Alternative spellings of this word include Chaturdevi.

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Caturdevī (चतुर्देवी) refers to the “four Goddesses”, according to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “[...] One should (also) worship with effort the goddess in the middle of the sacred seats accompanied by the four goddesses and Siddhas [i.e., caturdevī-samāyuktā]. Worship the goddesses Caṇḍeśī, Mahācaṇḍā, Cāṇḍālī, and Caṇḍikā to the sides (of the goddess) ranging from the east to the north. (Commentary):—Who are those (four)? (They are) Ādhārīśa and the rest along with the four, the goddess Raktā and the rest. They are present here with a different name, that is, as Caṇḍeśī, Mahācaṇḍā, Caṇḍālī, and Caṇḍikā. These are the goddesses. Four directions pertain to these goddesses, namely, the east, south, west, and north. The reference to the directions (implies) a reference to the four sacred seats”.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: MDPI Books: The Ocean of Heroes

Caturdevī (चतुर्देवी) refers to “four goddesses”, according to the 10th-century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly, [while explaining the knowledge circle (jñānacakra)]: “[...] [These] Yoginīs [reside] at the four gates starting with the east in order: (1) Gaurī, (2) Caurī, (3) Vetālī, and (4) Ghasmarī. He should place [them], again. The four goddesses (caturdevī) residing in the [four] corners are (5) Pukkasī, (6) Śabarī, (7) Caṇḍālī, and (8) Ḍombinī (Ḍombī) in order. [These yoginīs,] in every case, are to be discerned as before. [...]”.

context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha

Caturdevī (चतुर्देवी) refers to the “four Goddesses” as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 4):

1. Rocanī (Yellow goddess),
2. Māmakī (Devoted goddess),
3. Pāṇḍurā (White goddess),
4. Tārā (Shining goddess).

The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., caturdevī). The work is attributed to Nagarguna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Devi, Catur.

Full-text: Rocani, Pandura, Four Goddesses, Tara, Mamaki, White goddess, Shining goddess, Yellow goddess, Devoted goddess, Mahacanda, Candeshi, Candali.

Relevant text

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