Talk:Śākambhari

By Swami Harshananda

Śākambhari (‘One who is full of

vegetables’)

In the Durgāsaptaśatī (11.49) the Divine Mother, while addressing the gods who had supplicated her, tells them that when severe drought affects the world, she will bring out plenty of śāka or nourishing vegetables out of herself and save the famished people.

She is an aspect of Durgā having sixteen hands, carrying in them the following items: spear, noose, skull-cup, bow, arrow, thunderbolt, goad, shield, conch, discus, mace, snake, sword, magic wand and cudgel. One hand shows the abhayamudrā (gesture of protection).

She is described as the Mother of the three worlds Trailokyajananī.

The Mahābhārata (Vanaparva 84.13) describes a place of pilgrimage known as Śākambhari. Fasting at this place improves one’s health.

References

• The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

OLD CONTENT

Śākambhari (‘One who is full of vegetables’) In the Durgāsaptaśatī (11.49) the Divine Mother, while addressing the gods who had supplicated her, tells them that when severe drought affects the world, she will bring out plenty of śāka or nourishing vegetables out of herself and save the famished people. She is an aspect of Durgā having sixteen hands, carrying in them the following items: spear, noose, skull-cup, bow, arrow, thunderbolt, goad, shield, conch, discus, mace, snake, sword, magic wand and cudgel. One hand shows the abhayamudrā (gesture of protection). She is described as the Mother of the three worlds Trailokyajananī. The Mahābhārata (Vanaparva 84.13) describes a place of pilgrimage known as Sākambharī. Fasting at this place improves one’s health.