Sahasranama position 161 of the 1,072 names

Jaganmata

जगन्माता

Jaganmātā

What Jaganmata means

Jaganmata is name 161 in the Adya Mahakali Sahasranama, the 1,072-name devotional text to Maa Kali. The Mother of the Universe.

Also spelled

  • Source transliteration: JAGAN MATA

Sanskrit names travel into English in several romanizations. This page keeps the common spelling, the IAST form, and the source transliteration together so the same name is discoverable under each spelling readers use.

Meaning and elaboration

Meaning: The Mother of the Universe.

Elaboration

Jagan Mata means "Mother (Mātā) of the Universe (Jagat)." This name presents her as the supreme creatrix and nourisher of all existence.

The Cosmic Mother As Jagan Mata, Kali is the primal divine feminine power, Shakti, from whom the cosmos arises, through whom it is sustained, and into whom it finally returns. She is the womb and living ground of all creation. In this name, the fierce Goddess is also revealed in her tender and nurturing aspect.

Nurturer and Sustainer Although Kali is often depicted as fearsome, the Mother aspect points to her unconditional love, protection, and boundless compassion for all beings. She not only brings forth creation but also sustains it through her immeasurable energy. Everything needed for existence, from the physical elements to spiritual nourishment, is upheld by her.

Universal Sovereignty This name affirms her absolute sovereignty over all that exists. She is not merely a localized deity, but the universal power that pervades and governs every aspect of reality. Her motherhood extends beyond human beings to all sentient and non-sentient beings across every plane of existence.

Benevolence Behind Fierceness Jagan Mata reveals that even in her most terrifying manifestations, her actions arise from her role as the cosmic mother whose purpose is the well-being and ultimate liberation of her children. Her fierce forms destroy obstacles and hostile forces that impede spiritual growth, much like a protective mother who becomes fierce in defense of her offspring.

Text and sources

The name list follows the Adya Mahakali Sahasranama as compiled for this project. The English meaning and elaboration are interpretive notes for devotional study, not a translation of a single critical edition.

Read the editorial method and source notes →

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