Das Mahavidhya and Their Significance

Das Mahavidhya are considered to be forms of AdiShakti Maha Parvati. They are the Master and Shakti of 10 cardinal directions.

AdiShakti (first energy) is the basis of all material aspects of creation and is worshiped as divine mother in Sanatana Dharma. The vast emptiness of the existence is depicted as Shiva or masculine counterpart while Shakti and millions of her manifetstaions give birth to creation.

Contents

Major Forms of Adi-Shakti

Tridevis – Parvati, Saraswati and Laxmi based on Trigunas of tamas, satva and rajas.

The Nine Manifestations of Navdurga – Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandmata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri based on lunar phases (waxing phases of moon).

Das Mahavidhya – 10 systems of knowledge that lead to liberation.

Introduction of Das Mahavidhya

The name Mahavidhya is derived from Sanskrit roots where Maha which means great and Vidhya meaning knowledge or wisdom. In that sense, Mahavidhya is one that leads to ultimate liberation or moksha.

Das Mahavidhya are 10 different systems of knowledge for worshiping goddess AdiShakti through unique names, forms, vehicles, consorts and weaponry. All of these attributes represent the nature of knowledge system and kind of energy associated with that.

The ancient sages have differentiated Das Mahavidhya in 3 forms :

Ugra (fierce), Saumya (kind) and Saumya-Ugra (both fierce and kind).

Ugra Devis are Kali, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati and Baglamukhi
Saumya Devis are Shodashi, Bhuvaneshwari, Matangi and Kamalatmika
Ugra-Saumya Devis are Tara and Bhairavi.

The processes and offerings of worship of these forms correspond to their nature and naturally the kind of results that their sadhana confers, also depends on it.

While puranas are filled with symbolic stories which are meant to instill awe and devotion, tantric texts gives more technical description of forms of goddesses and various methods of her devotion and worship.

Origin of Das Mahavidhya

The origin story of Das Mahavidya from Brihaddharma purana goes something like this:

Once upon a time Sati Devi wanted to attend a yajna organized by her father Daksha Prajapati. Shiva however asked her not to go there since they were not invited by Daksha. Sati Devi gets angered by this and when Shiva tried to escape from that conversation, She locks him in place from all 10 directions. Shiva then in amazement asks her of this 10 forms and She explains each one of them to him. She attributes each Mahavidhya to each of the 10 cardinal directions respective to Shiva, with

Kali in front
Tara at top
Bhairavi below
Chinnamasta to right
Bhuvaneshwari to left
Bagalamukhi at the back
Dhumavati in agneya
Kamaltmika in nairutya
Matangi in vayavya
Shodashi in ishan

This puranic story depicts that the Das Mahavidhya are the representations of subtle differences in how Shakti manifested around Shiva. All of them are given personified forms and trails which are used to access that dimension of energy. There are hundreds of variations of each Das Mahavidhya and deep significance behind each aspect of their depiction.

Significance of Worshiping Das Mahavidhya

If you want to fulfill all your desires of human life right from birth to achieving salvation after death, the only solution for you is to worship Das Mahavidhya. Das Mahavidhya are the base of cosmos and power house of Mother Nature. These are involved in every single element of Universe.

The most significant temple dedicated to worship of Das Mahavidhya is KAMAKHYA TEMPLE, Guwahati Assam where shrines of all of the them are situated on Neel Parvat. Kamakhya temple is one of the oldest and prominent Shaktipeetha from ancient times.

Many have misconceptions about the Mahavidhya that they are worshiped for occult or leftism but that is not the fact. As their worshiping methods are quite specific in nature, they have not gained much fame in normal course of devotion. Even a common person can worship them with certain aspects taking care of.

Worshiping these Devis provides you with all 4 aspects of human life, that are Dharma, Arth, Kaam and Moksha.

By worshiping them, humans not only can solve this life, but also after death lives too…!!!

They are worshiped in form of 2 Kulas – Shri-Kula and Kali-Kula.

Das Mahavidhya are the divine mothers associated with Chakras of body and awakening of Kundalini Shakti..!

Description of Das Mahavidhya in Detail

1-Kali

Kali is regarded as supreme diety of Kali-kula systems. Kali which literally means the dark one is the embodiment of both time and the dark primal energy of existence. She is very fierce and huge like mountain. This form of Shakti is personified and active. She is one of the extremely fierce manifestations of Shakti and is said to be equipped with terrible fangs adorned with garland of skull riding on a corpse with cremation ground as her abode. These depictions along with the sickle and savored head in her hands denotes her associations with destructive aspects of existence.

Adi Shakti Parvati has taken this form of Kali to demolish the maha daityas (fierce demons). She incarnated to kill the demons, mahishasur and raktabeej. Kali is also widely known as Chamunda. She helped devas to win devasur sangram against asuras. During war, Her anger was at peace only when Lord Shiva slept under her feet. Kali also has a compassionate motherly nature depicted through her smiling face and abhaya (fear dispelling) and varada (boon providing) mudras.

Kali Sadhana is said to grant sadhaka control over one’s own ego depicted by savored head, victory over internal and external enemies, fearlessness and fulfillment of desires.

Her consort is Mahakaala.

Famous temples –

Kali temple Kolkata,
Gadhkalika Temple Ujjain and
Pavagadh Kali temple in Gujarat.

2-Tara

She was initially worshiped by Maharishi Vashishtha in ancient times. Tara means one who takes us across, is one of the Mahavidhya situated above SadaShiva. She is the goddess who saves guides and protects. She offers the ultimate knowledge necessary for salvation. This Mahavidhya is also known as Neel Saraswati.

Tara is depicted to be of bluish hue, with long matted locks of hair. She is said to have cacophony laughter holding a sickle, lotus and bowl made of skull. She is depicted as fierce manifestation or ugra murti who also has an extremely compassionate manifestation to her. Tara is even worshiped in Buddhism.

Tara Sadhana is said to liberate sadhaka from any existing trouble and take them to better state of physical and spiritual wellbeing.

Her consort is Tarakeshwarnath.

Famous temples–

Taratarini temple Odisha,
Tarapith temple West bengal,
Taradevi temple Himachalpradesh.

3-Shodashi

Shodashi is the supreme deity of Srikula systems. She is also known as Tantric Parvati. She is worshiped by many other names like Lalita, Rajrajeshwari and Mahatripurasundari. This is the form of goddess who is presiding deity of Shri yantra.

Shodashi or goddess of 16 syllables is the third of Das Mahavidhya. She is embodiment of all 16 aspects of moon, which have direct correlation with nature of feminine on planet. The expansion of world is done by this Mahavidhya. She is ParaShakti and is the one who is most beautiful in 3 worlds.

The mantra of her worship consists of 16 syllables and is sometimes worshiped as a girl of 16 years. She is also the first of the saumya murtis among Das Mahavidya. In her 4 hands she holds a noose, a goad, five arrows and a bow.

Shodashi Sadhana is said to grant sadhaka with complete control of five senses represented by five arrows in her hand and one’s own mind represented by the bow.

Her consort is Tripurari.

Famous temples–

4-Bhuvaneshwari

Bhuvaneshwari literally means the ruler of the bhuvan or world, is fourth of Das Mahavidhya. This goddess is mother or Janani of the whole world. Her entire body is cosmos itself. She is also known as Shatakshi and Shakambhari. She is AdiShakti and Mool ParaShakti.

Bhuvaneshwari is saumya, depicted to be having the radiance of early morning and moon as her crown. She is depicted as fully matured woman. The prominent bosom, pleasant face and three eyes. In her 4 hands she holds a goad, a noose, Abhaya and Varada mudras.

Bhuvaneshwari Sadhana is said to grant success and prosperity in one’s worldly pursuits. By worshiping her, radiance like sun and energy starts manifesting in one’s personality. Immense wealth is achieved by her blessings.

Her consort is Shiva.

Famous Temples–

Bhuvaneshwari pith Gondal Gujarat,
Bhuvaneshwari temple Jagannath Odisha,
Nainativu Nagapooshani temple Shrilanka.

5-Chhinnamasta

She is the self decapitated goddess, who holds her own neck in her hands. Word Chhinnamasta is combination of two words chhinna means split and mastaka means head. Devi Chhinnamasta is said to have savored her own head representative of setting aside one’s own limited identity. She along with her attendants are depicted to be consuming the outcome of this which is the 3 stream of blood jetting out which is representative of ida, pingla and sushumna nadis.

Chinnamasta is depicted to be free of her physical identity cladding nothing but a snake and garland of skulls. She is also seen to be standing above couple Rati and Manobhava in sexual union depicting her nature of having arisen above the primal urges of nature.

Chinnamasta Sadhana has been limited to those who are not involved in worldly pursuits. Writing skills, intellect, knowledge increases by attaining the siddhis after worshipping her. Your body gets disease free. All your evident and hidden enemies gets defeated.

Her consort is Shiva.

Famous temples–

Chintpurni shaktipeeth Himachal Pradesh,
Chinnamasta temple Rajrappa Jharkhand,
Changu Narayan temple Nepal.

6-Bhairavi

Bhairavi is the fierce warrior goddess. The literal meaning of bhairavi is one who is beyond sound, rava. The Kundalini Shakti or the dormant coiled serpent in human body is said to be the Bhairavi herself…!! Devi bhairavi is said to be of dark complexion and as radiant as thousand rising suns. She is said to have pleasant smiling face with 3 eyes. In her 4 hands she holds japamala, a pustaka and abhaya and varada mudras.

Bhairavi Sadhana is said to remove physical weaknesses, fulfill worldly desires and grant stability and strength for higher pursuits of life. All bondages gets free by worshiping her. She gives her devotees both yukti and mukti. A divine child is achieved by worshiping her who rules the dynasties of earth, water and space.

Her consort is Bhairava.

Famous temples–

7-Dhumavati

Dhumavati is widow goddess or goddess of death. She is very fierce. Once she asked food from Mahadev. Shiva on delaying in acting, She swallowed Shiva himself out of hunger. Smoke emerged from her body and Shiva came out. Mahadev said as you ate your own husband, you have now become widow and asked her stay in form of Dhumavati.

This unique form of goddess is representative of the fact that raw energy is not always nourishing and pleasant. She is depicted to be harsh, sapless and crooked. As personified form, she is depicted with wrinkled body, scornful face, rough hair and long sharp nails. She is said to cause sufferings of hunger, thirst, fear and enmity.

Dhumavati Sadhana grants one with fearlessness, bravery and immense self-esteem. Her devotee must be follower of truth, self control, austerity. One must avoid drinking alcohol/eating non-veg food as well as greedy nature.

Consort– In Durgasaptashati there is a story of her vowing that one who defeats her in battle will be her husband but this never happened. That is why She is said to be virgin as well as widow.

Famous temples–

Ma Dhumavati temple Varanasi,
Devi Dhumavati temple Pitambara peeth Madhyapradesh,
Dhumavati temple Assam.

8-Baglamukhi

She is the goddess who paralyses enemies. She was worshiped by SaptaRishi in vedic era. The word baglamukhi is derivation from sanskrit word valga which means to hold or control. She is embodiment of the force of stambhana which is to stop, obstruct or restrain. She is depicted to be holding out the tongue of madanasura, wielding a mace in other hand.

Baglamukhi is worshiped for victory in battle and defeating-destroying enemies. Lord Krishna and Arjuna is said to have worshipped her before battle of Mahabharata.

Baglamukhi Sadhana is said to paralyze the negative forces and defeat one’s enemies. She is worshiped to eliminate fear of enemy and for vaaksiddhi (power of speech). Enemies of her devotees are self-destroyed due to their own viprit buddhi. She grants her devotee with famed life.

Her consort is MahaRudra.

Famous temples–

Maa Bagladevi temple Kangra Himachalpradesh,
Bagladevi temple Pitambara peeth Madhyapradesh,
Baglamukhi temple Gulariya Nepal.

9-Matangi

Devi Matangi who is worshiped as the daughter of sage Matanga, is ninth of Das Mahavidhya. She is tantric equivalent of goddess Saraswati. Matangi is depicted to be holding veena, pustaka, akshmala and a shuka all representative of learning and arts. She holds moon on her forehead. She is of blackish hue.

Matangi Sadhana is said to best in skill of arts, impart knowledge and wisdom to sadhaka. She bestifies the gruhastha life. Devi Matangi is worshiped for fulfilled marriage life. She bestows happiness of family and vaksiddhi to her devotees.

Her consort is Matang (one of the form of Shiva)

Famous temples–

Kamakhya temple Assam as supreme deity,
Meenakshi temple Tamilnadu,
Matangi Modheshwari temple Modhera Gujarat.

10-Kamalaatmika

She is the goddess on the lotus, also know as Kamala. Last of Das Mahavidhya Devi Kamalaatmika is tantric equivalent of goddess Lakshmi.

In her 4 hands she is depicted to be holding 2 lotuses representative of prosperity and riches along with abhaya and varada mudras. She is Sarvaloka Maheshwari.

Kamala Sadhana provides her devotees with all of Shri and wealth of whole cosmos. She is worshiped for overcoming poverty, troubles and family issues. She grants her devotees with prosperity, abundance and wealth equivalent to that of Kubera.

Her consort is Kamal (one of the form of Shiva)

Famous temples–

Kamakhya temple Guwahati Assam (as supreme deity),
Kamlaambika temple Thiruvarur Tamilnadu,
Das mahavidhya temple with in premises of Dakshehwar temple Haridwar.

Connection of Das Mahavidhya and Lord Vishnu Incarnations

According to tantra, the Das Mahavidhya are in base of 10 Vishnu Incarnations. Whenever Lord Vishnu takes incarnation, these Devis take forms accordingly to help Him. Their inter-relations are as follows:

Matsya-Kamalaatmika
Koorma-Baglamukhi
Varaha-Dhumavati
Narsimha-Chinnamasta
Vamana-Bhuvaneshwari
Parshurama-Shodashi
Rama-Matangi
Krishna-Kali
Buddha-Tara
Kalki-Bhairavi

Connection of Das Mahavidhya and Planets

Worshiping of Das Mahavidhya is also seen as astrological remedy for planets according to tantric scriptures. Planets and their respective Mahavidhya is as follows: