I recently visited Vaishno Devi in the Katra region of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Vaishno Devi holds important significance in Hinduism, especially among the worshippers of Shakti. It is one of the 108 Shakti Peeths worshipped in Hindu mythology. The place has a different aura that fills your heart with positive energy. I witnessed very elderly people taking up the steep trek of Vaishno Devi. For those of you, who don’t know; Vaishno Devi is situated 13 km uphill near the Trikut mountain. Devotees have to cover this journey on foot although other means of transport are also available like helicopters, horses, palkis, etc.
Hindu mythology has a rich history surrounding Vaishno Devi, who is believed to be the divine Mother Goddess manifested as Maa Vaishno, also called Mata Rani. Although there are several variations on the story, this is a popular one:
There once was a young princess named Vaishnavi who lived during the Treta Yuga, a period in Hindu mythology. She was born as an incarnation of the divine Mother Goddess. Vaishnavi had a strong devotion to Lord Vishnu and aspired to be enlightened.
King Ratnakar, her father, had the desire for her to marry a prosperous prince. Vaishnavi sought the advice of Lord Vishnu because she was unwilling to defy her father. He suggested that she escape to the Trikuta Mountains so that she could meditate in solitude.
When Vaishnavi set out on her journey, she met the tantric sorcerer Bhairon Nath, who was captivated by her beauty and made a marriage proposal. Vaishnavi declined, but Bhairon Nath followed her persistently.
Vaishnavi had to climb the Trikuta Mountains to escape Bhairon Nath, and he had to overcome many obstacles in the process. According to legend, she traveled in the guise of several goddesses, such as Maha Saraswati, Maha Kali, and Maha Lakshmi.
When she finally arrived at the sacred cave tucked away in the mountains, she transformed into Maa Vaishno Devi by merging with the divine energy. Bhairon Nath, meanwhile, continued in his search and eventually arrived at the cave.
In a decisive battle, Maa Vaishno Devi beheaded Bhairon Nath because she could no longer stand his unrelenting chase. Realizing his folly and seeking forgiveness, Bhairon Nath pleaded with Maa Vaishno Devi.
Mata Rani granted him a boon, stating that the pilgrimage of her devotees would only be complete if they visited his temple after hers. Therefore, the pilgrimage to the shrine of Vaishno Devi consists of a visit to the sacred cave where Maa Vaishno Devi resides, followed by a visit to the Bhairon Temple.
The story of Vaishno Devi represents the ultimate realization of divine consciousness, the victory of good over evil, and the strength of devotion. It is still revered by millions of devotees who make the arduous journey to seek Mata Rani’s blessing.
There are many other mythological stories related to Mata Vaishno Devi. Among those the following hold prominence. These tales shed further light on the divine beginnings and incarnations of the goddess also called Maa Vaishno Devi, Māṇikī, or Viṣṇupriyā. Let’s look at each tale concisely:
Viṣṇupriyā is the goddess’ name in this version. This Purana contains a section called Devi Mahatmya, which describes the glory of the Divine Mother in her various forms. The term Viṣṇupriyā refers to Vishnu’s beloved. Although the details may differ, this depiction highlights her close connection with Lord Vishnu.
This tale describes how the goddess, in the form of Maa Vaishno Devi, came from Trikalā, an incarnation that was born from the Trimūrtis (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva). On Śataśṛṅga Parvata, which is identified as the location of the present-day Trikūṭa Dhāma, where the shrine of Vaishno Devi is situated, it is said that she killed the demon Mahiṣāsura. It is important to note that this event is mentioned not in the current Śvīta Varāha Kalpa but in a different Kalpa (Mānava Kalpa).
According to this source, the goddess is known as Māṇikī, the Śakti (divine feminine energy) of Kalki, the final avatar of Vishnu. Trikūṭa, also known as Māṇika Parvata, is the home of Māṇikī. This depiction links Maa Vaishno Devi to the cosmic cycle and emphasizes her significance as a divine force intimately associated with Vishnu’s future avatar.
Each one of these tales highlights the different names, forms, and divine qualities of Maa Vaishno Devi, adding to the divine web of mythology surrounding her. They also highlight her importance in Hinduism as a strong goddess who bestows protection and divine grace upon her followers.
