Mahalakshmi is described as the eternal companion of Lord Vishnu—the sustaining force of the universe—and, acting as his creative energy, she carries out his divine purpose. She is traditionally said to have eight forms—the Ashtalakshmi—and each of these forms represents a particular facet of her abundant grace. Maha-Lakshmi, the Tantrik form of Lakshmi, is less the goddess of wealth and more the supreme mother-goddess. Lakshmi acquired supreme importance. She was Maha-Lakshmi, the supreme goddess.
Parvati, the goddess of the Himalayas, is the archetypal mother goddess and fertility image. She is the consort of Shiva and the mother to Ganesha and Skanda. In this role, she benevolently mediates between the worshipper and the divine. Parvati is also the goddess of love and devotion or Kamakshi; the goddess of fertility, abundance, and food/nourishment, or Annapurna. She is also the ferocious Mahakali that wields a sword, wears a garland of severed heads, protects her devotees, and destroys all evil that plagues the world and its beings.