Quiz on Forms of Divine Mother Goddess

Hello everyone,

Shakti, The Divine Feminine Energy, The Ultimate Power, manifested in different forms of Goddesses. Some Goddesses represent the destructive aspects of Shakti, while other goddesses stand for the creative and auspicious powers of her. But even destruction is auspicious at times.

Adishankara says in Saundarya Lahari:

"Avidyanam antas-timira-mihira-dweeppa-nagari"

The dust at her feet,removes the ignorance of darkness.

She is the one who could shower the nectar of knowledge to make us worthy enough to explore her with her different forms.

An attempt heartfelt, to keep ourselves immersed in the journey to share our knowledge through questions & answers that will be a learning experience for us all.

I am sure it will be highly enriching and enlightening to find out more about the supreme goddess and her divine forms .

Requesting you all to participate in this Quiz and share your knowledge.

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Rules are very simple.

A question will be asked on Divine Forms of Mother Goddess.

Try to identify that form.

Add some more info in your words, if possible.

Answer will be posted later, with precious information, from our side.

Then next question will be asked, following the same process.

In case of doubt, just pm- mnx12

Question Bank curtesy- ltelidevara, mnx12.

Regards

ltelidevara, mnx12

Question 1:

On Which Ocean, the abode of Devi, fondly known as- Shri Mata, situated?

Can I post reply here dear Minakshi?

Originally posted by: Sutapasima

Can I post reply here dear Minakshi?

Yes.

This topic is for Q & A.

Originally posted by: mnx12

Question:

On Which Ocean, the abode of Devi, fondly known as- Shri Mata, situated?

I think Devi Mata lives on an island called Mani dweep .(Island made of gems) and it’s located on Sudha Samudra ( ocean of honey /nectar)

Next question:

Which verse from a composition by Aadi Shankarachrya, mentions Her abode ? Name that composition too.

Originally posted by: mnx12

Next question:

Which verse from a composition by Aadi Shankarachrya, mentions Her abode ? Name that composition too.

This particular verse

Girivara Vindhya Sirodhi Nivasini

It mentions Vindhyas as Her Abode.

Answer of Q 1:

Vedavyasa told Janamejaya in Devi Bhagawatham

Maṇidvīpa exists an ocean called the Sudhā Samudra, many yojanas wide and many yojanas deep. Many waves arise in it due to winds. Various fishes and conches and other aquatic animals play and here the beach is full of clear sand like gems. The sea-shores are kept always cool by the splashes of the waves of water striking the beach.

Answer of Q 2:

Verse 8 of Saundarya Lahari, by Aadi Shankaracharya, describes Shri Mata's Abode.

Sudha-sindhor madhye sura-vitapi-vati parivrte
Mani-dweepe nipo'pavana-vathi chintamani-grhe;
Shivaakare manche Parama-Shiva-paryanka-nilayam
Bhajanti tvam dhanyah katichana chid-ananda-laharim.

In the middle of the sea of nectar,

In the isle of precious gems,

Which is surrounded by wish giving Kalpaga trees,

In the garden Kadamba trees,

In the house of the gem of thought,

On the all holy seat of the lap of the great God Shiva,

Sits she who is like a tide

In the sea of happiness of ultimate truth,

And is worshipped by only by few select holy people.

Q 3:

Whom does Shri Mata, reside with in Her Abode?

Originally posted by: devashree_h

This particular verse

Girivara Vindhya Sirodhi Nivasini

It mentions Vindhyas as Her Abode.

He stated that Vindhyas is where Mata Parvati resides in this verse.

In the same way, Adi Sankaracharya in his Ananda Lahari, describes her abode like this -

स्फुरन्नानारत्नस्फटिकमयभित्तिप्रतिफल

त्त्वदाकारं चञ्चच्छशधरकलासौधशिखरम् ।

मुकुन्दब्रह्मेन्द्रप्रभृतिपरिवारं विजयते

तवागारं रम्यं त्रिभुवनमहाराजगृहिणि ॥ १४॥

Oh Mata, your abode is shining and resplendent with the different precious stones fixed to the tower domes reaching the moon. In such a beautiful abode surrounded by Brahma, Vishnu, Indra, and other devas (extolling your greatness), you shine as the empress of the three worlds.

In the next Shloka (Verse):

निवासः कैलासे विधिशतमखाद्याः स्तुतिकराः

कुटुम्बं त्रैलोक्यं कृतकरपुटः सिद्धिनिकरः ।

महेशः प्राणेशस्तदवनिधराधीशतनये

न ते सौभाग्यस्य क्वचिदपि मनागस्ति तुलना ॥ १५॥

There is nothing anywhere to compare with your Soubhagya or auspiciousness, Oh Parvati, daughter of the King of mountains. For Kailasa is your abode, the courtiers who praise you are Brahma, Indra and other Gods, all the three worlds are your family, the eight Siddhis are at your beck and call and the Lord Supreme is the Lord of your heart.