ABSTRACT
It is worth beginning with a consideration of the early history of mātṛs in order to locate the Mahāvidyās in a long tradition of multiple goddesses. Amongst various clusters, the mātṛs come first because they are the most important antecedents traceable historically. Though some scholars have sought to find out their presence in the Vedic corpus, 1 the origin of this group, collectively known as ‘mothers’, is still shrouded in obscurity. The earliest detailed description of the group appears in the Mahābhārata (Śalyaparvan45.3–29). It gives an account of an enormous group of feminine divinities called the band of mothers (mātṛgaṇa), who came to the aid of Skanda (Kumāra, Kārttikeya, Guha). It lists the names of a large number of mātṛs, in all about one hundred and ninety. This account may be one of the most significant pre-Puranic references to local and non-Vedic goddesses who were gradually assimilated into Brahmanical traditions later on. The band of mothers is described as follows:
These and many other mātṛs … numbering by the thousands, of diverse forms, became the followers of Kārttikeya. Their nails were long, their teeth were large and their lips were protruding. Of straight forms and sweet features, all of them, endowed with youth, were decked with ornaments. Possessed of ascetic merit, they were capable of assuming any form at will. Not having much flesh on their limbs, they were dark and looked like clouds in hue, and some were of the colour of smoke. And some were imbued with the splendour of the morning sun and were highly blessed. Possessed of long tresses, they were clad in robes of white. The braids of some were tied 57upwards, the eyes of some were tawny, and some had girdles that were very long. Some had long stomachs, some had long ears, and some had long breasts. Some had coppery eyes and coppery complexions, and the eyes of some were green. Possessed of great strength, some amongst them partook of the nature of Yama, some of Rudra, some of Soma, some of Kubera, some of Varuṇa, some of Indra and some of Agni. And some partook of the nature of Vāyu, some of Kumāra, some of Brahmā, some of Viṣṇu, some of Sūrya and some of Varāha. Of charming and delightful features, they are beautiful like apsaras. In voice, they resembled the kokila and in prosperity, they resembled the Lord of Treasures. In battle, their energy resembled that of Śakra. In splendour, they resembled fire. In battle, they always inspired their foes with terror. Capable of assuming any form at will, in fleetness they resembled the wind. Of inconceivable might and energy, their prowess also was inconceivable. They have their abode on trees, open spots and crossings of four roads. They live also in caves, crematoriums, mountains and springs. Adorned in diverse kinds of ornaments, they wear diverse kinds of attire and speak diverse languages. These and many other groups [of mothers], all capable of inspiring foes with dread, followed Kārttikeya at the command of the chief of the celestials. 2
