** Our Devi of this Week *** Sri Shivadooti Devi ** From Kalipadma/Len

[Guest guest]

[My mail is bouncing, so I'm forwarding this post to both

the List and to Nora individually. Hope one gets through!]

 

Along with Chamunda and the Sapta-matrikas, Shivadhuti is one of the

Devis who emerge from Durga to help her do battle in the <Devi

Mahatmyam>. Her name means "Shiva's messenger," or perhaps "Shiva IS

Her messenger," since she sends Lord Shiva to Shumba and Nishumba to

speak for Durga. Sri Shivadhuti Devi is referred to as Durga's

Shakti -- can a Shakti have a Shakti? -- prompting some scholars to

conjecture that <shakti> is here used in the sense of "spouse."

Durga vows not to marry any man who cannot defeat her in battle, but

this does not forbid her from engaging in a relationship of "two

sarees together"...

 

There are the nine great gems in her diadem.

 

These are the precious stones sacred to the planets, i.e.:

Ruby for the Sun

Pearl for the Moon

Coral for Mars

Emerald for Mercury

Yellow Sapphire for Jupiter

Diamond for Venus

Blue Sapphire for Saturn

Hessionite for Rahu (North Node)

Cats-eye for Ketu (South Node)

 

One who wears the <navaratna> (nine great gems) is protected from all

misfortunes caused by difficult aspects from the planets. (See Harish

Johari's book, "The Healing Powers of Gemstones" for more details.)

 

-- Len/ Kalipadma