Goddess of the Week : Bhairavi

[Guest guest]

The Hymns in praise of Bhairavi : Sarada Tilaka [ see message :

2524 ] described clearly the multifaceted nature of Bhairavi. It

emphasizes the following aspect :

 

a) The cosmic aspect in a position of preeminence: as overseeing

or empowering the three male deities usually associated with

creation, maintenance and destruction. Sometimes she assume these

roles herself. She is not a consort, nor it portrayed her fearful

nature, but instead as an independent of the gods and transcends

them.

 

b) Her beauty and power to cause erotic excitement : heavenly

beings are intoxicated by worshipping her, and her face and form are

described as beautiful. She is also being described as the

controller and arousal of passion. Through Yoga she gives the power

to overcome worldly passions.

 

c) As a teacher and revealer : She creates the Vedas. The source

of all knowledge and wisdom. She is often shown making the gesture of

teaching and said to carry a book.

 

d) As Kundalini Sakti : In this aspect she is said to exist

inwardly as the inherent spiritual power that can be aroused in an

individual by means of meditation or other spiritual techniques or

rituals.

 

e) As destructive aspect : In her form as Fire she dissolves the

world and assume/ resembles the form of Shiva as the destroyer.

 

 

OM ParaShaktiye Namaha

[Guest guest]

According to the Zuni Indians of North America, all spiritual

phenomena falls into two categories: the beautiful and the

dangerous. These are not mutually exclusive. The beautiful and the

terrible often go together, as we have already seen with Kali.

 

"Bhairavi" specifically means "terrifying," and is the powerful,

awesome or energetic form of the Goddess. She represents the

transforming heat or radiance -- tejas -- which is the primal power

or Divine Energy. This we experience as a frightening thing, because

it burns away or destroys all the limitations and illusions of

egocentric existence.

 

Bhairavi represents Divine anger and wrath. Yet Her wrath is directed

toward the impurities within us, as well as to the negative forces

that may try to interfere with our spiritual growth. Though a

difficult force to bear, Her activity is necessary both to guide and

to protect us. Bhairavi is the proverbial "wrath of a woman," and

more specifically the wrath of a mother toward whatever may threaten

her children.

 

-- from "Tantric Yoga and the Wisdom Goddesses," by Dr. David Frawley

(Vamadeva Shastri), an initiated Shakta in the lineage of Sri Ramana

Maharshi and Kavyakatha Ganapati Muni.