Later Vedic goddesses (5.5): Jyeshta-Lakshmi Chapter 2 - The Maior Goddesses
Jyesta-Laksmi - origin. Jyeshta-Lakshmi is considered as the opposite of Laksmi. It is stated in the Uttara khand of the Parma Purana it is mentioned that the goddess Jyesta or Alaksmi is the goddess of misfortune. She came out of the ocean of milk as a result of it being churned by the gods and their cousins. It is further stated that, the goddess A- Laksmi was the wife of death or mrityu . In the Atharvaveda there is a mantra which is used to ward off Alakshmi in the form of poverty and misfortune. L.33. Atharvaveda I.18.1-4 Śaunaka recension, the first four verses are as follows: nir lakṣmyàṁ lalāmyàm nir arātiṃ suvāmasi | atha yā bhadrā tāni naḥ prajāyā arātiṃ nayāmasi ||1|| aparāhāṇi sukr̥tāni bhadrāyāḥ sukr̥tāny uta | tāni naḥ pr̥thivīṃ pratigrhṇātu sukṣetyāya rāmāya ||2|| yā arātir anadhikāyāḥ sukhāyāṁ anadhikāyāḥ | tāni naḥ pr̥thivīṃ pratigrhṇātu sukṣetyāya rāmāya ||3|| r̥ṣyaṁ padīṁ vṛṣadaṃtīm goṣedhāṁ uta vidhamām | tāni naḥ pr̥thivīṃ pratigrhṇātu sukṣetyāya rāmāya ||4|| A modern English translation of the four verses is: We remove the inauspicious mark of ill-fortune and the ungenerous spirit. What is good, those things we draw away from the ill-fortune of our offspring. The good fortunes that are in the late afternoon, and the good fortunes that are otherwise [in the future]—may the earth receive them for us for a good habitation and enjoyment. The ungenerous spirits of the undeserving woman and of the one who is not yet in comfort—may the earth receive them for us for a good habitation and enjoyment. The hind-footed one, the cow-tooth, and the broken bellows—may the earth receive them for us for a good habitation and enjoyment. Interpretations and context Purpose of the hymn: These verses are part of a ritual or incantation for the removal of misfortune and the attraction of good luck. The speaker aims to cast away negative influences and secure blessings, particularly for their future generations. Symbolism: The imagery in the last verse (r̥ṣyaṁ padīṁ vṛṣadaṃtīm goṣedhāṁ uta vidhamām) likely refers to various kinds of evil portents or characteristics associated with ill-fortune. "Hind-footed" or "cow-tooth" could describe physical deformities or unlucky traits, while "broken bellows" could symbolize a dysfunctional or harmful breath, action, or influence. Role of the earth: The repeated request to the earth (pr̥thivīṃ pratigrhṇātu) suggests the earth is being invoked to absorb these negative qualities and provide a secure, pleasant living space for the speaker and their family. chapter II Major goddesses Place among masses. According to the folk belief, the goddess Alaksmi is the inauspicious spirit of poverty which has to be dispelled from the house during Deepavali. On the night of Deepavali, doors and windows are kept open in the night so that Laksmi may come in and at four in the morning, the eldest woman in the family beats and drives out Alaksmi out of the house. Temple. There is a temple dedicated to the goddess Jyesta in the old Calicut madras trunk road at a village called Thacha-nattu-kara .A second temple of the goddess is in Srinagar on a hill called Jethyar which overlooks the Dal-lake Preferential places. The goddess Jyesta is the goddess of misfortune. She is the elder sister of Laksmi, the deity of fortune. Jyeshta is the deity of poverty, indigence, odium, reproach and ignominy. Her very name is a term of reapproach. She is the symbol of all that is detestable and loathsome. Jyeshta's presence in the house is indicated by the presence of waste, dirt, squalor, sloth-ness, indolence, idleness, disorder. KR IRS 101025 On Fri, 10 Oct 2025 at 18:08, 'gopala krishnan' via KeralaIyers < [email protected]> wrote: > Yes. Thatchanattukara is in Palghat district. It was off Calicut Madras > trunk Road. So I felt it is near Calicut Gopalakrishnan > > On Friday 10 October, 2025 at 02:02:32 pm IST, venkat raman < > [email protected]> wrote: > > > Namaste. Thachchanattukara is in Palakkad district , between Mannarakkad > and Palakkad. Palakkad - Olavakkode- Kalladikkode - Thachchanattukara - > Mannarakkad - Perintalmanna - Malappuram - Kozhikkode. > Perintalmanna. > > On Fri, Oct 10, 2025, 12:08 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < > [email protected]> wrote: > > > > JESHTA DEVI AND JESHTA DEVI TEMPLE-THATHACHANATTUKARA -NEAR CALICUT > > Introduction > > Jyestha Devi appears in the Hindu tradition as early as 300 BCE. Her > veneration was at its peak in South India in the 7th-8th century CE. By > the 10th century, her popularity had waned, pushing her into oblivion. *Today, > numerous ancient images of Jyestha still exist, though she is seldom > worshipped.* > > Often Jeshta Devi is depicted with the crow. She is sometimes identified > with Alakshmi, another goddess of misfortune. Her worship was prescribed > for women, who invoked her to keep her away from their homes. > > Description and iconography > > Texts that elaborate on the iconography of Jyestha are: the Agamas such as > the Amshumadbhedagama, the Suprabhedagama and the Purvakarangama; the > Vishnudharmottara Purana and other shorter references in the > Baudhayanagrhyasutra. > > The earliest recorded bilingual inscription detailing the iconography and > worship > practices from the 8th century is found in the caves of *Tiruparankunram > near Madurai.* > > Jyestha is usually depicted with two arms. Her nose is long and prominent > to the extent that she is sometimes called elephant-faced. Jyestha is > described as having "large pendulous breasts, flabby belly, thick thighs, > raised nose and hanging lower lip. Her complexion is black or red. She > wears blue-black or red garments. She is often depicted seated comfortably > on a throne with her feet on the ground. > > According to textual descriptions, Jyestha holds a blue or white lotus in > her right hand. A water-pot is held in her left hand or placed near her > throne or placed in the hand that makes the abhaya mudra - gesture of > protection. Her left hand usually rests on her seat or on her thigh. > *Sometimes, > Jyestha holds a broom, in her hand*. > > Jyestha wears different ornaments and a tilaka mark on her forehead, *a > sign of her married status*. Her hair is usually braided and piled on top > of her head or wound around her head in the hairstyle called vasikabandha. > > Jyestha has a banner depicting a crow, and is popularly called > "crow-bannered" (Kakkaikkodiyal) in Tamil. *A group of two attendant > goddesses sometimes stand beside her, usually carrying a crow and a broom.* > Sometimes a crow stands next to her. > > *Jyestha is often depicted with two attendants, sometimes interpreted as > her son Mànthan and daughter Mànthi.* > > The man is bull-faced and holds a rope or cord. The woman is depicted as > a beautiful damsel with a conical crown. > > Though Jyestha is almost never depicted astride on a mount, she is > described in most texts as riding a donkey like Alakshmi. In other texts, > she is drawn in a chariot by lions or followed by tigers or astride a camel > or lion. > > Legends > > Most Hindu legends narrate about Jyestha's birth during the churning of > the cosmic ocean. She is usually described to be born when the poison > Halahala streams from the ocean, while Lakshmi — her antithesis, the > goddess of good fortune — is born when the elixir of life emerges. > > In the Padma Purana, when the churning of the ocean commences, the poison > first appears from the ocean. It is swallowed by the god Shiva and then > Jyestha appears from the ocean, wearing red garments. > > *When she asks the gods what she is supposed to do, she is ordered to > dwell in inauspicious places*. She is described to bring sorrow and > poverty. She is said to dwell in houses with quarrel, where liars use harsh > language, where evil and sinful men live, where there is long hair, skulls, > bones, ashes or charcoal (signs of an unorthodox mendicant). > > *According to the Linga Purana*, the god Vishnu divides the world into > the good and the bad. He creates Lakshmi (Sri) and Jyestha, both born > from the churning of the cosmic ocean. > > *While Lakshmi marries Vishnu, Jyestha is married to the sage Dussaha*. > The sage soon discovers that his ugly wife cannot bear the sound or sight > of any auspicious things and complains to Vishnu or the sage Markendeya (in > some versions). Vishnu/Markendeya recommends Dussaha to take Jyestha only > to inauspicious places. > > Jyestha is described to stay away from religious people. *Jyestha then > earns the epithet Alakshmi*, "one who is inauspicious". She dwells in > places where "family members quarrel and elders eat food while disregarding > the hunger of their children". She is described to be comfortable in the > company of false mendicants who were considered as heretics by Hindus. > Eventually > tired of her anti-social nature, Dussaha abandons Jyestha in a place where > non-vedic (heretical) rituals are performed. > > She then approaches Vishnu for relief. Vishnu decreed that Jyestha would > be sustained by offerings of women. > > According to the Kamba Ramayana, Jyestha appears during the churning of > the cosmic ocean. The Hindu trinity — the Trimurti find her and order her > to live in inauspicious places. As Jyestha emerged before Lakshmi, > Jyestha is considered the elder sister of Lakshmi. > > *Shaiva Puranas extol her as one of eight portions of the Supreme Goddess > (Parashakti), who regulates human lives in different ways.* > > > > Associations > > Jyestha denotes the negatives of a Hindu wife, while Lakshmi denotes the > positives. > > Jyestha is also associated with the senior wife — who is also called > Jyestha in Sanskrit — in a polygamous family. She is also associated with > her namesake nakshatra (constellation) - Jyestha, which inherits the > negative qualities of the goddess. > > If a bride enters a household in the Jyestha constellation, then her > eldest brother-in-law is believed to die. > > According to Leslie, as Jyestha is described as elephant-faced and > invoked to remove obstacles, a role akin to the elephant-headed god > Ganesha, Jyestha could be a precursor of Ganesha. > > In some parts of India, she is identified with Shitala Devi, the goddess > of small pox. The lotus, the Abhaya mudra and her relationship with > Lakshmi associate her with the Vaishnava (related to Vishnu) pantheon. Her > terrifying aspects and her association with Shaktism suggest a Shaiva > (related to Shiva) connection. The crow - the symbol of bad luck - links > her to deities like Nirriti and Yama. > > Kinsley associates Jyestha with Dhumavati, a widow goddess, part of the > Tantric Mahavidya goddess group. Like Jyestha, Dhumavati is dark, ugly and > is associated with the crow. Also like Jyestha, she dwells in quarrels, > inauspicious places, and has a bad temper. > > > > While Jyestha does not fit in the class of benevolent (saumya) Hindu > goddesses with beautiful bodies, she is a contrast to the other class of > the fierce (ugra) goddesses with terrible features, emaciated bodies and > malevolent qualities. As the goddess of sloth, Jyestha's ugliness and > obesity streams from her laziness. She is merely inauspicious and > troublesome, but not terrifying. > > Worship > > Jyestha appears early in the Hindu mythology. She first appears in the > Baudhayana-grihyasutra > (300 to 600 BCE). Many of her images still exist, usually on the > outskirts of villages. > > During the 7th-8th century CE, she was a popular goddess in South India. > > As Shaktism spread, her fame slowly declined. *The Vaishnava Alvar saint > Thondaradippodi Alvar, dated between 7th to 9th century, comments on number > of "foolish devotees" who worship Jyestha, who keeps them away from the > truth*. He decreed that it was useless to worship her. > > By the 10th century, her worship more or less ceased. > > Jyestha's images are rarely worshipped today. They are kept unrecognised > in neglected corners in temples or thrown out of temples. Where they are > still recognised, they are objects of fear. In a temple in Uttaramerur, > the Jyestha image is kept with the face towards the ground. The mere glance > of the goddess is believed to bring death on the village. > > *However, at the height of the popularity, Jyestha was a goddess, who > needed to be propitiated by a good wife daily*. > > > > The Stridharmapaddhati declares that a wife must offer food offerings to > Jyestha before having her own meal. One who does not do so would end up > in hell after death; but the one who follows this routine would be blessed > with progeny and prosperity. > > * The Baudhayana Sutra also elaborates on the worship of Jyestha*. > > * As per the legend in the Linga Purana, it is believed that the women of > houses that please the goddess by offerings can keep her away from their > homes.* > > > > *The 13th century Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri prime* minister Hemadri, who > wrote a book on religious vows and fasts, notes that Jyestha should be > worshipped by a male devotee to bring fortune to his wife and progeny. > > > > *THATCHANATTUKARA JESHTA DEVI TEMPLE* > > In the village of Thachanattukara, Kerala, there is a temple known as Jyeshta > Bhagavathi Kshethram. It is one of the few places in India dedicated to > the worship of Jyeshta Devi, the goddess of misfortune and sorrow. > > About Jyeshta Devi > > Elder sister of Lakshmi: According to Hindu tradition, Jyeshta (meaning > "the eldest") is the older sister of Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune. While > Lakshmi is associated with prosperity and good luck, Jyeshta represents > hardship, poverty, and misery. > > Worship: Though her veneration was widespread in South India during the > 7th and 8th centuries, it had largely faded by the 10th century. She was > traditionally worshipped to appease her and prevent misfortune from > entering the home. > > *Modern beliefs: In modern times, the worship of Jyeshta is sometimes > practiced with the belief that it can help ward off misfortune and bring in > wealth.* > > Iconography: In many depictions, Jyeshta is shown seated, sometimes with > her children, and a crow as her emblem. Her physical appearance is often > portrayed in a less auspicious manner to reflect her association with > adversity. > > Jyeshta Bhagavathi Kshethram > > Location: The Jyeshta Bhagavathi Kshethram is located in the Kodakkad > area, within *Thachanattukara village in Kerala.* > > Condition: Recent reviews of the temple mention that it is "found in > ruins," suggesting that the site is no longer an active, well-maintained > place of worship. > > Significance: The temple's existence is a rare and unique case in India, > highlighting a historical period where Jyeshta Devi was formally worshipped > > Address: > > Kodakkad, Kottoppadam-II, Kerala 678583,Phone: 095260 51021 > > The Jeshta Devi Temple in Thachanattukara, Kerala, is a unique temple > dedicated to the goddess Jyeshta Devi (also known as Thavvai or Mandi), > sister to Maha Lakshmi. Located some distance off the old Calicut-Madras > Trunk Road, this is said to be the only temple of its kind in India and > is believed to help devotees overcome obstacles related to marriage, > childbirth, wealth, and black magic. > > The temple features a sanctum sanctorum and a mukha mandapam and was > constructed in the traditional Kerala style using bricks. > > Temple Features > > Deity: The primary deity is Jyeshta Devi, often depicted with her son > Manthan/Kulikan and daughter Mandhi, who are also worshipped as > individual idols. > > Architecture: The temple is built in the traditional Kerala style, with a > rectangular sanctum sanctorum and a mukha mandapam (face hall) decorated > with stucco images. > > Historical Context: *The temple's sculptures and idols were originally > found during the renovation of a nearby Shiva temple.* > > Significance and Legends > > Mythology: According to puranas, Jyeshta Devi emerged from the churning of > the Kshira Sagara (ocean of milk) before Maha Lakshmi, *and she is > married to Shani (Saturn). * > > Worship: Worship at this temple is believed to help in overcoming > obstacles in married life, childbirth, business, and to ward off black magic. > Jyeshta Devi represents the strength of the soul rather than outward > appearance and is seen as a giver of inner strength and wealth by driving > away misfortune. > > Location & Access > > Location: The temple is situated in the village of Thachanattukara, > located some distance from the old Calicut-Madras Trunk Road. > > Proximity to Calicut (Kozhikode): While Thachanattukara is a village, it > is generally considered to be within the broader region around Kozhikode, > making it a destination for those interested in the historical and cultural > sites of the area > > Some way off the old Calicut-Madras Trunk Road there is a village called > Thacha-nattu-kara. And in this village, there is a temple dedicated to > Jyeshta, the goddess of misfortune. > > It is the only one of its kind in the whole of India. She is the elder > sister of Mahalakshmi, the goddess of good fortune. > > While Lakshmi is the goddess of riches, her elder sister is the deity of > poverty, indigence, odium, reproach and ignominy. Her very name is a term > of reproach. > > Lakshmi is the idol of the auspicious and the propitious, of all that is > desirable in life, whereas her sister, Jyeshta, is the symbol of all that > is detestable, damnable and loathsome. The two sisters are born rivals. > Where one is in, the other is out. So the Indian household is engaged in a > constant fight to keep Lakshmi in and Jyeshta out. > > Waste, dirt, squalor, slovenliness, indolence, idleness, disorder, anger > and all such undesirable things show the presence of Jyeshta in the house. > Until she is turned out, Lakshmi wouldn’t enter and stay. > > In some houses, it is a custom for the lady of the house to open the > back door first, send Jyeshta out and then open the front door and let > Lakshmi in. > > Once Lakshmi and Jyeshta stood at the doorstep quarrelling over which one > of them was more beautiful. When the householder appeared, the two sisters > asked him to be the judge. The clever householder, wary of displeasing > either of them, hedged: You, Lakshmi, are more beautiful when you enter, > and you, Jyeshta, are more beautiful when you exit. > > Both were pleased. Lakshmi entered the house and Jyeshta exited proudly. > Lakshmi is Sridevi, the goddess of the blessed and Jyeshta is Moodevi, the > goddess of the accursed and the damned. Then how is it that this persona > non grata among the Hindu pantheon was able to find a house of worship for > her in Thachanattukara? > > Lakshmi is known to be chanchala unsteady and fleeting. She is also > dukhamoola the cause of misery and misfortune. *Lakshmi is the source of > happiness only in appearance*. In truth, underneath, she is the source of > misery. > > The fight for Lakshmi moolah, dukhamoola) debases and often inhumanises man. > The world loves and worships Lakshmi because it is cursed to love and > worship appearance. Lakshmi is the goddess of appearance. Jyeshta is poor > and indigent, but she has strength of character. She is not chanchala. > She is not seductive. She discounts appearance. She is steady and > unflinching. She has grit. It is the strength of the soul that gives man > real strength and happiness, not moolah. Beneath the level of appearance, > Jyeshta > is the giver of real strength and happiness. Actually, the roles of > Lakshmi and Jyeshta are interchanged. In the deep spiritual sense, Lakshmi > is Jyeshta and Jyeshta is Lakshmi. The wise worship Jyeshta, not Lakshmi. > Lakshmi > is the goddess of persona and Jyeshta is the deity of anima. > > Jyeshta has no worshippers in the world because the world worships only > persona or appearance and glamour and not anima or inner soul. The Jyeshta > temple in Thachanattukara is a unique symbol of the Indian psyche, which is > in-exclusive by nature. > > In nature everything has its role and place. So is it in Sanatana Dharma. > It accommodates all. It expands to take up all. It extends from advaita > to the most grotesque forms of worship. It extends from dhyana to animal > sacrifice. It ranges from passionate bhakti to arch atheism. It extends > from the worship of Lakshmi to the worship of Jyeshta. The Jyeshta shrine > is a fine symbolism of India’s anima. > > Significance: It is described as a rare temple dedicated to Jyeshta Devi, > who is the elder sister of Mahalakshmi and the goddess of misfortune. > > Jyeshta Devi Worship in General > > Association with Mahalakshmi: Jyeshta Devi is the elder sister of > Mahalakshmi. > > Placement in Temples: Unlike Mahalakshmi, Jyeshta Devi is often found in > neglected corners of temples or outside the main temple enclosure, rather > than in prominent Vishnu or Lakshmi temples. > > Sculptures: Sculptures of Jyeshta Devi are also found in other regions, > sometimes accompanied by her children Mandhan and Mandh. > > *My note- There are many Jeshta devi sannidhies or temples in Tamilnadu > also. There are two versions of her husband- a sage/Saturn. Whether > knowingly or unknowingly we gave her a place in homes.** It is impossible > for 100% neatness anywhere .* > > > > *Compiled and posted by Gopalakrishnan 10-10-2025.* > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Thatha_Patty" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1599420581.976963.1760078163536%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1599420581.976963.1760078163536%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > -- > On Facebook, please join https://www.facebook.com/groups/keralaiyerstrust > > We are now on Telegram Mobile App also, please join > > Pattars/Kerala Iyers Discussions: https://t.me/PattarsGroup > > Kerala Iyers Trust Decisions only posts : https://t.me/KeralaIyersTrust > > Kerala Iyers Trust Group for Discussions: > https://t.me/KeralaIyersTrustGroup > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "KeralaIyers" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/keralaiyers/CAEafiZ25ei1uimVWnMWHpFXhThYCMnzFhwXpK5uMEJoi6Hzddg%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/keralaiyers/CAEafiZ25ei1uimVWnMWHpFXhThYCMnzFhwXpK5uMEJoi6Hzddg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > -- > On Facebook, please join https://www.facebook.com/groups/keralaiyerstrust > > We are now on Telegram Mobile App also, please join > > Pattars/Kerala Iyers Discussions: https://t.me/PattarsGroup > > Kerala Iyers Trust Decisions only posts : https://t.me/KeralaIyersTrust > > Kerala Iyers Trust Group for Discussions: > https://t.me/KeralaIyersTrustGroup > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "KeralaIyers" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/keralaiyers/2060803564.1079210.1760099762693%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/keralaiyers/2060803564.1079210.1760099762693%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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