INDIAN TANTRIC GODDESSES - AN ODE TO DIVINE FEMININE

By Swami Anand Almasta

Hinduism is probably the only religion in the world which talks about Shakti (the Sacred Feminine) concept as being equal in power to the Parabrahma or the Supreme Divine. According to Hinduism, the elements of Shakti (the female or the Prakruti) and Shiva (the male or the Purusha) are two parts of a whole. While they are incomplete by themselves, they form a balanced, harmonious whole together.

Shakti, as the name itself suggests, means "Strength". Lord Shiva has stated time and again that He is nothing without His companion, Goddess Shakti. This clearly depicts the important role play by the Mother Goddess in the Hindu pantheon. In this article, we bring you the story about the Ten Mahavidyas of Hindu mythology.

In Tantra, worship of Devi-Shakti is referred to as a Vidya. Of the hundreds of tantrik practices, the worship of the ten major Devis is called the Dasa Mahavidya. These major forms of the goddess are described in the Todala Tantra. They are Kali, Tara, Maha Tripura Sundari (or Shodasi-Sri Vidya), Bhuvaneshvari, Chinnamasta, Bhairavi, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi, and Kamala. These ten aspects of Shakti are the epitome of the entire creation. Chapter 10 also outlines their consorts, although Dhumavati, the widow form, is not allocated a consort.

There are several "levels" at which these Devis can be worshiped with the prescribed Mantra and Yantra. Like a simple worship of the yantra with the mantra recitation, as a remedial astrological measure, elaborate worship with all tantrak rituals for attaining various siddhis associated with these tantras and for spiritual salvation.

Successful sadhana of these Vidyas gives several boons to the practitioner. The Tantrik- Yogi who has control over his senses and positively inclined uses the boons to guide people and for the benefit of mankind. The ones whose head starts spinning with success use them for the gratification of the senses, gather a bunch of disciples around them and become fake gurus.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0BM3R6LS4
• ISBN13: 9798363447983
• Release Date: November 2022
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 169 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 0.4" x 8.5"