There are few temple I have visited which have the sculpture of Sapta Matrikas and generally placed on the southern side of the temple. Who are they and what is their significance?
There are several deities in Hinduism. The female deities are addressed as Mata. They are held at a very high esteem in Shaktism and Tantrism as well. The words “Sapta Matrika” are Sanskrit words where “Sapta” means “Seven” and “Matr” means “Mother”. Sapta Matrikas features in the Puranas as well viz. Agni Purana, Matsya Purana, Markandeya Purana, Varaha Purana and in the Mahabharata.
Sapta Matrika sculpture at Tripureswara Temple, Balligavi, Shikaripura Taluka, Shivamogga District
Stone sculptures of Sapta Matrikas started appearing during Kushana period (1st-3rd Century CE). They became more popular during the Gupta period (3rd-6th Century CE). In Karnataka Sapta Matrikas were an integral part of the Temples constructed by the Western Gangas (350-1000 CE) which gained more popularity during the Chandela period (8th – 10th Century CE) and the Pratihara Dynasty (8th – 12th Century CE). During the Chalukya Period (11th – 13th Century CE) the figurines of the Sapta Matrikas continued to appear in Temples.
The earliest inscription of Sapta Matrikas appeared in 207 CE during the Satavahana Period at Chebrolu Village, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh. The inscription was issued by King Vijaya . The inscription is in Sanskrit language written in Brahmi script. The inscription was discovered by the local villagers while conducting repair work of Bheemeswara Temple. The inscription mentions about the construction of the Sapta Matrika Temple at Chebrolu. There are copper plates inscriptions which are dated around 600 CE of the Chalukyan period which mention about Sapta Matrikas.
Who are the Sapta Matrikas?
Goddesses are generally associated with “Shakti” and Sapta Matrikas are believed to be the incarnations of Shakti. Matrikas are associated with birth, conception, nurisher and even as a violent warrior. Matrikas have been worshiped since the Vedic and the Sindhu-Saraswati Civilization. The prominent deity in the Sindhu-Saraswati Civilization and the diety appears on the deals also. Even in southern India also the concept of Shakti is an integral part of religious practice. During the medival era the Sapta Matrikas were believed to be associated to Skanda (Kumara-God of War) and later began to be associated to Shiva.
As per the chronicles described in Isanasivagurudevapaddhati it is said that whenever Lord Shiva inflicted a wound on the Andhakasura (Raktabeeja), numerous Andhakasura’s emerged when each drop of blood touched the ground. To stop the blood from reaching the ground, Lord Shiva created “Yogeshwari” from the flames out of his mouth and all the other Gods viz. Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara, Kumara, Varaha, Indra and Yama sent their Shakti’s. Thus the Matrikas were created to assist Lord Shiva in his fight against Andhakasura. Lord Shiva eventually defeated Andhakasura.
There are prescribed intricacies to be followed while sculpting the Goddess idols. According to Agama (precepts and doctrines) literature the Goddess Brahmani is to be sculpted like Lord Brahma, Goddess Maheshwari like Lord Maheshwara, Goddess Vaishnavi like Lord Vishnu and so on. Goddess Varahi must bear an angry face and her weapon in her hand viz. the plough. Goddess Chamunda is to be depicted with dark complexion holding her weapon viz. Trishula (trident). Both the hands of all the Matrikas must be in Varada (blessing) and Abhaya (no fear) posture while the other two hands must carry the weapons of their respective counterparts. Eg. Vaishnavi should carry Shamkha (counch) and Chakra (disc).
Sapta Matrikas are depicted in royal elegance generally decorated with lot of heavy jewelry sitting in Lalitasana pose holding infant/s. The Sapta Matrikas are depicted in a particular order viz. Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maheshwari, Indrani, Kaumari, Varahi and Chamunda. Each Goddess represents eight intellectual status. These procedures are mentioned in Varahamihira’s Brihatsamhita, in the Krityaratnakara, the Rig Veda, the Markandeya Purana and the Matsya Purana. Even the name of the followers to be offered to the Goddesses are prescribed in Devi Purana. Their description is mentioned in Amsumadbhedagama (an agamic text).
1.Brahmani: She is the Shakti or energy of Lord Brahma. She is depicted in gold colour wearing yellow attire and general with four arms. She is depicted like Brahma, holding a “Pasha” (noose) in one hand and “Kamandal” (water pot) in the other (may sometimes be depicted with a lotus or book). Brahmani symbolizes Mada (pride).
The Sapta Matrika mantra for Goddess Brahmani is:
ऊँ धेवे ब्रह्माणी विद्महे महा-शक्तियै च धीमहे, थन्नो धेवे प्रचोदयाथ II
Aum Dhevee Brahmani Vidmahe Maha-shakthiyai Cha Dhimahee Thanno Dhevee Prachodayath
Like all Gods she also has a vahana (vehicle) which is the Hamsa (swan). She wears a Karanda Mukuta (shape of a bowl or basket) and her residence is believed to be under a Palash Tree (called as Parrot Tree or Flame of the Forest). Her favorite flower is Brahma Kamal. She is believed to be the companion of Lord Ashta Bhairava.
2.Vaishnavi: She is the Shakti or energy of Lord Vishnu. She is depicted in dark colour wearing dark blue attire and general with four arms. She is depicted like Vishnu, holding a “Shankha” (celestial counch) in one hand and “Chakra” (celestial disc) in the other. Vaishnavi symbolizes Lobha (covetousness)
The Sapta Matrika mantra for Goddess Vaishnavi is:
ॐ थार्क्स् यत्वजय विद्महे चक्र हस्ताय धीमही, थन्नो वैष्णवी प्रचोदयात् II
Aum Gajath-vajaayai Vidmahe Vajra Hasthaya Dhimahee Thanno Indrani Prachodayath
Like all Gods she also has a vahana (vehicle) which is the Garuda (celestial eagle). She wears a Kirita Mukuta (shape of a jeweled crown) and her residence is believed to be under a Raja Vriksha (called as Ashoka tree). Her favorite flower is rose. She is believed to be the companion of Lord Krodha Bhairava.
3.Maheshwari: She is the Shakti or energy of Lord Maheshwara. She is said to have five faces and trinetra (three eyes) in the Vishnudharmottara Purana. She is depicted in white colour wearing red attire and general with six arms. She is depicted like Lord Maheshwara; four of them carrying Sutra, Damaru, Trishula and Ghant and the remaining two hands in Abhaya and Varada pose. Maheshwari symbolizes Krodha (anger)
The Sapta Matrika mantra for Goddess Maheshwari is:
ऊँ श्वेत वर्णाय विधमे सूला हस्ताय धीमहे तन्नो महेश्वरी प्रचोदयात् II
Aum Vrushath-vajaaya Vidmahe Miruga Hasthaya Dhimahee Thanno Rowthree Prachodayath
Like all Gods she also has a vahana (vehicle) which is the Nandi (bull). She wears a Jata Mukuta (crown of an ascetic with a cresent) and her residence is believed to be under a Vata Vriksha (called as Banyan tree). She is believed to be the companion of Lord Ruru Bhairava.
4.Indrani: She is the Shakti or energy of Lord Indra. She is depicted in red colour wearing green attire and general with four or six arms; She is depicted like Lord Indra depicted holding a shakti (power) and Vajra (thunderbolt). According to Vishnudharmottra Purana she is believed to possess a thousand eyes. Indrani symbolizes Matsarya (stinginess).
The Sapta Matrika mantra for Goddess Indrani is:
ऊँ गजथ-वाजायै विद्महे वज्र हस्ताय धीमहि,थन्नो इन्द्राणी प्रचोदयात् II
Aum Gajath-vajaayai Vidmahe Vajra Hasthaya Dhimahee Thanno Indrani Prachodayath
Like all Gods she also has a vahana (vehicle) which is the Airavata (elephant with four tusks). She wears a Kirita Mukuta (shape of a jeweled crown) and her residence is believed to be under a Parijata Vriksha (called as Coral jasmine). She is believed to be the companion of Lord Kapala Bhairava.
5.Kaumari: She is the Shakti or energy of Lord Kumara (Kartika). She is depicted in yellow colour wearing sky blue attire and general with four or twelve arms; She is depicted like Lord Kartika having six heads. She is depicted holding a shakti (power), dhvaja (flag), danda (stick), dhanus (bow), bana (arrow), ghanta (ritual bell), padma (counch), patra (sacred book) and parasu (axe). Kaumari symbolizes Moha (delusion).
The Sapta Matrika mantra for Goddess Kaumari is:
ऊँ सिकिद-वजय विद्महे वज्र हस्ताय धीमहि, थन्नो कुमारी प्रचोदयाथ II
Aum Sikid-vajaaya Vidmahe Vajra Hasthaya Dhimahee Thanno Kumari Prachodayath
Like all Gods she also has a vahana (vehicle) which is the Mayura (peacock). She wears a Danda-gola Mukuta (Cylindrical) and her residence is believed to be under a Udumbara Vriksha (called as sacred Fig tree). Her favorite flower is any red flower. She is believed to be the companion of Lord Chanda Bhairava.
6.Varahi: She is the Shakti or energy of Lord Varaha (the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu). She is depicted in storm-cloud colour wearing Bluish green attire and general with four or twelve arms; She is depicted like Lord Varaha with face of a boar. She is depicted holding a danda (stick), vajra (lightning), sword, noose and lotus stock. Varahi symbolizes Asuya (envy).
The Sapta Matrika mantra for Goddess Kaumari is:
ऊँ वराह-मुही विद्महे अन्तरा-शनि-धिमेही , थन्नो-यमुना-प्रचोदयात् II
Aum Varahi-Muhi Vihmahe Antara-Shani-Dhimahi, Yanno-Yamuna Prachodayat
Like all Gods she also has a vahana (vehicle) which is the Varaha (boar). She wears a Karanda Mukuta (bowl shaped) ornamented with corals and her residence is believed to be under a Karungali Tree (called as Ceylon abony tree). Her favorite flower is Pink Lotus. She is believed to be the companion of Lord Unmatha Bhairava.
7.Chamunda: She is the Shakti or energy of Kali. She is depicted in dark colour wearing tiger-skin attire and general with four or six arms holding Damaru (drum), trishula (trident), sword and panapatra (drinking-vessel); She is depicted with a face with three eyes, terrifying face, a sunken belly and wearing a garland of severed heads or skulls. She is also the Goddess of the Vindhya mountain range. Chamunda symbolizes Paisunya (slander due to malice).
The Sapta Matrika mantra for Goddess Chamunda is:
ऊँ पिसासथ-विजय विधमहे सुला हस्तया धिमेही, तन्नो काली प्रचोदयात् II
Aum Pasinatha-Vijaya Vidhamahe Sula Hastya Dhimahi, Tanno Kali Prachodayat.
Like all Gods she also has a vahana (vehicle) which is the Jambuka (jackal). She wears a Jata Mukuta (crown of an ascetic) and her residence is believed to be under a Udumbara Vriksha (called as sacred Fig tree). Her favorite flower is Red Hibiscus. She is believed to be the companion of Lord Bheeshana Bhairava.
Asta Matrika sculpture at Rameswara Temple, Balligavi, Shikaripura Taluka, Shivamogga District
There are temple with Ashta Matrikas (eight Matas) followed by Lord Ganesha. The first six are unanimous but there are different Matrikas in the seventh and the eighth position. They may be Narasimhi (Shakti of Lord Narasimha) or Yami (Shakti of Yama) or Yogeshwari (Shakti of Lord Shiva), Vinayaki (Shakti of Lord Ganesha), Kalyani (Shakti of Matsya, the first incarnation of Lord Vishnu), Varuni (Shakti of Lord Varuna), Kauberi (Shakti of Lord Kubera) or even Narayani (Shakti of Lord Narayana) depending on the beliefs of the Patron.
8.Narasimhi: She is the Shakti or energy of Lord Narasimha (the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu). She is also called as Pratyangira and Simhamukhi. She is believed to be the expression of the fury of Tripura Sundari. As explained in the Vedas, she represents the form of Atharvana Bhadrakali, the Goddess of the Atharva Veda. She has a face of the Lion, fierce claws and four arms. She is depicted in fair colour wearing red attire.
The Sapta Matrika mantra for Goddess Narasimhi is:
ऊँ उग्र नरसिंह शक्ति स्वरूपिणी धीमहि। तन्नो श्री प्रत्यङ्गिरे देवी प्रचोदयात्प्र त्यङ्गीराये धीमहि। तन्नो उग्रा प्रचोदयात् II
Aum Ugra Narasimhi Shakti Swarupini Dhimahi, Tanno Shri Prathyangnire Devi Prachodayat Twangiraye Dhimahi, Tanno Ugra Prachodayat
She wears a Kirita Mukuta (shape of a jeweled crown) and her residence is believed to be under a Palash Tree (called as Parrot Tree or Flame of the Forest). She is believed to be the companion of Lord Samhara Bhairava.
9.Yami: She is the Shakti or energy of Lord Yama and one of the Ashtabharya (eight wives) of Lord Krishna. There is difference of opinions but as per folklores she is associated to Yama (God of death) as his sister. She is depicted with a Danda (stick) in her hand.
10.Yogeshwari: She is the Shakti or energy of Lord Shiva. She is the Goddess of Yoga. She is believed to be created by the flames emanating from Lord Shiva’s mouth. She symbolizes Kama (desire).
The concept of worshiping Matrikas or Goddesses dates back to the Mahabharata wherein they were associated with non-Brahminic deities. Over a period of times they started getting associated with their male counterparts as a motivating source and power needed for fighting the Asuras (demons). There are time told stories which mention that they stared with four, seven, eight, sixteen and went up to sixty four before finally settling to seven. They are referred to as Seven Maidens in Tamil Nadu, Seven Sisters (Bhagini) in Orissa, Sapta Asara (water nymphs) in Maharashtra and as we now know, also as Sapta Matrikas in most of India.
देवी तस्मै नमः!!
Ganesh Rao, “Temple Story” Teller.
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