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
11 (of 125)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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chapter II Major goddesses 89 she is double headed and her two heads face the east and the west.
The Samhitas explains the reason for this, that as to Aditi belong the
opening and concluding oblations of the sacrifices, she is called
double headed 47.Aditi is said to have eight wombs, eight children, and
the eight night is especially sacred to her. Perhaps this Aditi who is
characterized by mother features and her association with number
eight is the precursor of the concept of the A峁a-M盲tyk膩s.
Worship.
The A峁ａ弓ami of each lunar fortnight is enjoined for offering
libations to her48. Dange S.A.49 quoting the Ai.Br.50 is of the opinion
that, Aditi was also an important mother goddess. This is evident from
the fact that Aditi, the mother of the gods, was offered a caru of boiled
rice. In the dharmasutras", Aditi is offered libations along with other
vedic male deities like Agni, Prajapati, Soma, Rudra and Brhaspat墨
which highlights her unquestionable acceptance and importance
among the vedic gods.
In tantra the goddess Dhumavati who happens to be the first
of the ten knowledge goddesses has a similar character to Aditi. She is
the eldest of the other goddesses. Dhumavati is depicted as a Sakti
without Siva and is sober in appearance. Dhumavati means the one
46 V.S.419 and S'B.3.2.4.16.
47 Tai Sam 6.1.7.5; Mai Sam 3.7.5
48 AV.VIII.9.21.
49S.A Dange Vani Jyotih Vol. III, 1987 Journal of P.G. Dept of Sanskrit, Utkal University
Bhubneshwar.
50 Ai.Br.II.1
51 BDS II.19.1.
