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 3 - Minor Goddesses
11 (of 119)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Chapter 3. Minor goddesses 193 They have been identified as they occur on the two opposite
directions of the ratha.
at
She was begotten by Medh膩tithi the end of his 'Jyoti峁oma-
Sacrifice' in the sacrificial pit and is given the name Arundhati.
Later on she is married to Vasista the son of Brahma鲁. Every
day Arundhati is visible in the sky, in the northern direction in
the 'Great-bear' consellation. She is positioned among the seven
sages and is the only r峁-patni who is in the company of her
husband. S墨t膩鲁 mentions her as one of the eleven chaste women
and salutes to her before trying to end up her life at A艣okavana.
In the marriage ritual, on the fourth day before the
consummation of marriage the new-weds are shown the
asterisms of Arundhati and Vasi峁ａ弓a as a symbol of pure and
undeterred mutual love.
Tithi Nitya Devata The Datal Divinities.
The concept of associating deities with particular days of
the fortnight is very old. The association of the moon
particularly with female deities is also not new. It is noted
that certain important household sacrifices are performed on
the days in which the moon is seen in a special way and,
those particular ti峁環is are presided over by feminine deities.
37 SP SK. II.7.14-16
38 Ram. Sunderakhandm XXIV.10
