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
63 (of 119)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Chapter 3. Minor goddesses Kālī: Some special forms. Both the purāṇas and the tantras have dealt with Kālī in their respective domains and thus have provided a variety of forms of Kālī. In the purāṇas we have the reference of Kālī, Bhadrakālī, Candi, Mangalacandi, Mahākālī as being synonyms yet stand out independently. Kālī it is stated in the purāṇas, that when the goddess became angry, Kālī sprang form from her forehead208 Synonymns. The purāṇas state that, Tārā or Camuṇḍā are synonymns of Kāli 209 Iconographic details. In the Purāṇas, Kālī is described as dark like the petal of a dark blue lotus flower. She has four hands holding a khatvānga, a scimitar, a hide and a noose, wears a garland of human heads and has the tiger skin as her garment. She is tall and terrible to look at with sharp fangs and tongue rolling out. Her eyes are sunken in the socket and red. She screams horribly and has outstanding ears and a wide mouth. Kālī in idols is depicted as having four hands, dark, naked and stepping on Siva who is lying down. Her tongue hangs 208 KP 63.89, 90.
209 KP 63.95,96
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