Kaumari, also known as Kumari, Kartiki, Kartikeyani, or Lumadhi Ajima (in Kathmandu), is one of the Matrika goddesses (Sapta Matrika). She is a powerful manifestation of Shakti, the divine feminine energy, and an emanation of Kumara, the god of war. Kumara is also known by various names, such as Kartikeya, Skanda, and Murugan, and is often depicted as a youthful warrior riding a peacock. Kaumari embodies the same traits as Kumara, but in a female form, retaining his valor, courage, and warrior-like essence.

The Appearance and Attributes of Kaumari

Kaumari’s physical appearance is striking and closely resembles that of Kumara. Like him, she is often shown with six heads, symbolizing the multifaceted nature of her power. Her skin is yellow, and she typically wears red clothing, representing both her vibrant energy and her warrior-like qualities. She is depicted with a peacock mount and a banner bearing the peacock, just like Kumara.

Her attire and attributes vary depending on the form in which she is worshipped:

Four-Armed Form: In this form, Kaumari holds a Shakti spear, a rooster (representing her fierce nature), and performs the Abhaya (fearlessness) and Varada (boon-giving) mudras.

Twelve-Armed Form: In her more powerful twelve-armed form, Kaumari holds several items, including:

•A Shakti spear

•A banner with a peacock image

•A rod

•Bow and arrow

•A bell

•A lotus

•A bowl

•An axe

•Silver coins

Kaumari often wears a karandamukuta, a cylindrical crown, symbolizing her divine status. In some depictions, she is shown with a child on her lap, symbolizing her maternal aspect. Despite this, she is always youthful in appearance, never appearing older than sixteen years.

The Dual Nature of Kaumari: Protector and Destroyer

Kaumari, like other Matrika goddesses, is an unpredictable and powerful force of nature. While she embodies immense Shakti (divine energy), she is also wild and untamed. Her nature is raw, potent, and capable of causing both protection and destruction. This unpredictability is part of what makes her both revered and feared.

Protector and Warrior: Kaumari is a demon-slayer, fiercely protecting her devotees from evil forces. She is known to be a powerful force against darkness, chaos, and malevolent beings. She fights demons with great courage and valor, often seen as a force to be reckoned with in the battle against evil.

Destructive Force: On the other hand, Kaumari can be equally destructive when she is enraged. She has a ferocious and bloodthirsty nature, often depicted as a death-bringer, causing destruction and calamities. She is particularly known for causing diseases, infertility (especially in women), and untimely deaths. She can also bring fevers that harm unborn children or infants, making her dangerous to those under sixteen.

Her ferocity makes her a goddess of destruction, capable of devastating consequences if not approached properly. Like other Matrikas, she can become a powerful ally, but only when worshipped with respect and care.

Kaumari’s Relationship to Kumara

Kaumari is not only a separate goddess but also has a maternal and intrinsic connection to Kumara (Skanda). She is considered to be a part of his essence, a portion of his divine power, which makes her relationship with him both complex and intimate. In a way, she is both mother and self to Kumara.

Her worship is particularly important in the context of the Chandi Homa (a fire ritual), where she is often invoked alongside other Matrika goddesses. This collective worship highlights her relationship to the larger pantheon of Matrika deities, all of whom represent different aspects of Shakti.

Kaumari’s Worship and Rituals

Kaumari is most commonly worshipped alongside other Matrikas, forming part of a group of deities often invoked in rituals and fire ceremonies. The most prominent of these is the Chandi Homa, a ritual of invoking divine power to defeat negative forces. During this ritual, a specific mantra is recited to invoke Kaumari’s blessings:

“Kaumari shakti hasta cha mayura varavahana
yoddhumabhyayayau daityan Ambika Guharupini!”

This mantra calls upon Kaumari as the powerful and fearless warrior goddess who rides a peacock and combats the forces of evil. It is followed by the offering of pomegranate juice or sometimes even blood into the fire, symbolizing the goddess’s fierce nature and her connection to blood sacrifice in the battle against demons.

Later, another mantra is chanted to invoke the energy of all the Matrikas:

“Tesham Matrigano jato nanartashrin madoddhatah!”

This line speaks of the joy and exultation of the Matrikas after drinking the demon’s blood and dancing in triumph. This ritual emphasizes the Matrikas’ nature as fierce protectors and warriors, always in motion, always ready to act in the defense of dharma (cosmic order).

Kaumari’s Mantras and Their Significance

Kaumari’s most important mantra is:

“Mayurakukkutavrte Mahashakti dhare nadhe
Kaumari rupasansthane Narayani namostute”

This mantra calls upon Kaumari as the bearer of great power (Mahashakti), who rides the peacock and is an embodiment of divine energy. By chanting this mantra, devotees invoke her strength and blessings, seeking protection, fulfillment of desires (Bhukti), and even Mukti (liberation).

The Balance of Power and Worship

Kaumari’s unpredictability makes her both a dangerous and potent goddess. She is not easily appeased and can cause harm if not worshipped properly, but with the correct rituals and devotion, she can bring great protection, prosperity, and spiritual progress. Her energy is vast and transformative, a force that must be approached with respect and caution.

Kaumari, like other Matrikas, is not a goddess to be feared but to be understood. When properly worshipped, she can grant her devotees the strength, protection, and wisdom needed to navigate the challenges of life. Her fierce, maternal, and protective qualities make her a goddess who is as much a mother as she is a warrior, a goddess who embodies both creation and destruction.

Conclusion

Kaumari, in her multifaceted nature, is a goddess of immense power and significance. Her role as both a protective warrior and a dangerous force of destruction makes her one of the most dynamic deities in the Matrika pantheon. Revered in rituals like the Chandi Homa, Kaumari offers her blessings to those who approach her with devotion and respect. Her connection to Kumara, the peacock, and her fierce energy make her a figure of both veneration and awe.