Shashti Devi Devasena

This is a lesser known story associated with Chhath Puja Devi Aditi, mother of the gods, despaired at the growing war between the Devas and Danavas She approached Lord Brahma, who advised her to propitiate the self-born Shashti Devi Devi Aditi meditated on Goddess Shashti for a hundred years Pleased with her devotion, Goddess Shashti taught her the Chhath Puja Vidhi & instructed her to observe the Vrata (fast) Devi Aditi was soon blessed with an illustrious son ‘Aditya’, who would prove instrumental in defeating the Danavas Shashti Devi and Lord Aditya (Surya) are both worshipped during Chhath Puja, seeking prosperity, health, and progeny Hence this Puja is also known as ‘Suryashashti Vrata’ Swayambhu Shashti Devi (Chhathi Devi) Chhathi Devi Suryashashti Vrata Chhathi Devi Mandap Chhath Puja in progress

Amritavalli, born from the tears of Maha Vishnu, desired to marry Lord Muruga As per her Father's advice, She perfomed a penance to please Lord Subrahmanya She forwent food and continuously chanted the Lord's name Pleased with her devotion, Lord Muruga promised to marry her in her next birth He blessed Amritavalli to be born as Lord Indra's daughter Amritavalli took the form of a little child and reached Heaven She told Lord Indra, “I have been ordained to be under Your care by Lord Shanmukha” Lord Indra, troubled by Daityas at that time, became very happy and saw this as a divine blessing He directed Airavata, His Vahana, to bring up the child with care and comforts Since She was brought up by the divine elephant, She came to be known as Deivayanai  (Theiva - divine; Yanai - elephant, in Tamil) On Lord Muruga's victory over Soorapadma and freedom of Devas from Daityas, Lord Indra wished to honour Him He requested Lord Muruga to marry His daughter Deivayanai, and thus b...

 Kaumari forms a part of the Sapta Matrika/ Ashta Matrika pantheon She denotes the Shakthi (power) of Lord Karthikeya She is depicted on a peacock, carrying a Vel (lance) and other weapons similar to Lord Skanda Kaumari is represented in several forms, a 4-armed form, a 6-faced, 12-armed one, and sometimes a 6-faced, 4-armed form She is also identified with Skanda's wife Devasena Four-armed Kaumari with Vel (Lance) Six-faced, twelve-armed Kaumari Devi Manuscript painting ‐ Kaumari Morvahini Sri Tulja Bhavani - Kaumari Alankara

 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...

Devasena as Skanda's wife finds mention in the Vana Parva of Mahabharata Here, she is seen as the Manasputri of Prajapati, & the maternal cousin of Lord Indra The story takes place with the Deva-Asura war in the background Lord Indra rescues Devasena from Daitya Keshi and takes her under His care Devasena expresses her wish of marrying an all powerful warrior Lord Brahma ordains her to wed Lord Skanda, the future commander-in-chief of Lord Indra's army This would earn Him the title ‘Devasenapati’ (Commander-in-Chief, Devasena's Husband) Lord Indra betroths Devasena to Shanmukha Thereafter Devasena joins Skanda in defeating Daityas & restoring peace on Heaven & earth The Kartikeswar Puja in Odisha celebrates Sri Kartikeswar & Devasena annihilating Daityas together Devasena would go on to assist King Priyavrat and become the much revered Shashti Devi (Chhathi Mai) War Lord Skanda and his consort, Devasena