Nitya Devi
The fifteen visible phases of the moon are represented by the Nitya Devis, which are distinct eternities of goddess Lalita Tripurasundari. In Hindu astrology, the moon is regarded as an essential celestial body. It has Sixteen phases, called kalas. 15 of these are visible to us, and the 16th remains hidden from sight. Along with Goddess Tripurasundari, who leads the first Kala named Amrita, which is invisible to most mortals, this group of Fifteen goddesses governs the fifteen visible Kalas. These fifteen Nitya goddesses according to Tantraraja Tantra are as follows:
1. Kameshvari
She is the first Nitya. She is depicted with a lustrous red complexion and has six arms and three eyes. She carries a bow of sugarcane, arrows of flowers, a noose, goad, cup, and one hand in Varada mudra. She has adorned with the crescent moon on her head and her clothes are red.
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4. Bherunda
She is depicted with a golden complexion, and eight arms, and three eyes. She carries a noose, goad, shield, sword, mace, thunderbolt, and bow.
7. Shivaduti
She is a form of Durga and as a Nitya Devi, she is depicted with eight arms and has a complexion of the midday sun. In her left hands, she carries a horn, shield, mace, and a bowl. In her right hands, she carries a sword, goad, axe, and a lotus.
10. Nitya
She is depicted with a complexion of the color of the rising sun, twelve arms, and six faces with three eyes on each face. In her right hand, she carries a goad, book, arrows of flowers, sword, skull, and one hand in Abhaya Mudra. In her left hands, she carries a noose, white lotus, sugarcane bow, shield, trident, and one hand in Varada Mudra.
13. Sarvamangala
She is depicted with a golden complexion, four arms, and two eyes. She holds a citron and a bowl in her upper hands and her lower hands in Abhaya and Varada mudra. She is shown seated on a lotus.
2. Bhagamalini
She is depicted with a crimson-red complexion and six arms and three eyes. She carries a night water lily, noose, and sugarcane bow in her left hands. In her right hands, carrying a lotus, goad, and flowery arrows. She is shown seated on a lotus.
5. Vahnivasini
She is depicted with a golden complexion and eight arms and three eyes. In her left hands, she carries a lotus, a conch shell, a bow of red sugarcane, and a full moon. In her right hand, she carries a water lily, a golden horn, arrows of flowers, and a citron.
8. Tvarita
She is depicted with a dark complexion and four arms and three eyes. She is of auspicious form in the first flush of youth and of dark complexion. She carries a noose, a goad, and two hands in Abhaya and Varada mudras. She is shown seated on a golden throne, surrounded by lions and bears. She is adorned with a crown with peacock feathers at the crest.
11. Nilapataka
She is depicted with a sapphire-blue complexion, ten arms, and five faces with three eyes on each face. In her left hands, she carries a goad, flag, shield, bow, and one hand in Varada Mudra. In her right hands, she carries a goad, the Shakti weapon, sword, and arrows, and one hand in Abhaya mudra.
14. Jwalamalini
She is depicted with a complexion of the color of a flame, twelve arms, and six faces with three eyes on each face. She carries a noose, goad, sword, shield, bow, arrows, mace, trident, spear, fire, and two hands in Varada and Abhaya mudras. She is shown standing on a lotus.
3. Nityaklinna
She is depicted with a red complexion covered with sandal paste. She has four arms and three eyes. She carries a noose, goad, kalasha, and one hand Abhaya mudra. She is shown seated on a lotus and adorned with the half-moon on her head and her clothes are red.
6. Vajreshwari
She is depicted with a red complexion and four arms and three eyes. She carries a noose, goad, sugarcane bow, and a pomegranate. She is shown seated on a throne that is placed on a golden boat floating in an ocean of blood.
9. Kulasundari
She is depicted with a red complexion and twelve arms and six faces with three eyes in each face. In her right hands, she carries a rosary, lotus, Kamandalu, bowl, citron, and one hand in Vyakhya Mudra. In her left hands, she carries a book, lotus, pen, garland of gems, conch shell, and one hand in Varada mudra.
12. Vijaya
She is depicted with a complexion of the color of the rising sun, ten arms, and five faces with three eyes on each face. In her left hands, she carries a conch shell, noose, shield, bow, and lily. In her right hands, she carries a chakra, goad, arrows, and a citron fruit. She is adorned with a crescent moon on her forehead.
15. Chitra
She is depicted with a complexion of the color of the rising sun, four arms, and three eyes. She carries a noose, a goad, and two hands in Varada and Abhaya mudras.
Image source: astrologia-vedica.com
Kali Nitya Devi
Expanding on the previous description:
Like Lalita Tripurasundari, Goddess Kali also has fifteen Nityas, but unlike Lalita’s Nitya Devis, which are associated with the waxing moon, the Kali Nityas are connected to the waning phase of the Moon. These deities are more mysterious, esoteric, and fearsome, representing distinct aspects of Kali’s energy. The Shaktisamgama Tantra provides insights into these fifteen Nitya Kalis, detailing their iconography, attributes, and significance.
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Each of these fifteen forms embodies a unique cosmic force within the Tantric tradition, often associated with time, dissolution, and transformation. Their worship is linked to advanced esoteric practices and is considered deeply powerful yet secretive within the Shakta tradition.
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Below are the fifteen Kali Nitya goddesses, as described in the Shaktisamgama Tantra.
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1. Kali
An attendant of Goddess Kali, sharing the same name. She has a dark complexion, a terrifying face, and two arms. She holds a sacrificial sword in her right hand while her left hand is in Karana Mudra. Adorned with a garland of skulls, she is seated on a corpse.
4. Kurukulla
A tantric goddess worshipped in both Hinduism and Buddhism. As a Nitya goddess, she has a black complexion, four arms, and is seated on a corpse. She holds a skull, scissors, a cleaver, and a shield. She wears a garland of skulls.
7. Ugra
She has a black complexion, a fearsome face with fangs, and four arms. She holds a sword, a night lotus, a skull, and a knife. She stands in Pratyalidha posture in a cremation ground, adorned with a garland of skulls.
10. Nila
She has a blue complexion, a calm face, three eyes, and a rolling tongue. She has four arms, holding a cleaver, a night lotus, and a severed head, with her upper right hand in Abhaya Mudra. She is adorned with ornaments of human flesh and bones, wears a garland of skulls, and is seated on a corpse.
13. Matra
She is blue-black in color, smeared with blue paste, and adorned with a garland of skulls. She has four arms and three eyes, seated on a corpse, radiating fierce energy. She holds a skull bowl, scissors, a sword, and a severed head, and her terrifying roar echoes through the cosmos.
2. Kapalini
She has a dark complexion and a beautiful face, with four arms. She carries a cleaver and a trident, while her right hands are in Abhaya and Varada Mudra. She is seated on four severed heads.
5. Virodhini
She has a yellow complexion and a fierce face with three eyes and four arms. She holds a trident, a serpent noose, a bell, and a damaru. She is adorned with a garland of snakes and bones and is seated on a corpse.
8. Ugraprabha
She has a blue complexion, a calm face, and three eyes. She has four arms, holding a cleaver, a severed head, a skull bowl, and a knife. She wears a girdle made of severed hands and eating carrion.
11. Ghana
She has a black complexion, a terrible face with three eyes, and terrifying teeth. Blood flows from her mouth. She has four arms, holding a sword, a shield, a trident, and a club. She wears a girdle of severed hands and a garland of severed heads.
14. Mudra
She is fierce and powerful. Her skin is the color of a blue lotus, and she roars loudly, embodying unstoppable energy. She has three tawny eyes and four arms, adorned with a garland of heads and a girdle of hands. Blood stains her lips as she holds a skull bowl and a knife in her left hands, while her right hands wield a sword and a shield.
3. Kulla
She has a peaceful face, three eyes, and four arms. She holds a scripture and a rosary in her right hands, while her left hands are in Abhaya and Varada Mudra. She is seated on ten severed heads.
6. Vipracitta
She has a blue complexion, a fierce face with a rolling tongue, and three eyes. She has four arms, holding a cleaver, a severed head, a skull cap, and a trident. Blood flows from her mouth, and her teeth are visible.
9. Dipa
She has a blue complexion, a calm face, three eyes, and fangs. She has four arms, holding a cleaver and a severed head in her left hands, while her right hands are in Abhaya and Varada Mudra. She is adorned with a garland and bracelets of skulls.
12. Balaka
She has four arms and three eyes, intoxicated with madira. She wears a garland of skulls and is seated in a fortress of skulls. In her left hands, she holds a sword and a severed head, while her right hands carry a skull bowl and the threatening finger.
15. Mita
She is dark blue and terrifying, embodying the fierce power of time and dissolution. She wears red clothes, her hair disheveled, with a garland of skulls adorning her form. Sitting on a corpse, she has four arms and three eyes, holding a sword and a severed head in her left hands while her right hands dispel fear and grant boons. She radiates the intensity of ten million fires of dissolution, dwelling in the cremation ground.
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