Nirṛti also spelled as Nirruti or Nirriti, is a Hindu deity, personifying death, decay, and sorrow. Nirrti is regarded as a Dikapala (“guardian of the directions”) of the southwest.
God or Goddess?
In early Hindu scriptures, Nirṛti is a goddess who is lives in the kingdom of the dead. In later Hinduism, Nirṛti or Nirṛta is also a male god, who is regarded as a Dikapala (“guardian of the directions”) of the southwest.
Nirṛti is sometimes included as one of the rudras and described as the son of Sthanu. Varying descriptions of the god Nirṛti are found in different scriptures.
Iconography of Nirrti
According to the Agamas, Nirrti is dark-skinned with a large body and draped in yellow garments. His vahana is either a man or a lion.
The Vishnudharmottara Purana states that Nirṛti has a terrific appearance with ill-looking eyes, a gaping mouth, and exposed teeth. The same scripture also gives a varying account that Nirṛti’s vahana is a donkey and he holds a danda in his hands. The Vishnudharmottara Purana also mentions that Nirṛti has four consorts named Devi, Krishnangi, Krishavandana and Krishnapasha.
According to the scripture Devi-Bhagavata Purana, Nirṛti resides in a city named Krishnajana, which is located in the southwestern part of Mount Meru. The city is said to have an area of 2500 yojanas.
See also – Nirrti – Goddess of Destruction & Death
