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
108 (of 125)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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chapter II Major goddesses 165 Sarasvati doubtlessly dominates this goddess group as early
as RV. With the immense increase in her personal functions and
status, being identified with universal V膩c. Sarasvati it is observed to
have gradually incorporated the entities of her associate Goddesses in
her own personality as the preceding divinity of learning and all
connected motifs. This idea is clear from the statement of the
Maitraya峁嚹� samhit膩 and K膩峁璦ka samhita 274 which state that Speech
indeed is the three goddesses.
In general, her aspect as a river is seen gradually
overshadowed by the other aspect ie. as the divinity of speech. In the
Yajurveda275 it is said that V膩c is the controller of Sarasvati.
a
A ewe or ram is sacred to the goddess and as such is offered
in the sacrifice, especially during the rainy and the autumn season.
The SB mentions that Vac was given to the gandharvas by
the Gods in exchange of Soma276 Again, in the SB it is mentioned that
Sarasvati, when was not given as the Dak峁峁嘺 or the sacrificial fee,
turned into a lioness 277.
In the SB, it is stated that V膩c is Prajapati 278 and also that
Prajapati became the lord of V盲c279. Other than this, there is no other
274 Mai.Sm-1.10.9, Kat-36.3
275 VS-XVIII.37
276 'S'B-3.2.4.3
277 S'B-3.5.1.21
278 Sat.Br. 1.6.3.27, V.1.5.6, XIII.4.1.15; Tai.Br. 1.3.4.5
279 S'B-3.1.3.22, 5.1.1.16
