Jyeshtha

Jyeshtha, also known as Alakshmi or Mudevi, is the goddess of inauspiciousness, poverty, and misfortune in Hindu tradition. She is considered the elder sister or counterpart of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. Her origins are found in the Rigveda, where the term 'jyeṣṭhā' appears as a designation for the eldest or most excellent, but her full mythos develops in the Puranas. According to the Padma Purana, Jyeshtha emerged from the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) before Lakshmi, embodying the negative aspects of existence.

The Skanda Purana describes her as the daughter of Bhrigu and Khyati, born with a dark complexion and inauspicious attributes. Iconographically, Jyeshtha is depicted as dark-skinned, old, and unattractive, seated on a crow or buffalo, holding a broom. The broom symbolizes her sweeping away of prosperity, while the crow and buffalo are considered inauspicious animals. Her iconography is detailed in the Agamas, particularly in the Vaikhanasa tradition.

Principal myths include her rivalry with Lakshmi; the Devi Mahatmya (part of the Markandeya Purana) narrates how she was banished from Vishnu's abode due to her inauspicious nature. In the Mahabharata (Vana Parva), she is associated with the demon Kali. Regional worship is prominent in South India, where temples dedicated to Jyeshtha exist in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, often in village shrines to ward off misfortune. In some traditions, she is worshipped during the festival of Diwali to appease her and ensure Lakshmi's entry.

In Hindu cosmology, Jyeshtha represents the inevitable cycle of fortune and misfortune, serving as a reminder of the transient nature of wealth. Her role is to balance Lakshmi's grace, embodying the principle that prosperity and adversity are two sides of the same cosmic order.

Dark complexion, old and unattractive. Seated on a crow or buffalo. Holds a broom. Often depicted with Lakshmi as her opposite.