Mahavidyas

Goddess Bagalamukhi

The ten holy goddesses in Hinduism are known as “Mahavidyas” or “great wisdom science. In the form and shape they are the incarnations of Goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva. And Goddess Bagalamukhi is one of the mahavidya.

Baglamukhi, translates to the ‘Goddess who paralyzes the enemies’. She is also known as Pitambari Maa, because of her association with yellow or golden colour. She represents the hypnotic power of the Goddess. She is seen sitting on a yellow throne of lotuses in an ocean of nectar. This Goddess can turn speech into silence, knowledge into ignorance and defeat into victory.

    Pic Courtesy – Google               

Devi frees devotee’s mind from misconceptions and delusions, she protects from Enemies and Evils. Bagalamukhi is a compound of two words, one is “Bagala” and the other is “Mukhi”. The word “Bagala” means the cause of distortion or it also indicates the bird “Vaka” or “Vagula” or “Crane” which has an ability to stand absolutely still while hunting and “Mukhi” means face or head.

Powers of the Goddess Bagalamukhi: `According to the Indian books on Devi Bagalamukhi, it is written that she is the Goddess who has powers to paralyze the enemy’s physical and mental state. She holds power that can destroy the opponent’s mental capability and the enemy suffers paralysis. That is why she is called Shatru buddhi vinashini. The story goes that there was once a demon called Madan who gained Vak-siddhi, by which whatever he said came true (siddhi means supernatural power). He used it to great destructive effect, killing many people. The gods requested Bagalamukhi’s help. The goddess grabbed the demon’s tongue and thus neutralized his power.                                                              

Madhav Suresh
Age – 8

Goddess Bhairavi

Bhairavi is a hindu goddess,described as one of the mahavidyas, the 10 avatars of the mother goddess.The name Bhairavi means ‘’ terror’’ or awe-inspiring, she is also called Tripurabhairavi. She is seated on a lotus with four hands, one with a book,one with rosary beads,one with abhaya mudra and another with a varada mudra.

She personifies light and heat that can burn away the imperfections in the soul.

Picture courtesy Google

Goddess Bhairavi is an incarnation of Goddess Shakthi and is a popular deity in Hindu rural folklore and among tantric practitioners. Bhairavi controls the changes taking place in the universe. She also favors violence, punishments, and bloodshed to those who are irreligious and cruel, which also means that she is the mother of all violence to them.

Picture courtesy Google

Bhairavi is also the title for a female adept in kundalini, tantra. A yogini is a student of tantra or an Aspirant.She is also depicted as sitting on Shiva , which is more predominant in tantric worship; she  is also  depicted as a queen, closely resembling Rajarajeswari.

Bhairavi is usually depicted as dark greyish red skin, three eyes and blood smeared on her lips and breasts.

She shares with goddess Durga,the vahana,the lion. This vahana is a symbol of fire or solar energy, from which she wields her weapon of light to kill the demons or negative forces.

Bhairavi temples are usually found in Karnataka, Banduru, varagarahalli and many more temples across India.

Thank you.

Harshini Shanmugam

Goddess Bhuvaneshwari

Bhuvaneshvari is the fourth amongst the ten Mahavidya goddesses in Hinduism, and an aspect of Parvati as elements of the physical cosmos in giving shape to the creation of the World. The word Bhuvaneśwari is a compound of the words Bhuvana Iśwari, meaning “Goddess of the world” or “Queen of the universe”, where the worlds are the tri-bhuvana or three regions of bhūḥ (Earth), bhuvaḥ (atmosphere) and svaḥ (Heavens)`

According to Srimad Devi Bhagavatam during the beginning of time the Tridevas –Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra did not know who they were and what was their purpose.

Goddess Bhuvaneshwari is the creator of the entire universe as it is created out of her and ends in her. She is responsible for protecting it from devils. She has created many elements and gave life to all the Gods, sages and all living beings.

Bhuvaneshwari is thus the queen of the worlds and its sovereign ruler. The holy Vedas hail her as Aditi, the infinite and all-encompassing Mother, who holds the entire space in her cosmic womb. Thus the universe itself is her divine body, that is, she herself is the universe, while her infinite self, resides in all the living things in it. She kindles divinity in beings, and her presence makes the living things, the very representations of her own self. Bhuvaneshwari is thus, cosmos personified. Regarded as the earliest form of divine energy, she is a powerhouse, who can overrule even the mighty Navagrahas, the nine planets who decide about our destinies.

She had also created many worlds, such as Satyalok, where Lord Brahma lives. It is the most supreme place of all the worlds where the inhabitants are free of life and death cycle. Then Taplok came into being, where the soul, including the body, resides.

The inhabitants there wait for Satyalok to take shape. Gyanlok then was formed where the place had the presence of ascetics who were the inhabitants. Maharlok came into being where after the harsh penances, the sages and ascetics have a place to live. The sages who live in that place has the power equal to Gods. That is why all the sages live in that place. Then comes Anandlok, which is Swarglok, which is the residence of Gods and virtuous beings. Next, Bhuvarlok was formed where the sun and planets are positioned. After Bhuvarlok came Bhulok, where mortal and other living beings live

By Hasini,

Goddess Chinnamasta

Goddess Chinnamasta or Chinnamastika is the sixth amongst the Dus Mahavidya Goddesses.  The name “Chinnamasta” means the one whose head is severed. She is depicted with a garland of serpents and severed heads adorns her neck. She being the annihilator of the demons, her hair is loose and the tongue protruding. She holds a sword in the right hand and her severed head in the left. The two Devis ‘Dakini’ and ‘Shakini’ flank her on both sides. Three streams of blood flow from her body. The Devis, Dakini and Shakini on either side, savour blood from one stream each and Chinnamastika Devi herself consumes blood from the third stream.

Goddess Chinnamasta Puja benefits

She signifies enlightment and discarding the ego and all identities. She inspires one to get rid of all limitations and false notions and expresses complete freedom. She also symbolizes self-sacrifice.

Goddess Chinnamasta Puja benefits include (i) removal of obstacles in the path of success and progress; (ii)knowledge, spiritual progress and removal of bondages and desires and (iii) destruction of all negativities.

Temples

The world famous temple of Goddess Chhinnamasta is situated in the Ramgadh district, 80 kilometers away from Ranchi (capital city of Jharkhand). This is one of the ancient temples of India and is situated on the confluence of rivers Bhairavi and Damodar.  There is also an idol of Goddess Chinnamasta is also placed at Kamkhaya Temple in Assam.

Goddess Chinnmasta is generally worshipped as per Tantric rituals.

By Aaradhya G Pai, Age 8

Goddess Dhumavati

Image courtesy -Google

Dhumavati is the seventh of the ten Mahavidya Goddesses.Dhumavati in Sanskrit:Dhūmāvatī, literally means “the smokey one” is one of the Mahavidyas, a group of ten Tantric goddesses. Dhumavati represents the fearsome aspect of Parvati, the Hindu Divine Mother.She is often portrayed as an old, ugly widow, and is associated withthings considered inauspicious and unattractive in Hinduism, such as the crow and the Chaturmas period. The goddess is often depicted on a horseless chariot or riding a crow, usually in a cremation ground.She is considered to be the most furious form of Goddess Durga.

She is the only one of the Mahavidyas without her consort.

Origin of Dhumavati -Story

It is said that Sati had extreme hunger pangs. She was so hungry that she asked Lord Shiva to get her something to eat. But he refused, as he is not a householder. She had to repeat the request but it went unheeded. She was so famished that she devoured Him! Once she had swallowed her husband, He was upset. He requested her to let him out. She did with a lot of hesitancy. Shiva had no other option but to curse her. He said she would become a widow and undergo all the things that a widow goes through! When Sati heard of this there was a lot of smoke emitting out from all over her body. Her entire beauty was now enveloped with the smoke. She became ugly and looked like a widow indeed. She would now be called Dhuma (smoke) or Dhumvati. The Goddess separated from her husband and lived in a solitary existence. She prefers the crow and her new abode became the cremation grounds.

Dhumavati temple

Goddesss Dhumavati temples are also very rare. The most famous temple of Goddess Dhumavati is located in Varanasi where the Goddess is worshipped with very unusual items. She is offered fruits, flowers along with meat, bhaang, liquor, cigarettes and sometimes even blood sacrifices.Dhumavati Jayanti is celebrated to mark the day when Goddess Dhumavati who is a manifestation of Goddess Shakti incarnated on Earth.

Goddess Dhumavati is described as a giver of siddhis (supernatural powers), a rescuer from all troubles and granter of all desires and rewards, including ultimate knowledge and moksha (salvation).

Harshita Prashant -6 Years

Goddess Kali

Kali –  In Sanskrit means She who is Black. Kali comes from the word Kala which also means time. Goddess Kali hence is also the controller of time. Goddess Kali emerged from Shiva; she is an avatar of Shakti and the mother of all living things. She destroys evil and protects the innocent.

Goddess Kali is portrayed standing with Shiva Goddess Kali is a kind, loving and caring mother. Her skin color appears to be dark, and she is wearing a garland of 50 skulls, denoting 50 letters of  the Sanskrit alphabet. She is four armed, holding a Kharag- a type of sword, in her top left arm, denoting strength and a skull in the right arm denoting all evil.

Kali is worshipped across India. Kali is worshiped as one of the 10 Mahavidya forms of Adi Parashakti. One mantra for worship to Kali is Sarvamangala mangalye sive sarvartha sadhike Saranye tryambake gauri narayani namostute Om Jayanti mangala kali bhadrakali kapalini

Durga ksama siva dhatri svaha svasha namostute During the Navaratri, decorating goddess kali with her favorite Hibiscus flowers and chanting Mahishasura mardini daily is believed to please Goddess Kali Goddess Kali is vegetarian and loves dishes made with rice and Kichidi and Kheer are offered to her as prasad is the northern part of India.

However in South India, Ragi – red millets are offered to her as prasad.

There are many temples for goddess Kali across India. Some of the famous temples are

• Chamunda Devi, Himachal Pradesh
• Kalighat Mandir, Kolkata
• Kripamayee Kali Temple
• Dakshineswar Kali Temple, West Bengal
• Sree Bhadrakali Devaswom Temple, Tamil Nadu
• Kalka Devi Temple, New Delhi

Kalighat Kali Temple is a Hindu temple in Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal, India dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas.

I love reciting Mahishasura Mardini and sing it with my mother regularly.

KALIGHAT, Kolkata, India

Goddess Kali decorated with Hibiscus flowers

Pictures – Courtesy Google

Submitted by: Sanjana Arul

Age: – 10 years

Goddess Matangi

Matangi (Sanskrit: मातङ्गी, Mātaṅgī) is a Hindu goddess. She is one of the Mahavidyas, ten Tantric goddesses and an aspect of Parvati the Hindu Divine Mother.

Matangi governs speech, music, knowledge, and the arts. Her worship is prescribed to acquire supernatural powers, especially gaining control over enemies, attracting people to oneself, acquiring mastery over the arts, and gaining supreme knowledge.

Matangi is a primary form of the all-powerful Goddess known in Hinduism as Devi. She appears most prominently as one of the Dasha Mahavidyas (Ten Wisdom Goddesses) of Tantric Hinduism but may also be considered a more fearful form of the popular Goddess Saraswati.

Lord Siva is also known as Matangi. His Shakti or power is called Matangi. The goddess has dark emerald complexion and possesses a disc of a moon on her forehead. The three-eyed goddess is seated on the crown decorated with jewels. Her luster is like a blue lotus and is destroyer like forest fire.

In each of her four hands, she has a noose, a mace, an axe, and a hook. She is a destroyer of the demons by enchanting them first with her beauty and fulfiller of every desire of her devotees. At times she is seen seated on a corpse, holding a skull and a bowl of blood and untidy long hair. She is sometimes depicted with dark green skin and three eyes and holds a parrot and a jewel encrusted veena. She has same musical instrument as Saraswathi.

Matangi is surrounded by nature especially birds, green and red parrots which represent a guru.

From Shubhangi Anand- 9 years

Goddess Tara

Avni Goyal

9 years

for Gurukulam – The Shloka Learning Centre

The Mahavidya are a group of TEN aspects of Adi Para Shakti in Hinduism. Goddess Tara is the second of the dasa (Ten) Mahavidyas. Tara means a star or a planet. She is the ‘Great Wisdom Goddesses’ and is a form of Adishakti, the tantric manifestation of Mahadevi.Her most famous center of worship is the temple and the cremation ground of ‘Tarapith’.

It is said that the origin of goddess Tara happened during the churning of the milky sea when poison came out the ocean. Lord Shiva drank the poison to save the world from destruction, but Lord Shiva fell unconscious under the powerful effect of the poison. At this point Goddess Durga appeared as Tara and took Shiva on her lap and breast fed him to counteract the effect of the poison. Hence Tara is said to be more approachable to the devotees because of her maternal instincts.

Goddess Tara is shown as standing upon a supine Lord Shiva with protruding tongue. Tara is portrait as blue; she is also known as Neel Saraswathi. Tara wears a necklace of severed human head. Tara wears a tiger-skin skirt. She has a lolling tongue and blood oozes from her mouth.Goddess Taraholds a lotus in one of the above arms and a pair of scissors in one of the lower arms. In remaining two arms Goddess Tara holds bloody Kripana and Kapala (skull-cup) filled with the blood.Therefore, her weapons are Khadga, Sword and Pair of Scissors.Her three most famous forms are Ekajata,Ugratara, Nilasarasvati. She is also known as the mother of liberation.

Devi Tara Sadhana is done to achieve sudden gain of wealth and prosperity. Tara Sadhana sprouts seed of wisdom and knowledge in the heart of the worshipper.

Tara Mool Mantra

ॐह्रींस्त्रींहुंफट्॥

Om HreemStreem Hum Phat॥

Tara Yantra along with its Mool Mantra is considered very effective medium to fulfil Tara Sadhana.

  Avni Goyal

Image Courtesy: Pinterest

Content Courtesy: Wikipedia & Google.

Goddess Kamalatmika

Courtesy: Google Images

The Mahavidyas are a group of ten forms of Mahadevi in Hinduism. They are Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari (Shodoshi), Bhuvaneshvari, Tripura Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi and Kamala.

In a story from the Shakta Maha-Bhagavata Purana, which narrates the origin of Dus Mahavidya- the great Goddesses of Wisdom. Sati, the daughter of Daksha and the wife of Lord Shiva, feels insulted when she and Shiva are not invited to Daksha’s yagna.She insists on going there, but Shiva forbids her from doing so. After futile attempts to convince Shiva, the enraged Sati transforms into the Mahavidyas, who surround Shiva from the ten cardinal directions.

Kamalatmika (Kamala)

Courtesy: Google Images

Kamala is the tenth Mahavidya Goddessesand consideredto be the supreme form of the goddess. She is Goddess Lakshmi and also known as Tantric Lakshmi. Kamala is the goddesses of prosperity and wealth, fertility and crops, and good luck. Hence,she is Devi of both Dhan and Dhanyai.e., wealth and grains.

Symbolic representation: Goddess Kamala is wearinga beautiful dress and adorned with golden jewellery. She has golden complexion and four arms. In two arms, she holds lotus flowers and using another two arms she makes boon-giving and being-fearless gestures which are known as Varada and Abhaya Mudra respectively. Goddess Kamala is sitting in the ocean on a lotus flower and is bounded by four elephants doing Abhishekam to her.

Kamala Mool Mantra

ॐह्रींअष्टमहालक्ष्म्यैनमः॥

Om HreemAshtaMahalakshmyaiNamah॥

S.RITVIK