Shashti Devi

  •  King Priyavrat and Queen Malini were childless for many years
  • After several prayers, they finally begot a child
  • Unfortunately, the child was stillborn
  • Priyavrat wandered about with his stillborn child to bury it, lamenting his fate
  • It was then that he saw a luminous Devi descending to earth on a gem studded Vimana
  • The Goddess introduced Herself as Devasena, Skandapatni and daughter of Prajapati.
  • She immediately revived the stillborn child and blessed it with power and fame
  • She also directed Priyavrat that She be propitiated in all three worlds for protection and welfare of children
  • The day when Sri Devasena revived Priyavrat's progeny (Shashti Tithi) came to be known as Shashti Devi Vrat/Puja

Shashti Devi

  • Shashti Devi is also depicted on a cat vahana (Marjara) along with children
  • This form of Shashti Devi is especially venerated in East India

Shashti Devi, Marjara Vahana

  • Other representations include earthern pitcher, Banyan tree, red stone/ Shaligram under a Banyan tree, image on a wall
  • Shashti Devi is sometimes depicted as similar to Chitragupta, i.e., one who writes fates of newborns
  • This can be seen in the story of Jivantika Mata, another benefactor of children

Shashti Devi with pen, left, Jivantika Mata, right





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