Shodashi

Shodashi is one of the ten Mahavidyas, manifestations of the highest knowledge, of Shakti. Shodashi, literally meaning sixteen in Sanskrit, is the most enchanting beauty among the ten incarnations and visualized as a sweet girl of sixteen. She is called Shodashi because she possesses all the sixteen supernatural powers.

Shodashi is portrayed with four hands and three eyes, with a noose, a hook, a bow and an arrow in each of her hands. She is seated on a lotus placed on the body of the peacefully lying Lord Shiva. Shodashi is known for her gentleness and compassion.