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 2 - The Maior Goddesses
111 (of 125)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
chapter II Major goddesses Il膩 and Bh膩rat墨. 168 296 Ila is the Mother of cattle herds 295. But Sayana in his
commentary states, she is the personified oblation in the sacrifice.
In RV 297, Il盲 stands for the sense of offering and understood in the
sense of Havya. As observed by MacDonnell, "Il膩, Nourishment, is
the personification of the offering of milk and butter, thus
representing plenty derived from the Cow 298.
In the Naigan峁璾 299, Il盲 occurs at the synonym of a cow.
Her close link with the abundance derived from the line is often
indicated 300. She is the presiding genius and the personification of
flowing libations in the sacrifice 301. Agni is spoken of as the Son of
Il膩 302. An assimilation of Ila with the earth is seen in the RV303
Sarasvati was the Supreme Mother. This was why probably,
why an animal was sacrificed to her 304 along with her male
counterpart.
It is observed that Sarasvati gets to be a regular fertility
goddess in the post-vedic pantheon, getting identified with Gauri in
her aspect of the fertility Goddess. 305 where she is said to have the face
of a mare.
295 RV.V.41.19
296 RV VII.16.8
297 RV VII.3.7
298 MacDonnell, Vedic Religion, trans Vol.I.P.124
299 Naigantuka II.11
300 RV.IX.62.3, X.70.8, X64.11, X.91.4
301 RV.X.36.5, IV.50.8, III.53.1, III.54.20
302 RV.III.29.3
303 RV. III.29.3
304 AsvSS III.7,8
305 Skanda P.VII.1.185.2
