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
21 (of 119)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Chapter 3. Minor goddesses pantheon. They are often described as defied beings and as 'mothers' and they are invoked for protection and prosperity 81. According to the Samhit膩s, the Br膩hma峁嘺s and the Pur膩峁嘺s, Roh峁噄 and the other asterisms are said to be the daughters of Prajapati. The samhit膩s give their number as thirty three82; while the pur膩峁嘺s mention twenty seven. In the samhit膩s, Prajapati is mentioned as having given the asterisms in marriage to Soma and thus Rohini, is the wife of the moon. In the pur膩峁嘺s the twenty seven 84 asterisms are considered as the daughters of Dak峁 Prajapati. Dak峁 gave all the twenty seven daughters in marriage to the moon or Soma. 83 ROHINI.
Rohini, sometimes is refered to as the female counterpart
of Rohita, the moon, and is refered to as the Rohita's
devouted consort. It is said that the Kasyapas and the
Gandharvas lead her upwards and that the heavenly sages
ever watch and guard here. In the later vedic period she
emerges to a prominent position. Prajapati gave his thirty
three daughters to Soma in marriage. But the moon had a
special liking for Rohini, and associated with Rohini alone
and neglected the other thirty two daughters married to Soma
81 AV 19.7.2-5.
82 Tai.Sam. 2.3.5.1.2.
83 Mai.Sam.2.2.7; Kat.Sam. 11.3.
84 Siva Pu. Sati khanda, 2.6.56.
85 AV 13.1.22,23.
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