Dhumavati – The Smoky One

She’s called “the Smoky One” because Dhumavati is surrounded by the apocalyptic smoke of the burning universe. Dhumavati is the goddess as widow. She is the matron goddess of beggars; lepers; the ailing and miserable; people who are sick and not getting better. She is the guardian of those who are abandoned, overlooked, forgotten, and marginalized; those who see their future and see no hope. She is the lady of widows, orphans, and inconvenient, needy, unpleasant relatives.

Dhumavati is an angry, raging, resentful goddess. She’s not afraid of the apocalypse because life as it exists holds no hope. If she expresses your deepest emotions, then she may be your goddess, too. Dhumavati is a clever, quickwitted, quick-tempered, volatile spirit, an expert on the arts of survival. She’s popularly petitioned during wartime or disasters for help surviving and even thriving. (Someone inevitably benefits from disasters; Dhumavati is petitioned by devotees so that they’ll be that someone.)

If you are desperate and really down-and-out, request her assistance. If you’d like to avoid that state, propitiate her and pay her off. Dhumavati is acquisitive and hungry: never forget or delay her offerings. Dhumavati evokes the power of poverty, defeat, and despair. Is she invoked for cursing? You bet.

ORIGIN:

India

MANIFESTATION:

She’s not a sweet, charming old lady; she’s a raging, angry, unpleasant hag. Dhumavati is old, tall, and very thin. She has very few teeth left; perhaps one reason why she’s always hungry. She’s always thirsty, too.

ATTRIBUTE:

Winnowing fan

Consort:

He’s dead. She’s a widow.

Sacred bird:

Carrion crows

Mount:

Crows pull her chariot.

SACRED SITES:

Dhumavati haunts ruins, old battlefields, bombed-out markets, and other scenes of devastation.

OFFERINGS:

Make sure they’re consistent. She’s acquisitive, resentful, and always feels like she’s being shortchanged. Light incense for her, but give her food and drink, too. Give her whatever you’re having because if you don’t she’ll think you’re hoarding the good stuff.

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.