Elements of Hindu Iconography v3.c19.19

v3.c19.19

It may be seen from the above table that all the manifestations of divine power are here conceived to flow from Mahālakshmi, who is looked upon in the Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa as the Supreme source of all power. This Dēvī is indeed at the basis of the worship of Śakti; and hence, as proceeding out of the supreme Dēvī, all the minor Dēvis are described in this chapter irrespective of whether they belong to the Śaiva or the Vaishṇava cult. They are, however, for the purposes of description, grouped according to the cult to which they belong, as certain convenience is gained by so doing.