By Swami Harshananda
Ekānainśā literally means ‘One who is without parts’.
Daughter of Nanda & Yaśodā[edit]
Ekānainśā is a folk goddess who is identified with Durgā. She was the daughter of Nanda and Yaśodā. She was exchanged for baby Kṛṣṇa. She escaped from the clutches of the tyrant Kansa and warned him of his approaching death and disappeared.
As Tribal Deity[edit]
She is also described as the tribal divinity of the Vṛṣṇi clan, of Kṛṣṇa-Vāsudeva. She is pictured as Subhadrā, the sister of Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa.
Iconographical Representation[edit]
Iconographical representations show her in the standing posture, with two arms, one resting on the loins and the other holding a lotus.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore