Chinnamasta-the egoless yogini !

[Guest guest]

Namaskar ompremji,

 

Thank you for this powerful post on the 'egoless yogini' -CHINNAMSTA -

as prainbow has pointed out , the image of chinnamasta with her

severed head does look a little frightening - but, that is only

natrual!yes, certainly it does look a violent and for those not

exposed to this form of goddess in a 'ghora' rupa , it can be quite

traumatic...tthat is the reason, i also like to worship the 'sowmya'

form of sree lalita mahatripura sundari...

 

But that is the whole beauty of Tnntra... for it teaches us to look

beyond the physical image! that is the reason why,the metaphysical

explaineation provided by harish johari seems to be so meaningful.

The way the chinnamasta's icon is explained in the beautiful

language of Hatha yoga, everything seems to fall into place -

including the severed head. (no pun intended.) !THE SEVEREd HEAD DOES

INDICATE PSYCHIC TRANSFORMATION -

 

Of all the impulses, the sex impulse is the 'hardest to control! in

fact, 'sexual' desire has been the downfall of many kings... demon

ravana lost his life because of his 'lust' for sita. It was Helen of

Troy's "face" that launched a thousand ships... history and mythology

abound in such examples- the "lust' factor...

 

So if the worship of a Goddess such as chnnamasta COULD help US to

overcome this 'basic' insntinct (BASE ?) then, she indeed is

most 'worshippable'!

 

The self-sacrificing, nourishing intent of Chinnamasta is emphasized

by Pratapaditya Pal: in his book Hindu Religion and Iconology (Los

Angeles: Vichitra Press, 1981)

 

"The obvious implication here is of primal sacrifice and renewal

of

creation. The goddess sacrifices herself, and her blood, drunk by her

attendants, renews or resuscitates the universe….Therefore

beheading

her own head is a temporary expedient to provide food and appears to

be a more sanguinary manifestation of the goddess as Shakambhari (she

who bears vegetables) and Annapurna (she who is full of food)"

 

Ompremji, you quoted harish johari in post 2255 on the same subject

of chinnamasta... I liked it then and i like it even more now...

specially the explanation in terms of Hatha Yoga...

 

chiinamasta's image is definitely a 'violent' image but behind that

violence is the promise of 'peace and tranquility' for when you

conquer the senses and control the 'ego' , one can drink the nectar

of divine bliss.

 

love