2409:4073:21B:784E:0:0:2AEB:B8A0 at 03:36, 24 May 2022

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{{good article}}
{{short description|Hindu goddess}}
{{other uses}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image = Devasenapati.jpg
| alt =
| caption = A lithograph on Kartikeya with Devasena seated on his lap
| name = Devasena
| script_name = Tamil
| script = தெய்வானை <br/> தேவசேனா
| affiliation = [[Devi]] sometimes [[Kaumari]] or [[Shashti]]
| abode = Skandaloka
| other_names = Devayanai
| mount = [[Elephant]], [[Cat]] when identified as Shashthi
| Devanagari = देवसेना
| deity_of = Goddess of Armies and Action
| father = [[Indra]] or [[ Vishnu]] as amrithvalli
| mother = [[Shachi]] or [[ lakshmi]] as amrithvalli
| consort = [[Kartikeya]]
}}

'''Devasena''' is a [[Hindu goddess]] and the consort of the god [[Kartikeya]].<ref name="Lochtefeld2002">{{cite book|author=James G. Lochtefeld|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M|year=2002|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-8239-3179-8|pages=185–6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5kl0DYIjUPgC&pg=PA185 }}</ref> She is known as '''Devayanai''', '''Deivanai''' or '''Deivayanai''' in Tamil texts. Her name is also spelled as '''Teyvanai''' or '''Tevayanai''' ({{IAST|Teyvāṉai}}).

Devasena is often described as the daughter of [[Indra]], the king of the gods (''deva''s). She is betrothed to Kartikeya by Indra, when he becomes the commander-in-chief of the gods. In Tamil accounts, Devasena is generally depicted as an antithesis of [[Valli]], her co-wife; together they complete the god. Devasena is generally depicted with Kartikeya and often is also accompanied by Valli.

In Tamilnadu, Devasena does not enjoy independent worship, but is worshipped as Kartikeya's consort in most of his temples where she plays a greater role in the [[Tirupparankunram Murugan Temple]], believed to be the site of her marriage. In East India, Devasena is worshipped in the form of [[Shashthi]] where she is usually worshipped independently.

==Etymology==
The Sanskrit name of the goddess ''Devasena'' means "army of the gods" and thus, her husband is known as ''Devasenapati'' ("Lord of Devasena").<ref>Clothey p. 214</ref> The epithet ''Devasenapati'' is a pun which also conveys his role as commander-in-chief of the gods.

She is called ''Deivanai'' or ''Deivayanai'' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]], literally meaning "celestial elephant"),<ref name="Clothey79"/> as she was raised by Indra's divine elephant [[Airavata]].<ref name="Dalal2010">{{cite book|author=Roshen Dalal|title=The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pNmfdAKFpkQC&pg=PA251|year=2010|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-341517-6|pages=190, 251}}</ref>

==Legends and textual references==
In [[North India]], Kartikeya is generally considered as celibate and unmarried.<ref name="Dalal2010"/> [[Sanskrit]] scriptures generally regard only Devasena as the consort of Kartikeya, while in Tamilnadu, he has two consorts, Devayanai (Devasena) and [[Valli]].<ref name="Dalal2010"/> Devasena is described as daughter of the king of the gods, [[Indra]] and his wife [[Shachi]]<ref name="Dalal2010"/> or at least the adopted daughter of Indra.

The third book of ''[[Mahabharata]]'' narrates the tale of the birth of Kartikeya which mentions Devasena. Devasena and Daityasena (literally "army of demons") are the daughters of [[Prajapati]] [[Daksha]]. Once, while the sisters are enjoying leisure at the banks of Lake Manasa, the ''[[asura]]'' (demon) Keshi abducts them so that he could marry them. While Devasena refuses, Daityasena consents. Meanwhile, the gods are defeated in a battle by the demons. Indra, who is searching for an ideal ''Devasenapati'' (commander of the army of the gods), reaches the place where Devasena is held captive. On her request, Indra defeats the demon and rescues her. Devasena asks Indra to find her a husband (''pati'') who can protect her and defeat the gods, the demons and the [[yakshas]]. Indra discusses the matter with the god [[Brahma]] and they agree that a son born of [[Agni]] would be suitable for being the ''Devasenapati'', the husband of Devasena and the commander-in-chief of the gods. Accordingly, Agni is forced to have a son, who becomes Kartikeya. After many exploits which prove his supremacy over the gods, Kartikeya is made the general of the army of the gods and is married to Devasena by Indra. At this point in the text, Agni is identified with [[Shiva]], who is proclaimed as the father of Kartikeya. Ultimately, with the aid of Devasena and Kartikeya, the gods defeat the demons.<ref name="Mani">{{cite book|author = Mani, Vettam|title = Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary With Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature|url = https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft|publisher = Motilal Banarsidass|year = 1975|location = Delhi|isbn = 0-8426-0822-2|authorlink =Vettam Mani|page=[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/213 213]}}</ref><ref>Clothey pp. 51–53</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Asian Mythologies|year=1993|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-06456-7|pages=93–6}}</ref> In this narrative, Devasena is identified with many other goddesses like [[Shashthi]], Shri-[[Lakshmi]], Kuhu-[[Sinivali]] and others.<ref name="BuitenenBuitenen1981">{{cite book|author1=Johannes Adrianus Bernardus Buitenen|author2=J. A. B. van Buitenen|title=The Mahabharata, Volume 2: Book 2: The Book of Assembly; Book 3: The Book of the Forest|date=1981|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-84664-4|pages=656}}</ref>[[File:Indra giving Devasena to Skandha.jpg|thumb|Indra (center) betroths Devasena (left) to Kartikeya.]]
The Tamilnadu manuscripts of the Sanskrit scripture ''[[Skanda Purana]]'' mentions Devasena and Valli as daughters of the god [[Vishnu]] in a previous life. Thus, Kartikeya is regarded as the son-in-law of Vishnu as their husband. An interpolation in the Tamil recensions of the scripture as well as the ''Kanda Purana'' (the Tamil version of the Sanskrit ''Skanda Purana'') narrate the story of the marriage of the two maidens to Kartikeya. The two maidens are fated to be married to the god. The elder sister Devasena is born as Amritavalli. She follows the path of traditional Hindu rituals and practices to gain her husband. Appeased by her penance, Indra adopts her as his daughter and marries her to Kartikeya in an arranged marriage, following custom, after Kartikeya triumphs over the demons. The ''Kanda Purana'' describes Devayanai (Devasena) as the daughter of Indra, without any mention of adoption. The couple is described as taking their abode in the hills of [[Thiruttani]], where one of Murugan's chief temples, [[Thiruthani Murugan Temple]], stands. Another version describes the couple as residing in heaven, the abode of the gods. Meanwhile, Valli is born as Sundaravalli. She is adopted by a tribal chieftain and grows up as a huntress. Murugan wins Valli's hand and takes her to Thiruttani. The god is worshipped at the Thiruthani temple, flanked by Devasena on his left and Valli on his right. In the end, the trio settles in the abode of the gods and lives in harmony thereafter.<ref>Clothey pp. 83–84</ref><ref>Handelman pp. 44–45</ref> An alternate ending found in [[Sri Lanka]]n lore describes Murugan as staying on in the forest with Valli after their wedding at [[Kataragama]], where [[Kataragama temple|his temple]] stands. Devayanai tries in vain to compel the god to return to the abode of the gods, but finally joins Kartikeya and Valli to reside in Kataragama.<ref>Handelman p. 55</ref>

Unlike the ''Skanda Purana'' which talks about harmony between Devasena and Valli, the ''[[Paripāṭal|Paripatal]]'' – part of Tamil [[Sangam literature]] – speaks about conflict, resulting in a battle between Devayanai's royal soldiers and Valli's hunter clan, which the latter win. Folk ''ecal'' (a folk poem, presented as a dialogue of two persons) tradition also talks about the mistrust and quarrel between the co-wives. In one version - where Devayanai is the elder sister of Valli, Valli tries to woo Murugan, before Devayanai's marriage. As per tradition, the elder sister has to be married off first. Infuriated, Devayanai curses Valli to be born in the forest in her next life, and the curse is then fulfilled when Valli is born as a huntress.<ref>Handelman p. 56</ref> In the ''Jayantipura Mahatmya'', the details of which correspond to most of those found in the ''Skanda Purana'' tale, Devasena and Valli are married to Kartikeya from primal times. However, in this version, the god condemns Valli to be born on earth as punishment for mocking her sister Devayanai.<ref>Clothey p. 225</ref> The ''[[Tirumurukāṟṟuppaṭai|Thirumurugatrupadai]]'' from Sangam literature describes Murugan being accompanied by his chaste wife Devayanai and honoured by a procession of gods and [[rishi]]s (sages).<ref name="Clothey64ff">Clothey pp. 64–5</ref>

According the [[Mānava Purana,|Mānava Purana]] , the list of fourteen Manus when Brahma Savrni Manu's father Upsaloka is the son of [[Kartikeya]] and Devasena.

==Iconography==
[[File:முருகன் வீதி உலா.jpg|thumb|right|Lord Murugan with Deivaanai (on right of image) and Valli (on left of image).]]
Deivanai is generally depicted with her husband, particularly in an iconographic form called ''Senapati''. She sits on the left thigh of the six-headed and twelve-armed Kartikeya. One of his arms holds her waist. Numerous depictions of the two exist at [[Tirupparankunram]], the location of their marriage. However, in many south-Indian representations, when Murugan is depicted only with one consort, Valli is favoured over Devasena. In most Tamil depictions, Murugan is depicted with both his consorts standing besides him; Devasena is on his left-hand side.<ref name="Clothey79">Clothey p. 79</ref> Her complexion is yellow; she is often depicted adorned with a crown, earrings, necklaces and ornaments. She wears a traditional [[sari]] and has two arms. She holds a lotus in her left arm, while her right hand hangs down.<ref name="Jeyaraj2004">{{cite book|author=Daniel Jeyaraj|title=Genealogy of the South Indian Deities: An English Translation of Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg's Original German Manuscript with a Textual Analysis and Glossary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=loF_AgAAQBAJ|date=23 September 2004|publisher=Routledge|isbn=1-134-28703-8|page=88}}</ref>

==Symbolism==
[[File:Post-Kushan (Yaudheya). Kushan imitative. 3rd-4th centuries CE.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Yaudheya]] coin, imitative of [[Kushan]] coinage, 3rd-4th centuries CE. ''Obverse'': [[Karttikeya]] standing facing, holding a spear with ''dvi'' (“two” in [[Brahmi]]) to the left of Karttikeya's head, peacock to lower right, ''yaudheya ganasya jaya'' (“Victory to the Yaudheya people”) around. ''Reverse'': Devasena standing left, raising hand; flower vase to left, inverted [[nandipada]] to the right.<ref name="KDB29">{{cite book |last1=Bajpai |first1=K. D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=chGrJUMarHoC&pg=PA30 |title=Indian Numismatic Studies |date=October 2004 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-035-8 |pages=29-30 |language=en}}</ref>]]
The presence of the two consorts is said to denote the dual nature of Murugan, as the god of heaven and earth. Devasena, the celestial wife, is married in a traditional arranged marriage while the earthy Valli is won by Murugan, resulting in a love marriage. The consorts also represent a syncretism between [[Shaiva]] and [[Vaishnava]] sects, dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu respectively. The son of Shiva, Kartikeya, becomes the son-in-law of Vishnu, due to the marriages. Both the consorts are identified with the soul (''[[Ātman (Hinduism)|Atman]]''), while their husband (''pati'', Lord) represents God. The marriage of Devasena conveys Vaishnava ideals, where the soul (Devasena) remains detached from God; she has her own relative autonomy and earns the love of the god by her own merit. In contrast, the Shaiva philosophy says that God is attached to the soul (Valli) and hence he woos her.<ref name="Clothey84ff" /> The ''[[Paripāṭal|Paripatal]]'' contains a [[Tamil language|Tamil]] panegyric dedicated to Murugan. It praises him as the god who is allowed to have two wives, Devasena – the daughter of Indra and Valli, a hunter princess. Murugan is described to equally spend his time on earth and in heaven. This is also conveyed by his wives, Devasena is a daughter of the heavens, while Valli is an earthly maiden.<ref name="Clothey64ff" />

Another interpretation regards the trio as the three eyes of Shiva. Devasena and Valli are representations of ''[[kriya]] shakti'' (the power of action) and ''[[Iccha-shakti]]'' (will-power) respectively; while their Lord Kartikeya is the [[third eye]], the symbol of the transcendental ''[[jnana]]-shakti'' (the power of knowledge).<ref name="Clothey84ff">Clothey pp. 84–85</ref><ref>Handelman p. 47</ref> In Tamil literature, two kinds of love are mentioned: ''karpu'' ("chastity"), love bound in the traditional marriage, represented by Devasena and ''kalavu'', love before marriage, conveyed by Valli.<ref>Clothey p. 142</ref><ref name="Handelaman46">Handelman p. 46</ref> Devasena represents "the conventional, control, ritualized approach to worship" God, while Valli is worship through "ecstasy and self-abandonment".<ref name="Handelaman46"/> Devasena is the epitome of chastity and purity. In trinity of ''[[guna]]''s, she is the middle ''guna'' – [[Rajas]], symbolizing "rulership, fixity, and stability". Kartikeya is the most superior [[Sattva]] (pure), while Valli is the inferior [[tamas (philosophy)|tamas]] (dark).<ref name="Handelaman52">Handelman p. 52</ref> As per another interpretation, Devasena is an embodiment of how virtuous people should live considering her steadfast and uncompromising fight against evil.<ref>Bhanu p. 5</ref>

==Worship==
[[Tirupparankunram Murugan Temple]] in [[Tirupparankunram]] near [[Madurai]] is dedicated to Murugan and Devayanai. It is believed that she was married to the god at this location. A festival icon depicts the god seated close to his divine consort.<ref>Clothey pp. 76, 125–6</ref> The Latankovil temple at [[Yanaimalai]] is one of the earliest temples dedicated to the divine couple.<ref>Clothey p. 76</ref>

Devasena and Valli, the consorts of Murugan, do not have independent temples dedicated to them. Their images are installed in shrines of Murugan, where they flank their Lord on either side. They are worshipped with Murugan and receive offerings as part of his worship (see [[Puja (Hinduism)]]). A fast is observed on Tuesdays to placate the consort goddesses. Festival icons of Murugan used during temple festival processions generally depict him with his consorts.<ref name="Jeyaraj2004"/>

==Notes==
{{Kaumaram}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
* {{cite book|author=Fred W. Clothey|title=The Many Faces of Murukan̲: The History and Meaning of a South Indian God|date=1978|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|isbn=978-90-279-7632-1}}
* {{cite book|author=Don Handelman|title=One God, Two Goddesses, Three Studies of South Indian Cosmology|date=2013|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-25739-9|chapter=Myths of Murugan}}
* {{cite book|title=Myths and Legends from India - Great Women|last=Bhanu|first=Sharada|publisher=Macmillan India Limited|year=1997|location=Chennai|isbn=0-333-93076-2}}

[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]
[[Category:Tamil deities]]
[[Category:Kaumaram]]

Devasena - Revision history

2409:4073:21B:784E:0:0:2AEB:B8A0 at 03:36, 24 May 2022