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
4 (of 119)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
186
Chapter 3. Minor goddesses
having two eyes; having two hands, with one hand (generally
the left) shown stretched down, and the other (the right) holding
fully bloomed blue lotus; she has her hair set in the form of a
bee-hive, she is depicted as positioned on the left side of the
Sun god鹿鹿.
It is observed that the independent goddess of the Vedic
period is now concretised as,) the goddess who is a spouse. Her
diminutive role at the later period of time can be inferred from
the following points:
(i)The iconographical depiction as, goddesses with two
hands;
(ii) The absence of typified gestures of the Abhaya and
Varada which is a major point of important goddess;
(iii) She is now shown grey in complexion unlike the bright
red of dawn.
Usas being depicted as grey in complexion/remarkable.
U峁s is shadowed by the lusture of her spouse the Sun. It
brings to light the finer sense of Indian iconography which is
realistic as the object which is in front of the sun however
bright appears dull.
MD, V.48. P.83.
