Kamalatmika

In Hinduism, Kamala (Sanskrit: कमला) or Kamalatmika (Sanskrit: कमलात्मिका) is the Devi in the fullness of her graceful aspect. She is believed as the tenth and last Mahavidya ("great wisdom") and a form of Goddess Parvati.[1]

Kamala
Member of The Ten Mahavidyas
Devanagariकमला
Sanskrit transliterationKamalaa
AffiliationDevi, Mahavidya, Parvati
MountLotus, 4 elephants
ConsortShiva as Kamal

Iconography

Kamalatmika has a golden complexion. She is being bathed by four large elephants, who pour kalashas (jars) of amrita (nectar) over her. She has four hands. In two hands, she holds two lotuses and her other two hands are in abhayamudra (gesture of giving assurance) and varamudra (gesture of conferring boons) respectively. She is shown as seated in padmasana (lotus posture) on a lotus,[1] symbol of purity. Kamala and Sri Laksmi are different goddess.

Shiva purana says,

“daśamaḥ kamalaḥ śambhurbhuktimuktiphalapradaḥ । kamalā girijā tatra svabhaktaparipālinī ।। 11 ete daśamitāḥ śaivā avatārāssukhapradāḥ । bhuktimuktipradāścaiva bhaktānāṃ sarvadāssatām ।।” (Shiva Purana 3:17:11-12)

“Tenth incarnation of Shambhu is known as ‘Kamala (कमल)’ the bestower of joy here and liberation hereafter; and GirijA’s manifestation there is called ‘kamalA (कमला)’ who takes all care of her devotees. These are the ten manifestations of Shiva and Shakti, the giver of happiness, bestower of material comforts here and liberation hereafter to their devotees”.

See also

Notes
  1. Kinsley, David R. (1997). Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine: the Ten Mahāvidyās. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 223. ISBN 0-520-20498-0.

Further reading
  • Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions (ISBN 81-208-0379-5) by David Kinsley

Iconography

Kamalatmika has a golden complexion. She is being bathed by four large elephants, who pour kalashas (jars) of amrita (nectar) over her. She has four hands. In two hands, she holds two lotuses and her other two hands are in abhayamudra (gesture of giving assurance) and varamudra (gesture of conferring boons) respectively. She is shown as seated in padmasana (lotus posture) on a lotus,[1] symbol of purity. Kamala and Sri Laksmi are different goddesses.

Shiva purana says, “daśamaḥ kamalaḥ śambhurbhuktimuktiphalapradaḥ । kamalā girijā tatra svabhaktaparipālinī ।। 11 ete daśamitāḥ śaivā avatārāssukhapradāḥ । bhuktimuktipradāścaiva bhaktānāṃ sarvadāssatām ।।” (Shiva Purana 3:17:11-12)

“Tenth incarnation of Shambhu is known as ‘Kamala (कमल)’ the bestower of joy here and liberation hereafter; and Girijā’s manifestation there is called ‘Kamalā (कमला)’ who takes all care of her devotees. These are the ten manifestations of Shiva and Shakti, the giver of happiness, bestower of material comforts here and liberation hereafter to their devotees”.

See also

Notes

Further reading
  • Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions (ISBN 81-208-0379-5) by David Kinsley
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