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
12 (of 119)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Chapter 3. Minor goddesses In the 'vedic-religion' there are two sets of female deities associated with the moon i) Cluster Goddess and., ii) Goddess of particular days and of asterisms. In the tradition of the tantra, each night of the fortnight is important and is associated with a particular deity known collectively as 'Tithi Nitya'. Cluster Goddess. These are the most ancient of the datal divinities. Cluster goddesses are those goddesses who are seen in a group and not singly. They are important as an integral part of an elaborate complete ritual. They hold the key to some special favors for which the ritual is undertaken. The RV speaks about a 'Goddess cluster' known as, Sin墨v膩l墨, R膩k膩, Gu峁噂奴 and Kuhu鲁9. In the later tradition Gungu is identified with 鈥� -39 Kuh奴 thus, forming a triad. In the later Vedic tradition, these names stand for the names of the presiding deities of the moon 40. Thus, R膩k膩 presides over the actual day of the full moon, Sin墨v膩l墨 the day before the full moon and 'Gungu- Kuhu' presided over the new moon鹿鹿. According to another tradition, Anumat is the day before the full moon night, R膩k膩 is the full moon night, Sin墨v膩l墨 is the day before the new 41 39 RV 2.32.4-8.
40 Ai.Br. 7.11 and Go.Br.2.1.10.
41 Sayana on RV 2.32.8.
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