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
113 (of 125)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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chapter II Major goddesses 170 sphere she is the owner of the entire sūkta³14. And having become
Vrsakapayi and Saranyu, she is the earth belonging to the sky³15. And
finally in case of the suktas addressed to all gods, Vāc's names as
Suryā, Gauri and Sarasvati are only incidental.
Further the Br.D316 mentions the names or the female seers
and there we find the following names of Goddess of learning-
Brahmajāyā named Juhu³17, Sarasvati³18, Vāc, and Medhā³19.
Sarasvati the river goddesses.
Sarasvati, who was cursed by Ganga, came to Bhārata in
the past. She is reckoned in Bhārata as a great sanctifying, holy and
merit giving river. The greatness of the river Sarasvati is that, if one
residing on the banks of the river Sarasvati repeats the Sarasvati-
mantra for a month, though an illiterate becomes a great-poet.
Since Sarasvati was jealous and provoked the quarrel Viṣṇu
directs her to go in parts to Bhārata (India) as a river in accordance to
the curse of Ganga and further directs her to go in 'full-parts to
Brahmadeva and become his wife 320. Thus Sarasvati who was the
consort of Viṣṇu becomes the river Sarasvati due to the curse of
314 Br.D 79
315 Br.D 80
316 Br.D 2.82-84
317 Br.D 2.82
318 Br.D2.83
319 Br.D 2.84
320 DBP BK IX, VIII.1-110
