Ambika (goddess)

Ambika (Sanskrit: अम्बिका, IAST: Ambikā) is generally an epithet or form of Mahadevi, the supreme goddess of Hinduism. In Shaktism, she is revered as Adi Parashakti, the mother of the universe and all beings. She is often identified with various incarnations such as Chandi, Durga, Bhagavati, Lalitambika, Bhavani, Ambabai and many others.^[1] In her iconography, she is typically depicted with eight arms holding multiple weapons.

According to the Devi Mahatmya, after the asura Mahishasura was slain by Durga, the divinities embarked on a pilgrimage to the Himalayas and sang a hymn of praise in honor of the supreme goddess. Meanwhile, Goddess Parvati had come to the source of the Ganges to bathe and observed the hymn. She asked the divinites to whom the hymn was dedicated. Before they could respond, she shed her outer corporeal form, revealing her true and auspicious form, who is then named Ambika.^[2] When identified with Parvati, Ambika is seen as the consort of Shiva.

In the Vedic tradition, Ambikā is described as the sister of Rudra (Śiva).^[3] The Yajurveda (Śukla recension, 3.57) invokes Rudra “together with his sister Ambikā” (svasrā-ambikā). The Shatapatha Brahmana (2.6.2.9) explains this line by stating explicitly that “Ambikā is the name of his (Rudra’s) sister.” A similar reference occurs Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa (1.6.10.5), where Ambikā is again identified in this ritual context. In the Nrisimha Tapaniya Upanishad of the Atharvaveda, Lord Narasimha is described using various names, including Ambikāpati (husband of Ambika). In later Puranic literature, however, the name Ambika is also applied to Parvati.

• Ambika (Jainism) - Yakshi of the 22nd Tirthankara Neminatha, portrayed with children in sculpture.