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{{short description|One of the names of Parvati/Durga}}
{{Short description|Mother goddess of Indian origin}}
{{Other uses|Ambika (disambiguation){{!}}Ambika}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox deity
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| type = Hindu
| image       =
| image = File:Raja Ravi Varma, Ambika (Oleographic print).jpg
| name = Ambika
| name = Ambika
| caption     = Goddess Ambika riding on the back of a Tiger with eight arms
| caption = Painting of Ambika by [[Raja Ravi Varma]]
| affiliation = [[Adi Parashakti]], [[Sati (Hindu goddess)|Sati]], [[Devi]] [[Durga]], [[Mahakali]], [[Navadurga]], [[Mahavidya]], [[Annapurna (goddess)|Annapoorna]], [[Bhuvaneshvari]], [[Matrika]], [[Parvati]], [[Chandi]]ka, [[Shakti (Hindu goddess)|Shakti]]
| affiliation = [[Mahadevi]], [[Durga]]
| god_of     = Mother Goddess, Goddess of Supreme Power, Energy and Invincibility,
| god_of = Mother Goddess, Mother of the Universe and all Beings
| abode       = [[Kailash]]
| abode = [[Manidvipa]]
| weapon = [[Discus]], [[Shankha|Conch Shell]], [[Trident]], [[Gada (mace)|Mace]], [[Bow and arrow|Bow]], [[Sword]], [[Lotus Flower]]  
| weapon = [[Discus]], [[Shankha|Conch Shell]], [[Trident]], [[Gada (mace)|Mace]], [[Bow and arrow|Bow]], [[Sword]], [[Lotus Flower]]
| mount = [[Tiger]] or [[Tigress]]
| mount = [[Lion]] or [[Tiger]]
| consort = [[Sadasiva]]
| texts = [[Markendeya Purana]], [[Shiva Purana]], [[Skanda Purana]]
}}
}}
'''Ambika''' ([[Devanagari]]: अम्बिका, [[IAST]]: Ambikā) is generally the name of Adi Shakti or Shakti or Parvati, consort of [[Sadasiva]]. She has eight arms, holding multiple weapons. She is also known as [[Bhagavati]] or [[Chandi]]. She is also considered to be [[Adi Parashakti]] herself and Mother of the Universe as well as all beings, which is also the meaning of the name "Ambika".In Skanda Puran She is  appeared from the body of [[Parvati]] and slayed the demons Shumbh and Nishumbh. She is also identified as Amba, [[Durga]], [[Bhagavathi]], [[Parvati]], [[Bhavani]], Ambe Maa, Sherawaali, Mata Raani, etc.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pNmfdAKFpkQC&pg=PA18&lpg=PA18 |title=Ambika |work=The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths |last=Dalal |first=Roshen |page=18 |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |year=2010 |access-date=22 June 2016|isbn=9780143415176 }}</ref>


==Manifestations and aspects of Ambika==
'''Ambika''' ({{langx|sa|अम्बिका}}, {{IAST3|Ambikā}}) is generally an epithet or form of [[Mahadevi]], the supreme goddess of Hinduism. In [[Shaktism]], she is revered as [[Adi Parashakti]], the mother of the universe and all beings. She is often identified with various incarnations such as [[Chandi]], [[Durga]], [[Bhagavati]], [[Tripura Sundari|Lalitambika]], [[Bhavani]], [[Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur|Ambabai]] and many others.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pNmfdAKFpkQC&pg=PA18 |title=Ambika |work=The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths |last=Dalal |first=Roshen |page=18 |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |year=2010 |access-date=22 June 2016|isbn=9780143415176 }}</ref>
In Srimad Devi Bhagavatham, Ambika is the lineal progenitor of all other goddesses. She is worshiped as one with many forms and names. Her form or incarnation depends on her mood. For example:
In her iconography, she is typically depicted with eight arms holding multiple weapons.


* [[Sati (Hindu goddess)|Sati]] is an aspect of Ambika who is the first wife of Lord Shiva, who immolated herself. She is also known as Dakshayini.
== Legend ==
* [[Bhadrakali]] is one of the fiercest forms of Ambika. She destroyed the yagna of Daksha Prajapati.
According to the ''[[Devi Mahatmya]]'', after the [[asura]] [[Mahishasura]] was slain by Durga, the divinities embarked on a pilgrimage to the [[Himalayas]] and sang a hymn of praise in honor of the supreme goddess. Meanwhile, Goddess [[Parvati]] had come to the source of the [[Ganges]] to bathe and observed the hymn. She asked the divinites to whom the hymn was dedicated. Before they could respond, she shed her outer corporeal form, revealing her true and auspicious form, who is then named Ambika.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Padma |first=Sree |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9Jn_AwAAQBAJ&dq=ambika+form+of+mahadevi&pg=PA221 |title=Inventing and Reinventing the Goddess: Contemporary Iterations of Hindu Deities on the Move |date=2014-07-03 |publisher=Lexington Books |isbn=978-0-7391-9002-9 |pages=221 |language=en}}</ref> When identified with Parvati, Ambika is seen as the consort of [[Shiva]].
* [[Parvati]] is the Ambika, also known as Gauri and Uma. She is the wife of Lord Shiva.
 
* [[Durga]] is a demon-fighting form of Parvati, and some texts suggest Parvati took the form of Durga to kill the demon [[Durgamasur]].
In the Vedic tradition, Ambikā is  described as the sister of [[Rudra]] (Śiva).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Müller |first=Friedrich Max |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yp9MAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA389&dq=sister+rudra+ambika%C2%A0&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjK76jrrc-QAxXBOzQIHXV9N5oQ6AF6BAgJEAM#v=onepage&q=sister%20rudra%20ambika%C2%A0&f=false |title=Vedic Hymns: Hymns to the Maruts, Rudra, Vâyu, and Vâta |date=1891 |publisher=Clarendon Press |isbn=978-81-7030-755-6 |language=en}}</ref> The [[Yajurveda]] (Śukla recension, 3.57) invokes Rudra “together with his sister Ambikā” (svasrā-ambikā). The [[Shatapatha Brahmana]] (2.6.2.9) explains this line by stating explicitly that “Ambikā is the name of his (Rudra’s) sister.” A similar reference occurs [[Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa]] (1.6.10.5), where Ambikā is again identified in this ritual context. In the [[Nrisimha Tapaniya Upanishad]] of the [[Atharvaveda]], Lord [[Narasimha]] is described using various names, including  ''Ambikāpati'' ''(husband of Ambika).'' In later Puranic literature, however, the name Ambika is also applied to Parvati.
* [[Kali]] is another ferocious form of Parvati, as the goddess of time and change, with mythological origins in the deity [[Nirṛti (goddess)|Nirriti]].
* [[Chandi]] is the epithet of Durga, considered to be the power of Ambika; she is black in color and rides on a lion, slayer of the demon [[Mahishasura]].
* Ten [[Mahavidyas]] are the ten aspects of Shakti. In tantra, all have importance and all are different aspects of Parvati.
* 52 [[Shakti Peethas]] suggests all goddesses are expansions of the goddess Parvati.
* [[Navadurga]], the nine forms of the goddess Parvati.
* [[Minakshi|Meenakshi]], the goddess with eyes shaped like a fish.
* [[Kamakshi]], goddess of love and devotion.
* [[Tripura Sundari|Lalita]], the playful Goddess of the Universe; she is a form of the [[Devi]] Parvati.
* [[Akilandeswari]], found in coastal regions of India, is the goddess associated with water.<ref>Subhash C Biswas, India the Land of Gods, {{ISBN|978-1482836554}}, pp 331–332</ref>
* [[Annapoorna devi|Annapurna]] is the representation of all that is complete and of food.
* The 64 [[Yogini|yoginis]] are 64 forms or aspects of Goddess Parvati.


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Ambika (Jainism)|Goddess Ambika in Jainism]] Yakshi of the 22nd Jina Arishtaneni, portrayed with children in sculptureAmbika (Jainism)
*[[Ambika (Jainism)]] - ''Yakshi'' of the 22nd [[Tirthankara]] [[Neminatha]], portrayed with children in sculpture.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}{{More citations needed|article|date=May 2025|find=empty string}}{{HinduMythology}}
 
{{HinduMythology}}


[[Category:Destroyer goddesses]]
[[Category:Destroyer goddesses]]

Latest revision as of 01:34, 16 February 2026


For other uses, see Ambika.
Ambika
Mother Goddess, Mother of the Universe and all Beings
Painting of Ambika by Raja Ravi Varma
AffiliationMahadevi, Durga
AbodeManidvipa
WeaponDiscus, Conch Shell, Trident, Mace, Bow, Sword, Lotus Flower
MountLion or Tiger
TextsMarkendeya Purana, Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana

Ambika (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist., IAST: Ambikā) is generally an epithet or form of Mahadevi, the supreme goddess of Hinduism. In Shaktism, she is revered as Adi Parashakti, the mother of the universe and all beings. She is often identified with various incarnations such as Chandi, Durga, Bhagavati, Lalitambika, Bhavani, Ambabai and many others.[1] In her iconography, she is typically depicted with eight arms holding multiple weapons.

Legend[edit | edit source]

According to the Devi Mahatmya, after the asura Mahishasura was slain by Durga, the divinities embarked on a pilgrimage to the Himalayas and sang a hymn of praise in honor of the supreme goddess. Meanwhile, Goddess Parvati had come to the source of the Ganges to bathe and observed the hymn. She asked the divinites to whom the hymn was dedicated. Before they could respond, she shed her outer corporeal form, revealing her true and auspicious form, who is then named Ambika.[2] When identified with Parvati, Ambika is seen as the consort of Shiva.

In the Vedic tradition, Ambikā is described as the sister of Rudra (Śiva).[3] The Yajurveda (Śukla recension, 3.57) invokes Rudra “together with his sister Ambikā” (svasrā-ambikā). The Shatapatha Brahmana (2.6.2.9) explains this line by stating explicitly that “Ambikā is the name of his (Rudra’s) sister.” A similar reference occurs Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa (1.6.10.5), where Ambikā is again identified in this ritual context. In the Nrisimha Tapaniya Upanishad of the Atharvaveda, Lord Narasimha is described using various names, including Ambikāpati (husband of Ambika). In later Puranic literature, however, the name Ambika is also applied to Parvati.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Dalal, Roshen (2010). Ambika. Penguin Books. p. 18. ISBN 9780143415176. Retrieved 22 June 2016. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  2. ↑ Padma, Sree (3 July 2014). Inventing and Reinventing the Goddess: Contemporary Iterations of Hindu Deities on the Move. Lexington Books. p. 221. ISBN 978-0-7391-9002-9.
  3. ↑ Müller, Friedrich Max (1891). Vedic Hymns: Hymns to the Maruts, Rudra, Vâyu, and Vâta. Clarendon Press. ISBN 978-81-7030-755-6.
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