This revered goddess acts the same part among the females as does Rudra among the males. She is the mother of all children; she is specially worshipped for their welfare. I have thus described to you all the evil spirits that preside over the destiny of children. Until children attain their sixteenth year, these spirits exercise their influence for evil and after that for good.
पुरुषेषु यथा रुद्रस्तथाऽऽर्या प्रमदास्वपि॥ आर्या माता कुमारस्य पृथक् कामार्थमिज्यते। एवमेते कुमाराणां मया प्रोक्ता महाग्रहाः॥ यावत् षोडश वर्षाणि शिशूनां ह्यशिवास्ततः।