Sahasranama position 167 of the 1,072 names

Hemavati

हेमावती

Hemāvatī

What Hemavati means

Hemavati is name 167 in the Adya Mahakali Sahasranama, the 1,072-name devotional text to Maa Kali. The Golden-hued Goddess, Daughter of the Himalayas.

Also spelled

  • Source transliteration: HEMA-VATI

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 Golden-hued Goddess, Daughter of the Himalayas.

Elaboration

Hema-vati is a compound name. Hema means "gold" or "golden," while Vati suggests one who possesses or is marked by that quality. In common usage, Hema-vati can mean a golden-hued lady, and it is also an epithet of Parvati, the daughter of Himavan, the Himalayas. In this name, Kali is seen in a radiant and auspicious form that joins beauty, purity, and divine majesty.

The Golden Radiance Gold is deeply auspicious in Hindu traditions. It signifies purity, divinity, wealth, illumination, and the brilliance of the sun. Unlike the dark complexion often associated with Kali's most fierce forms, Hema-vati points to a luminous presence. This golden radiance suggests her stainless nature, her power to bestow both spiritual and material abundance, and the divine splendor that shines forth from her. It reveals a more benevolent and accessible aspect of the Mother Goddess.

Daughter of the Himalayas The Himalayas, Hima-alaya, the "abode of snow," are revered as a symbol of stability, purity, and the highest spiritual aspiration. As the daughter of these mighty mountains, Hema-vati carries their majesty within her. This lineage links her to immense natural power, unspoiled beauty, and the profound silence that supports meditation and spiritual awakening. She is rooted in the earth while rising toward the highest divine consciousness.

Benevolence and Abundance This name underscores Kali's aspect as a benevolent provider, the source of good fortune and prosperity. Her golden light dispels darkness, symbolizing her power to remove ignorance and bring forth enlightenment and well-being. In this form, she showers her devotees with blessings both spiritual and material, guiding them toward a life of fulfillment and inner radiance.

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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