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
59 (of 119)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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241
Chapter 3. Minor goddesses
Gauri, K膩l墨, Um膩, Durg膩, Bhadr膩, Kanti, and Sarasvati
invoking them for victory. Here, we find that both K膩l墨 and
Saraswati together and on the same line and can be assumed
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as synonyms. The DBP 192, mentions that Durg膩, the mild
aspect of K膩l墨 presides over 'buddhi' or intellect. Further it
also mentions that Durg膩 presides over the intellect 193. Durg膩
and K膩l墨 are popular as synonyms.
The beginning line of K膩l墨 Mantra Prakarna in the
SVT 194 states that the Knowledge of K膩l墨 is difficult to obtain.
K膩l墨 is one of the ten knowledge goddess of tantra mostly
occurring in the first five of the list. Further it is mentioned
that, the goddess Kalika is to be worshipped for obtaining
poetic eloquence. The SVT, mentions N墨la Sarasvati as the
name of Guhya K膩l墨 195
In the third chapter of Mantra Mahodadhi it is
mentioned that the K膩l墨 Mantra when given or received
bestows immediate success of speech 196.Sankaracharya
extols K膩l墨 in his Saundaryalahar墨 as a knowledge-bestower
goddesses and further furnishes the information of K膩lid膩sa
as being the one who had obtained the grace and the favour of
the goddess to reach the peak of success 197.
191 GP, C. 38.2, p.88-90
192 DBP, chapter L, V 5-45
193 Ibid, Ch.L, V.46-100
194 SVT ch.24
195 Sri vidyarnmava Tantra XXIV
196 Mantra Mahodadhi Ch. 3.1, p.76
197 Sankaracharya, Saundaryalahari V.98
