Ambika (Jainism)
In Jainism, Ambika (, "Mother") or Ambika Devi ( "the Goddess-Mother") is the "dedicated attendant deity" or "protector goddess" of the 22nd Tirthankara, Neminatha. She is also known as Ambai, Amba, Kushmandini and Amra Kushmandini. She is often shown with one or more children and often under a tree. She is frequently represented as a pair (Yaksha Sarvanubhuti on the right and Kushmandini on the left) with a small Tirthankar image on the top. The name ambika literally means mother, hence she is Mother Goddess. The name is also a common epithet of Hindu Goddess Parvati. Etymology The name Ambika is a Sanskrit words, that translates to mother. Legend According to Jain text, Ambika is said to have been an ordinary woman named Agnila who became a Goddess. She lived in the city of Girinagar with her husband, Soma and her two children, Siddha and Buddha as per Śhvētāmbara tradition Or With Husband Somasarman and her two children, Shubhanakar and Prabhankara as per Digambara tradition. One day, Somasarman invited Brahmins to perform Śrāddha (funeral ceremony) and left Agnila at home. Varadatta, the chief disciple of Neminatha, was passing by and asked for food from Agnila to end his month-long fast.