Mahadevi

Mahadevi means Great Goddess in Hinduism. It is a title used for the supreme feminine divine principle, derived from Sanskrit maha “great” and devi “goddess.” The term is employed to denote the ultimate Shakti, the cosmic energy thatUnderlies the universe.

In Shaktism and related traditions, Mahadevi is the supreme goddess, often identified with Adi Parashakti, the primal source from whom all goddesses emanate. She is worshipped in multiple forms—Durga, Parvati, Kali, Lakshmi, Saraswati and others—seen as different aspects of the same ultimate reality. The Devi Mahatmya, a key text associated with the Markandeya Purana, presents Mahadevi as the sovereign Goddess who defeats demons and restores cosmic order. The tradition of Lalita and the Mahavidyas also foreground her as the supreme feminine principle.

The concept appears across Hindu philosophy as the dynamic energy (Shakti) that enables creation, sustenance, and dissolution. In various schools, Mahadevi is understood as both the source of all deities and as the personal goddess devotees address in worship; some interpretations emphasize an impersonal ultimate reality, while others emphasize her personal forms and narratives.

In contemporary usage, Mahadevi is a common feminine given name in India and Nepal, reflecting reverence for the divine feminine.