Sahasranama position 559 of the 1,072 names

Deva-Mata

देव-माता

Deva-Mātā

What Deva-Mata means

Deva-Mata is name 559 in the Adya Mahakali Sahasranama, the 1,072-name devotional text to Maa Kali. The Mother of the Gods, Bestower of Divine Qualities.

Also spelled

  • Source transliteration: DEVA-MATA

Sanskrit names travel into English in several romanizations. This page keeps the common spelling, the IAST form, and the source transliteration together so the same name is discoverable under each spelling readers use.

Meaning and elaboration

Meaning: The Mother of the Gods, Bestower of Divine Qualities.

Elaboration

Deva-Mata means "Mother of the Devas," or "Mother of the Gods." The name presents Kali as the source and sustainer of all divine beings and of the celestial powers through which they act.

The Source of Divinity As Deva-Mata, she is the primordial source from whom all the male and female deities (Devas and Devis) arise. They are not independent beings, but manifestations of her one infinite power (Shakti). Their existence, their functions, and their divine qualities, such as justice, wisdom, strength, and compassion, all come from her.

Bestower of Divine Qualities This name also highlights her as the giver of all that makes a deity divine. Strength, knowledge, auspiciousness, and purpose flow from her. Without her divine energy, the Devas would be powerless and unable to perform their cosmic duties of maintaining order, creating, and destroying.

Hierarchical Supremacy Deva-Mata establishes Kali's supreme place in the cosmic order. She is not one goddess among many, but the ultimate Goddess from whom all other gods and goddesses draw their essence and power. In this sense, she is Para-Shakti, the Supreme Cosmic Energy.

Symbol of Universal Motherhood Beyond her role as the Mother of specific deities, Deva-Mata is also the Universal Mother (Jaganmata) who nurtures and sustains all creation, including the divine realm. Her motherhood embraces both the manifest and the unmanifest, providing the foundational energy for all existence.

Text and sources

The name list follows the Adya Mahakali Sahasranama as compiled for this project. The English meaning and elaboration are interpretive notes for devotional study, not a translation of a single critical edition.

Read the editorial method and source notes →

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