Chamunda and Mahalakshmi in One Form: Where Renunciation Meets Prosperity

The Two Worlds in One Image: Devi Chamunda and Goddess Mahalakshmi

Since very old time, man is trying to catch the supreme
truth in a form which he can see and worship. Sometimes he is confused between
two things. One is the universal truth, and the other is the material
prosperity here on earth. At such time, he makes an image which holds both the
worlds. Such image is the combined form of Devi Chamunda and Goddess
Mahalakshmi. We can see these images in the cults and cultures of Odisha and
other parts of eastern India. The State Archaeological Museum of Bhubaneswar has
some good examples of them.

Description of the Image

The Devi is generally shown with two hands. She sits in
Padmasana on a lotus. In her left hand she holds something like a jewel pot.
Her right hand holds a weapon, or sometimes it is shown in Varada mudra, the
gesture of giving boons. Her crown is decorated with skulls, and her ear
ornaments have the shape of buffalo head. She wears the sacred thread, but her
body is skeletal, with empty stomach.

Below the lotus throne, we can see a holy Kalash, a
crocodile which balances a jewel pot, and an owl, which is her vahana.

Two Goddesses, One Form

The elements in this image are divided between the two
Devis. Skulls, the skeletal body and the empty stomach belong to Chamunda in
eastern India. The Kalash and the jewel pot belong to Goddess Lakshmi. Owl belongs to both Chamunda and Goddess Lakshmi in eastern parts of India. So one image is telling two stories at the same time.

Symbolism of Chamunda’s Elements

In Hindu scriptures, Chamunda is born from the anger of Devi
Durga during the fight with the asuras Chanda and Munda. She killed both of
them, and so she got the name Chamunda. The Devi Mahatmya, which is part of
Markandeya Purana, tells this history.

• Skulls
  on the crown: They remind us that death is certain for every living
  being. Only the wise person who remembers this can leave attachment.
• Skeletal
  body and empty stomach: They show the destruction of ego and desire.
  The body is only a shell, and hunger is also a symbol of the world’s
  endless wanting.
• Buffalo
  head ear ornaments: Buffalo is connected with Mahishasura, the demon
  of ignorance and pride. Wearing his head means the Devi has conquered
  these qualities.
• Weapon
  in right hand: It cuts the bond of ignorance.

Symbolism of Lakshmi’s Elements

Lakshmi is the Devi of wealth, fortune and auspiciousness.
She is the consort of Bhagavan Vishnu, and she is worshipped in every Hindu
home.

• Owl:
  It is the vahana of Lakshmi. It moves in darkness, which teaches that
  wealth should be used with discernment and not with greed.
• Kalash:
  The full pot means abundance, purity and life. In Hindu rituals, no puja
  starts without Kalash.
• Jewel
  pot: It stands for treasure and prosperity, but here it is held by a
  Devi who is skeletal, so the message is that wealth is to be held lightly.
• Crocodile
  with jewel pot: In the tradition of Kubera, the keeper of wealth, this
  shows that riches are guarded by water and depth, and cannot be taken
  easily.
• Lotus:
  Lotus grows in mud but remains clean. It teaches that a person can live in
  the world and stay pure.

The Philosophy Behind the Combination

Hindu teaching accepts four goals of human life, called
Purushartha: Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Artha means wealth and Moksha
means liberation. Ordinary man is often pulled between these two. He needs
Artha to live, but he also wants Moksha for peace of the soul.

This combined image gives the answer. Prosperity and
renunciation are not enemies. A householder can earn wealth with Dharma, but he
must not forget that the body and riches are temporary. Chamunda shows the
truth of impermanence, and Lakshmi shows the blessing of sustenance. The
devotee must accept both.

Importance of Sculpture in Hindu Tradition

In Hinduism, sculpture and painting are not only decoration.
The Shilpa Shastras give exact rules for making the image of a deity, including
the posture, the number of hands, and the objects held. Every detail carries
meaning, so the image becomes a book for those who cannot read. Through a
temple sculpture, even a common villager can learn deep philosophy by just
seeing it.

The combined image of Chamunda and Mahalakshmi is a good
example of how Hindu artists put deep thought into stone. It tells us that
spiritual life and worldly life must walk together, and that real wisdom is to
enjoy prosperity without being bound by it.