Devanagari महादेवी Weapon All | Sanskrit transliteration Mahādevī | |
 | ||
Affiliation Devi, Adi Parashakti, Brahman, Durga Abode Varies by interpretation Mantra Sarva mangala mangalye shive sarvaartha saadhike Sharanye trayambake Gauri Narayani namost | ||
In Hinduism, Mahadevi (Sanskrit: Mahādevī, Devanagari: महादेवी) or "Great Goddess" is the goddess or devi that is the sum of all other devis – an all-encompassing female deity as the consort or complement to an all-encompassing male deity (deva) or the Ultimate Reality (Brahman) in Shaktism.
She is often identified with a specific goddess, the most common being Durga, Parvati, Adi Parashakti, Kali or Mahakali. Adi Parashakti or Mahadevi, the Supreme power, is called Durga Shakti as per Devi-Mahatmya.
Mahadevi (as Tridevi) is the supreme force that creates, preserves, and destroys the universe. She is the highest intelligence referred as Brahmavidya. Mahadevi is the soul of the universe and the universe itself. She is the source of wealth, knowledge, forgiveness, peace, faith, fortitude, fame, modesty and mercy. The purans mention her as Nirguna Maheshwari Devi Mahamaya, meaning "the absolute truth", Shiva's consort, and mother of all. Along with Nirguna form Mahadevi is also mentioned as Sarguna (attributes) and Vagdevi (speech).