The Mother Goddesses (matrikas) are the female creative aspects (shaktis) of the Hindu gods. As such, they share attributes and mounts (vahana) with their namesakes. They can vary in number and identity, but the most common grouping is the seven Mother Goddesses (sapta matrikas). In northern and central Indian reliefs, they are often shown dancing in the charming (lalita) posture and are accompanied either by a fierce form of Shiva, known as Virabhadra (Distinguished Hero), or by Shiva playing the vina (Vinadhara). The group is often flanked by the elephant-headed Ganesh, Lord of Obstacles.
From left to right, the four-armed nimbate deities represented here are Virabhadra, holding a trident (trishula) and with his bull mount, Nandi; Brahmani (Brahma), holding an ascetic’s water pot (kamandalu); Maheshvari (Mahesvara or Shiva), holding a trident, and with an atypical lion (sinha) mount; Kaumari (Kumara), holding a lance (shakti), and with her peacock (mayura) mount; Vaishnavi (Vishnu), holding a discus (chakra), mace (gada), conch (shankha), and probably a lotus bud (padma), and with her half-human, half-avian mount, Garuda; the boar-headed Varahi (Varaha) holding a club (danda), and with her buffalo (mahisha) mount, Indrani (Indra), holding a thunderbolt (vajra), and with her elephant (gaja) mount; the emaciated Chamunda (Durga), holding a pestle (musala), displaying the gesture of admonition (tarjani mudra), and with her corpse (mritaka) mount; and Ganesha, holding a bowl of sweetmeats (ladhus). See also M.71.110.2.
