Essay name: Devi Tantra, Mantra, Yantra (study)
Author:
Srider Basudevan Iyer
Affiliation: University of Mumbai / Sanskrit, University Department
This essay studies the history of Devi (the Goddess) in relation with worship using Tantra, Yantra and Mantra. The study explores the concept of the 'Female Principle' or Goddess, examining her role and significance in ancient Indian society.
Chapter 2 - The Maior Goddesses
107 (of 125)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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chapter II Major goddesses 164 V膩c the principle of all speech 203 and is a divinity who presides over
knowledge and all spoken words. In later Vedic literature she is found
associated with deities like Indra, the Asvins, Agni, Mitra and Varuna,
Maruts, Vi峁ａ箛u and Prajapati to increase prosperity and for the speedy
completion of a task 264. It is mentioned in the VS265 she with speech is
said to have to been the physician in the healing sacrifice given to
Indra. Sarasvati appears as a milch-cow in the VS 266 with the Soma-
drink as her milk. I岣嵞�, Bh膩rat墨 with Sarasvati form a trine of
goddess 267
She is involved in the garbhadhana ceremony and asked to
bless the conception of a male progeny along with other Male
deities 268. She alone grants progeny and is begged to be kind and
gracious to the person praying and to his children 269. Sarasvati is
connected with the god Pu峁i, who brings abundant nourishment as his
wife 270. Along with Vi峁ａ箛u, other than the garbh膩dhana ritual, she
plays a significant role in the saptapadi ceremony of the wedding
rituals 271. In the AV, Sarasvati is invoked to enable conception虏
272 According to Maitraya峁嚹� and K膩峁璦ka samhit膩; V膩c herself is
the three Goddess 273- I岣嵞�, Sarasvati and Bh膩rat墨.
263 Sat.Br II.5.4.6, III.9.1.7, VII.5.1.31, XI.2.4.9, XII.9.1.13; Ait.Br. III.1, II.24, VI.7; Tai.Br.
1.3.4.5, III.8.11.2; Gop.Br. II.1.20
264 AV III.20,7; IV.4.6
265 VS.XIX.12
266 op cit. XX.55
267 VS-XX.63, XXI.37.54
268 AV.V.25.1-13
269 270
AV.XIX.31.9,10
Tai.BV.2.7.2.1, S'B.3.1.4.9
271 S'B-11.4.3.16
272 AV V.25.1-13
273 Mai.Sam-1.10.9 and Kat-36.3
