Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.475

c5.475

3) *Five forms of Devī.* When primordial nature (Mūlaprakṛti) incarnated or manifested in the form of Viṣṇu the desire for creation raised its head in him. And, at once the Devī—female—aspects in Viṣṇu manifested in five forms like Durgā, Lakṣmī, Sarasvatī, Sāvitrī and Rādhā. These five forms are designated as the Pañcadevīs. Brief notes on the five Devīs are given below.