Dasha Mahavidyaaha - 10 Mothers

DASHA MAHAVIDYAHA

Hello Everyone! Soups here, back with a new article. This time I thought it’s been just a few days after Mother’s Day, so why not write on the Mothers of the World for a while 😉. Not all mothers. One mother in specific and of her many forms, just 10 of them, as usual totally in brief (Mostly, in the form of quick facts so that it doesn’t bore you 😃). This article too, mind you will be just too long. And I apologise in advance for the pictures. The few ones are the best. The others are not as impactful.

Happy Reading! 😊

Soups

This is probably an introduction to me as well, to ideas of Tantra, that is a part of Hindu worship.

This article will be on the 10 Mahavidyas, forms of Devi Parvati, one of the 3 main mothers of the World.

In the Tantric Belief system or Tantra, otherwise known as Exorcism of Hinduism, the fiercest forms of Devi worship occur, that also includes the enhancement and control of the Kundalini energy, through various processes. These kinds of worship are quite violent and mostly deal with spirits and sacrifices of animals, especially dealing with human sacrifices. Tantra exists in both Hinduism and Buddhism. In Hinduism, Tantra is usually associated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It’s not that Lord Vishnu is not associated to Tantra. There are some important tantric worships to Lord Narasimha (The Man-Lion Avatar of Lord Vishnu). But most of the times, Tantra reflects worship of Bhairava (Form of Lord Shiva) and Shakti (Form of Devi Parvati).

The Main Goddesses worshipped in the Tantric Occult are the Dasha Mahavidyas or 10 Mahavidyas.

The word, Mahavidya (महाविद्या), originates from the two Sanskrit words, महा, meaning “GREAT” and विद्या meaning “KNOWLEDGE”. Therefore, as per what I understood, The Mahavidyas, like every other Goddess or God is not just a form but a knowledge that one must imbibe. That is exactly what is preached in Shaktism.

As mentioned in the Devi Bhagavatam, they are:

Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi, Kamala

काली, तारा महाविद्या, षोडशी, भुवनेश्वरी

भैरवी, छिन्नमस्ता, विद्या धूमवती तदा

बगला सिद्धा, विद्या च मातङ्गी, कमलात्मिका

यथा दश महाविद्या सिद्धि, विद्या प्रकीर्तिता

Meaning: Kali, Tara, Shodashi, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati (Who give Vidya), Bagala who gives Siddhi, Matangi who gives Vidya and Kamalatmika, they are known as the ten Mahavidyas who are celebrated for their giving of Siddhis and Vidya.

I.  KALI - काळी / काली

1.  Physical Appearance: Dark; Dreadful in appearance; Naked; Four armed, holding a bloodied cleaver, severed head in 2 of them and the other two hands in Abhaya (Reassurance [not to fear]) and Varada (Boon granting) mudras; In another portrayal, she has 10 arms and 10 feet; Hair dishevelled; Three-eyed; White Teeth; Adorning a garland of 50 human skulls and a girdle of severed human hands; Tongue hanging out; Ornamentation on limbs. As per the Kalika Purana, she rides a lion, holds blue lotuses and looks beautiful despite her dishevelled hair and fierceness.

2.       Representation: Kali represents Time or Kala and She is the embodiment of the resolution and harmonization of the attributes of the cosmic cycle. Her fearsome laughter is a mockery of those who try opposing her, or otherwise oppose Prakriti. Though she’s very fearsome, she is the kindest and most loving of all the Hindu Goddesses, who takes care of all her devotees and never fails them if they are sincere and follow Dharma.

3.       Stories:

a.       It is believed that Kali first appeared from Goddess Durga’s forehead when The Asura, Raktabija was creating havoc on the earth. Raktabija was an asura who had a boon that he could clone himself as and when a drop of his blood fell on the earth. Kali, who was summoned by Durga, spread her tongue all over the earth and then killed Raktabija, drinking up every bit of his blood.

b.       In another story, there were many Raktabijas created because of his boon. Kali just chopped up all of them and with a container in her hand called the Kapaala (Made of a skull), collected all his blood and didn’t let a drop of it fall on the earth.

c.       Mahakali was also created by Lord Shiva from his Jata along with Virabhadra to destroy Daksha’s yagna after the death of Sati.

d.       Kali didn’t calm down after her brutal killing of Asuras. To calm her down, Lord Shiva just lied down in her path and when she steps on his chest, she is so hurt and takes back her form of Parvati.

e.       In one other incident, she carefully avoids stepping on Lord Shiva and so he takes to form of a child and with his crying, brings back Kali to the identity of her being the Jaganmata and calms her down, when Kali comforts him and makes him stop crying.

f.        The great guru, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa saw Kali as his own loving mother and daily worshipped his wife, Sharada Devi as Kali herself.

4.       Identity: She is known by 4 identities; MAHAKALI, DAKSHINA KALI, BHADRA KALI and SMASHAANA KALI

a.       Mahakali – The Devi who is the embodiment of Time and is the Devi in her universal form as Shakti.

b.       Dakshina Kali – The Devi who accidently stepped on Lord Shiva’s chest. She is also known as Vaama Kali and is worshipped in West Bengal.

c.       Bhadra Kali – The Devi who appeared from the wrath of Shiva to destroy Daksha’s yagna after Goddess Sati’s self-immolation. As her name suggests, she’s gentle (Bhadra) to her devotees.

d.       Smashana Kali – The Devi who resides in the cremation grounds, worshipped by Tantrics

5.       Worship: People mainly use the Kali Yantra to worship. This is as per Tantric ideologies.

One Mantra that used for worship is:

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थ साधिके |

शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरी नारायणी नमोऽस्तुते ||

ॐ जयंती मङ्गलकाली भद्रकाली कपालिनी |

दुर्गा क्षमा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तुते ||

Meaning:

Salutations to you Oh Narayani, the exposer of consciousness! Who is the most Auspicious in all of Auspiciousness, who is the source of refuge for all those who are good, who is the mother of the three worlds, who is the accomplisher of all objectives, and Who is the goddess of the rays of light!

Salutations to you, the ever victorious, ever forgiving Goddess hailed as Mangala Kali, Bhadra Kali and Durga.

6.       Benefits of worship: We give up the darkness of our lives, our difficulties and illnesses will be removed. We will be blessed with victory over enemies, have a long life with universal respect and honour.

7.       Main Mantra Chanted while worshipping with the Kali Yantra:
                                      
                                                         

कालि कालि महाकालि कालिके पापनाशिनी  ।

खड्गहस्ते मुण्डहस्ते कालि कालि नमोऽस्तुते ॥

क्रीं क्रीं क्रीं हूं हूं ह्रीं ह्रीं दक्षिणा कालिके ।

क्रीं क्रीं क्रीं हूं हूं ह्रीं ह्रीं स्वाहा ॥

Meaning: Oh Mahakali, Kalika, the one who destroys all sins! To the one who holds a sword in one hand and a severed head in another, I offer my Salutations

8.       Temples: Bhimkali Temple, Dakshineshwar Temple, Kalighat Mandir, Sri Bhadrakali Devaswom Temple.

      II.            TARA – तारा
                                           

      

1.       Physical Appearance: Three bright red eyes; 4 armed each holding a head chopper, a pair of scissors, a bowl, severed head and a blue lotus; Wears a garland of skulls; is richly bejewelled; Uses snakes for ornaments; Blue in colour; Almost nude except for a tiger skin; An ever moving tongue hanging from her mouth; her hair decorated with serpents; She is seated in Pratyalidhaasana on a corpse spread on a white lotus; She has a horrible laughter; The Snake Akshobhya (with 10 hoods) rises above her head; Her forehead is adorned with an ornament made of bones and she has a halo of light behind her head; her hair partly left free and partly tied into a Jata.

2.       Representation: Tara symbolises Yogic Ascetism and discipline of Yogic Practices. Also known as a kind and beautiful Goddess in Buddhism, she has been pictured as a terrifying Goddess in Hinduism, and someone who is always kind to devotees but easy to anger. She is extremely moody. She is a guide and a compassionate saviour (Origin of the word तारिणी meaning to protect). Equated to Goddess Sarasvati in some stories, she is the Goddess of Speech and the sound of Speech and resides in breath and consciousness. 

3.       Stories:

a.       One story is related to the Samudra Manthan, where Lord Shiva consumes the deadly poison Halahala and falls unconscious. Goddess Tara appeared and suckled him, her milk countering the poison that had stopped in his throat and thus bringing him back to normal.

b.       She is believed to be the one who created the first seed in the world from which took birth all living creatures in the form of Lord Narayana. But she expanded him further and made him Lord Vishnu, who became the Sustainer of the whole world.

c.       She was also believed to destroy Sahasra Ravan, as decided by Goddess Durga. It is believed in one story that Goddess Sita herself took the form of Devi Tara or Devi Kali to kill Sahasra Ravan.

4.       Identity:

She is known by the main Identity of UGRATARA, who is the fiercest of the Mahavidyas. And she is also known as Neela Sarasvati

5.       Worship: She is worshipped with the Tara Yantra.

6.       Benefits of worship:  People who worship Tara will be blessed with excellent oratory skills, divine knowledge and wealth. Their problems and difficulties will be destroyed.

7.       Main Mantra Chanted while worshipping with the Tara Yantra:

                                                                                

प्रत्यालीढ घोरे मुण्डलमाला पाशोविते ।

खर्वे लम्बोदरी भीमे उघ्रतारा नमोऽस्तुते ॥

ॐ ह्रीं स्रीं हूं फट्  ॥

ॐ तारे तुत्तारे तुरे स्वाहा

Meaning:

To the Goddess seated in the Pratyalidhaasana, who is terrifying, who wears a garland of skulls, who possesses a noose, who is proud, who has a pot belly, who is dreadful, to that UGRATARA, I offer my salutations!

8.       Temples: Tara Devi Temple in Vindhyachal, Uttar Pradesh

    III.            TRIPURA SUNDARI (SHODASHI) - त्रिपुर सुन्दरी (षोडशी)
                 

BALA TRIPURA SUNDARI

 

1.       Physical Appearance: Depicted as a 16-year old young girl, she is of red and golden complexion, with 4 arms each holding a noose, a goad, a sugarcane bow and 5 flower arrows; she is seated on Shiva’s chest either on a throne or on a lotus emerging from his navel; Extremely beautiful with thick, dark and long hair adorned with Champaka, Ashoka and Punnaga flowers; Her eyes are like fish; She chews Tamboola with camphor (Karpura); White teeth; Wears jewellery especially the Mangal Sutra (Symbol of Marriage) and wears red silk robes.

2.       Representation: She is the primordial Mahavidya, but unlike Kali who represents absolute reality, she represents a relative state of “AHAM BRAHMAASMI”. She is related to Yoga and AATMA GNYAANAM. She also represents the number 3 in her form, mainly the 3-fold process of creation, preservation and destruction, the 3 symbols of her Moola mantra, the 3 gunas, Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, etc. She also represents the 16 kind of desires.

3.       Stories: After the burning of Manmatha or Kamadeva by the fire from the third eye of Lord Shiva, Rati, the wife of Manmatha was assured that Parvati would take the form of Lalita Tripura Sundari and liberate Manmatha from his state of Ashes. Parvati takes the form of Lalita Tripura Sundari, kills Bhandasura and relieves Manmatha. (I’m sorry it’s too long a story). In the form of Kamakshi, she marries Sundareswaran or Kameshwara (Shiva).

4.       Identity: Her identity is three-fold: She is Tripura Bala, Tripura Sundari and Tripura Bhairavi. She is also worshipped as Lalitha, Raja Rajeshwari, Kameshwari or Kamakshi.

5.       Worship: She is worshipped using the Shodashi Yantra.

6.       Benefits of worship:  Difficulties will be removed, one will have peace of Mind, and all desires will be fulfilled.

7.       Main Mantra Chanted while worshipping with the Shodashi Yantra:

                                    

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री ललिता त्रिपुरसुन्दरी पादुकं पूजयामि नमः

8.       Temples: Kanchi Kamakshi Temple, Tripura Sundari temple (Udaipur), Sri Raja Rajeshwari Peetham (Rush, New York)

    IV.            BHUVANESHWARI – भुवनेश्वरी
                                               

                       (She’s without weapons here, represented as Vasudha, the Earth Goddess)

1.       Physical Appearance: She resembles Tripura Sundari Devi, with a red-vermillion complexion, richly bejewelled; her entire body smeared with sandal paste; She has the moon as her diadem; She has 6 arms, holding an ornate cup of gems, a lotus, a goad, a noose, and the other two hands represent Abhaya and Varada Hastas; She has 3 eyes she observes everything and takes in the knowledge of the past, present and future.

2.       Representation: She represents the Pancha Bhootas, and as Prithvi, she represents the earth, the atmosphere and the heavens surrounding it. She represents the forces of the material world.

3.       Stories:

a.       There is a story of how the holy trinity were into an argument about who was the most powerful. The Goddess took the trio to her abode and in front of them, presented her females attendants who were counterparts, performing their duties of Creation, Preservation and Destruction. The holy trinity then realise that Devi was the greatest of them all.

b.       In the form of Prithvi, she was captures by Hiranyaksha and was freed by Varaha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu and hence she becomes the wife of Vishnu. She is also the mother of Narakasura.

4.       Identity: She is identified as Hemangi, Sowbhagya Bhuvaneshwari and Maya Bhuvaneshwari. She is also identified as Prithvi who was rescued from the clutches of Hiranyaksha by Varaha Swami. She is also called Pradhana and Prapancheshwari

5.       Worship: She is worshipped with the Bhuvaneshwari Yantra.

6.       Benefits of worship:  People who worship Bhuvaneshwari will be blessed with their spiritual third eye being opened and will be able to see the past present and future. They could also enjoy the worldly pleasures.

7.       Main Mantra Chanted while worshipping with the Bhuvaneshwari Yantra:

भुवनेशीं महामायां सूर्यमण्डलरूपिनीं ।

नमामि वरदां शुद्धां कामाख्यरूपिणीं शिवां ॥

ॐ ह्रीं भुवनेश्वर्यै ह्रीं नमः ॥

Meaning: I pray to the Bhuvaneshi, who is Maha Maya herself, who’s form is the Orb of the Sun, who grants boons, who is pure, who is called Kaamaroopini, who is Shivaa.

8.       Temples: Nainativu Shakti Peetha (Sri Lanka), Puri Jagannath (She’s given a small position in the temple), Kamakhya Temple, Bhuvaneshwari Mahavidya Temple (Mathura), Samaleshwari Temple, Bhuvaneshwari Temple (Siddhapur).

      V.            BHAIRAVI – भैरवी

Linga Bhairavi in the Isha Foundation, Coimbatore

1.       Physical Appearance: She is draped in red silk, her body covered with blood; she wears a garland of skulls and many jewels, and a moon on her head; She has 3 eyes which are like lotuses; She has 10 arms holding, weapons, accoutrement, bow and arrows, noose and goad, sword and club, drum and trident and a book and rosary and a pot of milk; She is seated in Shavaasana; She has Abhaya and Varada Hastas; Her hair long, thick and black;

2.       Representation: She represents terror, decay and destruction and other than that, she also represents creation and preservation. She represents the power of speech and is the power over senses and elements. She is the heat of Tapas and Chidagni, the flame of consciousness. She also represents a Yogini, who is the source and Goddess of the Kundalini energy. And she also excels in Dance and she equals Nataraja in Tandav. She is known for her “अर्थ त्राण परायणत्वम्” which means her ability to not even wait for a second to protect her pure-minded devotees during an emergency. She resides in the Mooladhara Chakra

3.       Stories: She is the goddess who killed asuras Chanda and Munda

4.       Identity: She is called by many names, 12 forms of hers are important ones: Sampatprada Bhairavi, Sakala Siddhi Bhairavi, Bhaya Vidhvamsini Bhairavi, Chaitanya Bhairavi, Bhuvaneshwari Bhairavi, Kameshwari Bhairavi, Shubhankari Bhairavi, Annapurneshwari Bhairavi; Some other names are Sristi Samhara Kaarini, Jagaddhaatri, Parameshwari, Jaganmata; She is the other half of Ardhanareeshwara; She is also called Ghora, Tara, Kalaratri and Chandi.

5.       Worship: She’s worshipped using the Bhairavi Yantra

6.       Benefits of worship:  People who worship her will be immediately saved from troubles and they will be popular everywhere.

7.       Main Mantra Chanted while worshipping with the Bhairavi Yantra:

महापद्मवनन्तस्ते  परमानन्दविग्रहे ।

शब्दब्रह्ममये स्वच्छे वन्दे त्रिपुर भैरवीं ॥

ॐ भैरवीं सहम् ॥

Meaning: I pray to the Goddess Tripura Bhairavi, who lives in the Mahapadma Vana, who is an embodiment of Paramananda (Ultimate Bliss), who is the Brahma Vidya in the Vedas, personifies.

 

8.       Temples: Linga Bhairavi (Isha Foundation, consecrated by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev), Tripura Bhairavi Temple (Varanasi)

    VI.            CHHINAMASTA – छिन्नमस्ता

 

1.       Physical Appearance: She is as red as a hibiscus flower or as bright as million suns; she is almost nude; she wears jewels and cobras as ornaments; she has her own head severed and she holds it in her other hand, and the blood from her body oozes into her own mouth and the mouths of her two companions, Daakini and Varnini; She sits atop a copulating couple on a lotus (who are believed to be Kama and Rati); She also wears a garland of skulls and serpent round her neck.

2.       Representation: She represents the awakening of Kundalini energy, her chopped head represents UNMANA or liberation of the mind. She is believed to be an embodiment of self-control, fearlessness and is an embodiment of Sexual Energies. She destroys and creates life at the same time. She is also believed to be the Goddess of thunder; her thunder destroys ignorance and severs identity with the physical body. Her realization takes one deeper into the inner world of Atman and soul. It is all about understanding the soul and becoming free from worldly attachments.

3.       Stories:

a.       One story suggests that, one day, when Parvati was bathing, she became sexually excited and turned black. Her companions, Daakini and Varnini become hungry at that time and request her for food. The kindly Goddess promised them food after they returned home, but to presently satisfy their hunger, she chopped her head and offered it to them. The companions later replace the head once they go home.

b.      Another oral legend claims that after the Great war between the Devas and Asuras, Devi Chandika had transformed into Goddess Mahashakti and she was in such a rage that she, after killing the Asuras, she severed her own head and drank her own blood.

4.       Identity: She symbolizes Annapurna and Shakambhari for she is the giver of food. Since she is so blood thirsty, she is also known by the name of Prachanda Chandika.

5.       Worship: She is worshipped with the Chhinnamasta Yantra.

6.       Benefits of worship:  People who worship Chhinnamasta Devi will get the blessings of Goddess Sarasvati, they will gain victory over all their enemies, gain a kingdom, and will be blessed with neutralization of all the sins accumulated over the past births.

7.       Main Mantra Chanted while worshipping with the Chhinnamasta Yantra:

गुप्तदुर्गे महाभागे गुप्तपापप्रनाशिनी ।

सप्तजन्मार्जितात् पापात् त्राहि माम् शरणागतम् ॥

ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं ह्रीं ऐं वज्रविरोचनिये श्रीं ह्रीं ह्रीं फट् स्वाहा ॥

Meaning: O Goddess, known by the name Guptadurga, who is venerable, who destroys all the sins committed in secret, please protect me and save me from all the sins that I have and will likely commit in my seven lives, for I have surrendered to you!

    

8.       Temples: Chhinnamasta Temple (Rajrappa, Ramgarh, Jharkhand), Chhinnamasta Temple (Himachal Pradesh), Chhinnamasta Temple (Durga Complex, Ramnagar, near Varanasi), Chhinnamasta Temple (Kathmandu, Nepal), Chhinnamasta Temple (Bishnupur, West Bengal)

   VII.            DHUMAVATI – धूमवती

1.       Physical Appearance: Old and wrinkled face and body; Ever sulking and ugly; She is dressed in dirty white clothes (Symbolising that she is a widow); She is fierce, frightening and fond of blood; Fang like teeth, some which have fallen out; She holds a winnowing basket, a broom, a fan, a club and a torch; 2 armed, one held in Chinmudra and the other in Varada Hasta; She’s dark in complexion; She sits on a chariot that has the banner of a crow and without horses and is surrounded by crows; She lives in the cremation grounds and is lonely; She is surrounded by smoke; In another version, she is portrayed to be very beautiful and dressed in jewels, and riding a crow.

2.       Representation: She symbolically portrays the disappointments, frustrations of the life of a woman, she represents a stage beyond worldly pleasures; She is a symbol of death and inauspiciousness as she is surrounded by scavengers; But she is worshipped for she her ability to be a good teacher; She instils a desire to be alone and start a spiritual journey; But despite all her sulking, she is considered a village goddess who never fails to protect her devotees in the time of need and blesses them with worldly pleasure; She is also the giver of Siddhis; She is tender-hearted and a giver of boons.

3.        Stories:

a.       Devi Dhumavati is said to have been born out of Devi Sati’s burning black body at the Daksha Yagna.

b.       She is said to have a great hunger and because of that, she ends up swallowing Lord Shiva, her husband, thus making her a widow.

4.       Identity: She is identified as a companion warrior to Devi Durga and fights and kills asuras with her smoke. She is believed to have been the source for the Matsya Avatar of Lord Vishnu. She also shares some of her qualities with Goddesses Nirreeti, Alakshmi and Jyeshtha.

5.       Worship: She is worshipped with the Dhumavati Yantra

6.       Benefits of worship:  She removes bad luck and difficulties of her devotees, she gives relief from diseases and saves them from pathetic and sad situations.

7.       Main Mantra Chanted while worshipping with the Dhumavati Yantra:

देवीं कोटेश्वरीं शुद्धपापघ्नीं कामरूपिणीम् ।

नमामि मुक्तिकामाय देहि मुक्तिं हरप्रिये ॥

धूं धूं धूमवती स्वाहा ॥

Meaning: To that Devi, who resides in a shed, who is pure and annihilates all sins and is beautiful, I offer my Salutations, in hope of getting Mukti! Oh, beloved of Hara! Please grant me Salvation

8.       Temples: Dhumavati temple (Varanasi, Mangalore), Sri Dhumavati Daivasthanam (Pakaladukka), Smaller Dhumavati temples in Rajrappa, and near the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati.

         VIII.          BAGALAMUKHI – बगलामुखी

1.       Physical Appearance: She believed to have the face of a crane (though it’s not seen anywhere); Golden complexioned, dressed in yellow robes; Seated on a throne in the middle of an ocean filled with lotuses, she is richly bejewelled; She is extremely elegant and holds a club in her right hand; She also pulls the tongue of an asura; She has 2 hands or 4 hands; When 4 armed, she carries a trident, a mace along with a club and pulling of the tongue of the Asura; She has 3 eyes and wears a garland of lotuses; She is in a position ready to strike, with her left foot ankle bent towards her right thigh; Sometimes she is portrayed to be sitting on a corpse that slips out of her throne.

2.       Representation: She, like Devi Tara is a Goddess of speech; By pulling the tongue of the Asura, she means to punish him and remove him of all impurities (basically conquer greed, speech and taste); She represents the strength to magically attract enemies and immobilize them within minutes; She is the secret presence of all things opposite; She displays both positive and negative virtues. She represents the fact that behind an innocent face, there might be cunning motives.

3.       Stories: She is said to have appeared from the Haridra Sarovara in the Saurashtra Region, stopping a storm from destroying he whole of creation. Another story is that Ganga once displeased Parvati and ashamed of her acts, shed begs forgiveness of Parvati and requests her not to leave Kailash. But all the efforts of the Gods, Ganga and Lord Shiva to pacify Parvati went in vain and in anger, Parvati takes the form of Bagalamukhi and destroys Asuras

4.       Identity: She is identified in 2 forms: Sowmya, the milder Goddess and Sri Tatwanidhi

5.       Worship: She is worshipped with the Bagalamukhi Yantra

6.       Benefits of worship:  Her blessings will help her devotees gain the strength and power to paralyze the speech of enemies and gain control over them. Her blessings are sought in legal matters.

7.       Main Mantra Chanted while worshipping with the Bagalamukhi Yantra:

प्रप्रद्ये शरणं देवीं श्रीकामाख्यां सुरेश्वरीं ।

शिवस्य दयितां शुद्धां कामाख्यां कामरूपिणीं ॥

ॐ ह्लीं  सर्व दुष्टानां वाचं मुखं पादं।

स्तम्भय जिह्वं कीलय बुद्धिं विनाशाय ह्लीं ॐ स्वाहा ॥

Meaning: I seek refuge in your feet, Oh Devi addressed as Kama and known as Sureshwari, the beloved of Shiva, the pure one and who has a beautiful form.

          

8.       Temples: Temples of Bagalamukhi Devi are in these places: Kotla, Pappankulam, Nalkhera, Sameli, Aligarh, Tewar, Ludhiana, Raigarh, Haridwar, Delhi

    IX.           MATANGI – मातङ्गी

1.       Physical Appearance: She has a greenish complexion; She is dressed in red robes; Her ornaments are also in various shades of red; She wears a garland of the wild Kadamba flowers; she holds a Veena, parrots, a sword, a skull, a noose, and a hook (Pasha and Ankusha); She is ever smiling and has a moon as a head ornament; She is seated on a lotus throne.

2.       Representation: She represents the 64 arts with her Veena; She is closely associated to nature, wilderness and wildlife; She is also the Goddess of Pleasure; She is the supreme Queen; She is more closely related to things which are polluted; She teaches us that an obsession with purity might sometimes be harmful; Matangi also represents speech (articulated speech); She has no distinction between opposites (especially pure and impure);

3.       Stories:

a.       She was believed to have been born of Sage Matanga and as his daughter, she was known as Matangi.

b.      Once, Vishnu and Lakshmi went to meet Shiva and Parvati and offered them a grand meal. While eating, they dropped some food on the floor and from the floor rose a female deity who asked to eat their left-overs. They offered her their left-overs and declared that she would be known as Ucchishta Matangi (Matangini in some stories).

4.       Identity: She is known by the following names: Mantrini of Sri Raja Rajeshwari, Madurai Meenakshi, Tantric Sarasvati, Siddha Vidya, Chandalika, Ucchishta Chandalika, Ucchishta Matangini, Sumukhi Matangini, Vashya Matangini, Raja Shyamala Devi, Karna Matangini.

5.       Worship: She is worshipped with the Matangi Yantra

6.       Benefits of worship:  People who worship her will be blessed with attraction with the power of speech, earning of royal wealth and luxuries.

7.       Main Mantra Chanted while worshipping with the Matangi Yantra:

सरस्वत्यै नमो नित्यं भद्रकाल्यै नमो नमः ।

वेदवेदान्तवेदङ्ग विद्यस्तनेभ्य एव च॥

उच्छिष्टचण्डाली श्री मातङ्गेश्वरी ।

सर्वज्ञानवशङ्करी स्वाहा ॥

Meaning: I offer in sacrifice, to Devi Matangeshwari, who is the Ucchishta Chandalika (The one who eats left-overs), the one who keeps control of all the knowledge, the one who is the embodiment of Vedas, Vedantas and Vedangas! Salutations to the Goddess known as Sarasvati and Bhadrakali.

8.       Temples: Matangi is worshipped in Kolkata, in the Durga Puja, and there are temples for her built in Belgaum, Madanapalle, Nangur, Jhabua.

      X.            KAMALA – कमला

1.       Physical Appearance: She wears a garland of skulls; But she is strikingly beautiful and is seated on a lotus; She wears a crown with jewels and gems; She is 4 armed, holing 2 lotuses and Abhaya and Varada Hastas; She is surrounded by elephants

2.       Representation: She represents material well-being and the mundane state of consciousness; She is a Tantric Goddess in her own right and is a destroyer of demons

3.       Stories: Nothing much is known about her

4.       Identity: She is addressed as Raudri, Kapali, Gauri and Sati; She is different from Mahalakshmi and is not the consort of Lord Vishnu. But she is linked to Lakshmi; She is better known as Kamalatmika.

5.       Worship: She is worshipped just like how Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped.

6.       Benefits of worship:  People who worship her will gain peace, wealth, prosperity and will enjoy life to its fullest.

7.       Main Mantra Chanted while worshipping with the Yantra:

सदाचारप्रिये देवी शुक्लपुश्पवर प्रिये ।

गोमयादि शुचिप्रीते महालक्ष्मी नमोऽस्तुते ॥

हसौः जगत्प्रयुतायै स्वाहा ॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who likes good behaviour and culture, who likes divine white flowers, who likes cleaning with cow dung, to that Mahalakshmi (Kamalatmika), I offer my salutations.

8.       Temples: Temples are built in Chikkaladinni, Dandi Pada, Thiruvarur, Challamambapuram (Anjuru)

Name	Appearance	Planet Deity	Mantra (Moola)	Weapon	Consort	Represents
KALI-काळी / काली	Stepping on Shiva in a Crematorium, Naked with a garland of skulls, dishevelled hair, riding a lion	Shani	ॐ क्रीं क्रीं क्रीं हूं हूं ह्रीं ह्रीं दक्षिणा कालिके क्रीं क्रीं क्रीं हूं हूं ह्रीं ह्रीं स्वाहा	Curved Sword, Sword, Trishula	Shiva	Time
TARA - तारा	Seated in Pratyalidhaasana on the heart of a corpse, wearing a tiger skin	Brihaspati	ॐ ऐं ह्रीं स्त्रीं तारायै हूं फट् स्वाहा	Khadga, Sword	Shiva	Piercing Word, Speech
TRIPURA SUNDARI (SHODASHI) - त्रिपुर सुन्दरी (षोडशी)	Seated on a chair with traditional symbols, in a red attire, 16-year old, riding a large bull, sits on Shiva	Budha	ऐं क्लीं सौ	Goad, Sugarcane Bow and Arrows	Kameshwara	Luminous Desire
BHUVANESHWARI - भुवनेश्वरी	Glowing face, Smiling, Richly Bejewelled, 3 eyed	Chandra	ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं ॐ भुवनेश्वर्यै स्वाहा ॐ	Khadga, Sword, Goad, Noose	Shiva in the form of Lord Lingaraja	Space
BHAIRAVI - भैरवी	Draped in red Silk, wears a garland of severed heads, long, black flowing hair	Lagna	ॐ ह्रीं भैरवी कलौं ह्रीं स्वाहा	Bow and Arrow, Noose, Goad, Sword and Club, Trident	Bhairava	Power of Speech
CHHINAMASTA - छिन्नमस्ता	Seated on a divine copulating couple (Kama and Rati), nude and her own severed head held in one hand, drinking her blood.	Rahu	ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं ह्रीं ऐं वज्रवैरोचनिये श्रीं ह्रीं ह्रीं फट् स्वाहा	Scimitar (Curved Sword)	Shiva as Kabandha	Light and Sound combination
DHUMAVATI - धूमवती	Widowed looking, old, wrinkle-faced goddess riding a crow	Ketu	धूं धूं धूमवती स्वाहा	_	Widow of Shiva	Wrath
BAGALAMUKHI - बगलामुखी	Immensely beautiful who can transfix anyone, but with a cunning mind, 3 eyed, adorned with gems and flowers, pulling the tongue of an asura, sitting on a corpse.	Mangal	ॐ ह्ल्रीं बगलामुखी सर्वदुष्टानां वाचं मुखं पदं स्तम्भय जिहवां कीलय बुद्धिं विनाशाय ह्ल्रीं ॐ स्वाहा	Club or Mace	Shiva	Stuns and Stifles free flow of things
MATANGI - मातङ्गी	Bejewelled, Red attire, Blue in colour, seated on a throne, with a skull, sword and a Veena representing the 64 arts	Surya	ॐ ह्रीं ऐं भगवती मतङेश्वरी श्रीं स्वाहा	Sword, Noose, Sugarcane Bow and Flower Arrows	Shiva	Expression
KAMALA – कमला	Like Goddess Lakshmi, Jewelled, Varada and Abhaya Hastas are seen	Shukra	ॐ ह्रीं अष्टमहालक्ष्म्यै नमः ॐ ह्रीं अष्टमहालक्ष्म्यै नमः ॐ ह्रीं हूं हां ग्रें क्षों क्रों नमः नमः कमलवासिन्यै स्वाहा	_	Shiva (In the form of Mahavidya Kamalatmika)	Delightful Beauty

I’m sorry this was too long… and I'm also sorry about how the table looks 😋

Anyways hope enjoyed reading it!

Until Next time! 😉

Jai Ma Bhavani!