Mahadevi

Mahadevi
  • The Supreme Mother Goddess
  • Goddess of Power
  • Primordial Goddess
  • Para Brahman (the Ultimate Reality) in Shaktism
An 18th-century painting of Mahadevi from Bikaner, Rajasthan
Devanagariमहादेवी/आदिशक्ति/पराशक्ति
Sanskrit transliterationMahādevī / Ādiśakti / Parāśakti
Affiliation
AbodeManidvipa
MantraŌm āim hrīm śrīm klīm
WeaponDevi Chakra, Pasha, Ankusha, Trishula (trident)
SymbolHreem, Om, Sri Yantra
MountLion
TextsDevi Mahatmya, Devi-Bhagavata Purana, Markandeya Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Kalika Purana, Lakshmi Tantra, Lalita Sahasranama, Soundarya Lahari, Shiva Purana, Shakta Upanishads such as the Devi Upanishad
FestivalsNavaratri, Durga Puja, Vasanta Panchami, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja, Durga Ashtami, Lalita Jayanti, Adi-Puram

Mahadevi (Sanskrit: महादेवी, IAST: Mahādevī, IPA: /mɐɦɑd̪eʋiː/), also referred to as Adi Parashakti, and Mahamaya, is the supreme goddess in Hinduism. According to the goddess-centric sect Shaktism, all Hindu gods and goddesses are considered to be manifestations of this great goddess, who is considered as the Para Brahman or the ultimate reality.

Shaktas often worship her as Durga, also believing her to have many other forms. Mahadevi is mentioned as the Mulaprakriti (Primordial Goddess) in Shakta texts, having five primary forms—Parvati, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Gayatri and Radha—collectively referred to as Panchaprakriti. Besides these, Goddess Tripura Sundari, a form of Devi, is often identified with the supreme goddess Mahadevi in Shaktism. Author Helen T. Boursier says: "In Hindu philosophy, both Lakshmi (primary goddess in Vaishnavism) and Parvati (primary goddess of Shaivism) are identified as manifestations of this great goddess—Mahadevi—and the Shakti or divine power".