Kaumodaki (Sanskrit:कौमोदकी,romanized: Kaumodakī,lit. 'captivator of the mind')[1] is thegadā (mace) of theHindu deityVishnu.[2] Vishnu is often depicted holding the Kaumodaki in one of his four hands; his other attributes are thechakra, theconch and thelotus. Thegada is also found in the iconography of some of Vishnu'savatars.
The name, 'Kaumodak' first appears in theHindu epicMahabharata, where it is associated with Vishnu's avatar,Krishna. Thegada is depicted in images of Vishnu sincec. 200 BCE. While initially unadorned, the size and shape of Kaumodaki vary in depictions. More elaborate design features likeflutes and segments were added in depictions of Vishnu'sgada.
Though the weapon may be depicted as an inanimategada, Kaumodaki sometimes appears personified as a woman known asGadadevi orGadanari in sculptures of Vishnu. In depictions that use this version, Vishnu rests one of his hands on her head, while she herself holds thegada, is seen emerging from it or has thegada carved on her head/crown.
Thegada, regarded as one of the oldest and strongest weapons, is a symbol of Vishnu'sshakti. Various texts discuss the symbolism of Kaumodaki in Vishnu's iconography.
The etymology of, 'Kaumodaki' is unclear. According to a popular etymology, Kaumodaki derives its name from theSanskrit wordkumuda, the blue water-lily or the blue lotus (Nymphaea nouchali).[3][4] Another theory suggests that the mace may derive its name from the epithet of Vishnu,Kumodaka or vice versa. The literal synonym of Kaumodaki,kaumudi is interpreted as "joy on the earth".[4] Based on theVishnu Purana,Alain Daniélou translates Kaumodaki as "stupefier of the mind".[5]
Vishnu is usually depicted asfour-armed with the four attributes in his hands: thePanchajanya, theSudarshana Chakra, thePadma and the Kaumodaki.[3] A popular epithet of Vishnu isShankha-chakra-gada-pani, "he who holds in his hands shankha, chakra, and gada".[6] Generally, the gada is held in the lower (natural) left hand of Vishnu in contemporary images. The gada sometimes also appears in the depictions of Vishnu's avatarsMatsya,Kurma,Varaha andNarasimha.
Thegada appears as an attribute in the oldest known sculpture of Vishnu (fromMalhar, Chhattisgarh), dated to c. 200 BCE.[3] One of the earliest images of Vishnu date to theKushan period (30–375 CE) found aroundMathura, thegada does not appear in a stylised design as in later depictions, but the mace is a simple "round top-heavy rod" held in his upper (back) right hand and lifted above the shoulders.[7] In another Kushan sculpture, thegada is depicted as a long rod which is almost the height of Vishnu and is held in his upper right hand. It is depicted similar to a longpestle (musala).[8] A similar image found inJhusi as well as early images from Western India depict Vishnu resting his upper right hand on the mace or holding the mace in this hand.[7] Gupta images continue the trend of having upper (back) right hand resting on or holding thegada.[9] Thegada started being depicted in other arms. Twenty-four configurations of Vishnu images are noted, where the order of the four attributes is changed.[10]
While the hand holding thegada changed, the design of the weapon transformed too. In late medieval art, especiallyPala (8th–12th century CE), the size of the handle of thegada is reduced to a flute, while the top takes a highly decorated round form. InUttar Pradesh, the handle is tapered and expands at the top; sphere on the top also depicted withflutes. TheChalukyangada is thick and "barrel"-shaped, while thePallavagada is depicted thick throughout. TheCholas carve Kaumodaki thinner, but is ridged and segmented.[8]
TheVishnudharmottara Purana describes the iconography of Vishnu. While the lotus andshankha are held in the upper hands, the lower hands rest on two dwarf figures: the personifiedgada and chakra. Thegada personified as a slim-waisted woman, holds afly-whisk (chamara or chowry) in her hands and is adorned with ornaments, with Vishnu's right hand resting on her head; chakra stands as a man on Vishnu's left.[11][12] The personified weapons known asAyudhapurusha emerge inGupta era (320–550 CE) sculptures. The personified Kaumodaki is also known as Gada-Devi (the suffixdevi means goddess) or Gada-nari ("gada-woman"). Since theSanskrit wordgada is feminine,gada is regarded as a woman.[13] A Gupta Vishnu inUdayagiri Caves depicts Vishnu accompanied by Gadadevi and the personified chakra.[9] Gadadevi often appears in Vishnu images fromKashmir, including Vishnu's four-headed formVaikuntha Chaturmurti. She holds achamara and looks in adoration towards her master, whose hand rests on her head. She wears a crown or has an elaborate hairstyle. Apart from a lower garment, she might wear a blouse or have a bare torso. She is depicted emerging from thegada.[13]
Gadadevi may be depicted as a dwarf or as a normal human as in theSheshashayi Vishnu panel of the GuptaDeogarh temple. She is depicted holding the gada.[14] The motif of Kaumodaki holding the gada is mostly found in Uttar Pradesh andBengal art.[15][16][17] In another variation, Kaumodaki stands besides Vishnu with folded hands (inanjali mudra posture) with the gada depicted on the head as part of the crown or the weapon mark on her forehead, as in Chola era bronzes of the gada.[15][16][17]
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The mace or club is one of the oldest types of weapons.[3] The popularity of the weapons with Vishnu worshippers may have led to its depiction with the deity. Thegada – a symbol of strength – was a common weapon for hand-to-hand combat and was regarded as the strongest of weapons. Vishnu's attributes originate from hisavatars,Rama andKrishna, the heroes of the ancientHindu epicsRamayana andMahabharata (existing in the 5th to 4th century BCE) respectively. Both the epics narrate various characters – gods, men and demons alike – using thegada.[3][18]
In the philosophical meaning expounded by the Vishnu-worshippingVaishnava sect, Kaumodaki symbolizes "the intellect, the power of knowledge and the power of time".[3] While explaining the symbolism of four attributes in Vishnu's hands, theGopala Tapani Upanishad says that thegada – which represents primordial knowledge – is held in the lower left hand, which denotes "individual existence".[19] TheVishnu Purana calls the gada the power of knowledge. Kaumodaki is said to "intoxicate" the mind.[5]
According to theVishnudharmottara Purana, Kaumodaki represents Vishnu's wifeLakshmi, the goddess of wealth and beauty.[13] TheKrishna Upanishad equates thegada to the goddessKali, "the power of time". The text further says that like the invincible Time, the mace is the destroyer of all opponents.[3][5]
Another interpretation suggests that the Kaumodaki symbolizes the life-force (prana) from which all "physical and mental powers" arise.[5][19] Vishnu's gada also stands for discipline, complemented by his lotus, that denotes praise. While the lotus and shankha in his hands are water symbols representing life and love, the gada and the chakra are fire symbols denoting pain and destruction and command adherence to the rules of society and nature.[20] TheVaraha Purana says the gada is to teach a lesson to irreligious rulers.[6] Vishnu is also said to clearillusion by his gada.[13]
In theMahabharata, Kaumodaki is described to sound like the lightning and was capable of slaying manydaityas (demons). It is granted to Vishnu-Krishna byVaruna, the god of the seas.[3][4] ThePandava princes were given theKhandava Forest to build their kingdom. The fire-godAgni wanted to "eat" the forest to cure his indigestion. He asked the PandavaArjuna and his friend Krishna to aid him, as he feared the king of the gods and protector of the forest,Indra, will interfere. Arjuna and Krishna agreed and were given celestial weapons by Varuna. Krishna was given theSudarshana Chakra and Kaumodaki gada, while Arjuna got the bowGandiva and variousdivine arrows. The duo defeat Indra and Agni burns down the forest, pacing way for the establishment of the Pandava capitalIndraprastha.[21]
TheMahabharata describes Vishnu holding agada and a chakra, possibly indicating two-armed images of Vishnu.[22] TheMahabharata also records at the time of the chakra-musala war, Krishna's Kaumodaki along with other weapons appear in human form from the heavens to watch the battle.[23] TheHarivamsa, an appendix to theMahabharata describes four of Vishnu's weapons fall from the heavens to aid Krishna and his brotherBalarama in his battle againstJarasandha. Balarama uses the plough and the club calledSaunanda; while Krishna battles with Kaumodaki and the bowSharanga.[24]
TheDuta-Vakya ("envoy's message") of the Sanskrit playwrightBhasa (c. 2nd century BCE – 2nd century CE) describes an episode from theMahabharata when Krishna depicts hisVishvarupa (all pervading "Universal form") in theHastinapura court and summons his weapons, who appear as humans, including the Kaumodaki. TheRaghuvamsa ofKalidasa mentions dwarf-like ayudhapurushas including Vishnu's mace.[23]
In theGaruda Purana, the Kaumodaki is mentioned in the Vishnu Panjaram:[25]
Take up thy club Kaumodaki, O lotus-navelled deity, salutation unto thee.
— Garuda Purana, Chapter 13