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 3 - Minor Goddesses
1 (of 119)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Chapter 3. Minor goddesses UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI Minor Goddesses. LIBRARY * 183 In the previous chapter, 'Major Goddesses' were discussed.
They were termed Major-goddesses just because they are the
spouses of important Gods; but are termed major as there is an
uninterrupted tradition of their worship. Using the same criteria
of continuity, this chapter would discuss such divinities, which
would have specific function or role to play. These are the minor
goddesses who are categorized as follows:
1. Totally independent divinities like dawn or night etc...
that are basically natural phenomena eulogized in the
Veda but lost continuity in the Post-Vedic literature.
2. Dependent entities like the Tithi-Nity膩s who form part
of main worship process.
3. Partial manifestations of the major goddesses like K膩l墨,
Rudr膩峁噄 etc...
4. Divinities with specific functions like the M膩t峁沰膩s, the
Da艣amah膩-vidy膩s etc... and folk goddesses, snake
goddesses.
5. Divinities presiding over misfortune and despair.
