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
61 (of 119)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Chapter 3. Minor goddesses beget a son who would kill the demons and offer libations to her with blood 200. The Bh膩gavata Pur膩峁嘺 mentions of a human sacrifice to propitiate Bhadrak膩l墨, for obtaining a 201 son. In the linga purana, we find the reference of K膩l墨
intoxicated and going ahead with Ga峁噀艣a in the marriage
procession of 艢iva 202. The K膩lika Pur膩峁嘺 mentions that K膩l墨
gives sexual enjoyment in an excessive way and takes away
frigidity always. There is no one equal to her to give sexual
enjoyment203
The DBP mentions about a special form of the goddess
K膩l墨 known as Mangala candi. The goddess Mangala candis
the goddess who was worshiped by Mangala or mars. It is
beneficial to worship this goddess on Tuesdays 204. According
to astrology mars in ones horoscope brings disturbance in
one's marriage and married life. Hence K膩l墨 as fertility
goddess is propitiated on Tuesday by such people who have a
weak Mangala in their horoscope.
In the Tantras we have a variety of description of K膩l墨.
She is described as being naked, with tongue lolling out and
200 Skanda purana Vol. II, 1, 26.13
201 Bhagavata purana 5.9.12-20
202 Linga purana 1.72.66-68
203 Kalika purana 63.96-98
204 Devi bhagavata Bk 9, Ch. XLVIII, 1-25
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