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 1 - Introduction
3 (of 55)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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chapter 1. Introduction 3 the worship process. They all either singly or as a combination serve
as the channel for attaining the supreme goddess which is the ultimate
goal of all worship. The amount of dependence may vary from
method to method, tradition to tradition, according to the region, the
guru etc...
The aim of the study is simple, to understand the dual aspect of
the Devi- how she is visualized in the mantra, developed in the
yantra, and bloomed in the tantra. The two major aspects of nature
being-
(i)
Benign and benevolent.
(ii) Malevolent and terrifying.
The malevolent and terrifying aspects which essentially form a
part of the complete picture of the goddess are also under the scanner
of Study. Thus, the studies about either the benign or the malign
aspects are from the point of the devotee. Both these aspects are
important to have a complete understanding of the goddess. Thus,
based on the dependence, inter-dependence, intra-dependence as well
as independent nature of the goddess and the three modes, their
rotation as well as revolution around the goddess and thereby the
impact, through a long span of time, is the theme of this research work.
Beginning any work with a a brief and comprehensive
introduction is to enable one to have a clear understanding of the
topic. Brief introductions of all the major terms used in the title or in
the thesis are deliberated upon.
