Goddess Narayani - Who Is Narayani? Lakshmi Or Durga?

Goddess Narayani is a form of Goddess Durga, who is mentioned in the Devi Mahatmya. She is the Mother Goddess and the fundamental energy responsible for all creation, animate and inanimate. Shakta devotees believe that it is Narayani’s energy that creates, preserves, and destroys. But some believe her to be Goddess Lakshmi. In the final reckoning, she is Lakshmi for those who see her as Lakshmi, and she is Durga for those who see her as Durga.

Who is Goddess Narayani?

Many people think that Goddess Narayani is Lord Narayana’s consort. But, in fact, she is the sister of Narayana. So it is Goddess Durga, and not Lakshmi, who is called Narayani. One of the meanings of this name is "Exposer of Consciousness". It makes eminent sense because the Goddess is worshipped as the energy that lies behind the universe, and she is the one who holds the power to expose the consciousness to facilitate unity with the divine. Another meaning is "the one who represents the real nature of the material world". This, too, emphasizes the primordial power of divine feminine form. Narayani also refers to "the innate power behind the ultimate god". It also means "she who provides the basis for all living things," and "she who is the power behind Lord Narayana." She is the power of illusion behind Narayana, the personification of salvation, and one who is fit to be worshipped by the Devas. In Devi Mahatmyam, there are 16 slokas that are called Narayani Stuti, which are used to invoke and worship this form of the Goddess. She is the Supreme Mother who gave birth to this universe. It is she who operates it, and she is also the one who consumes it in herself. In esoteric terms, she is one with Lakshmi and Saraswati. She is also worshipped as Goddess Parvati, the daughter of the Mountain and the mother of the deities, Kartikeya and Ganesha.

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She is the Greatest and the Eternal, and without her Shakti, no creation is possible, even by Brahma. 

Hers is the womb in which all creation, preservation, and destruction occur. It is Narayani who nourishes and sustains all living things.

When she withdraws her blessing of nourishment, a cycle of creation ends.

The word ‘Narayani’ is also associated with Lord Vishnu, who is also called Narayana. Some scriptures also claim that Narayani is one of the names of Vishnu’s consort, Goddess Lakshmi.

Goddess Narayani can be interpreted as one of the many attempts by the human mind to give form to Brahman. According to some scriptures, she is the one behind the creation of the Trimurtis – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Goddess Narayani Devi Mantra

Om sarva mangala mangalye
Shive sarvartha shaadike
Sharanye Triambake Gauri
Narayani namostute

Meaning: O Parvati, you who make all desires possible the most auspicious of the auspicious my refuge, Gauri, Triambika, my salutations to you

One can chant any prayer with devotion and single-minded focus. This will be enough to invoke the blessings of Goddess Narayani. 

Depiction of Narayani:

It is difficult for the human mind to perceive the true form of Narayani, as it is beyond the imagination.

Goddess Narayani is often depicted as dressed in white and appears in the blessing posture, with a shanku (conch) in her left upper hand and a chakra (wheel) in her right upper hand. She has a lotus flower in her lower left hand, while the lower right hand shows the Abhaya mudra (blessing gesture). Her vehicle or mount is a lion.