Vaiṣṇavi
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Vaiṣṇavi is listed among the Saptamātṛkās.[1] She is the śakti[2] of Lord Viṣṇu. In the Durgāsaptaśatī[3] she is described as an emanation, one of the seven of Durgā. She is identical in form with Viṣṇu. She is dark in complexion and wears yellow silken robes and a vanamālā[4] also. She has four hands holding:
Sometimes she is shown with six hands, the last two showing the gestures of abhaya[5] and varada.[6] She also holds śankh[7] gada[8] and padma.[9] Sometimes she is shown with six hands. She rides on the Garuḍa, the famous vulture-mount of Viṣṇu.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore