said to have each a tree specially sacred to them, e.g., Kaumari
has the fig-tree (udumbara), Vaishnavi, the pipal, Varahl, the karanja, Indrani, the celestial tree kalpadnima, and Chamunda, the banyan.
The Saptamatrikas thus described are generally found figured together in a group on the same panel and are quite a common sight in South-Indian villages and Siva temples. When installed within the enclosure of a temple, they are seen often without a shrine built over them, and may receive such attention as the other minor deities of that temple. In villages and in Pidari temples built exclusively for goddesses, they are worshipped regularly. The Selliyamma temple at Alambakkam in the Tanjore district possesses an important shrine for the Saptamatrikas. The order in which the Saptamatrika images are cut on the stone differs according to circumstances. For the destruction of enemies and safety to villages Brahml or Brahman! must be made to occupy the centre. If Chamunda be placed there instead, the village will grow in population.
At the entrances to the shrines of Saptamatrikas are placed two guardian deities. Evil spirits, demons and demi- gods, holding tridents in their hands, may also be installed in the same place. It is enjoined that the daily worship and festivities in the Saptamatrika shrines are to be performed according to rules prescribed by the Yamala-mantrasastra.
VII
The following three goddesses, viz., Durga, Chamunda whhVaish- and MahishasuramardinT, though they partake mainly of the navitesym- nature of ParvatI, 1 are however seen holding the Vaishnavite symbols of the discus and the conch. The Puranas say that Durga was born of Yasoda, in order to save the life of Krishna who was just then born to Devakl. The children were exchanged under divine intervention. Kamsa, the cruel brother of Devakl, who had vowed to kill all the children of his sister, thought this female child was Devakl's and dashed it against a stone ; but, then, the child flew into the air and assuming the form of Durga mocked him and went away. On account of this incident she is known as the sister of Vasudeva-Krishna. The Silpasara mentions a Chandika (Chamunda) of eighteen arms to whom the god Siva presented the trident, Krishna (Vishnu), the conch and Agni,
1 it is stated that the active energy of Siva, which is Vishnu himself, receives the name Kali while it assumes an angry mood, that in battles it is recognized as Durga and that in peace and pleasure it takes the form Bhavani (i.e. ParvatI).