Shivaduti () is a manifestation of the Hinduism mother goddess Mahadevi.
Iconography
In the
Kalika Purana, Shivaduti is described as having a dark complexion, with long matted hair, three eyes, and holding a scimitar, while her right foot rests on the back of a jackal and her left foot tramples a corpse of an asura. She possesses ten incarnations (
): Kshemankari, Shanta, Devamata, Mahodari, Karali, Kamada, Bhagasya, Bhagamalini, Bhagavaha, and Subhaga.
Legend
According to the
Devi Mahatmyam, during the battle against the
Asura Sumbha and Nisumbha, Shivaduti emerged from the body of the goddess
Chandi and tasked Shiva to deliver an ultimatum to the asuras: if they did not surrender the
Trailokya that they had usurped from
Indra and the devas, they would be devoured by her jackals.
Since the goddess had sent Shiva as her messenger, she was named Shivaduti. A similar legend is described in the Markandeya Purana.
