Devee

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Devee

Goddess. There are five Devee - (1) Umaa (Shiv's wife), (2) Ushaa (goddess of dawn), (3) Vaidehee (Raam's wife), (4) Ramaa (Vishnu's wife Lakshmee), and (5) Gangaa (River). But if somebody says "Devee", he means Durgaa. The main Devee are Ilaa, Bhaaratee, and Saraswaee of the Vaidik times; and Lakshmee, Durgaa and Saraswatee of Pauraanik times. Lakshmee is remembered by many names - Shree, Kamalaa, Ramaa and Indiraa. Durgaa is worshipped under hundreds of names - Paarvatee, Kaalee, Gauree, Ambaa, Umaa, Bhavaanee, Girijaa. Devee, when use alone, signifies Durgaa and her roles. All Devee are considered the Shakti (power) of God. Since God cannot be imagined without His power, He must be accompanied by His female counterpart - Devee to complete Him; such as - Vishnu-Lakshmee, Shiv-Paarvatee, Krishn-Raadhaa, Raam-Seetaa etc.
[Aangiras, p 184]

Padm Puraan, 1/13 mentions the following names of Devee attending Brahmaa's Yagya -
(1) Hree, (2) Keerti, (3) Dyuti, (4) Prabhaa, (5) Dhriti, (6) Kshamaa, (7) Bhooti, (8) Neeti, (9) Vidyaa, (10) Mati, (11) Shruti, (12) Smriti, (13) Kaanti, (14) Shaanti, (15) Pushti, and (16) Kriyaa.

Agni Puraan, 21/35-26 says that while worshipping Soorya, one should worship his 9 Shakti (Powers, or Devee) - (1) Deeptaa, (2) Sookshmaa, (3) Jayaa, (4) Bhadraa, (5) Vibhooti, (6) Vimalaa, (7) Amoghaa, (8) Vidyutaa and (9) Sarvatomukhee.

Agni Puraan, p 102, lists the following 8 Devee as "Ambaashtak"
(1) Rudrachandaa, (2) Ashtbhujaa (or Rudrachaamundaa), (3) Naatyeshwaree, (4) Chaturmukhee, (5) Mahaalakshmee, (6) Siddh Chaamundaa, (7) Siddh Yogeshwaree, (8) Bharavee, and (9) Roopvidyaa

Paarvatee's Names
Paarvatee means the daughter of Parvat (mountain). Since Paarvatee was the daughter of Himaalaya Parvat, that is why she was called as Paarvatee. She is called as Ambaa, Ambikaa, Aparnaa, Gauree, Girijaa, Himkanyaa, Paarvatee, Umaa

Nava Durgaa
There come two Nava Raatri to worship nine Durgaa forms every year -
(1) In Chaitra month, from Shukla Pratipadaa to Navamee (This Navamee is Raam Navamee also); and
(2) In Aashwin month, from Shukla Pratipadaa to Navamee (next day is Dashaharaa)

During these day nine forms of Deve are worshipped. There are endless aspects of Durga described in the Puraan and Agam and the iconography is also consequently very varied. She is usually pictured as having ten arms holding Sword, Conch, Discus, Rosary, Bell, Wine cup, Shield, Bow, Arrow, and Spear. She is most often shown riding a lion from which comes her august name, Sinh Vaahinee (she who stands astride the king of beasts lion). She is gorgeously dressed in royal red cloth and has several ornaments decorating Her personage. Her hair is dressed up in a crown (Karand Mukut) which then flows out in long luxuriant tresses that are darkly luminous and soothing to the eye. The various tools reflects the eminent supremacy that helps in controlling the universe and obey her will.

(3) The name of 3rd Shakti is Chandraghantaa. There is a half-circular moon in her forehead. She is charming and bright. She is golden color. She has three eyes and ten hands holding with ten types of swords and weapons and arrows etc. She is seated on lion and ready for going in war to fight. She is unprecedented image of bravery. The frightful sound of her bell terrifies all the villains, demons and Daanav.

(4) The name of the 4th Durgaa is Kooshmaand. The Shakti creates egg, ie Universe, by mere laughing .She resides in solar systems. She shines brightly in all the ten directions like Sun. She has eight hands. Seven types of weapons are shining in her seven hands. Rosary is in her right hand. She seems brilliant riding on Lion. She likes the offerings of "Kumhde." Therefore her name "Kooshmaand" has become famous.

The gods then gifted the goddess with their weapons and other divine objects to help her in her battle with the demon, Mahishaasur. Lord Shiv gave her a trident while Lord Vishnu gave her a disc. Varun, gave her a conch and noose, and Agni gave her a spear. From Vaayu, she received arrows. Indra, gave her a thunderbolt, and the gift of his white-skinned elephant Airaavat was a bell. From Yam, she received a sword and shield and from Vishwakarmaa (god of Architecture), an axe and armor. The god of mountains, Himavant gifted her with jewels and a lion to ride on. Durgaa was also given many other precious and magical gifts, new clothing, and a garland of immortal lotuses for her head and breasts.

(6) On the 6th day is worshipped Kaatyaayanee Devee - The son of "Kat" as "Katya". Rishi Kaatyaayan born in this "Katya" lineage. Kaatyaayan had observed penance with a desire to get Paramba as his daughter. As a result she took birth as a daughter of Rishi Kaatyaayan. Therefore her name is "Kaatyaayanee". She has three eyes and eight hands. There are eight types of weapons missiles in her seven hands. Her vehicle is Lion.

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