Tag Archives: Das Mahavidya

Day Six Navaratri April 2016: Chinnamasta, the Great Cosmic Wisdom

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Aum Shrim Hrim Aim Vajra-Vairochaneeya Hum Hum Phat Swaha

Aum Shrim Hrim Aim Vajra-Vairochaneeya Hum Hum Phat Swaha

Aum Shrim Hrim Aim Vajra-Vairochaneeya Hum Hum Phat Swaha

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Jai Maa Chinnamasta! Jai Jai Jai Maa! Today and tonight I bow before the Divine Mother in her aspect as Maa Chinnamasta, Goddess of Awakening Wisdom, and I pray The Great Invocation:

The Great Invocation

From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let light stream forth into the minds of men.
Let Light descend on Earth.

From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let love stream forth into the hearts of men.
May Christ return to Earth.

From the centre where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide the little wills of men–
The purpose which the Masters know and serve.

From the centre which we call the race of men
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.

Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.

Who is this Goddess Chinnamasta and why would I pray to Her to restore the plan on Earth? Well, quite simply, She is the Pure Absolute Wisdom which transcends the illusion of Maya. She is the pure light that descends from on high. As such, She is also the embodiment of a fierce immensity: “Her left foot forward in battle, she holds her severed head and a knife. Naked, she drinks voluptuously the stream of the blood nectar flowing from her beheaded body. The jewel on her forehead is tied with a serpent. She has three eyes. Her breasts are adorned with lotuses. Inclined towards lust, she sits erect above the god of love, who shows signs of lustfulness. She looks like the red China rose.” Chinnamasta Tantra

Chinnamasta1800Parvati became known as Chinnamasta, the Self-Decapitated Goddess who represents the transcendence of material identification and the sacrifice of ego as wisdom transcends the lower nature in the awakening of kundalini Shakti. Her ferocious iconography also represents the continuous cycle of samsara/sex, life and death in the play of duality.

Chinnamasta’s name is also seen as Chhinnamasta and Chinnamastaka, and in Tantric Buddhism she is known as Chinnamunda. This phrase in Her mantra (above) – vajra-vairochaneeya – refers to Maa Chintamasta’s gift of spiritual awakening. She explodes like thunder and lightning as Her kundalini pierces into pure consciousness. Per Vedic astrology, we can propitiate Shri Mata Chinnamasta for any matter related to Rahu and Ketu including karmic curses, anxieties and fears, as well as health, money and relationship problems,

Her stotra of 108 names is as follows:

  • Chinnamasta
  • Mahavidya (great knowledge goddess)
  • Mahabhima (great fierce one)
  • Mahodari (great bellied one)
  • Candesvari (fierce goddess)
  • Candamata (mother of fierce beings or the fierce mother)
  • Candamundaprabhanjini (killer of demons Canda and Munda)
  • Mahacanda (great fierce one)
  • Candarupa (fierce form)
  • Candika (fierce one)
  • Candakhandini (destroyer of Canda)
  • Krodhini (wrathful one)
  • Krodhajanani (creator of wrathful beings)
  • Krodharupa (wrathful form)
  • Kuhuh (new moon day)
  • Kala (skillful one)
  • Kopatura (afflicted with rage)
  • Kopayuta (filled with rage)
  • Kopasamharakarini (destroyer of rage)
  • Vajra
  • Vajravairocani (adamantine one)
  • Vajrakalpa (competent with a vajra)
  • Dakini
  • Dakinikarmanirata (involved with the work of dakinis)
  • Dakinikarmapujita (worshipped as the work of dakinis)
  • Dakinisanganirata (delighted in the company of dakinis)
  • Dakinipremapurita (filled with love of dakinis)
  • Khatavangadharini (holder of a khatvanga)
  • Kharva (mutilated one)
  • Khadgakharparadharini (holder of a scimitar and a skullcup)
  • Pretasana (feeder of pretas [hungry ghosts])
  • Pretayuta (united with pretas)
  • Pretasangaviharini (plays or dwells in the company of pretas)
  • Chinnamundadhara (holds a severed head)
  • Chinnacandavidya (fierce mantra of the one with the severed body)
  • Citrini (having variegated forms)
  • Ghorarupa (terrific form)
  • Ghoradrsta (terrific to behold)
  • Ghorarava (having a terrific roar)
  • Ghanodari (firm abdomen)
  • Yogini (practices yoga)
  • Yoganirata (practitioner of yoga)
  • Japayajnaparayana (absorbed in sacrifice and recitation)
  • Yonicakramayi (possessing yonicakra)
  • Yonih (embodying the yoni)
  • Yonicakrapravarttini (arising from the yonicakra)
  • Yonimudra (has the yonimudra)
  • Yonigamya (accessible to the yoni)
  • Yoniyantranivasini (abides in the yoniyantra)
  • Yantrarupa (has the yantra form)
  • Yantramayi (possesses the yantra)
  • Yantresi (goddess of the yantra)
  • Yantrapujita (worshipped with a yantra)
  • Kirtya (renowned one)
  • Kapardini (has matted hair)
  • Kali
  • Kankali (emaciated)
  • Kalavikarini (constantly transforming)
  • Arakta (being slightly red)
  • Raktanayana (having red eyes)
  • Raktapanaparayana (quaffing blood continuously)
  • Bhavani
  • Bhutida (gives prosperity)
  • Bhutih (prosperity)
  • Bhutidatri (bestows prosperity)
  • Bhairavi (formidable one)
  • Bhairavacaranirata (engaged in the practice of bhairavas)
  • Bhutabhairavasevita (served by fierce beings)
  • Bhima (formidable one)
  • Bhimesvaridevi (goddess who is lord of the formidable one)
  • Bhimanadaparayana (having continuous formidable sounds)
  • Bhavaradhya (praised by Sankara)
  • Bhavanuta (worshipped by all)
  • Bhavasagaratarini (crosses over the ocean of existence)
  • Bhadrakali (a form of Kali)
  • Bhadratanuh (having a beautiful body)
  • Bhadrarupa (beautiful form)
  • Bhadrika (goodness)
  • Bhadrarupa (embodies goodness)
  • Mahabhadra (magnanimous)
  • Subhadra (wonderful goodness)
  • Bhadrapalini (protectoress of goodness)
  • Subhavya (exceedingly beautiful)
  • Bhavyavadana (having beautiful face)
  • Sumukhi (good face or mouth)
  • Siddhasevita (served by siddhis)
  • Siddhida (gives siddhis)
  • Siddhanivaha (has the collection of siddhis)
  • Siddha (accomplished one)
  • Siddhanisevita (honoured by siddhas)
  • Subhada (gives auspiciousness)
  • Subhaga (elegant)
  • Suddha (pure)
  • Suddhasattva (has pure sattva)
  • Subhavaha (bearer of auspiciousness)
  • Srestha (excellent)
  • Drstamayi (embodies the right view)
  • Devi
  • Drstisamharakarini (capable of destroying by her gaze)
  • Sarvani (Siva’s wife)
  • Sarvaga (omnipresent)
  • Sarva (complete)
  • Sarvamangalakarini (creator of all auspiciousness)
  • Siva (pacifier)
  • Santa (peaceful)
  • Santirupa (embodiment of peacefulness)
  • Mrdani (gladdened)
  • Madanatura (indomitable by Kamadeva)

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Day Three Navaratri, April 2016: Lalita Devi, Mother of Eternal Bliss

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Homage to the Absolute Reality, the source and the embodiment of bliss, the supreme consciousness, here termed as She, the Mother, who is both the magnificent image of the universe and the mirror in which this dazzling reflection appears. (from Tripura Rahasya II, I, 1)

Tripura-sundari_yantra_colorDay Three of Das Mahavidya Navaratri sadhana is devoted to Shri Lalita Devi, known also as Tripura Sundari, Shodashi (Vermillion Hued), and Sri Vidya, Goddess of Wisdom). Lalita means “She who Plays,” and She is thus called “Maha Maya,” as She plays with us and through us in Her lila or divine play.

Tripura means the “Three Cities” of Heaven, Earth and the Netherworld. “Sundari” means “Beautiful Woman,” so Her name means “Beautiful Goddess of the Three Cities.” She is the Supreme Goddess who embodies and transcends the holy trinity and five-fold aspect of the Divinity. According to Vedic astrology, Lalita Devi is related to Mercury (Budha) in the horoscope; we can propitiate Her to strengthen or balance Mercury in the horoscope.

Just as Lalita is the absolute universal power, Mercury’s essence is also to contain and unify. This idea is represented by Mercury’s symbol in the Caduceus (Staff of Hermes), an alchemical emblem of two serpents wrapped around a center rod, representing the union of opposites in the human energetic system when it transcends the illusory world of duality. Mercury is also tri-doshic in Ayurveda, and Mercury is the graha that relates to play which is Lalita’s essence as Maha Maya.

caduceusThe whole universe is always encompassed by light within and without. Such light is transcendental and is called the supreme Tripura, the supreme goddess. Knowers of the Vedas call her Brahman and Vaisnaivites call her Vishnu. According to Saivites, she is Siva; according to Shaktas, she is Shakti.

Lalita Tripura Sundari seated over Brahma Vishnu Shiva Maheswara and SadashivaAs the image is pervaded by the mirror, this world is pervaded by the power of consciousness. All the objects in this universe are illuminated by that light. As the image of a city is not part of the mirror, similarly the universe is not part of consciousness. As an image cannot be separated from the mirror, the universe cannot be separated from consciousness. This is the glory if the real self.

Tripura Sundari says, “Sages, listen to me…This whole universe, like an image in the mirror, is born, it is there, and it annihilates itself. That which is seen by the ignorant as the world is realized by the yogis as pure knowledge. I am called Tripura. Far beyond the world there is an ocean of eternal bliss. In the center of that ocean there is an island of gems, and the midst of that island there is a temple with brilliant illumination. In the inner chamber of that temple is a throne on which is seated Mahatripurasundari, the great Mother Divine, with her five aspects. O highest of seers, that is myself.

By my own primal Shakti, it seems that I am born and will die in the world. In this way my faces are multifarious. I am beyond and above all, Sri Vidya. That which is pure, beyond all the phenomenal world, is the knowledge of the absolute, and to contemplate on that is freedom from duality. When the mind and its modifications flow towards the eternal center, atman, O seers, pure atman is realized. Therefore those practitioners who identify pure consciousness, through which all objects are illumined, alone remove all impurities. Those purified ones remain absorbed in that realization.”

(The above is extracted from Tripura Rahasya: The Mystery Behind the Trinity, translated by Swami Sri Ramanananda Saraswathi (Munagala S. Venkataramaiah).

One of my favorite chants to the Devi is 108 Sacred Names of Mother Divine: Sacred Chants of Devi by Craig Pruess and Ananda which you can preview and download here (#2 “Devi Prayer”): Maa Amba Lalitha Devi~Parashakti Sundari~Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah…

Day Two, Navaratri April 2016: Goddess Tara

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Om Hrim Strim Hum Phat…Om Hrim Strim Hum Phat…Om Hrim Strim Hum Phat

tara yantra v1The Goddess is the source of all, the universal creator. “The gods, approaching the resplendent Goddess, asked her, “Who are you?”

The Goddess replied, “I am the form of Immensity; from me the world arises as Nature and Person, or Prakriti and Purusa. (Devi Upanisad 1-2).

The second night of Das Mahavidya Navaratri sadhana is devoted to the Goddess Tara, whose name means “Star.”  She is a manifestation of Kali who is worshipped in the Tantric tradition through an image somewhat but not exactly similar to Kali. The famous 18th-century Bengali saint and Shakta poet Ramprasad Sen often wrote about Kali and Tara interchangeably. Kamalakanta who followed in Ramprasad’s footsteps did the same, as the Divine Mother assumes various forms by which to fulfill the wishes of Her children.

the_mahavidya_tara_ht85Tara represents the early dawn when there is hunger and desire for sustenance in the creative process of life. Known as “She Who Brings Through Life,” Tara is often propitiated to help us fulfill our creative ambitions in life. She is also depicted in various ways in Vedic, Tantra, Buddhist or Jain traditions. In the Tantras, Tara is described as the “Great Void” and “Changeless Face of the Immensity.” Her consort is the Never Decaying aspect of Shiva (Akshobhya Shiva). Thus, Tara is the Never Decaying aspect of the Divinity Herself.

Tara is said to laugh loudly as she drinks blood which symbolizes the creative juices of life. In Her compassionate form of Gauri, She also drinks the poison of the world; thus, her power is not only creative but also healing and transformative. In Buddhism, She is worshiped in 21 different forms and is the ultimate embodiment of compassion.

In Puranic legend, Tara is married to the Priest of the Devas named Brihaspati (Jupiter), who is the Lord of Wisdom. Many Vedic astrologers recommend Tara sadhana for improving the karmas of Jupiter in the astrological chart. Tara is also the power of knowledge and speech. One of the best ways to connect with Tara and propitiate Jupiter is through nada/shabdha yoga/the yoga of the inner sound current/inner listening and chanting AUM, because Tara is like a bridge between unmanifest and manifest sound.

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Happy Chaitra Navaratri 2016

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The One Truth is sensed in ten different facets; the Divine Mother is approached as ten cosmic personalities. (S. Shankarnarayanan).

Navratri (Navaratri) starts tomorrow April 7 in US/April 8 in the UK and India, Asia, and Australia! It is the festival dedicated to the worship of the Divine Feminine Creative Power of the Universe known as Shakti and Maha Devi. She is said to come down and walk among us at this time, to help cleanse, bless, and heal the Earth and its inhabitants.

There are five Navaratri celebrations every year. The one in springtime is Vasant or Chaitra Navaratri. It is customary for devotees to worship Durga the first three nights; Lakshmi the second three nights; and Saraswati the last three nights. Others propitiate nine forms of the goddess Durga, and some worship the Das Mahavidya or the Ten Mahavidyas.

Worshiping these Mahavidyas bestows many gifts and removes certain obstacles on the path of life. The Mahavidyas are considered Tantric in nature, and represent the “Great or Transcendental Wisdom (Maha-Vidya), and are aspects of inner transformation. They are usually identified as:

1. Kali—The power behind time, the energy of spiritual transformation with destruction of ego

2. Tara—The Guiding Star who delivers us from darkness and samsara,  the wheel of birth and death,

3. Tripura Sundari (Shodashi and Sri Vidya)—The 16-year old maiden who represents divine perfection of Adi Shakti, the female embodiment of creativity and fertility.  She is also Lalitha, She who Plays, also known as Maha Maya, as She plays with us and through us in Her lila or divine play.

4. Bhuvaneshvari—The Goddess as World Mother, who is the reflection of Divine Wisdom, whose body is the whole cosmos.

5. Bhairavi—the Power of Death. She is Fierce.

6. Chhinnamasta—The self-decapitated form of Maa who holds Her own severed head,  signifying the ultimate power of self-sacrifice.

7. Dhumavati—The Widow Goddess, also Goddess of Death as well as Renunciation.

8. Bagalamukhi—She is also Pitambaradevi or Brahmastra Roopini and she represents the knowledge of Duality. She is in the still point between dualities and helps us to master them. She also helps us destroy lies and evil.

9. Matangi—She is the outcaste form of Saraswati (Chandalini), who dwells outside normal society. She is the power of dominion which can dispel evil.

10. Kamala—She is often identified as Lakshmi who bestows great fortune.

Mahavidyas.jpg By The Calcutta Art Studio -(This Ten Mahavidyas print is from the Calcutta Art Studio).