Goddess Yogamaya - Symbolism

Goddess Yogamaya is one among the numerous forms of Goddess Durga. Goddess Yogamaya is regarded as the sister of Lord Krishna, born immediately before him. She is the child that flew away from the hand of Kamsa and warned him that Krishna has already born on the earth and will annihilate him in near future.

Yogamaya is the Goddess of delusion. Some scriptures point out that it was due to her spell that the entire kingdom of Kamsa fell asleep when Sri Krishna was born.

Goddess Yogamaya shares many characteristics of Lord Vishnu including the dark complexion. She is four-armed and carries conch and discus (Sudarshana chakra) in her upper hand. Her normal right hand is in ‘abhaya posture’ – blessing or protection. Left hand is placed on her thigh.

Symbolism Of Goddess Yogamaya

In Hinduism, Goddess Yogamaya is a significant deity associated with various aspects of creation, preservation, and destruction, often portrayed as a divine force or energy that governs the universe. She is particularly prominent in the Krishna tradition.

Here are some symbolic interpretations associated with Goddess Yogamaya:

Divine Play (Lila): Yogamaya represents the divine play or cosmic drama orchestrated by the Supreme Being (often depicted as Krishna). She is the one who creates the illusion (Maya) that allows for the manifestation of the material world, leading souls through the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Protective Energy: Yogamaya is often regarded as a protective force, shielding devotees from harm and guiding them on their spiritual journey. She is believed to provide refuge to those who seek her divine grace.

Creative Power: As the divine feminine principle, Yogamaya embodies the creative energy of the universe. She is associated with fertility, growth, and the nurturing aspect of existence, symbolizing the power to bring forth new life and sustain it.

Illusion and Reality: Yogamaya's association with Maya signifies her role in the interplay between illusion and reality. She reminds practitioners of the transient nature of the material world and encourages them to seek enlightenment beyond worldly attachments.

Spiritual Transformation: Yogamaya is also seen as a catalyst for spiritual transformation. By invoking her grace and surrendering to her will, devotees aim to transcend their ego-driven desires and attain union with the divine.

Balancing Force: In some interpretations, Yogamaya is considered the balancing force that maintains harmony and order in the cosmos. She ensures that the cycles of creation, preservation, and destruction unfold according to divine cosmic laws.

Connection to Krishna: In the Krishna tradition, Yogamaya is intimately linked with Lord Krishna's childhood pastimes (lila). She orchestrates events such as Krishna's birth in Mathura and his subsequent exchange with Yashoda, demonstrating her pivotal role in Krishna's divine play.

Overall, Goddess Yogamaya embodies the multifaceted nature of the divine feminine principle and serves as a reminder of the intricate interplay between the material and spiritual realms in Hindu cosmology.