DEVI The great goddess of the Hindus, more properly known as Mahadevi, she is the consort of Shiva, and is also known in various aspects as Uma, Gauri, Parvati, Jaganmata, Durga, Kali, Chandi and Bhairavi. In her guise as Durga, she appeared as a beautiful warrior maiden, with yellow hair and seated on a tiger, who went forth and did battle with the demonic Mahisha, a great water-buffalo bull whom the combined might of the gods could not defeat. Durga overcame both Mahisha and his terrible weapon, a mighty mace, and because of this was deferred to by all the gods in matters of battle or weapons.