Table of ContentIntroductionKali the Eternal NightTara the Compassionate GoddessShodashi the Goddess who is Sixteen Years OldBhuvaneshvari the Creator of the WorldChinnamasta the Goddess who cuts off her Own HeadConclusion
Table of Content
Introduction
Kali the Eternal Night
Tara the Compassionate Goddess
Shodashi the Goddess who is Sixteen Years Old
Bhuvaneshvari the Creator of the World
Chinnamasta the Goddess who cuts off her Own Head
Conclusion
There exists in India a group of strange Goddesses, ten in number. One of them is shown holding her own freshly severed head, which feeds on the blood flowing from her headless torso; another holds a pair of scissors while sitting triumphant atop a corpse; a third is depicted as an old and ugly widow riding a chariot decorated with the crow as an emblem.
The series continues - an unusual assemblage to say the least. The story behind their birth is equally interesting and paradoxically of a romantic origin: Once during their numerous love games, things got out of hand between Shiva and Parvati. What had started in jest turned into a serious matter with an incensed Shiva threatening to walk out on Parvati.
🌀Kali the Eternal Night
🌀Tara the Compassionate Goddess
🌀Shodashi the Goddess who is Sixteen Years Old
🌀Bhuvaneshvari the Creator of the World
🌀Chinnamasta the Goddess who cuts off her Own Head
🌀Bhairavi the Goddess of Decay
🌀Dhumawati the Goddess who widows Herself
🌀Bagalamukhi the Goddess who seizes the Tongue
🌀Matangi the Goddess who Loves Pollution
🌀Kamala the Last but Not the Least
Kali is mentioned as the first amongst the Mahavidyas. Black as the night she has a terrible and horrific appearance. In the Rig-Veda, the world's most ancient book there is a 'Hymn to the Night' (Ratri sukta), which says that there are two types of nights. One experienced by mortal beings and the other by divine beings. In the former all ephemeral activity comes to a standstill, while in the latter the activity of divinity also comes to rest.
This absolute night is the night of destruction, the power of kala. The word kala denotes time in Sanskrit. Kali's name is derived from this word itself, as also from the Sanskrit word for black. She is thus the timeless night, both for ordinary mortals and for divine beings. At night we nestle in happiness like birds in their nests.
Dwellers in the villages, theirs cows and horses, the birds of the air, men who travel on many a business, and jackals and wild beasts, all welcome the night and joyfully nestle in her; for to all beings misguided by the journey of the day she brings calm and happiness, just as a mother would. The word ratri (night) is derived from the root ra, "to give," and is taken to mean "the giver" of bliss, of peace of happiness.
The similarities in appearance between Kali and Tara are striking and unmistakable. They both stand upon a supine male figure often recognizable as Shiva but which may also be an anonymous corpse. Both wear a necklace of freshly severed heads and a girdle of human hands. Both have a lolling tongue, red with the blood of their victims. Their appearances are so strikingly similar that it is easy to mistake one for the other.
The oral tradition gives an intriguing story behind the Goddess Tara. The legend begins with the churning of the ocean. Shiva has drunk the poison that was created from the churning of the ocean, thus saving the world from destruction, but has fallen unconscious under its powerful effect. Tara appears and takes Shiva on her lap. She suckles him, the milk from her breasts counteracting the poison, and he recovers.
This myth is reminiscent of the one in which Shiva stops the rampaging Kali by becoming an infant. Seeing the child, Kali's maternal instinct comes to the fore, and she becomes quiet and nurses the infant Shiva. In both cases, Shiva assumes the position of an infant vis-à-vis the goddess. In other words the Goddess is Mother even to the Great Lord himself.
The distinguishing feature in Tara's iconography is the scissors she holds in one of her four hands. The scissors relate to her ability to cut off all attachments. Literally the word 'tara' means a star. Thus Tara is said to be the star of our aspiration, the muse who guides us along the creative path. These qualities are but a manifestation of her compassion. The Buddhist tradition stresses these qualities of this Goddess, and she is worshipped in Tibet as an important embodiment of compassion.
Shodashi or Tripura-Sundari is believed to have taken birth to save the gods from the ravages of a mighty and wrathful demon. The tale begins when Shiva burnt down Kama, the god of love, who tried to distract Shiva from his meditation. One of Shiva's followers then scooped off Kama's ashes and formed the image of a man out of them. This man then persuades Shiva to teach him a powerful mantra.
By the power of this mantra, one could gain half the might of one's adversary. But because he was generated from the ashes of Shiva's wrath he is transformed into a fierce demon. Intoxicated with his new found power he proceeded to rampage the kingdom of the gods. Apprehending defeat and humiliation, the gods all propitiate Goddess Tripura-Sundari to seek her help. The goddess appears and agrees to help them.
Taking the battlefield she heaps a crushing blow on the mighty demon, thus saving the gods. Iconographically this Goddess is shown seated on a lotus that rests on the supine body of Lord Shiva, who in turn lies on a throne whose legs are the gods Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Rudra. This is a direct and hard-hitting portrayal of the Goddess dominating the important male deities of the Hindu pantheon, a central belief of the Mahavidya ideology.
She is the savior of all, the Last Refuge. She holds in her hands a pair of bow and arrows. The bow significantly is made of sugarcane, a symbol of sweetness. Her darts thus are sweetness personified. One of her epithets is 'Tripura-Sundari,' meaning 'One who is beautiful in the three realms.' Another of her names 'Lalita' implies softness. These two qualities give rise to images that depict her as ravishingly beautiful and of unsurpassed splendor.
The word 'Shodashi' literally means sixteen in Sanskrit. She is thus visualized as sweet girl of sixteen. In human life sixteen years represent the age of accomplished perfection after which decline sets in. Indeed sixteen days form the completed lunar cycle from the new moon to the full moon. The full moon is the moon of sixteen days. This girl of sixteen rules over all that is perfect, complete, beautiful.
Her supreme beauty too has an interesting story behind it: Once upon a time Shiva referred to Kali (his wife) by her name in front of some heavenly damsels who had come to visit, calling her "Kali, Kali" ("Blackie, Blackie") in jest. This she took to be a slur against her dark complexion. She left Shiva and resolved to rid herself of her dark complexion, through asceticism.
Later, the sage Narada, seeing Shiva alone, asked where his wife was. Shiva complained that she had abandoned him and vanished. With his yogic powers Narada discovered Kali living north of Mount Sumeru and went there to see if he could convince her to return to Shiva. He told her that Shiva was thinking of marrying another goddess and that she should return at once to prevent this.
By now Kali had rid herself of her dark complexion but did not yet realize it. Arriving in the presence of Shiva, she saw a reflection of herself with a light complexion in Shiva's heart. Thinking, that this was another goddess, she became jealous and angry. Shiva advised her to look more carefully, with the eye of knowledge, telling her that what she saw in his heart was herself.
The story ends with Shiva saying to the transformed Kali: "As you have assumed a very beautiful form, beautiful in the three worlds, your name will be Tripura- Sundari. You shall always remain sixteen years old and be called by the name Shodashi."
A modern text gives the legend of origin of Bhuvaneshvari as follows:
'Before anything existed it was the sun which appeared in the heavens. The rishis (sages) offered soma the sacred plant to it so that the world may be created. At that time Shodashi was the main power, or the Shakti through whom the Sun created the three worlds. After the world was created the goddess assumed a form appropriate to the manifested world.'
In this form she came to be known as Bhuvaneshvari, literally 'Mistress of the World.' Bhuvaneshvari thus remains un-manifest until the world is created. Hence she is primarily related with the visible and material aspect of the created world. More than any other Mahavidya with the exception of Kamala (mentioned later), Bhuvaneshvari is associated and identified with the energy underlying creation.
☸ She embodies the characteristic dynamics and constituents that make up the world and that lend creation its distinctive character.
☸ She is both a part of creation and also pervades it's aftermath.
☸ Bhuvaneshvari's beauty is mentioned often. She is described as having a radiant complexion and a beautiful face, framed with flowing hair the color of black bees.
☸ Her eyes are broad, her lips full and red, her nose delicate.
☸ Her firm breasts are smeared with sandal paste and saffron.
☸ Her waist is thin, and her thighs, buttocks, and navel are lovely.
☸ Her beautiful throat is decorated with ornaments, and her arms are made for embracing.
Indeed Shiva is said to have produced a third eye to view her more thoroughly. This beauty and attractiveness may be understood as an affirmation of the physical world. Tantric thought does not denigrate the world or consider it illusory or delusory, as do some other abstract aspects of Indian thought.
This is made amply clear in the belief that the physical world, the rhythms of creation, maintenance and destruction, even the hankerings and sufferings of the human condition is nothing but Bhuvaneshvari's play, her exhilarating, joyous sport.
One day Parvati went to bathe in the Mandakini River with her two attendants, Jaya and Vijaya. After bathing, the great goddess's color became black. After some time, her two attendants asked her, "Give us some food. We are hungry." She replied, "I shall give you food but please wait." After awhile, again they asked her. She replied, "Please wait, I am thinking about some matters."
Waiting awhile, they implored her, "You are the mother of the universe. A child asks everything from her mother. The mother gives her children not only food but also coverings for the body. So that is why we are praying to you for food. You are known for your mercy; please give us food."
Hearing this, the consort of Shiva told them that she would give anything when they reached home. But again her two attendants begged her, "We are overpowered with hunger, O Mother of the Universe. Give us food so we may be satisfied, O Merciful One, Bestower of Boons and Fulfiller of Desires."
Hearing this true statement, the merciful goddess smiled and severed her own head. As soon as she severed her head, it fell on the palm of her left hand. Three bloodstreams emerged from her throat; the left and right fell respectively into the mouths of her flanking attendants and the center one fell into her mouth. After performing this, all were satisfied and later returned home. (From this act) Parvati became known as Chinnamasta.
Bhairavi, one of the ten Mahavidyas in Hindu Tantric traditions, is the fierce manifestation of the Goddess. Her origin is rooted in the Devi Mahatmya and other Tantric texts, where she is depicted as the consort of Bhairava, a fierce form of Shiva. Bhairavi symbolizes the destructive aspect of the divine, embodying the energy of decay and dissolution, necessary for the regeneration and cyclical nature of existence.
Iconographically, Bhairavi is depicted as a dark, fierce woman adorned with a garland of skulls, holding a trident, and sitting on a corpse. Her fearsome appearance serves to ward off evil and ignorance. She represents the power to destroy ignorance and to transcend the limitations of the physical body.
Bhairavi is worshipped for her ability to eliminate negative energies and obstacles, making her a powerful deity for overcoming fear and obstacles. Devotees seek her blessings for courage, protection, and the strength to face life's challenges. Her worship is particularly significant in Tantric practices, where she is revered as the ultimate force of transformation and the destroyer of illusions.
Dhumavati, another Mahavidya, is the embodiment of the inauspicious and the void. She emerges from the Puranas and Tantric texts, symbolizing the state of widowhood and the power of suffering and detachment. According to legend, she appeared when Parvati in a heightened state of hunger, consumed Shiva and attained a haggard, smoke (Dhumra) colored body.
In iconography, Dhumavati is depicted as an old, unattractive widow, dressed in white, riding a crow or a chariot without a driver. She holds a winnowing basket, symbolizing the separation of the subtle from the gross. Her appearance evokes fear and respect due to the untamed and unrestrained aspects of life. However, certain Tantric traditions describe Dhumavati as adorned with jewels of all kinds and surrounded by worldly wealth, a hint of the cosmic powers of the goddess.
Dhumavati is worshipped by those seeking to transcend worldly attachments and illusions. She grants siddhis (supernatural powers) and aids in spiritual liberation by encouraging detachment and renunciation. Her devotees often seek her blessings for overcoming sorrow, defeat, and misfortune, viewing her as a guide through the dark and tumultuous aspects of existence.
Bagalamukhi, also known as Pitambara Devi, is the Mahavidya, associated with the power of stillness and control. She is mentioned in various Tantric texts and scriptures. Her name means "the crane-headed one”, a unique feature that differentiates her from other aspects of the goddess. Bagalamukhi is depicted as a golden-hued goddess, holding a club in one hand and the tongue of a demon in the other. This imagery signifies her power to immobilize and silence negative forces, be they external adversaries or internal doubts and fears.
Devotees worship Bagalamukhi to gain control over speech, to stop gossip and slander, and to overcome legal and competitive challenges. She is also sought for her ability to bestow victory over enemies and to remove obstacles. Her worship involves specific rituals and mantras designed to invoke her paralyzing power, making her a revered deity in Tantric practices aimed at overcoming adversities and achieving mastery over one's circumstances.
Matangi Mahavidya represents the power inherent in impurity and marginality. Her origins trace back to the Shakta and Tantric texts, where she is associated with the outcast and the forbidden. Matangi embodies the acceptance and transformation of impurity, challenging conventional notions of purity and pollution. Iconographically, Matangi is depicted as a dark-skinned or green-hued goddess, often with untidy hair and adorned with symbols of the marginalized, such as flowers and clothes in various states of disarray.
She holds a veena (a musical instrument), symbolizing her mastery of arts and knowledge. Some traditions worship her as the Tantric form of Saraswati. Matangi is worshipped for her powers to grant control over speech, creativity, and knowledge. Her devotees seek her blessings for eloquence, wisdom, and the ability to harness the transformative power of the marginal and impure, turning obstacles into strengths and achieving mastery over their skills.
Kamala, the Mahavidya, is a form of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and fertility. Her origins are rooted in the Vedas and Puranas, where she is revered as the embodiment of beauty, abundance, and auspiciousness. Kamala represents the ultimate benevolence and grace of the divine feminine.
In iconography, Kamala is depicted as a beautiful, golden-hued goddess, seated on a lotus, with four hands holding lotus flowers, signifying purity and spiritual power. Elephants often flank her, symbolizing royalty and power, while the lotus represents purity and spiritual unfolding.
Kamala is worshipped for her ability to bestow wealth, success, and good fortune. Devotees seek her blessings to attain material prosperity and spiritual enlightenment. She is invoked during festivals and rituals aimed at achieving abundance, both materially and spiritually. Her worship ensures the flourishing of life and the removal of obstacles to prosperity, making her an integral part of Hindu devotion and Tantric practices focused on achieving holistic well-being.
Each Mahavidya in the Hindu-Tantric tradition is revered by the practitioners of Tantra and seekers of their blessings through specialized rituals. After receiving proper initiation in the Shakta-Tantra, it is advised to begin worshiping these potent goddesses. Evoking the Mahavidyas is a powerful task and there are objects such as Mahavidya Yantra or specific Yantra for each goddess and Puja vidhi related to each Devi.
As their collective name suggests- Mahavidyas are essentially the inner wisdom, a latent power of knowledge and abilities that every human possesses. It is through the worship of the Mahavidyas and their blessings, that a person is able to realize their true potential and witness the divine nature of their own soul.
Key TakeawaysThe Mahavidyas are a group of ten goddesses who represent the ten cosmic powers of the universe.Each Mahavidya has a distinct personality, symbolism, and iconography, and is associated with a particular aspect of life or the universe.The Mahavidyas are worshipped in Tantra, a spiritual tradition that emphasizes the transformation of energy through ritual, meditation, and mantra.The Mahavidyas are often depicted as fierce and powerful goddesses who embody both creative and destructive aspects of nature.The Mahavidyas are also associated with the chakras, or energy centers in the body, and are believed to aid in spiritual awakening and transformation.The ten Mahavidyas are Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari (or Shodashi), Bhuvaneshvari, Chinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi, Kamala, and Bhairavi.The worship of Mahavidyas is considered a powerful path to spiritual liberation and transformation, and is still practiced today by many Hindus and Tantrics.
Key Takeaways
The Mahavidyas are a group of ten goddesses who represent the ten cosmic powers of the universe.
Each Mahavidya has a distinct personality, symbolism, and iconography, and is associated with a particular aspect of life or the universe.
The Mahavidyas are worshipped in Tantra, a spiritual tradition that emphasizes the transformation of energy through ritual, meditation, and mantra.
The Mahavidyas are often depicted as fierce and powerful goddesses who embody both creative and destructive aspects of nature.
The Mahavidyas are also associated with the chakras, or energy centers in the body, and are believed to aid in spiritual awakening and transformation.
The ten Mahavidyas are Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari (or Shodashi), Bhuvaneshvari, Chinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi, Kamala, and Bhairavi.
The worship of Mahavidyas is considered a powerful path to spiritual liberation and transformation, and is still practiced today by many Hindus and Tantrics.
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