211
See also: The game of dice 202–03 ■ The Ramayana 204–09 ■ Durga slays the
buffalo demon 210M
eenakshi is known as
the Fish-Eyed Goddess,
having been blessed
with beautiful fish-shaped eyes.
She was regarded as the divine
ruler of the city of Madurai by the
Pandyan Dynasty—sea traders and
sailors who adopted the symbol of
the fish on their coins and flags.
The legend of the Fish-Eyed
Goddess, who has inspired hymns
and rituals, tells of a Pandyan king
of Madurai named MalayadwajaPandya, who prayed for a child. The
gods brought forth a daughter with
three breasts from a pit of fire. A
divine voice told the king that the
third breast would vanish when his
daughter met the husband of her
destiny. The king named her
Meenakshi, and taught her shastras
(traditional sciences) to prepare her
for the throne.Holy matrimony
Following the death of her father,
Meenakshi, now a powerful warrior,
traveled north to wage war on
his enemies. She conquered the
abodes of Brahma, Vishnu, and
the Devas, traveling farther to
the abode of Shiva. She triumphed
over Shiva’s attendants and his bull
guardian, Nandi. Next in her line
of attack was the hermit Shiva
himself, but the moment they
looked at each other, she realized
she must be an incarnation of his
consort Parvati, goddess of fertility,
love, and devotion. That instant,
Meenakshi lost her third breast.
Shiva and Meenakshi traveled to
Madurai and were married. ■ASIA
O! MEENAKSHI!
FISH-EYED GODDESS!
GRANT ME BLISS!
THE FISH-EYED GODDESS FINDS A HUSBAND
IN BRIEF
THEME
MarriageSOURCE
Tiruvilayaadal Puranam
(“The Sacred Sports of
Shiva”), Paranjothi Munivar,
17th century ce.SETTING
Madurai, Tamil Nadu,
South India.KEY FIGURES
Meenakshi Divine ruler of the
Pandyan Kingdom; avatar
(incarnation) of Parvati.Malayadwaja Pandya
Second Pandyan king; father
of Meenakshi.Brahma The Creator in the
Hindu Trinity (Trimurti).Vishnu The Preserver in the
Hindu Trinity (Trimurti).Shiva The Destroyer in the
Hindu Trinity (Trimurti).Parvati Goddess of fertility;
consort of Shiva the Destroyer.You shine with the
green emerald splendor!
You are the spouse of Shiva.
Your eyes resemble fish!
Sacred Songs of India
V. K. Subramanian (1998)US_210-211_Durga_Meenakshi.indd 211 06/12/17 3:01 pm