Chinnamasta - The Self decapitating goddess by evil_djinia

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This is a repost is from the club message board.

 

I've been reading a book on tantra which describes the process of

enlightenment as being one of exercising the brain. The whole brain.

This books correlates practises with parts of the brain. Asana and

pranayama regulate the part of the brain called the brain stem which

is the primal and reptilian part responsible for biological

functions. Ritual, and the yamas and niyamas purify the agressive and

territorial R-complex which surrounds the brain stem. This part of

the brain is the wild animal which must be tamed. Next comes samyama

which developes the human part of the brain the cerebral cortex.

This "white matter" is split into two halves right and left. Use of

mantra and yantra unites these two halves.

 

My point is that the brain (or whole head) feels chopped of during

higher meditation states. Moreover, the ego or reptilian, brain stem

and R-complex parts of the brain must be transformed. In essence they

are divided from the rest of the body.

 

Now an interesting point to me at least is the Nilatari aspect of

both Saraswati and Shiva. Blue throat. Both deities have swallowed

poison and held it in the throat so as not to die. In essence to me

this means something similar to the above head holding in that there

is a divide between the head and body. I suspect that this nilatari

aspect is also showing that the higher brain centers are the

qualities of these two deities and that their worship developes just

those.

 

"She stands on Kama and Rati who are join in sexual intercourse.

Rati is shown as being on top, the same position as Kali assumes in

Siva, indicating superiority.

 

Two interpretation to this sexual iconography

1) a symbol of control sexual desire

2) embodiment of sexual energy. "

 

You said "A symbol of control sexual desire Rama and Rati represents

sexual desires, sexual energy, sexual force. Chinnamasta thus

symbolizes self control which must be achieved before one undertake

yogic practices. Her control of lust is represented by her standing

on Kama and Rati and her perfection to self surrender, fearless to

death and self sacrifice."

 

In a use of very general symbolism these two components are probably

one with svayambhu linga and kundalini which is entwined both

residing at muladhara chakra.