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
16 (of 119)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Chapter 3. Minor goddesses Anumat墨. Anumati is the day before the full moon night. The literal meaning of Anumati, as favour or grace is mentioned twice in the RV60 and there she is requested to be gracious and grant long life. She is requested to drive away the misfortunes of the Laksmi group 61. She is stated to have been created by the gods to create happiness and depreciate Ar膩ti belonging to the Nirit墨 class62. She is understood as an important deity of the sacrificial institution from the various sacrifice-related references where she appears. She is said to be the wife of Prajapati鲁. In the AV she is sought to approve and accept sacrifices and of grant health, happiness and children. She is lauded to have become all that stands, walks and moves and is prayed to bestow riches 64. In the R膩jasuya sacrifice, a cake on eight potsherds is offered to her65 鈥� As regards her animal offerings, a horse, a pi岣峚va, an antelope, and a cock are to be slaughtered for her66. The sacrificial fee accompanying her offering in the R膩jasuya is a cow67 or a garment68. 60 RV 10.59.6; 10.167.3. 61 AV 1.18.2. 62 AV 5.7.1-10. 63 Tai.Ar.3.9.2. 64 AV 7.21.1-6; Tai.Sam. 3.3.11.3,4. 65 Sat.Br. 5.2.3.2; Mait.Sam. 2.6.1; Tai.Sam. 1.8.1.1. 66 Vaj.Sam. 24.32; Mait.Sam. 3.14.13; Kat.Sam. 47.7; Tai.Sam.5.5.17.1. 67 Tai.Sam. 1.8.1.1; Kat.Sam. 15.1.
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