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Shachi

Topic: Religion

 From HandWiki - Reading time: 12 min
Short description: Wife of Hindu god Indra
For Japanese mythological creature, see Shachihoko. "Indrani" and "Sachi" redirect here, for people with the same name, see Indrani (name) and Sachi (name)

Shachi
Queen of the devas
Goddess of Beauty, Jealousy and Rage
Shachi
c. 1500-1600 Indrani from Nepal, depicted as consort of Indra
Other namesIndrani, Poulomi, Aindri
AffiliationDevi, Matrika, Daughter of Asura
AbodeAmaravati, Indraloka, Swarga
MountAiravata
GenderFemale
Personal information
ParentsPuloman (father)
ConsortIndra
ChildrenJayanta, Rishabha, Midhusha, Jayanti, Devasena

Shachi (Sanskrit: शची, IAST: Śacī), also known as Indrani (Sanskrit: इन्द्राणी, IAST: Indrāṇī), is a Hindu goddess associated with beauty, sensuality, jealousy and rage. Described as the daughter of the asura Puloman, she is the wife of Indra and the queen of devas.

Because of her heavenly beauty and sensuality, Shachi was desired by many men, and many of them tried to forcefully marry her. According to a legend, when Indra hid from everyone, Nahusha, a mortal king of the lunar dynasty, became the ruler of heaven. After he became lustful and tried to make Shachi his queen, she cleverly executed various plans and dethroned him.

She is sometimes identified with a Matrika (mother goddess) and is an important goddess in Shaktism, a major sect of Hinduism. Shachi is rarely worshipped as an independent deity and is usually worshipped with Indra. Other religions like Jainism and Buddhism also mention her in their texts.

Etymology and epithets

According to Sir Monier Monier-Williams, the word "Shachi" (Śacī) means speech, power of speech or eloquence. Alternately, the word can also mean activity, diligence, skillfulness or energy. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "shach", which means to speak, say or tell. Shachi is also associated with the word "shak", meaning power, strength, action or exploit.[1] David Kinsley, a professor known for his research on Hindu goddesses, believed that shachi suggests the later concept of Shakti, the personification of power.[2] Other scholars use "divine grace" as the translation of Shachi.[3]

Like many goddess wives who are known by their husband's name like Rudrani (wife of Rudra), Varunani (wife of Varuna), or Agniyani (wife of Agni), Shachi too is called "Indrani" (Indrāṇī).[2][4][5] Other names of Indrani include:

  • Indra (Indrā) - feminine word of Indra[6]
  • Aindri (Aindrī) - wife of Indra[4]
  • Poulomi (Poulomī) - daughter of Puloman[7]
  • Poulomuja (Poulomujā) - daughter of Puloman[7]
  • Devarani (Devarāṇī)- queen of deva
  • Charudhara (Cārudhārā) - beautiful[8]
  • Shakrani (Śakrāṇī) - wife of Shakra (Indra)[9]
  • Mahendrani (Mahendrāṇī) - wife of Mahendra (Indra)[9]

Also, Indra is known after his wife's name as well; hence he is often referred to as Shachipati (husband of Shachi), Shachindra (Shachi's Indra) or Shachivat (possessor of Shachi).[1][10]

In Hindu Literature

Vedic

6th century Indra, Indrani and Airavata, Badami cave temple, Karnataka

Indrani first appears in the Rigveda. According to Subodh Kapoor, unlike many Vedic deities who are personification of a natural phenomenon, Indrani has no myth of nature to explain her existence and may have originated directly as Indra's wife.[11] American indologist John Muir states that in the Rigveda, she is invoked multiple times, the first three passages of which mention her with other goddesses. Another hymn considers her to be the most fortunate female as her husband won't die because of old age.[12] David Kinsley states that many goddesses in the early texts are named after their husbands and have no independent character of their own. However, Indrani is mentioned far more often than any other goddess of this type, but she is still overshadowed by her husband.[2]

The hymn 10.68 of the Rig Veda praises her to be very beautiful and mentions her jealousy of rivals. Another hymn (10.159) tells that she is boastful and claims that she has conquered her husband and he is submissive to her will. However, in the same hymn, Indrani also asks the gods to rid her of rivals for the favour of Indra.[2] A hymn in Rigveda is dedicated to a quarrel between Indra and Indrani; where she becomes annoyed with the pranks of Vrishakapi—the pet-ape of Indra—and complains about it.[11] The Satapatha Brahmana calls her Indra's beloved. Taittiriya Brahmana suggests that Indra chose her over other goddesses because of her beauty and sensuality.[3] Scholars note that the Aitareya Brahmana mentions the wives of Indra as Prasaha and Sena, but both of them are identified with Indrani.[10]

Epic and Puranic

Shachi has been lusted by various men. In this painting by Raja Ravi Varma, Shachi (far left) is presented to Ravana, after his son Meghnada conquered heaven.

According to the later Hindu texts including the epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata) and the Puranas, Shachi is the daughter of Puloman, an Asura son of the sage Kashyapa and his wife Danu. She married Indra and became the queen of the Devas (gods).[13] The Bhagavata Purana mentions that Indra and Shachi had three sons named Jayanta, Rishabha and Midhusha.[3] Some texts also include Nilambara and Rbhus.[14] Indra and Shachi had a daughter named Jayanti and she married Indra's rival Shukra. In some scriptures, Indra and Shachi bestowed their daughter Devasena to Kartikeya.[9]

Author James G. Lochtefeld comments that Indrani is not a major figure and this may reflect Indra's diminished status in later Hindu mythology. He also states that Indrani's only important role is in the story of Nahusha.[15] According to the Mahabharata, Indra once sinned "Brahmahatya" by killing Vritra and hid from everyone out of remorse. During this period the devas appointed Nahusha, a powerful mortal ruler of the lunar dynasty, as the king of heaven.[16] He soon became proud of his power and desired for Shachi, but she refused his amorous advances and sought protections under Brihaspati, Indra's teacher.[17] Angered by Nahusha's illicit behaviour, the devas insured her to bring back Indra and after crafting a plan, Shachi went to Nahusha. She put a condition that before she accepted him, he had to wait till Indra was found. Nahusha showed his consent. Though Indra was found and redeemed from his sin, he refused to return as Nahusha was already the king and hid again. Aided by goddess Upashruti, Shachi located Indra in the lake Manasarovar.[18] He suggested Shachi a plan to remove Nahusha from his position. She returned to Nahusha and asked him to come to her on a palanquin driven by sages. Because of his impatience and arrogance, Nahusha kicked the sage Agastya while riding the palanquin. Agastya cursed Nahusha to fall from heaven and transformed him into a snake. Indra was restored as the king of heaven and thus reunited with Shachi.[19][20][21][15]

Krishna uproots the Parijata Tree while Indra and Shachi apologize; A folio from the Bhagavata Purana

According to another story found in the Ramayana, Anuhlada, son of the Daitya Hiranyakashipu, wanted to marry Shachi, but she refused. However he took permission from Puloman to forcefully abduct and marry her. During the abduction, Indra spotted them and saved his wife by killing both Anuhlada and Puloman.[13][22][lower-alpha 1] The Southern Indian text Kanda Purana narrates that when the asura Surapadman desired for Shachi, Indra appointed Shasta as her guard. During his absence, Surapadman's sister came to Shachi and unsuccessfully tried to convince her to marry the asura.[23][24] In the epics, Shachi's beauty and devotion are compared to other women like Rohini, Arundhati, Sita and Draupadi.[25][26] The Mahabharata also mentioned that the heroine Draupadi was Shachi's incarnation, though elsewhere Draupadi is praised as an incarnation of Sri.[27]

The Puranas attest that Shachi owned the Parijata tree (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis), which was one of the jewels emerging from Samudra Manthan. In Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana, the god Krishna and his wife Satyabhama visited Amaravati to return the earrings of Indra's mother Aditi, which were stolen by the demon Narakasura. Shachi considered Satyabhama to be inferior because of her mortal background and introduced her to Aditi.[23] Later, while traveling the garden of Indra, Satyabhama saw the Parijat tree and decided to transplant it in Dvarka. When the guards of Shachi warned them, Satyabhama challenged Shachi to ask her husband to protect it if he was submissive to her will. After hearing Satyabhama's words from the guard, Shachi insisted on her husband to take her possession back. A battle between Indra and Krishna occurred, in which the Krishna became victorious and took the tree with him.[28][29]

Association with the Matrikas

Main page: Religion:Matrikas
13th-century Saptamatrikas Panagal Group of Temples ruins, Sakti tradition; Indrani is the one with elephant vahana icon below her

In Shaktism, the goddess oriented sect, Indrani is the name of one of the Sapta Matrika — the seven divine mothers. Sometimes, Indra's wife and the Matrika are equated into one goddess.[30]

The legends of these goddesses are narrated in various texts. According to Devi Mahatmyam, when the gods were unable to defeat the powerful demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, their Shaktis (power) personified themselves to defeat the demon. Indrani or Aindri is described to be emerging from Indra and has similar characteristics to him.[31][32] According to later chapters of the same text, Matrika again appeared to defeat Raktabija, a demon who had the power to multiply himself when a drop of his blood reached the ground. This time they emerge from the different parts of the supreme goddess. The Varaha Purana associates each of the Matrika with an emotion, Aindri is associated with jealousy.[33][34]

Iconography and worship

Indra and Indrani at a temple, India, c. 12th century
A painting of the Matrika Indrani, Nepal, c. 1800

Sculptures of Indra and Shachi are common in Hindu temple arts. They are depicted seated on the white elephant Airavata. While explaining the iconography of Indra described in Vishnudharmottara, author Roshen Dalal writes that Shachi should be depicted with four arms, seated on the lap of her husband.[35]

Archaeologist T.A. Gopinatha Roa describes Indrani to be red, with three eyes and four hands. Two of her hands should be posing Varada and Abhaya Mudra, and the other two are holding a vajra (thunderbolt) and a spear. She wears a Kirita on her head and is decorated with various ornaments. Her Vahana (vehicle), as well as her emblem banner, is an elephant.[36] According to Vishnudharmottara, Indrani is yellow and has one thousand eyes like Indra. She has six arms, four of which carry sutra, vajra, pot and vessel. The remaining two are in Abhaya and Varada mudra. The Devi Bhagavata Purana states that she has only two arms and carries an ankusha (goad) and vajra, while the Purva Karangama mentions that she has two eyes and carries a lotus in one hand.[36] [9] Indrani is associated with Kalpaka tree and sometimes, a lion is also mentioned as her vahana.[37]

The worship of Shachi as an independent deity is rare and is usually venerated with Indra. In Bhagavata Purana, it is mentioned that Rukmini, the chief wife of Krishna, visited a temple dedicated to Indra and Shachi. They are the kul devata (family deity) of the royal family of Vidarbha.[35] In Hindu astrology, Shachi rules over Shukra (venus) and symbolises rajas quality.[38] In modern times, Shachi is sometimes equated with the Matrika and is worshipped along with the other goddesses of the group. A puja (worship) dedicated to goddess Indrani is performed during the Ashada Navratri.

In other cultures

Indra and Shachi riding Airavata. Folio from a Jain text, Panch Kalyanaka, c. 1670 – c. 1680, Painting in LACMA museum, originally from Amber, Rajasthan

Shachi is absorbed by other religions, though she still plays a minor role. In Jain tradition, she is a mirror image of Indra and they represent an ideal couple.[39] According to the myth, when a Tirthankara is born, Indra descends with his consort, Shachi, riding their mount, the great elephant Airavata, to celebrate the event.[40]

In the Buddhist Pāli Canon, Shachi is referred to as Sujā (or Sujātā), the wife of Sakka (Magha).[41][39] Born to asura Vemacitrin, Sujā went through a long process and was reborn over many lifetimes to purify herself and become Śakka's wife. As Vemacitrin was his nemesis, Sakka, disguised as an old asura, came to Sujā and took her with him. After defeating Vemacitrin, they got married and she became his chief consort.[42]

Notes

  1. ↑ In contrast, Alain Daniélou writes that Puloman was killed after Indra eloped with Shachi.[3]

References

Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Monier-Williams 1872, p. 989.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Kinsley 1988, p. 17.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Daniélou 1991, p. 109.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Gandhi 1993, p. 158.
  5. ↑ Monier-Williams 1872, p. 141.
  6. ↑ Monier-Williams 1872, p. 140.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Dalal 2014, p. 165–166.
  8. ↑ Gandhi 1993, p. 89.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Dalal 2014.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Dalal 2014, p. 164.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Kapoor 2002, p. 969.
  12. ↑ Muir 1870.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Dalal 2014, p. 166.
  14. ↑ Jordan 2014.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Lochtefeld 2001, p. 297.
  16. ↑ Mani 1975, p. 516.
  17. ↑ Mani 1975, p. 660.
  18. ↑ Sarkar 1989, p. 126.
  19. ↑ Debroy 2015.
  20. ↑ Mani 1975, p. 6.
  21. ↑ Sinha 2020.
  22. ↑ Debroy 2017a.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Mani 1975, p. 330.
  24. ↑ Dalal 2014, p. 399.
  25. ↑ Mukherjee 1999, p. 29, 39.
  26. ↑ Debroy 2017b.
  27. ↑ Brodbeck & Black 2007, p. 136.
  28. ↑ Bhattacharya 1996.
  29. ↑ Cush, Robinson & York 2012, p. 775.
  30. ↑ Chandra 1998.
  31. ↑ Kinsley 1988, p. 156.
  32. ↑ Cush, Robinson & York 2012, p. 739.
  33. ↑ Kinsley 1988, p. 159.
  34. ↑ Leeming & Fee 2016.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Dalal 2014, p. 165.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Rao 1997, p. 385.
  37. ↑ Stutley 2019.
  38. ↑ Kalomiris 2019.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Appleton 2016.
  40. ↑ Goswamy 2014, p. 245.
  41. ↑ Daniélou 1991, p. 487.
  42. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (2009-04-12). "Suja, Sujā: 6 definitions". https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/suja. 

Sources

External links




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