Namaskaram, recently Isha Foundation released a series of posts where they shared about names of Devi Linga Bhairavi which are associated to her 33 qualities. Here I have collected all names and meanings at one place.
1. Gurubhyo - the first name in this series, talks about Devi as the all-encompassing one - the Guru. In the Yogic culture, the Guru-Disciple relationship is the most sacred one. Disciples yearn to mirror their Guru in every aspect. Guru is the guide, the teacher, the light in the darkness, and the ultimate lover.
2. Swayambho - the self-existing - the one that has originated from itself. Devi is extolled as the one who is "self-manifested", the one with no parentage, and who is “self-created”. She is the destroyer of the past, offering the possibility to sweep away karmic bondage.
3. Swadharini - One of Devi’s supreme qualities is that she is “self aware”. The Sanskrit word Dharini comes from Dharana, meaning “concentration,” or “steady focus.” In yoga, when you practice Dharana, you are “binding” the mind to one place, idea, or object. Dharana is the initial step of deep concentration meditation.
4. Mahakalyani - Bhairavi is revered as Kalyani the one who brings well-being, prosperity and good fortune. Across Indian culture, parents name their child as Kalyan or Kalyani with this sacred attribute, meaning auspicious, blissful and fortunate. This name is not only lovely but also profound.
5. Maha Bhadrani - is a name of Devi that attributes to her quality as a fierce protector.
Known for her benevolence towards her devotees, she is always by their side in whatever situation they are going through, in ways deemed impossible and unimaginable.
She is seen as a Divine Protector of not only humans but all life forms on earth.
In some languages, this particular name also signifies the beauty of the full moon, the divine feminine, and the color Red.
6. Maheshwari - is the compilation of two words 'Maha' and 'Ishwari' - refers to Devi's quality as a Great Goddess. 'Maha' means great while 'Ishwari' is a term used to refer to the Divine counterpart of 'Ishwar' or the Lord of the Universe. Ishwari is the female ruler, considered as the 'mistress of the Entire Universe'.
Maheshwari also refers to Goddess Shakti or the Divine Feminine Energy. All the three main dimensions of the this energy (personified as Durga-Lakshmi-Saraswati) are unified in the form of Linga Bhairavi. She is the exposer of consciousness and reminder of the Divine that resides in all life around us.
7. Nageshwari - Snakes are revered and worshipped as sacred creatures throughout Indian culture. They are the symbol of fertility, creative life force, perception, and mystical dimensions. They also symbolize rebirth, transformation, immortality, and healing by shedding their skin.
At Linga Bhairavi, the divine energy of Devi can be felt through the symbolic Divine sarpas carved in Her abode. They are adorned and filled with kumkum or valmeekam as a part of the ritual that enhances regenerative qualities and perception.
8. Vishweshwari - 'All-pervading' or 'omnipresent'. Vishweshwari is a salutation used to address Linga Bhairavi, whose presence is exceptionally powerful and all-encompassing.
As Vishveshwari, she is regarded as the queen and ruler of all existence, protecting and nurturing the entire universe like a Divine Mother. As a manifestation of the Divine Feminine, she is incredibly fierce yet equally benevolent and kind towards her devotees.
9. Someshwari - One of the 33 qualities of Devi Linga Bhairavi is that she is Someshwari. The Goddess of the moon or the one who is intoxicated with bliss.
Cycle of Moon and cycles in woman body are closely connected. Here is a beautiful poem by Sadhguru on woman and the moon.
"Woman"
These creatures of the moon
in such delicious swoon
the sun in me not the only boon
to these creatures of the moon
Daily death, a must for the sun,
to be kept and nourished
in the pregnancy of the moon
It is her gracious reflection
that sees him through the night
Sun, the source of all known creation,
is but born in the coolness of the moon
The Creator placed such trust
in this unreasonable madness of the moon
Bestowed the womb to bear
and the feeding breast
May she flower and bloom too soon;
only then can there be worthwhile harvest
When the world knows the nourishment
of this womb,
In celebration will exist
these creatures of the moon.
10. Dukhasamharini - Devi Bhairavi is a destroyer of suffering. Dukha means suffering and samharam means the destroyer.
Suffering comes in various forms for various people, Devi's compassionate energies eliminate suffering in an instant or gradually, according to what's best for the people. Not only for living beings, but she offers ease and peaceful transition for our departed ones as well. As the past is also a kind of suffering, She frees people from their past as well.
11. Hiranya Garbhini - is the salutation to Devi Bhairavi as the very source of creation of the universe. It basically translates to a 'golden womb'. Devi is seen as the one who delivers existence itself. She is ever pregnant with the essence of life.
This sacred space is as vast as the universe itself. In much of Bharat's culture and modern vernacular languages, pregnant women are still referred to as Garbhini, a term that kindles tenderness and signifies the divine within them.
Garbhini is also one who nurtures life to its full potential and then engulfs it back to make it a part of herself again. The word is not just limited to human beings. It refers to all life forms that are pregnant, thus a reminder that Her presence exists in every life.
12. Amrita Varshini - is a name given to Devi, which means "the one who showers Amritam".
Amritam represents the pinnacle of sweetness and pleasantness and is also considered to be the elixir of immortality.
Varshini is term used to describe the 'goddess of the rains'. Devi is believed to shower an abundance of Amritam on her devotees, if they are open and receptive to receiving it.
13. Bhakta Rakshini - the fierce goddess known for the unwavering protection of Her devotees. She is revered as the ultimate mother and guardian of the five fundamental elements of nature and the entire cosmos.
Bhairavi devotees can experience her protective nature through consecrated forms such as the Bhairavi Raksha or a Devi Yantra. Additionally, physical contact with a consecrated form of Devi can create a protective cocoon around the devotee.
14. Saubhāgya Dāyini - The Bestower of Good Fortune
Devi is the one who grants prosperity, happiness, and success, not just in material aspects but also in terms of life and its fulfillment.
With Devi Bhairavi's Grace, good luck is showered on her devotees, blessing them success beyond their own capabilities and efforts. She is the ultimate Giver of all that is essential for one's growth and blossoming from various walks of life.
15. Sarva Janani - is the name of Devi that personifies her as a mother of all. Sarva means all and Janani means one who gives Janma or birth. So Devi is the one to breed, nourish and sustain life, not just of human beings but of the entire Earth.
As a mother is tender, nourishing, and fiercely protective, Janani also pertains to all women and denotes the feminine nature to the closest.
16. Garbha Dayini - bestower of the womb. 'Garbha' refers to a womb. 'Dayini' means the bestower. As Devi is the ultimate mother of all life here, she is also the one to bestow this gift of motherhood.
She is the womb where existence happens, a space where all creation is. So, she is also the one who provides the power to procreate in all life forms.
17. Shoonya Vasini - the one who dwells in shoonya or emptiness.
Out of all the words that we can use to describe shoonya — the origin, infinity, emptiness, void, vacuum, nothingness — Shoonya is the vast nothingness from which the creation was born. In Sanskrit, shoonya implies empty space or void. In mathematics also, shoonya denotes zero, the ultimate number that has no value of its own but can add value to any other number.
As creation happens in the lap of this vast limitless void, Devi dwells in shoonya. In this very source of all creation, She opens it up as a possibility for all.
18. Mahā Nandini - This name is the praise to Devi as one who is a great giver of joy, pleasantness, and happiness.
'Nand' means delight/ joy. Literally, nandini means a woman who brings joy. It also specifically refers to a daughter, as a daughter brings joy to the family.
In the Hindu religion, Goddess Parvati is often addressed by this name as Nandini refers to one of the eight eternal companions (Ashtanayika) of Goddess Parvati.
19. Vameshwari - the Goddess of the Left.
Vama means the left side, and Ishwari means the Goddess. Goddess Parvati is referred to as Vameshwari because she sits on the left side of Shiva, she indicates that the left side of the human body is feminine. Even today, in our culture married women are made to sit on the left of their husbands.
Vama also means occult or path of tantra. As Vameshwari, Devi is also the basis of all occult and tantra.
20. Karma Pālini - Goddess Bhairavi is the ruler of karma, which is the basis of everything that you are today. Devi's grace can dissolve one's karma and hasten their spiritual growth.
21. Yonishwari - This name describes Devi as the womb of the whole creation. 'Yoni' in Sanskrit is a word for the womb of all mobile and immobile beings. Yoni is also the female counterpart of the Linga.
As the genesis of the whole material world, she is the space and source where the creation resides. And as the Goddess of all wombs, she is the bestower of the power to procreate and produce.
22. Linga Roopini - is the name of Devi that extols her as the one who is in the form of a Linga. It is very rare to see Devi or feminine manifest in the linga form.
The ellipsoid shape is the first form of creation as it manifests itself and the final form just before it dissolves. So Devi's Linga form is a self-explanatory symbol of Her energies being closest to this attribute and the sheer intensity and immense power she has.
It is also the form which can retain energies for a very long period of time.
23. Shyam Sundari - "Shyam" is the dark hue of the sky during the time of twilight. As darkness is the very embodiment of space and time where light is just a brief happening, shayama points out these qualities of Devi. It also tells about the all-encompassing inclusiveness of Devi, just like the vast darkness.
Sundari is used to portray Devi as the most beautiful one or the epitome of beauty itself.
As a dark beauty, Devi is seen in her gracious, compassionate, and fierce forms and is worshipped and celebrated in each form.
24. Trinetrini - Devi's three eyes —intense, fierce, and compassionate — also represent the Sun, Moon, and Earth. It indicates that Devi enshrines and unites all three fundamental qualities of Tamas, Rajas, and Sattva.
In this form, she is also known as Trinayani or Trimabaka. The third eye of Devi also denotes perception. It depicts that Devi can perceive dimensions that are beyond physical.
In a unique offering at Linga Bhairavi, a symbolic Third Eye in copper or silver can be offered by devotees, to appeal to the grace of Devi’s Third Eye.
25. Sarva Mangali - the most auspicious one. This name is the one given to the 'Gauri' form of the Devi, where she is the very embodiment of radiance, Grace, auspiciousness, and well-being.
The most benevolent, she bestows auspiciousness on Her devotees in the form of success, prosperity, and spiritual well-being.
It is based on this attribute that we have the powerful and endearing chant popularly chanted in many places of Divine Feminine to invoke Her blessings -
“Sarva Mangala Maangalye Shive Sarvartha Saadhike Sharanye Trayambike Gauri….”
26. Maha Yogini - Devi is the female counterpart of the 'Master of Yoga'. She is the greatest practitioner of yoga and tantra, and carries the ability to bestow this spiritual knowledge on Her devotees.
27. Klesha Nashini - Salutations to Goddess Bhairavi, the Destroyer of Hindrances.
One of Devi's benevolent qualities is to remove impurities that hinder a devotee’s growth and evolution. Her unbounded Grace aids them to burn through all those complications that lay in their path.
At Linga Bhairavi abodes, the powerful yet gentle process of Klesha Nashana Kriya is derived from this attribute of Her presence. The ritual is offered to those wishing to become more receptive to Devi’s protection by cleansing their aura with fire and other natural elements.
28. Ugra Roopini - The Fiercest One
Out of two dimensions of Feminine - Gowri and Kali - Devi Bhairavi has been created in the Kali form of the Divine Feminine; the Dark One. The very embodiment of fierceness, in this terrifying form, she exudes power, might, and intensity at the same time extreme compassion, and protection.
The word ‘ugra’ translates to 'scary ferociousness'. This quality depicts Her absolute mastery over everything, where She is a complete force by Herself. The Indian culture usually reflects women as fiery and bold, rather than domesticated and soft. This attribute serves as a reminder of the fire of the feminine within.
On one hand, this formidable form may instill fear in some but for devotees harboring deep love and devotion towards Her, it reassures them of the strength of the Mother Goddess and Her power to protect and bring them to ultimate dissolution.
29. Divya Kamini - is the salutation to Devi as the Divine Enticer or the Divine Lover.
Kamini describes an array of qualities — it refers to the most affectionate, attractive, passionate, and beautiful woman. As Divya Kamini, Devi is the lover of the creator, the one who enticed the stillness and emptiness of Shiva into movement, manifesting the whole creation.
Kamini also means desire. It is this quality of Hers that has propelled creation to take shape in its various forms and structures.
30. Kāla Roopini — the personification of darkness and time is the name given to Devi as the female counterpart for kaāla or Shiva.
In yogic science kāla is the word used for both space and time. As space can happen only because of time, kāla essentially means time.
As Kāla Roopini, Devi is the maker and destroyer of time. She is the one who takes care of birth and death. And as time is the basis for the whole play of creation, she is also the basis of the creation.
Visit Linga Bhairavi's page as we explore the enchanting and powerful Devi Stuti, unfolding the meanings behind each of Her 33 names!
31. Trishoola Dharini - Trident Bearer
The word ‘tri’ translates into ‘three’ whereas ‘shula’ means ‘a spear’. Often referred to as a fearsome weapon, the trident is actually to be looked upon as a symbolism, a physical representation of the three fundamental dimensions of life - Ida (masculine), Pingala (feminine) and Sushumna. As the bearer of the mighty trident, Devi is worshipped as the One who carries these basic principles.
Though on the surface, creation manifested from these three, deep down, they all merge to become one and the same in the hands of the Divine. At the Linga Bhairavi abode, the distinctive weapon aptly accompanies the powerful Devi, imbibing her raw and fierce energies. Her Trishul is also inclined 11 degrees towards the left, indicating the dominance of feminine energy in the space.
32. Yaksha Kamini - refers to Devi as the lover of yakshas. Yakshas are celestial beings who are not from this planet.
Considered to be the Yaksha Swaroopa, Shiva's friends consist of these mischievous yet benevolent beings. They are connected with various aspects of nature like fertility, wilderness, forests, etc.
Being the female counterpart of Yaksha Swaroopa himself, Devi is the enticer of all these beings.
33. Mukti Dayini - it talks about Devi as Mukti Dayini, the bestower of ultimate liberation.
Mukti, not from this or that but liberation from all that is yourself. Mukti from all the compulsions.
'Linga Bhairavi lets you enjoy the physicality so quickly and fully that you will naturally shift your focus on something higher.' - Sadhguru
So these are the 33 qualities of Devi... most compassionate mother goddess. May all the beings receive grace of the mother goddess.
