Goddess Shakambari

Goddess Shakambari is the incarnation of Ishwari, consort of Shiva. She is the divine mother and the Bearer of the Greens. During famine, Goddess Durga blesses people with vegetarian food. (Shaka comes from Sanskrit. means vegetables and vegan food. Ambari means one who wears or bears), to the hungry. That is why she is called “Shaka” + “Ambari” = ‘Shakambari’.

Know about Shakambari navarathri

Appearance of Goddess Shakambari
The form of Shakambari Devi is described in the Durga Sapt-Shati in the last chapter which is called ‘Murti Rahasya’. The goddess is blue. Her eyes are like lotus flowers. Her navel is below the normal place and has three curves. A lotus is present in her hand, which is thronged by bees. The other hand carries arrows. Other hands carry flowers, roots, and vegetables, fruits symbolising the goddess of vegetation, who feeds us and keeps us away from disease. One hand is carrying a bow representing her fierceness.

Story of Incarnation – Goddess Shakambari

Legend has it that once; there was a Demon, Durgam, who worshipped Brahma for years together. As a result, he had acquired the knowledge of the Vedas from Brahma through penance. He also gets a boon from Lord Brahma that makes sure that all the pujas, yajnas and havanas being offered to the Devatas reach him instead, making him invincible. Durgam became very arrogant and started tormenting the whole world. As a consequence, devtas become weak and were not able to perform their duties properly. Therefore it did not rain for one hundred years and the whole world was hit by very severe drought. The rishis and munis took refuge in the caves of the Himalayas and meditated upon the Supreme Shakti. The Shakti appeared in front of them bearing a wonderful form! She had countless number of eyes upon her that gave her the name Satakshi. She was so moved by their plights that tears rolled down from her eyes for nine continuous days and nights. The tears took the form of a river.

She then saw that the rishis and munis have nothing to eat. So she appeared in a form bearing grains, cereals, vegetables, greens, fruits and other herbs and medicines – and was hence called Maa Shakambari. The rishis, munis and the Devtas then requested that she recover Vedas, which were in possession of Durgam and make sure that the share of Devtas of puja, yagna and havanas goes to Devtas so that they become powerful and can perform their duties properly.

Durgam came to know that again people were living happily through his messengers and immediately attacked with a large army. Maa Shakambari protected the frail rishis, munis, Devtas and others by putting up a huge wall of fire around them, and then let her discuss hover around it.
There ensued a tremendous battle between the Maa Shakambari and Durgam. At last Maa Shakambari, killed Durgam with her trident and recovered the Veda from his possession. At that very moment all the mantras and japas that were performed by the rishis, munis and devatas had performed earlier but were absorbed by the demon Durgam due to his boon, transformed into a bright light of a 10000 Suns and entered the Devi.
From her body, Maa Shakambari manifested the ten most powerful powers that have never been in universe before called “Dashamahaavidya” and 64000 other goddesses. She then handed over The Veda to the deities.

Moola Mantra of Goddess Shakambari

Om am sham shaakambharii-devyai sakala-sthaavara jangama-rakShakii dhana-dhaanya vritti-karinyai namah

or simply

Om am sham shaakambharii-devyai namah

Meaning of Moola Mantra

“Om am sham I bow to the Goddess Who bear Vegetation, Shakambhari Devi, you are the constant nourisher providing abundant grains and vegetables in all seasons, the Gautrdian of all living beings, and the Provider of wealth and nourishment, sustaining the livelihood of all.