Kunti

Kunti

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Raja Mata (Royal Mother)

ORIGIN:

India

Kunti is an ancient goddess of fertility and wisdom, sister of Krishna’s father and hence his aunt. She is now most famous as an important character in the epic, the Mahabharata but her veneration may predate the Vedic texts. In her most primordial manifestation, she epitomizes female generative power in the way that Shiva represents corresponding male power. Kunti’s powers are so intense that her very presence stimulates conception and painless childbirth. In the Mahabharata, her powers are gifts of the devas, the deities but once upon a time, Kunti was the self-generating mother. She bears children parthogenically, not because virginity is spiritually superior but because her fertility power is so strong, no partner is needed. In her earliest manifestations, Kunti may have been a wanton virgin, similar to Anat:notably even in the Mahabharata, her children are born of many fathers.

According to the Mahabharata, her birth name was Pritha but she was given as a daughter to childless King Kuntibhoja, whose name she bears. Miraculously, shortly after her arrival in his home, the king was blessed with children. He credited Kunti’s presence; considered her his lucky charm; treated her as his daughter and was very devoted to her. She lived in his home until she married.

While still a girl, she served the sage (rishi) Durvasa when he visited her father’s home. She impressed him and he taught her a mantra enabling her to call any deva and have a son by him. (There are two different versions: either the deva would make love to her and she would miraculously, instantly, painlessly give birth or the deva would just give her the child: no sex, no pregnancy, just a baby.)

It sounds too good to be true and Kunti wasn’t sure she believed it so one day she tried the formula out, calling Surya the Sun. He stepped down from the sky and made love with her. (That is, unless you prefer the version where he just gives her the kid.) A son was miraculously born wearing golden earrings and a breastplate. Afraid of the scandal, the young unmarried Kunti put the baby in a basket and floated him down the river, once again bringing children to the childless: a childless charioteer found and raised the boy (who would eventually be reunited with his mother).

In one version, after the mantra summons Surya, Kunti respectfully explains that she was just experimenting and asks him to leave. Surya replies that he is compelled to fulfill the mantra and a baby miraculously appears.

Kunti was given in marriage to Prince Pandu who was suffering a paradox. He had been cursed: if he had sex with his wives, he’d die and yet he wanted sons. Kunti provided the solution. Just as she had brought children to the childless home of her adoptive father, so, once again, she brought sons to the childless. She chanted her mantra; called down three devas and bore three sons (and may not even have committed adultery. Depending on the version of the myth, sex may or may not have been involved.) After giving birth to her sons, she taught the mantra to her co-wife, enabling her to have children, too. Kunti’s three sons are:

• Yudishtara (Yama’s son)

• Bhima (Vayu’s son)

• Arjuna (Indra’s son)

When her husband died, the co-wife joined him on the funeral pyre, but not Kunti, spirit of irrepressible life. She is the widow who does not commit sati but stays alive and takes responsibility for the children.

• Kunti’s presence brings children to the childless. Incorporate her images into fertility rituals and magic or let her preside over an altar.

• Kunti is invoked to heal and protect women’s reproductive health and organs

• Kunti protects and sponsors women who bear and care for children independently, with no male partner

ICONOGRAPHY:

Many traditional images are available; she is a popular subject of Indian spiritual imagery but she is usually depicted subservient to her sons or their deva-fathers. Vulva shaped stones or amulets may also be used to represent her.

OFFERINGS:

Flowers; spring water; vulva-shaped candles

SEE ALSO:

Hanuman; Indra; Krishna; Sati; Shiva;Yama and the Glossary entry for Mantra

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.