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 4 - Worship and The Worshipper
30 (of 95)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Worship & worshipper 44 331 woman It is important to state that, the Kaula women be of any age, even
if she is a prostitute must be saluted by the sadhaka.
Virgins.
The dictionary meaning of the term virgin is a woman who has never
had sexual intercourse 45. In Sanskrit the term Kany膩 or Kum膩r墨 is used
which comes close to the English term though there are slight differences.
The term Kany膩 in Sanskrit means an unmarried daughter, approximately
aged ten years and who is a virgin 46. The term Kum膩r墨 in Sanskrit means a
girl whose age is ten to twelve years old and is a virgin47. The Manusm峁泃i48
is of the view that an unmarried daughter of three years and above is known
as Kum膩r墨. According to the Rudy; young girls are refered to as 'Kanya'.
The young virgins to whom worship is offered are known as 'Kum膩r墨s 49.
Worship or Kum膩r墨p奴j膩.
Worship to baby girls and young virgins has been accorded to in the
tantra ritual practices apart from the worship etc...to married women across
different sections of the society. The ritual of worshipping the young girls is
known either as Kany膩p奴j膩 or as Kum膩r墨p奴j膩. The Rudy speaks in an exalted
tone of the Kany膩s and to the worship accorded to them. It states that the
Kany膩 is the cause of all prosperity; a Kany膩 is the embodiment of all
44PKT Sec.10
45 COED P.1614
46 TSSED P. 132
TSSED P. 153
48 MS IX.90
49 KaT ch.12
