Kaumodaki is the Gada or mace weapon of Lord Vishnu. Hindu god Mahavishnu is mostly depicted with four hands holding different weapons; Sudarsana Chakra, Panchajanya (Counch), Koumadika (Mace) and Padma (Lotus). The Kaumodaki gada is usually depicted in the Lord’s lower right hand or lower left hand. Mahavishnu is known as Shankha-Chakra-Gada-Pani as he holds these weapons in his hands.
The divine mace weapon Kaumodaki of Vishnu is considered invincible and without parallel. The gada is also found in iconography of Vishnu’s different avatars such as avatars Matsya, Kurma, Varaha and Narasimha.
Symbolism
In some ancient scriptures, Kaumodaki is personified as a woman known as Gadadevi or Gadanari. Some sculptures of Vishnu depict him resting one hands on her head, while Gada Devi holding the mace. The Gadadevi images are mostly seen in sculptures of Vishnu from Kashmir.
In Puranas
Vishnudharmottara Purana mentions Kaumodaki as Goddess Lakshmi. Vishnu Purana equates the mace as the power of knowledge. And Krishna Upanishad symbolizes Kaumodaki to Hindu Goddess Kali, the power of time.
The divine mace weapon Kaumodaki of Vishnu is considered invincible and without parallel. The gada is also found in iconography of Vishnu’s different avatars such as avatars Matsya, Kurma, Varaha and Narasimha.
Symbolism
In some ancient scriptures, Kaumodaki is personified as a woman known as Gadadevi or Gadanari. Some sculptures of Vishnu depict him resting one hands on her head, while Gada Devi holding the mace. The Gadadevi images are mostly seen in sculptures of Vishnu from Kashmir.
In Puranas
Vishnudharmottara Purana mentions Kaumodaki as Goddess Lakshmi. Vishnu Purana equates the mace as the power of knowledge. And Krishna Upanishad symbolizes Kaumodaki to Hindu Goddess Kali, the power of time.
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