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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

Page:

81 (of 119)


External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)


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Warning! Page nr. 81 has not been proofread.

Chapter 3. Minor goddesses Kālī seated on a seat of snakes, adorned with snakes and skulls, with blood dripping represents the creative energy of the female. She as the primordial female is naked, and is depicted as engrossed in sex with Siva who represents the ultimate masculine principle. The wine, blood skulls and chopped head which she holds and is associated to with all represent to the creative principle of mother goddess. Thus Kālī, the expressive form of Kāla with whom, she is totally identified, stands out remarkably and independently as a creative principle. Kālī the female aspect of Kāla is depicted in dark shades of black or blue and is associated with time, death and destruction. She like the other popular divinities is double natured, benevolent as well as malignant. The Mātṛkās. Meaning. Mātṛkā in the dictionary means a mother, a grandmother, a nurse etc... the suffix 'Kā' to the word indicates tenderness, delicacy etc... The source word for this is Māt� which means a mother, in plural it is used as an epithet of the divine mothers said to attend on Siva but usually on Skanda. They are usually said to be eight. some 263

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