, a protruding tongue and four arms are fearful. In her two arms, she holds a bloody sword and a severed head of a demon. With her upper right hand she blesses her devotees. She wears a garland made of skulls and a belt made of dismembered arms of demons. As the Divine Mother she is often represented standing or dancing on Shiva with numerous hands and legs. 

Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva, both are considered to inhabit cremation grounds. Devotees go to these places to meditate with the purpose of overcoming the ego. The cremation grounds emphasize the idea that the body is temporary. The way people look and worship goddess Kali depends on the form of their sense of self. She most famously appears in the sixth century Devi Mahatmyam as one of the Shaktis of the divine mother, who killed the demon Raktabija. The tale of Raktabija can be found in the eight chapter of the Devi Maytram. Raktabija was a powerful demon, who got a boon from Lord Brahma, whenever a drop of his blood fell on the ground; a duplicate Raktabija would be born at that spot. Raktabija was wounded, but drops of blood falling on the ground created innumerable other Raktabijas, and Durga was in difficulty. At this point, the goddess Durga created Kali, who made her tongue onto the earth, and sucked off the blood of Raktabija, thus Raktabija was killed. 

The tenth century Kalika Purana venerates Kali as the ultimate reality or Brahman. The Tantric approach to Kali is to display courage by confronting her on cremation grounds in the dead of night, despite her terrible appearance. She is often regarded as the Shakti of Shiva, and is closely associated with him in various Puranas. The Kalika Purana depicts her as Adi Shakt. She is free from the illusory covering and beyond the all maya or false consciousness. Kali's garland of fifty human heads stands for the fifty letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. The common images of goddess Kali shows her, standing with one foot on Shiva's chest, with her enormous tongue stuck out. Goddess Kali is commonly associated with death, violence, sexuality and paradoxically with motherly love. Her appearance and ornaments has special significance and meaning. The garland of 52 skulls and her skirt made of dismembered arms symbolizes the destruction of the body and hence the ego attached with the body.All paintings are courtesy of Art of legend India.

Goddess Durga is the embodiment of the divine force of the Almighty. She symbolizes the power of the Supreme Being that maintains righteousness in the universe. In images she is generally depicted with eighteen arms holding Trident, Chakra, Snake, Conch shell, Mace, Bow, Long sword and Thunderbolt. Her different weapons suggest the idea that she can face any evil force. She is the divine mother, who protects people from evil forces. She is known by many other names such as Parvati, Ambika, Bhagwati and Kali. Durga's darker aspect Kali is represented as the consort of the god Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing. In the form of Parvati, she is known as the divine spouse of Lord Shiva and is the mother of two sons, Ganesha and Karttikeya. Worship of the goddess Shakti is very popular among the Hindus. Her nine forms are Skandamata, Kusumanda, Shailaputri, Kaalratri, Brahmacharini, Maha Gauri, Katyayani, Chandraghanta and Siddhidatri.

Goddess Durga manifested when evil forces threathened the very existance of the Gods. To destroy these demons, all gods offered their radiance to her creation and each formed part of Durga's body. Durga also obtained very powerful weapons from different gods. She is the warrior aspect of the Divine Mother. Durga killed the powerful demon Mahishasura and all his great commanders. Therefore, she is also known as Mahishasurmardini (the destroyer or killer of Mahishasur). 

According to legends, goddess Durga was created as a warrior goddess to fight a powerful and cruel demon, Mahishasura. He worshipped Lord Brahma and performed severe penance for a boon. Brahma was pleased and appeared before him. Mahishasura obtained a boon from Brahma by which no male could kill him. He could not even conceive of a situation in which a female would challenge him. After getting the boon, he began to expand his reign of terror on earth, heaven and the nether worlds. After defeating from Mahishasura, all gods went to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, who were aware that only a woman could kill Mahishasura. They decided to create a Goddess out of the collective powers of all the god's, thus goddess Durga was born. She was given various weapons a trident from Shiva, Chakra from Vishnu, a Lion from Himalayas and bows and arrows from Vayu. The Goddess filled with combined powers of all gods. She rode on her vehicle (vahana) lion to the top of a mountain to meet Mahishasura. A battle of nine days and nine nights took place, during which goddess Durga decimated Mahishasura's armies using lesser Goddesses produced from her own body. At last, a fierce battle took place between goddess Durga and Mahishasura and Mahishasura was killed thus, she saved the world from the demonic powers. 

Goddess Durga is the goddess of “Shakti” or power. There are nine forms of Goddess Durga which are worshiped over the nine days and nights in Navratri. Navaratri is the biggest Hindu festival celebrated throughout India with great enthusiasm. There are nine forms of Goddess Durga, which are explained below-

1. Shailaputri: ‘Shail’ means mountains, Parvati, the daughter of king of Mountains Himavana, is known as "Shailputri". She is also known from various names such as Sati, Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Hemavana (the king of the Himalayas). In this form, the divine Mother holds a trident in her right hand and a lotus in her left hand. Sailaputri is believed to be the rebirth of Sati, the daughter of Daksha and the wife of Lord Shiva. Once Daksha organized a big Yagna and did not invit Shiva, but Sati reached there. Thereupon Daksha insulted Shiva. Sati could not tolerate the insult of husband and burnt herself in the sacred fire of Yagna. In other birth she became the daughter of Himalaya named Parvati and married with Shiva. Shailaputri is worshipped on the first day of Navaratri. Her veihicle (vahana) is a bull.

2. Bharmacharini: Bharmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Navaratri and is the second form of Goddess Durga. She is also known as Tapasyacharini. Her name ‘Bharmacharini’ is derived from Brahma which means penance. Bharmacharini means one who practices pious austerity. In this form, the divine Mother is two armed and carries a rosary in her right and holy water pot (Kamandalu) in the left hand. One day when she was playing with her friends, sage Narad came and told her that you would marry with Shiva, who was with you in the form of Sati. But now you have to do penance for him. On hearing this, she vowed that she would marry with Shiva only. After a long penace, she finally got married with Shiva. 

3. Chandraghanta: Chandraghanta is the third form of goddess Durga, who is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri. In this form, she has three eyes and ten arms holding different weapons such as a trident, disc, mace, bow, arrow and sword. She also holds a lotus, water pot and rosary. This is a terrible aspect of the goddess, who rides on a lion. There is a half circular moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell, therefore she is known as ‘Chandraghanta’. The sound of her bell terrifies demons as well as evil powers and she possesses great powers to fight battles against demons. 

4. Kushmanda: Kushmanda is the fourth form of the divine mother Durga, who is worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri. In this form goddess Durga created solar system by liberating her power to Lord Sun, so Kushmanda is considered the creator of the entire universe. She shines brightly in all the directions. She has eight arms, in which she holds different weapons, rosary and sacred water pot. She rides on a tiger. It is believed that the eternal darkness ended when she smiled. 

5. Skanda Mata: Skanda Mata is the fifth form of the mother goddess. She is the mother of Skanda or Kartikeya; she is who is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri. Lord Kartikeya was chosen by gods as their commander in chief war against the demons. Skanda Mata has four arms and three eyes, she holds her infant Skanda with her right upper arm in her lap and a lotus in her right hand. Her one hand is in blessing posture. Her complexion is very bright and often depicted as seated on a lotus. This the motherly form of Durga, so she is generous and kind.

6. Katyayani: The sixth incarnation of the goddess Durga is known as Katyayani, who is worshipped on the six day of Navaratri. According to a legend, Once upon a time, a sage Katyayan was the son of the great sage Kata. He did rigorous penance and worshipped Mother Goddess with a desire to get Mother Goddess as his daughter. His wish was granted and Katyayani was born to Katyayan as an incarnation of Durga. Her vehicle is lion. In this form the goddess has four arms, holds a sword, shield and lotus. One arm is depicted as giving blessings to the devotees.

7. Kalratri: Kalratri is the violent and dark side and the seventh form of the goddess Durga. Kalratri literally means 'dark night'. Her skin color is black as night. She is worshipped on seventh day of Navaratri. She rides on a donkey. She has long, unmated hair and three large eyes that are shiny and bright. She put on necklaces shining like lightening. Thousands of flames of fire come out while she respires from nose. Kalratri form encourages her devotees to be fearless. Sometimes she is also referred as Shubhamkari. She has four hands; her right hand holds a sharp sword, while her lower hand is in blessing mood. Her raised right hand always seems to grant boons to all the devotees.

8. Maha Gauri: This is the eighth form of the goddess Durga, who is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri. She wears pure white clothes and her skin color is also white. As a result of her worship, all sins get washed away and devotees get purified in all aspects of life. She is intelligent, peaceful and calm, who rides on a bull. She has four arms. She holds a trident and damaru (a music instrument) in her hands. Her one hand is always in the position of granting boons to all the devotees. It is said that when her body became dirty due to the dust, Shiva used the water of the Ganges to clean the dust from her body. After that she became extremely white as a conch and moon therefore, she is known as Maha Gauri. Her power is unfailing and instantly fruitful. 

9. Siddhidatri: The ninth form of Goddess Durga is known as Siddhidatri, who is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri. She is worshipped by all the gods, saints, yogis, Gandharvas, Yakshas and devotees to achieve spiritual elevation. She has four arms and holds a mace, discus, lotus and book. She rides on a lion, but she is also depicted sitting on lotus. According to ‘Devi Bhagvata Purana’, lord Shiva worshipped Siddhidatri and received all the eight Siddhis (supernatural powers). By goddess’s blessings half body of lord Shiva became female, hence he is called 'Ardhanarishwara'. Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Lishitya and Vashitva are the eight Sidhis. All paintings are courtesy of Art of Legend India.

Goddess Lakshmi is the goddess of prosperity, purity, chastity and fortune, both material and spiritual. She is the consort of Lord Vishnu. The word ‘Lakshmi’ has been derived from the Sanskrit word Lakshay, meaning ‘aim’. Therefore she suggests the aim of life, which includes all worldly and spiritual success. She is generally depicted as a beautiful lady in the standing or sitting posture with golden complexion, dressed in red color attire and adorned with precious jewels. Her four hands represent four spiritual virtues. She sometimes is also depicted sitting on a fully blossomed lotus. An atmosphere of divine happiness, mental and spiritual satisfaction and prosperity always exist around her. Goddess Lakshmi is one of the most popular goddesses among the Hindus, who is worshipped to attain wealth, beauty and good luck. Her palm is always extended to bless people with wealth. She is specially worshipped on auspicious occasion of Diwali.

Goddess Lakshmi, also known as Shri, attained importance as the consort of Vishnu. Her previous existences, described in the Vedas, make her the wife of Varuna or of the sun. Alternatively, like Saraswati, she is said to have issued from Prajapati. In the early times she is associated with both good and bad fortune. Lakshmi is now generally thought to have existed first as the daughter of the sage Bhrigu and to have taken refuge in the ocean of milk during a period when the gods were exiled from their kingdom as a result of a sage's curse. She was reborn during the churning of the milk ocean as Lakshmi, one of the fourteen precious things. She emerged from the ocean. As the gods saw her each of them wanted her as his wife. Lakshmi’s hand was given to Vishnu, whom, Lakshmi herself preferred. When goddess Lakshmi rose from the ocean of milk, She found Vishnu, the detached guardian of the cosmos, to be worthy of her. She became his shakti, source of his strength and splendor. Lord Vishnu is the soul of the universe; Lakshmi its substance. He is the protector; she is the provider. They are the divine couple who look after life. She is worshipped in conjunction with her husband, when she is portrayed as exhibiting her devotion to him by massaging his feet as he lies on the coils of the serpent Shesha or seated beside him on a lotus or riding with him on Garuda. 

Whenever Vishnu returned to Vaikuntha, tired after his wars with demons, Lakshmi would strengthen him with her affectionate touch. Once, while Lord Vishnu was resting, the sage Bhrigu entered Vaikuntha. Neither Vishnu nor Lakshmi saw and welcome him. Insulted, Bhrigu kicked Vishnu on his chest. Sage Bhrigu's insolence horrified Lakshmi. Lakshmi said to Vishnu Bhrigu kicked you on your chest, on Shreevatsa, and by doing so kicked me. Avenge this insult. She demanded angrily. But Vishnu said that I cannot harm one who is my guest. Considering this an affront to her dignity, Lakshrni disappeared from Vaikuntha. Without Lakshmi, Vishnu could not live in Vaikuntha. He descended upon earth and waited for her under a banyan tree, refusing to move until she returned. 

As time passed termites built a hill round him, covering his body completely. Birds and beasts were stunned by the lord's plight. Sage Bhrigu, the cause of Laksmi's anger and Vishnu's agony, was consumed by guilt. He took it upon himself to reunite the divine couple. He went near the termite hill and began kicking the cows. The cows cried out and Vishnu rushed to their rescue, striking the offender with his mace. "Ah, the lord has punished me for hurting Lakshmi whose spirit rests in every cow," shouted Bhrigu. Hearing this, Lakshmi was pleased and she reappeared to join her husband in Vaikuntha. 

The demons once found Vishnu in deep meditation, the demons carried Lakshmi away to Patala (Nadir). With her by our side we will be rich and powerful," they said. "Why is she crying?" asked the asuras. "You have taken her away from her lord. She give you all the material comfort you want, but without Vishnu, she cannot give you any peace of mind." Said Shukra, the preceptor of the demons. Realizing their foolishness, the demons let Lakshmi return to Vaikuntha. As she went away, they lost their wealth and power, but there was joy in their hearts. Those who seek both spiritual bliss and material delight, worship both the lord and his consort. All paintings are courtesy of Art of Legend India.