THE ETERNAL CONSORTS OF THE LORD - 3. Nīlā Devī / Nila Devi

THE ETERNAL CONSORTS OF THE LORD

3. Nīlā Devī / Nila Devi

In most Śrī Vaiṣṇava temples Lord Nārāyaṇa is usually accompanied by 2 consorts — Śrī-devī to His right and Bhū-devī to his left.

A third consort is mentioned but seldom actually depicted – this is Nīlā devī. She is said to stand behind the Lord — she is his ahlāda-śakti — energy of Bliss. All three Goddesses are manifestations of Lakshmi.

Nīlā Devī further incarnated on earth during the Krishna Avatāra to become his wife in Gokula. Rādhā — the most popular companion of Krishna in North India is not known in the Southern Vaishnava tradition — her place is occupied by Nīlā-devī. Rādhā was always the paramour of Krishna whereas Nīlā was his spouse.