108 Peethas of Sati, according to Devi Bhagwat Puran

108 Shakti Peethas or sacred places of Shiva's first Spouse 'Sati'

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Maha-Kali and Birbhadra destroying Dakha Yajna

According to Hindu Mythology, the fiftyone Peethaas or holy places came into being when the dissected body parts of Sati (the first spouse of Lord Shiva and the sixteenth girl or Prajapati Daksha or king Daksha) fell over different places. When the supreme god Lord Vishnu, cut Sati's dead body with his Sudarshan Chakra, (a weapon), being carried by Lord Shiva, was cut into pieces and was scattered all over the Indian sub-continent. Sati is one of the incarnation of Adya-Shakti Kali and also the first wife of lord Shiva. Once, Daksha Prajapati (Son of Lord Brahma) performed a Yajna (A Spiritual practice done with fire to offer different items to God) named Brihaspati Sarva (name of the spiritual practice or yagya), at Kankhal in Haridwar. He invited each and everyone from all the world except Lord Shiva as he is related to destruction, stays in Shamshan (Cremation Ground, where human dead bodies are buried), applies pyre ash over his body, and is sternly poor. When Dakshas daughter Sati, spouse of lord Shiva, found out that every one around the world was going to the Yajna of his father, she also decided to go and accordingly prayed to lord Shiva. Shiva advised Sati not to go there without getting an invitation. But Sati forced him to go, and Lord Shiva, unable to refuse Sati's repeated prayers, had to go to Daksha's place. When they reached the place where Yajna was being performed, her father saw Sati and started insulting her along with her husband Lord Shiva. When she felt humiliated at his father's place, she prayed to the fire of the Yajna to burn her to ashes. As per her request, the fire burnt her down and she was dead. When lord Shiva got to know about this incidence, he grew terribly angry and converted himself into a destroyer. He summoned Maha-Kali (name of the first incarnation of Adya-Shakti) and revealed his Birbhadra (Incarnation of lord Shiva) form, complete with his Jata (bunch of hair, entangled with each other). Both of thi were dangerous and scary looking, and were made to destroy everything. Lord Shiva reached Yajna site along with Maha-Kali and Birbhadra with their thousands of Ghosts and Spirits and started destroying everything and killing mercilessly. Lord Shiva placed the dead body of Sati over his shoulder and started his dance macabre. It caused huge destruction of the world. So, in order to save the world and the entire living being, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to cut down Sati's body into pieces . Wherever a piece of the dead body of Sati had fallen, that place was considered as a Shakti Peetha.

There are different number of "Peethaas" mentioned in scriptures of "Sati", each differing from the other but recognition is of "Fiftyone Peethaas".

1). According to Shiva Charitra (depicting Lord Shiva's Character), the numbers of Shakti Peethaas are 51.
2). According to Kalika Puran, the number of Shakti Peethaas are 26.
3). According to Devi Bhagwat Puran, the number of Shakti Peethaas are 108.
4). According to Tantra Chudamani and Durga Saptasati, the number of Shakti Peethaas are 52.

According to Shri Devi Bhagwat Puran, The below-mentioned places are where Sati's Body part or Ornaments had fallen :

1. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh She is in the form of goddess Vishalakshi.
2. In Naimisharanya area goddess Lingdharini.
3. Lalita Devi in Prayag, Uttar Pradesh.
4. Gandmadn mountain, goddess Kamuki.
5. In South Mansarovar, Tibet, China, she is goddess Kumuda.
6. In North Mansarovar, the goddess of complete all aspire Biswkama.
7. On Gomant, Gomti Devi.
8. In Mandarachal mountain, goddess Kamacharini.
9. In Chitrarath, goddess Mdotkta.
10. In Hastinapur, She is known as Jayanti Devi.
11. In Kanyakubj, Gauri Devi.
12. Goddess Rambha on Malyachal.
13. Goddess Kirthymti in Ekamrapith.
14. Goddess Vishweswari in Vishwapith.
15. Goddess Puhuta in Pushkar.
16. In Kedar area, she is known as Goddess Sanmardayeni.
17. In Himatwapith, she is Goddess Manda.
18. In Gokarna, she is Goddess Bhadra Karnika.
19. In Sthaneswar, she is Goddess Bhawani.
20. Goddess Vilwapatraika in Vilwak.
21. Goddess Madhavi in Shrisailam.
22. Goddess Bhadra in Bhadreshwar.
23. Goddess Jaya in Varahparvat.
24. Goddess Kamla in Kamlalay.
25. Goddess Rudarani in Rudrakoti.
26. Goddess Kali in Kalanjar.
27. Goddess Mahadevi in Shalagram.
28. Goddess Jalapriya in Shivlingam.
29. Goddess Kapila in Mahalingam.
30. Goddess Mukuteswari in Maakot.
31. In Mayapuri, she is as Goddess Kumari.
32. In Santanpith, she is as Goddess lalitambika.
33. In Gaya, she is as Goddess Mangala.
34. In Purushotam Area, she is as Goddess Vimla.
35. In Sahastraksh, she is as Goddess Utpalakshi.
36. In Hiranayaksh, she is as Goddess Mahotpala.
37. In Vipasha, she is as Goddess Amoghakshi.
38. In Pundravan, she is as Goddess Padala.
39. In Suparshwa, she is as Goddess Narayani.
40. In Chitrakoot, she is as Goddess Rudra-Sundari.
41. In Vipul Area, she is as Goddess Vipula.
42. In Malayachal, she is as Goddess Kalyani.
43. In Sahardra Mountain, she is as Goddess Ekvir.
44. In Harishchandra, she is as Goddess Chandrika.
45. In Ramtirth, she is as Goddess Raman.
46. In Yamuna, she is as Goddess Mrigwati.
47. In Koti-tirtha, she is as Goddess Kotvi.
48. In Madhav Van, she is as Goddess Sugandha.
49. In Godavari, she is as Goddess Trisandhya.
50. In Gangadwar, she is as Ratipriya.
51. Goddess Subhananda, in Shivkunda.
52. Goddess Nandini, in Devika-Tat.
53. Goddess Rukmani, in Dwarka.
54. Goddess Radha, in Vrindawan.
55. Goddess Devika, in Mathura.
56. Goddess Parameshwari, in Paatal.
57. Goddess Sita, in Chitrakoot.
58. Goddess Vindhyawasini, in Vindhyachal, Uttar Pradesh.
59. Goddess Mahalakshmi, in Karvir Area.
60. Goddess Uma, in Vinayak Area.
61. Goddess Aarogya, in Vaidhanath in Bihar.
62. Goddess Maheswari, in Mahakal Area.
63. Goddess Prachanda, in Chagaland.
64. Goddess Chandika, in Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh.
65. Goddess Mandavi, in Mandavya Area.
66. Goddess Swaha, in Maheswarpuri.
67. Goddess Abhya, in Ushna Tirth.
68. Goddess Nitamba, in Vindhya mountain.
69. Goddess Vararoh, in Someshwar.
70. Goddess Pushkaravati, in Prabhas Area.
71. Goddess Dev-Mata, in Saraswati Tirth.
72. Goddess Paravara, in Sea beach.
73. Goddess Mahabhaga, in Mahalaya.
74. Goddess Pingaleshwari, in Payoshini.
75. Goddess Singhika, in Kritsauch Area.
76. In Kartik Area, she is as Goddess Atishankari.
77. In Utpala Mountain, she is as Goddess Lola.
78. In river Sonbhadra, she is as Goddess Subhadra.
79. In Sidha Van, she is as Goddess lakhmi.
80. In Bharatashram, she is as Goddess Ananga.
81. In Jalandhar Mountain, she is as Goddess Vishwamukhi.
82. In Kishkindha Mountain, she is as Goddess Tara.
83. In Devdaru Van, she is as Goddess Pushti.
84. In Kashmir, she is as Goddess Medha.
85. In Himadri Mountain, she is as Goddess Bhima.
86. In Vishweshwar Area, she is as Goddess Tushiti.
87. In Kapalmochan Tirtha, she is as Goddess Suddhi.
88. In Kamvararoh Tirtha, she is as Goddess Mata.
89. In Shankhodwar Tirtha, she is as Goddess Dhara.
90. In Pindrak Tirtha, she is as Goddess Dhriti.
91. In the bank of Chadrabhaga river, she is as Goddess Kala.
92. In Achad Area, she is as Goddess Shivdharini.
93. In the bank of Ven river, she is as Goddess Amrita.
94. In Badri-Van, she is as Goddess Urvashi.
95. In North Kuru Pradesh, she is as Goddess Aushadhi.
96. In Kushadwip, she is as Goddess Kushodaka.
97. In Hemkut Mountain, she is as Goddess Manmatha.
98. In Kumud Van, she is as Goddess Satyavadini.
99. In Aswa-Tirth, she is as Goddess Vandaniya.
100. In Vaishwanalay, she is as Goddess Nidhi.
101. Goddess Gayatri, in Vedvadan Tirtha.
102. Goddess Parvati, who is dear to Lord Shiva.
103. Goddess Indrani in Devloka.
104. Goddess Saraswati, in the thought of Lord Brahma.
105. Goddess Prabha, in the light of Sun.
106. Goddess Vaishnavi, in Motherhood.
107. Goddess Arundhati, among Sati's.
108. Tilotama in nymphs.
109. As the form of Chid-Brahm in every living being.

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The Goddess of Knowledge and Creation & spouse of Lord Brahma

Saraswati, the prime Goddess of Sense & Creature.

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Goddess Saraswati

The Goddess of Knowledge, Music, Arts, Speech, Learning, Creative Work, Culture is known as Saraswati. She is the wife of 'Lord Brahma', who is believed to be the creator in Hinduism. Lord Brahma had two more wives, namely, Gayatri and Savitri. The word 'Saraswati' consists of three words in Sanskrit, the first one is 'Sara', which means essence, second is 'Swa' which means ones self and third is 'Ti' which means enriched. The conjoined word means "the one who leads to essence of self knowledge". She is also known by the name of 'Brahmani', the wife or the power of creation of lord Brahma. During the process of creation of this Universe Brahma created her from his body, to help him out through his troubles. She is one of the ancient significant goddess or say one of the three great goddesses or Maha Devis who help to create every element, living and non living things, in this universe. She is the goddess and the owner of the Vedas, which are the first and the most ancient books in Hinduism. Hence, she is also known as the mother of Vedas or 'Ved Mata'. She is also known as the goddess of speech and is famous by her name of Vak Devi. She usually appears playing 'Veena', a musical instrument. She is associated with white colour, white lotus and Swan. She also attains a high position in Yoga and Meditation. She is also closely related with the love for rhythm or music, feelings expressed through speech or music, peacock, river, nature and many such artistic aspects. She is the goddess of all work related to creation, learning, new inventions, performing arts and music. Students worship her to secure better result in examination and hence, she is well known as 'Vidya ki devi' or goddess of knowledge. She is also worshipped in Japan, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia, apart from all over India.

Basant Panchami is the special day of adoration for the Goddess of Knowledge and Creation

This special day, named 'Basant Panchami' (observed on the fifth day of Magha according to Hindu calendar) is to Honor her when all the pious Hindus worship the Goddess through festivity. Especially in schools and colleges, educational institutions and even at homes, students worship her on this occasion and pray to her for achieving success in their further studies, arts, cultural events etc. There is a significant place named Pushkar in Rajasthan, which is associated with both Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswati. Lord Brahma's adoration takes place only here, as he was cursed by his another wife, Savitri.

She is the Goddess of rivers and meditation

The 'Rig Veda' refers to Saraswati as the deity of the rivers. She is also known as River Goddess. There is also a river named 'Saraswati' which, according to Hindu mythology, is as holy and significant as the Ganga and the Yamuna. Normally the existence of the river Saraswati could not be considerably noted; its journey continues for a very little stretch from Vyas Gufa near Badrinath Temple and afterwards it disappears beneath the earth. It is believed that the river Saraswati merges with Ganga and Yamuna at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad or Prayag. These three rivers are very remarkable in Hinduism. River Ganga is symbolised with the lunar energy, river Saraswati with the Goddess of knowledge and river Yamuna with solar energy. The holy goddess is closely associated with Kundalini power or the Meditation process which involves the significant nerves of body, known as 'Ida', to the left of the spine, 'Susumna', in the middle of the spine and 'Pingla', to the right of the spine. She symbolises the central 'Susumna' which floats the natural energy upwards in human body.

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Physical appearance of Goddess Saraswati

According to Vedanta, She is considered as the feminine energy and knowledge aspect (Shakti) of Brahmana's, and also depicted as one of the many aspects of Adhya Shakti as Maha Saraswati. She finds a key position in the trio of Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati.
About her physical appearance; she is portrayed as a beautiful and charming woman, with an elegant smile, clad in a white sari, adorned with a wide range of gold ornaments with precious gems. Mostly, she is found seated on a white Lotus, and sometimes on a swan or peacock The swan is her carrier. She is normally depicted with four arms, which represent the four aspects of human personality, i.e., learning, intellect, alertness, and ego. Her four arms also represent the four Vedas, the primary and the most sacred books in Hinduism.
She carries a Veena or lute representing all creative arts and sciences, the holy books of the Vedas, representing the universal, divine, eternal, and true knowledge as well as all forms of learning, Rosary representing the natural power of meditation, inner reflection and spirituality, an Ewer full of nectar representing the drink, which leads to knowledge.

She is seen coupled with Lord Brahma. She possesses natural properties of Rajsi or Rajo Guna, which are related to creation, similar in nature as her spouse Lord Brahma. In her form of Maha Saraswati or great Goddess Saraswati, she appears with eight arms and carries Veena or lute, bell, trident, ploughshare, conch, pestle, discus, bow and arrow.

She is also known by the name of 'Neel Saraswati', which is another form of Goddess Tara, who, in Hinduism, is recognised as the owner of entire knowledge of Universe. She is the giver of Salvation or Moksha and helps to attain liberation from the cycle of death and birth, which is the highest supreme achievement.

Brahma and Saraswati

Origin of Goddess Saraswati, Savitri, Gayatri as Wife of Lord Brahma and entire living and non living elements in Hinuism.

The origin of Goddess Saraswati was caused by the oration of Lord Brahma, and hence she is considered to be the deity of speech. Once upon a time, there was a debate between Lord Brahma and Vishnu regarding who was greater among the two of them. At that time, the can descent image of Lord Shiva appeared in front of them, and there was an oracle that whoever would be able to reach till the end of that image of Lord Shiva, would be regarded as the great or the best. Lord Vishnu started towards the lower portion of the statue to find its ending point, and he soon returned back. But Lord Brahma moved towards the upper portion of the statue and travelled a long distance to find its end. On his way back, it occurred to him that it would not be fair to utter a lie through his own mouth, and hence he added a fifth face to his existing four and this one was that of an ass. Through this fifth face of the ass, he misinformed Lord Vishnu that he had been able to reach till the ending point of this giant statue. At that very instant, Lord Shiva and Vishnu merged into one and the incorrect words uttered by Brahma was transformed into river Saraswati. Eventually, the river flowed down to meet with the holy river Ganga and was thus purified from the sin committed by Brahma by telling a lie. Other than this, Savitri Devi was created by Brahma long before the creation of the universe and Mother Gayatri was originated from the Holy cow. According to some beliefs, Savitri, Saraswati and Gayatri are also considered as the Manas santan (child born out of willingness alone), and quite unusually, lord Brahma got married to them.

Lord Brahma, (the spouse or Bhairav of Goddess Saraswati), originating from the navel of Lord Vishnu, creator of the entire universe, including all the living and non-living beings spread in the three lokas, heaven, earth and hades. Lord Brahma exists as the superintendent god of creation and composition. He is associated with majestic knowledge as well as intelligence and knowledge related with creation. He is famous as the husband of Savitri or Saraswati. He appeared on the lotus flower emerging from the navel of Lord Vishnu, following which, his young, perfectly beautiful wife Savitri emerged from him. It was through their union that the Vedas were created. The Vedas became the source of all sorts of knowledge. Lord Brahma and his wife Savitri are the root cause for the creation of all the living as well as non-living elements around the entire universe that includes the heaven, earth and the hades. He gave rise to two kinds of creation, namely, consciousness and unconsciousness. Consciousness involves the willingness, feelings, self-thought and other living elements, while unconsciousness comprises of matters such as solid material,air etc, which are lifeless and thoughtless in nature. Lord Brahma bore five heads, out of which one was beheaded by Lord Shiva. It is for this reason that Daksha, the son of Prajapati or Brahma, used to hate Lord Shiva.

Genealogy in Hinduism

In this world, each and every living thing is believed to be the offspring of Lord Brahma. Goddess Rati and Kaam Dev are the last Maanas santan (offspring born out of wish fulfilment) of Lord Brahma. After the birth of Kaam deva or Rati Devi, the function of producing children has been offered to them. At the very beginning, Lord Brahma created the mind, and simultaneously, from his mind, originated the sons and one daughter, who were composed of various body parts of the lord. The first seven sages, thus created, found their place in the constellation named Saptarishi Mandal (the Big Dipper). The sages were 1. Marich (created from the mind), 2. Atri (created from the eyes), 3. Angira (created from the mouth), 4. Pulaha (created from the navel). 5. Pulastya (created from the ears), 6. Kratu (from the hand), 7. Vashishtha (from the soul), 8. Vrigu (from the skin), 9.Chitragupta (from meditation), 10. Narada (from the Gum), 11. Daksha (from the fingers), 12. Kandarpa (from the shadow), and from his willingness, 13. Sanaka, 14. Sanandana, 15. Sanatana, 16. Sanathkumar, who still exists in the form of a five-year old boy. (Marichi, Atri, Angira, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Vrigu, Vashishtha, Daksha and Kandarpa are also famous by the name of Prajapati or King's). The last four of the Brahma's boys were always engrossed to gather knowledge about Brahma Tattwa (theories related to Brahman), and consequently, Lord Brahma got terribly angry with them. Following this, he created his daughter Manu or Shatarupa from his head. So we can say that all the living beings around the world are the offspring of Lord Brahma and his spouse. The following, with the physical existence, like, Priyabrata, Utthanpada, Prasuti, and Akuti also originated from him. King Daksha got married to Prasuti, and gave birth to his daughters, namely, Swaha (who got married to Agni), Swadha (got married to Pitragan), Sati, an incarnation of Adhya Shakti (got married to Lord Shiva), and the remaining thirteen daughters, Shraddha, Maitri, Daya, Shanti, Pushti, Tushti, Kriya, Unnati, Buddhi, Medha, Titiksha, Dwi and Murti got married to Dharma. Khyati was married to Sage Vrigu, Sambhuti to Marichi, Smriti to Angira, Preeti to Pulastya, Kshama to Pulaha, Sannati to Kratu, Ansuiya to Atri, Urja to Vashishtha, and through their union, all the living matters, gods, demons were originated. Anything having physical existence was created from Sage Kashyap.

Marichi was the manas santan of Lord Brahma (an offspring born out of willingness), while Kashyap was the manas santan of Marichi. All the seventeen daughters of Daksha were married to sage Kashyap, and it is through their union that all the gods, human beings, animals and demons took birth. 1. Aditi gave birth to the Gods, 2. Diti to the Monsters, 3. Kastha to Horses and other Quadrupeds, 4. Anishtha to Gandharvas, 5. Surasa to the demons, 6. Ila to the plants and trees, 7. Muni to the Apsaras (nymphs), 8. Krodhwasha to Snakes, 9. Surabhi to the cattle and Buffaloes, 10. Sarama to predatory animals, 11. Tama to jackal, vulture etc. 12. Timi to marine animals, 13. Vinata to Garuda and Aruna, 14. Kaddu to Nag, 15. Patangi to insects, 16. Yamini to grasshopper.

All the gods are considered to be the grandchildren of Lord Brahma, and hence, He is famous by the name of Grandfather in all the three lokas. He is also called the ultimate father of all kinds of living beings present in the universe. In most of the tantras as well as ancient books we can find that Lord Brahma is worshipped exclusively by the members of the Vaikhanas community. Inspired by them, the demons and the monsters praised Brahma in order to attain special boons. Lord Brahma was the mentor of religion, and he had always followed the principle of retention.

The tale narrating the rejection of Lord Brahma by Savitri Devi, the reason behind Brahma being cursed to be worship ed only at Pushkar, the origin of Gayatri Devi from holy cow and her marriage to Brahma.

Lord Brahma, the Creater of every elements of Universe

Savitri was one of the wives of Brahma. Once, Brahma had arranged for a fire sacrifice for the purpose of the creation of the universe. According to traditional Hindu beliefs, in any kind of religious or auspicious functions organised by common household people, the presence of wife is compulsory. In order to summon Savitri to the yajna, Brahma had sent his manas santan, Narada. Narada roamed around the entire universe, spent time unnecessarily and was much delayed in reaching Savitri Devi. Hence, Savitri was also late in reaching the yajna place. Brahma was so angry with her that he created a milkmaid named Gayatri from the cow named Nandini. Eventually, he married Gayatri and performed the yajna rites along with her. On reaching the place where the fire sacrifice was being performed, Savitri found that Brahma had married another lady, and hence, she grew very indignant. She cursed Brahma that in the future, Brahma would only be worshipped in that yajna place. In the following years, that place came to be known as Pushkar, which is presently situated in Rajasthan. This is the only place where Lord Brahma is worshipped. Not only this, Savitri Devi also cursed the Brahmin's, who performed the marital rites, that their need would never be satisfied even though they keep getting generous amount as dakshina (an amount paid for performing religious rituals). She also cursed the cows that from then onward, they would survive on the leftover food thrown away by human beings. She cursed Sage Narada that he would never have the opportunity to get married, and Agni, the god of fire, would be humiliated in Kali-yuga.