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
56 (of 119)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Chapter 3. Minor goddesses the goddess K膩l墨 with a frightful face wearing a tiger skin and adorned with a garland of skulls. 182 Thus from the list of the origin-accounts, it can be
summed up that K膩l墨 or the black one was that femenine
energy which came out due to wrath and for a purpose - to
destroy one's enemies. As a result, she is shown in various
dark shades of black and a contrasting red blood on her
person.
Synonyms:
K膩l墨 and Durg膩 are popular as synonyms for each other.
However the thin line of demarcation is Durg膩 is the mild,
gentle aspect while K膩l墨 is the fierce aspect of the same
female principle. The fierceness of the goddess has resulted
in her being referred to as a Can岣峣k膩, Ca峁囜笉膩, Ugr膩, and T膩r膩
etc... 183
K膩l墨 and Agni:
The fiery and razing nature of the godesses K膩l墨 is
perhaps due to her relationship with Agni. This fiery
relationship is very old and ancient. The Mundaka Upanisad
mentions K膩l墨 as the name of the first flaming tongue of Agni
182 opcit 84.1-5 and KP 63.89,90
183 KP 63.95,96
238
