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
78 (of 125)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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chapter II Major goddesses 135 worn by thes膩dhakaand is usually written on birch bark or other sim袩l膩r
temporary materials. This type of yantra is prepared specifically by
thes膩dhakafor someone else. It is to be worn as an amulet on ones body.
Mah膩 Laksmi - Origin.
There is a mention in the DBP that a Goddess arose from the left side
of Krsna, was very beautiful and dark in colour and was having all the
charms of a female beauty, this female divinity which emerged was twelve
years old. She divided herself into two parts. The part which was to the right
was Radha and she chose the two armed Krsna, while one who was to the
left was known as Mah膩laksmi and she chose the four armed Vi峁ａ箛u. Laksm墨
is so called because she looks at the world with a cooling eye. She is Great
and hence is known as Mah膩lak峁i. By her yogic powers, Mah膩laksm墨
became manifold. Mah膩laksmi is full of Sattvaguna, stays in the Vaikunta,
She is endowed with all sorts of wealth and prosperity and is an ideal for all
women folk 200
An interesting point about Mah膩laksmi, is that the Goddess 艢r墨
Mah膩lak峁igets annoyed with such a person who does not marry a woman
who has come to him spontaneously 201
Mah膩lak峁i -idol form.
Mah膩laksmi is the supra-form of the goddess Laksmi. The
prefix Mah膩 indicates her greatnesses and powers. There is a description of
200 DBP BK.9 Ch. XXXIX
201 DBP Bk.9 Ch.XIV
