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Kaumari is considered as one of the Sapta Matrikas (7 forms of Divine Mother). She is also associated with the Kanya Kumari form of Devi.

The references to the Kaumari form of Devi are found in -

The Devi Mahatmya, found in the Markandeya Purana:

Kumārarūpā Kaumarī mayūravaravāhanā |

raktavastradharā tad vacchūlaśaktidharā mata ||

Devi Purana:

Kumārarūpadhāri ca Kumāra-jananī tathā |

Kumāraripuhantri ca Kaumārī tena sā smrtā ||

Taittirīya Aranyaka found in the Yajur Veda (here she is addressed as Durga):

Kātyāyanyā vidmahe Kanyākumārī dhīmahi, tan no Durgiḥ pracodayāt

Matsya Purāna (it describes her as the daughter of Lalitā and mentions Māyipuri as a place sacred to her):

Māyāpuryām Kumāri tu santāne Lalitā tathā


This wiki articles claims that the Kanya Kumari form is also mentioned in the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Narayana Upanishad, without any references.


Question: Which other scriptures mention the Kaumari or Kanya Kumari form of the Devi?

Sarvabhouma
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Amit Saxena
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    Kumari as you mean is different from Kanyakumari. Kumari is the Shakti of Lord Muruga (Kumara) whereas Kanyakumari is Goddess Parvati in her unmarried form. – Surya May 10 '16 at 10:27
  • Also I don't think Lalita is the mother of Kumari. The verse means "in Mayapuri she is Kumari and in Santana (a place) she is Lalita." – Surya May 10 '16 at 10:29
  • @Surya Well, the link I mentioned says different. In either case, whichever being true, I am looking for more references for both the forms of the Devi. – Amit Saxena May 10 '16 at 10:33
  • Matysa Purana has a story where Lord Shiva creates various Matrikas and they after drinking blood of demon, don't subside. Then Lord Vishnu will come as Narasimha and creates other Devis who subside these Matrikas and Lord Shiva decrees them to help people in need. – The Destroyer May 10 '16 at 10:34
  • Well I can give a reference for Kanyakumari straight away. In Bhagavatam when Balarama goes on a pilgrimage he goes to Kanyakumari - Dakshinam Tatra Kanyakhyam Durgam Devim Dadarsha Sah. – Surya May 10 '16 at 11:09
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    As it is mentioned in 10.1.7 of Taittariya Aranyaka of YajurVeda... This is the best refrence... as it is directly Shruti... – Tezz May 10 '16 at 11:59
  • @Tezz Is that the same reference I have mentioned above? Or, another Shloka from the same text? – Amit Saxena May 10 '16 at 12:03
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    @Amit Saxena It is the same refrence mentioned by you... If we have validation from Shruti we don't need to search for other refrences.... – Tezz May 10 '16 at 12:05
  • @Tezz True, I didn't think about that. – Surya May 10 '16 at 13:35
  • @Tezz I am still looking for more references :) We don't stop reading Smritis just because Shrutis exist o the same topics. – Amit Saxena May 10 '16 at 13:39
  • Related Are there any Gods who are girls? – YDS Sep 29 '18 at 14:06

1 Answers1

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From the Varaha Purana chapter which describes how the Ashta Matrikas manifested during the extermination of the demon Andhaka.

The entire Universe was upset by the wickedness and glaring transgression of morals by the uninterrupted evils displayed by Demon Andhakasura [Siva Purana states that Devi Parvati was playful with Maha Deva by closing His eyes tightly and from the Lord's perspiration on His forehead a boy of muscular strength was created.]Eventually Andhakasura became the Unconquered King of the Lower Regions like Patala and tormented the entire Universe. After a series of battles were won with Devas who were driven away from the Heaven, Indra approached Brahma and Vishnu who too were ineffective to conquer the Demon as he was fortified with the boons of Brahma. They had finally approached Maha Deva and to His utter surprise He too could not conquer him as each time Maha Deva applied His trident against the Demon, blood streams of the Demons body created endless number of Andhakasuras with each drop of his blood. Lord Rudra became so infuriated that from His face produced a mighty conflagration or an inferno-like flame viz. the Yogishwari Shakti. Vishnu too created a highly powerful Shakti named Devi Vaishnavi and other Deities followed suit by creating their Shakti counter-parts viz. Brahmi from Brahma, Kaumari from Kartikeya, Mahendri from Indra, Yami or Poushunyam from Yama, Varahi from Varaha Deva and Maheswari from Narayana. The Eight Matrikas represented the Eight Mind born Enemies viz. Kama or Desire from Yogeswari, Krodha or fury from Maheswari, lobha or avarice from Vaishnavi, Mada or Ego from Brahmani, Moha or infatuation from Kaumari, Poushunya or wickedness from Yamadharani, Matsarya from Indrani and Jealousy from Varahi.

And,the Ashtami tithis of the month are dedicated to the Ashta Matrikas.

Rickross
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