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
20 (of 119)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Chapter 3. Minor goddesses Deities of asterisms and particular days. 76 Not only are certain days and nights presided over by
female divinities, the asterisms too who are the daughters of
Dak峁 are considered divine. Of the lunar mansions, the
asterisms of Rohini, Revati and Kyttik盲 are often described
and defied as 'mothers.' They are invoked for protection 76.
Apart from these, the following asterisms too find mention in
the veda Ardr膩, Punarvasu, 膧艣les膩, Magh膩, Citr膩,
-
Phalguni, Anuradh膩, Jye峁ａ弓膩, Bhara峁嚹�, etc...
77 According to the samhitas,78 the asterisms are the
daughters of Prajapati, who gave them all in marriage to the
king Soma. Rohini is thus said to be the wife of soma.
Prajapati, married his thirty three daughters to the king Soma
79. In the post-vedic period of the samhit膩s, and specially
according to the Maitr膩ya峁嚹� and the K膩峁璦ka samhit膩s, the
asterisms, were considered as the daughters of Prajapati. We
have reference of the names of various asterisms scattered
80 through out the samhit膩s like 膧rdr膩, Punarvasu, 膧艣les膩,
Magh膩, Citr膩, Ph膩lgun墨, Anuradh膩, Jye峁ａ弓膩, Bharani etc...
Besides the asterism Rohini, the asterisms Revati, and
of Krttik膩 play a significant role outside the post vedic
AV 19.7.2-5.
77 Tai.Sam.4.4.10.1-3; Tai.Br. 1.5.1.1-5; Mai.Sam. 1.13.20; Kat.Sam.39.13
78 ; Mai.Sam. 2.2.7; Kat.Sam11.3.
79 Tai.Sam. 2.3.5.1,2.
80 Tai.Sam.4.4.10.1-3; Tai.Br. 1.5.1.1-5; Mai.Sam. 1.13.20; Kat.Sam.39.13.
鈥�
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