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
111 (of 119)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Chapter 3. Minor goddesses (iii) Syayamharita. 310 Svayamhārita means the voluntary thief. She destroys
the grains from granaries and also in the houses. She steals
milk from the cows, the ghee and other prolific things ever
addicted to concealment, she consumes half cooked food
from the kitchen, whatever is kept in the storehouse. She
also eats up whatever food is served along with the person
who eats it. She takes the remains of food and also their
food. She is difficult to be restrained. She takes successes
which men have accomplished from their business offices
and also from their abodes. She is constantly taking the
fluids and milk from the udders of the cows as also from the
breasts of women; the ghee out of curdled milk, oil out of
seasame seeds, spirituous liquor out of liquor stores, the
kauśumbha colour from saffron coloured clothes and other
coloured objects and the thread out of cotton clothes. She is
rightly named Svayamhārita as she is perpetually taking
things away.
Protection.
For the sake of protection from Svayam Haaritas, one
should make a pair of peacocks and also an artificial
woman. Raksā marks should be drawn on the house, the
house should not be litttered with fragments of food, and the
vessels in which milk and other things are kept should
310 MarP LI.32-38
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