South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c10.s2.42

c10.s2.42

The Saivāgama specifically describes nine varieties of Durgā, all of which have two arms but different weapons and vehicles. The first, known as Sailaputrī, rides on a bull, wears the crescent on her head and holds a trident in her hand; the second Brahmachārinī holds the rosary and the water-pot; the third Chandakhandā rides on the kite and has an angry look; the fourth Skandamātā rides on a lion and holds lotus buds in her hands; the fifth Kūshmānda-Durgā is distinguished by a pot full of wine (or blood) which she holds in both of her hands; the sixth Kātyāyanī riding on a tiger, holds a drawn sword in her hands and is killing a giant; the seventh Kālarātrī is of fearful appearance and has a grim smile on her face; the eighth Mahā-Gaurī rides on a white elephant; and the ninth Siddhidāyinī is attended by demigods. The Kāranāgama quoting the Skanda-Yāmala describes these nine Durgās under different names and says that one of them has eighteen arms while the rest have sixteen each. They are generally shown standing naked with one leg placed on the head of the buffalo-demon and hold in their fist a tuft of the giant’s hair. One of the Durgās with sixteen arms called Shōdasabhujā-Durgā has three eyes and serpent-jewellery and holds tridents in all her sixteen arms.