Courtesy : Sri.Gopala Krishnan
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1.DEVEPOMENT OF MAHAVIDYAS PRINCIPLE
The development of Mahavidyas represents an important turning point in the history of Shaktism as it marks the rise Bhakti aspect in Shaktism, which reached its zenith in 1700 CE. First sprung forth in the Puranic age, around 6th century C.E., as a response to the rise of masculine deities of Hindu pantheon to the top, a new theistic movement began in which the supreme being was envisioned as female. A fact epitomized by texts like Devi-Bhagavata Purana, especially its last nine chapters (31-40) of the seventh skandha, which are known as the Devi Gita, and soon became central texts of Shaktism.
In summary when worship of masculine deities was in forefront, a different thought of feminine Goddess worship was thought of.
2. ETYMOLOGY-MAHA VIDYAS
The name Mahavidyas comes from the Sanskrit roots, with maha meaning 'great' and vidya meaning, 'revelation, manifestation, knowledge, or wisdom.
3.NAMES- MAHA VIDYAS
Shaktas believe, "the one Truth is sensed in ten different facets; the Divine Mother is adored and approached as ten cosmic personalities," the Dasa-Mahavidya ("ten-Mahavidyas"). The Mahavidyas are considered Tantric in nature, and are usually identified as
31.KALI:
The Goddess as Cosmic Destruction, Death or "Devourer of Time" (Supreme Deity of Kalikula systems). The form of Kali at Kalighat in Calcutta etc. Probably Kalidasa got Vidya from Kali.
When a woman is fierce in looks and activities some times, we use to say behaving like Kali also.
3.2.TARA:
The Goddess as Guide and Protector, or Who Saves. This Tara sometimes we may be referring in the mantras of auspiciousness of the muhurtha- Tara balam Chandra Balam Thathaiva, Vidya alam Deiva balam Thathaiva….
Tara is not so common name; the only Thara I heard among women is Tara Kalyan (the dancer) used to appear early in Asia net and now in Doordarsan programmes
3.3.LALITA-TRIPURASUNDARI (SHODASHI):
The Goddess who is "Beautiful in the Three Worlds" (Supreme Deity of Srikula systems); the "Tantric Parvati".
She is adorned in the Lalitha sahasranamam. Because of her tenderness many girls are named Lalitha or Lalithambika etc. Lalithambal is a very familiar name among Brahmin girls. Among other communities it can be simple Lalitha. Among Nampoothiries and Royal groups also we have lalitha- as Lalaithambika Antharjanam( The writer cum IAS officer ) and Lalitha bhai Thampuratti.
3.4.BHUVANESHVARI:
The Goddess as World Mother, or Whose Body is the Cosmos. We have one Bhuvaneswari Adhishtanam at Pudukkottai in Tamilnadu and I have worshipped there while working in Pudukkottai
3.5.BHAIRAVI:
The Fierce Goddess. But it is also the name of a music ragam. I am not sure as a music ragam it is good. My co brother's house is named Bhairavi, they are music people. So it should be a good ragam.
3.6.CHHINNAMASTA:
The Self-Decapitated Goddess. Chinna mastha worship is among villages and tribal people.
3.7.DHUMAVATI:
The Widow Goddess.
3.8.BAGALAMUKHI:
The Goddess Who Paralyses Enemies
3.9.MATANGI:
Matangi is the Outcaste Goddess (in Kalikula systems) and the Prime Minister of Lalita (in Srikula systems); the "Tantric Saraswati"
3.10.KAMALA:
The Lotus Goddess; the "Tantric Lakshmi" . Kamala is also a familiar name among Brahmins, and among other communities. We may be having either Kamalambal or Kamalam. Kamala kamesh was an actress of yesteryear in Tamil who had a prominent role in the film Alaikal Oivathillai by Bharathi raja.
The Mahabhagavata Purana and Brhaddharma Purana however, list Shodashi (Sodasi) as Tripura Sundari, her another name.
4. MAHAVIDYAS- AVATHARS OF VISHNU
The Guhyatiguyha-tantra associates the Mahavidyas with the ten avatars of Vishnu, and states that the Mahavidyas are the source from which the avatars of Vishnu arose. All ten forms of the Goddess, whether gentle or terrifying, are worshiped as the universal Mother.
5.LEGEND-CHHINNAMASTA: THE SELF-DECAPITATED GODDESS.
The 'Mahabhagvata Purana', describes the origin of Mahavidyas, as the result of an argument between Shiva and Sati (Dakshayani), an earlier incarnation of Parvati.
When Shiva and Sati were wed, Sati's father Daksha disapproved of the match and organized a great sacrifice to which he invited everyone except for the newlywed couple. Sati, incensed, insisted on attending the sacrifice, which Shiva forbade until Sati transformed herself into a terrible appearance and multiplied into the ten Mahavidyas, whereby she subdued Shiva's resistance and attended the sacrifice. I have described the same else where earlier also in my posting, which was a new information to me then.
6.WORSHIP
In their strong associations with death, violence, ritual pollution, and despised marginal social roles, they call into question such normative social "goods" as worldly comfort, security, respect, and honour.
The worship of these goddesses suggests that the DEVOTEE EXPERIENCES A REFRESHING AND LIBERATING SPIRITUALITY IN ALL THAT IS FORBIDDEN BY ESTABLISHED SOCIAL ORDERS.
7. CONCLUDING REMARKS.
We have seen 10 Maha vidyas. Out of it Kamala , Bhuvaneswari, Tara and Lalitha are simple forms. Others are fierce. Bagalmukhi and Dhoomavathi also appear in Saptha mathru cocept.
The development of Mahavidyas represents an important turning point in the history of Shaktism as it marks the rise Bhakti aspect in Shaktism, which reached its zenith in 1700 CE. First sprung forth in the Puranic age, around 6th century C.E., as a response to the rise of masculine deities of Hindu pantheon to the top, a new theistic movement began in which the supreme being was envisioned as female. A fact epitomized by texts like Devi-Bhagavata Purana, especially its last nine chapters (31-40) of the seventh skandha, which are known as the Devi Gita, and soon became central texts of Shaktism.
In summary when worship of masculine deities was in forefront, a different thought of feminine Goddess worship was thought of.
2. ETYMOLOGY-MAHA VIDYAS
The name Mahavidyas comes from the Sanskrit roots, with maha meaning 'great' and vidya meaning, 'revelation, manifestation, knowledge, or wisdom.
3.NAMES- MAHA VIDYAS
Shaktas believe, "the one Truth is sensed in ten different facets; the Divine Mother is adored and approached as ten cosmic personalities," the Dasa-Mahavidya ("ten-Mahavidyas"). The Mahavidyas are considered Tantric in nature, and are usually identified as
31.KALI:
The Goddess as Cosmic Destruction, Death or "Devourer of Time" (Supreme Deity of Kalikula systems). The form of Kali at Kalighat in Calcutta etc. Probably Kalidasa got Vidya from Kali.
When a woman is fierce in looks and activities some times, we use to say behaving like Kali also.
3.2.TARA:
The Goddess as Guide and Protector, or Who Saves. This Tara sometimes we may be referring in the mantras of auspiciousness of the muhurtha- Tara balam Chandra Balam Thathaiva, Vidya alam Deiva balam Thathaiva….
Tara is not so common name; the only Thara I heard among women is Tara Kalyan (the dancer) used to appear early in Asia net and now in Doordarsan programmes
3.3.LALITA-TRIPURASUNDARI (SHODASHI):
The Goddess who is "Beautiful in the Three Worlds" (Supreme Deity of Srikula systems); the "Tantric Parvati".
She is adorned in the Lalitha sahasranamam. Because of her tenderness many girls are named Lalitha or Lalithambika etc. Lalithambal is a very familiar name among Brahmin girls. Among other communities it can be simple Lalitha. Among Nampoothiries and Royal groups also we have lalitha- as Lalaithambika Antharjanam( The writer cum IAS officer ) and Lalitha bhai Thampuratti.
3.4.BHUVANESHVARI:
The Goddess as World Mother, or Whose Body is the Cosmos. We have one Bhuvaneswari Adhishtanam at Pudukkottai in Tamilnadu and I have worshipped there while working in Pudukkottai
3.5.BHAIRAVI:
The Fierce Goddess. But it is also the name of a music ragam. I am not sure as a music ragam it is good. My co brother's house is named Bhairavi, they are music people. So it should be a good ragam.
3.6.CHHINNAMASTA:
The Self-Decapitated Goddess. Chinna mastha worship is among villages and tribal people.
3.7.DHUMAVATI:
The Widow Goddess.
3.8.BAGALAMUKHI:
The Goddess Who Paralyses Enemies
3.9.MATANGI:
Matangi is the Outcaste Goddess (in Kalikula systems) and the Prime Minister of Lalita (in Srikula systems); the "Tantric Saraswati"
3.10.KAMALA:
The Lotus Goddess; the "Tantric Lakshmi" . Kamala is also a familiar name among Brahmins, and among other communities. We may be having either Kamalambal or Kamalam. Kamala kamesh was an actress of yesteryear in Tamil who had a prominent role in the film Alaikal Oivathillai by Bharathi raja.
The Mahabhagavata Purana and Brhaddharma Purana however, list Shodashi (Sodasi) as Tripura Sundari, her another name.
4. MAHAVIDYAS- AVATHARS OF VISHNU
The Guhyatiguyha-tantra associates the Mahavidyas with the ten avatars of Vishnu, and states that the Mahavidyas are the source from which the avatars of Vishnu arose. All ten forms of the Goddess, whether gentle or terrifying, are worshiped as the universal Mother.
5.LEGEND-CHHINNAMASTA: THE SELF-DECAPITATED GODDESS.
The 'Mahabhagvata Purana', describes the origin of Mahavidyas, as the result of an argument between Shiva and Sati (Dakshayani), an earlier incarnation of Parvati.
When Shiva and Sati were wed, Sati's father Daksha disapproved of the match and organized a great sacrifice to which he invited everyone except for the newlywed couple. Sati, incensed, insisted on attending the sacrifice, which Shiva forbade until Sati transformed herself into a terrible appearance and multiplied into the ten Mahavidyas, whereby she subdued Shiva's resistance and attended the sacrifice. I have described the same else where earlier also in my posting, which was a new information to me then.
6.WORSHIP
In their strong associations with death, violence, ritual pollution, and despised marginal social roles, they call into question such normative social "goods" as worldly comfort, security, respect, and honour.
The worship of these goddesses suggests that the DEVOTEE EXPERIENCES A REFRESHING AND LIBERATING SPIRITUALITY IN ALL THAT IS FORBIDDEN BY ESTABLISHED SOCIAL ORDERS.
7. CONCLUDING REMARKS.
We have seen 10 Maha vidyas. Out of it Kamala , Bhuvaneswari, Tara and Lalitha are simple forms. Others are fierce. Bagalmukhi and Dhoomavathi also appear in Saptha mathru cocept.
knr
--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God
--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God
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