Knowledge Bank

What is the meaning of Devi?

दीव्यतीति देवी. The term Devi is derived from the Sanskrit root दिव् क्रीडा-विजिगीषा-द्युति-स्तुति-मोद-मद-स्वप्न-कान्ति-गतिषु. Someone with an aura around her, and who is brilliant is called Devi. The name also points towards her pleasant and dynamic nature, her victory over the evil and all her activities which she does in a playful mood.

Why Kaliya started living in river Kalindi

Garuda got boon from Indra that the serpents shall be his food. A pact was reached between Garuda and the serpents that one serpent will go to Garuda every day as his food. Kaliya did not recognize this arrangement. Garuda attacked Kaliya when he was in Kalindi. Sage Saubhari was observing tapas on the banks of Kalindi at that time. The lashing of Garuda's wings splashed water all over the Sage and disturbed his tapas. The Sage cursed that if Garuda ever comes back to Kalindi, his body would shatter into a thousand pieces. Thus Kaliya continued to live in Kalindi protected from Garuda.