Dhumavati, Dhuma-vati, Dhūmāvatī: 10 definitions

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In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Dhūmāvatī (धूमावती, “the smokey one”):—The seventh of the ten Mahāvidyās. She represents the power of poverty. She is the Śakti (‘power’) that destroys the structure of all things. She is the presiding deity of the rainy season. Her power represents poverty and misfortune, such as seen with the beggars, the lepers and the diseased. Her power resides within abandoned places of despair, such as ruined houses, deserts and battle-fields.

The ten Mahāvidyās are the emanations of Mahākālī, the Goddess of time and death. She is depicted as a fearful laughing goddess with four arms entwined with poisonous snakes in her hair. She has three red eyes, a wagging tongue and feaful teeth. Her left foot is standing on a corpse

After death the body is consigned to the funeral pyre, our entire subjective, assumptive universe ends in smoke; hence the power of ultimate destruction is called Dhūmāvatī (“the Smoky-One”). She is the śakti that destroys the structure of all things, (structure is ruled over by the male principle whereas process is the feminine energy), hence she is called a widow (vidhava). Nothing is left for her to own, hence she is utterly destitute. She is Daridra (“the goddess-of- poverty”), of frustration, of despair, identified with Alakṣmī (“Misfortune”) and with Nirṛti (“the goddess-of-disease and misery”).

Dhūmāvatī rules over the rainy season which lasts for four months, during which the life-giving solar light is hidden by the evil water-spirit (asura-apya-prāṇa). This corresponds in the cosmic cycle to the night of the gods when the spirits of darkness rule.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Dhūmāvatī (धूमावती).—A holy place. The wishes of those who take three days' fast in this holy place are realised. (Mahābhārata Vana Parva, Chapter 84, Stanza 22).

Dhūmāvatī (धूमावती) refers to the name of a Tīrtha (pilgrim’s destination) mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. III.82.20). Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Dhūmā-vatī) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Dhumavati is one of the Mahavidyas, a group of ten Tantric goddesses. She represents the fearsome aspect of Devi, the Hindu Divine Mother. She is often portrayed as an old, ugly widow, and is associated with things considered inauspicious and unattractive in Hinduism, such as the crow and the Chaturmas period. The goddess is often depicted on a horseless chariot or riding a crow, usually in a cremation ground.

etymology: Dhumavati (Sanskrit: धूमावती, Dhūmāvatī, literally "the smoky one")

Dhūmāvatī is the seventh of ten Mahāvidyās. Dhūma means smoke and Dhūmāvatī is said to be in the form of smoke, mostly relating to funeral pyre. Out of the ten Mahāvidyās, only Dhūmāvatī is considered as inauspicious. She looks very aged, wearing rags, unkempt hair, wrinkles on her face and all over the body.

She has strange liking for bones and blood. She is depicted with carrying a broom stick, garland made of skulls, chewing corpses, etc. It is said that she was born in the place where Pārvatī, Consort of Shiva, immolated herself in homa fire of her father Dakṣa, by entering into the sacrificial fire. From the fire, thick smoke came and this is said to be Dhūmāvatī. There is another story wherein Shiva cursed her to become a widow.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Dhūmāvatī (धूमावती).—f. One of the ten great goddesses of learning; विद्या धूमावती तथा (vidyā dhūmāvatī tathā) Tantrasāra.

Dhūmāvatī (धूमावती):—[=dhūmā-vatī] [from dhūma > dhū] f. Name of a place of pilgrimage, [Mahābhārata]

[Sanskrit to German]

Dhumavati in German

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