7 Mother Goddesses · Devi Mahatmya
Sapta Matrika
सप्त मातृका
When the gods could not slay Raktabija — every drop of whose blood spawned a new demon — they each emitted their shakti as a mother form. Together the seven drank the demon's blood from mid-air, ending his multiplication. From Brahmani (wisdom) to Chamunda (death of fear), they form the complete Tantric mother-grid.
See also 8 Ashta Lakshmi, 51 Shakti Peeth and Nava Graha.
1Brahmani
ब्राह्मणीShakti of: Brahma
The creative shakti of Brahma — emerged from his mouth as he chanted the four Vedas to fight Andhakasura
2Vaishnavi
वैष्णवीShakti of: Vishnu
The preservation shakti of Vishnu — emerged from his chest holding his attributes
3Maheshwari
माहेश्वरीShakti of: Shiva (Maheshwara)
The destructive shakti of Shiva — emerged with three eyes, crescent moon and matted locks
4Indrani
इन्द्राणीShakti of: Indra
The royal shakti of Indra — emerged thousand-eyed bearing his thunderbolt
5Kaumari
कौमारीShakti of: Kartikeya (Kumara/Skanda)
The warrior shakti of Skanda — emerged six-faced bearing his spear, mounted on the peacock
6Varahi
वाराहीShakti of: Varaha (boar avatar of Vishnu)
The earth-lifting shakti of Varaha — emerged with the head of a sow, holding the plough that lifts the earth
7Chamunda
चामुण्डाShakti of: Kali / Devi herself (no male consort — born of Devi's wrath)
The wrath of Kausiki/Ambika — emerged from her forehead as Kali, then named Chamunda after slaying Chanda and Munda
The Raktabija episode
In Devi Mahatmya Chapter 8, the demon Raktabija received a boon that every drop of his blood spilling on earth would spawn an identical copy. Faced with multiplying demons, Devi summoned the Saptamatrika — the shaktis of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Indra, Skanda, Varaha and Devi herself (as Chamunda). They drank his blood from mid-air before it could touch ground, allowing Devi to finally slay him. The episode is recited during Navaratri Day 7 (Saptami). See Navratri 2026 dates and Devi mantras.