The Mahavidya Series: Perspective

[Guest guest]

Namaste to All:

 

Just a reminder that we're in Week Seven of our 10-week "Ten

Mahavidyas" marathon. The Ten Mahavidyas (Wisdom Goddesses) are the

primary Goddess forms of Shakta Tantrism. They are Devi's most

powerful, dangerous and efficacious avatars:

 

1. Kali, the Destroyer

2. Tara, the Merciful

3. Shodashi (Lalitha), the Beautiful

4. Bhuvanesvari, the Creation

5. Chinnamasta, the Self-Decapitated

6. Bhairavi, the Fearful

 

Still to come:

 

7. Dhumavati, the Widow (THIS WEEK)

8. Bagalamukhi, the Paralyzer

9. Matangi, the Outcaste

10. Kamala, the Auspicious

 

Any one of the Ten Mahavidyas, if chosen as one's personal Goddess

(ishtadevi), will lead Her devotee into the totality that is Devi.

Some focus a lifetime of worship on a single Mahavidya. Some "work

their way up" from Kamala to Kali. Some worship all ten goddesses

cyclically, as representing the shifting of the Gunas (mystical

elements) of Universal Creation and Destruction, and also the

progress of the individual spiritual seeker.

 

Obviously, this is an overly simple introduction. If you explore the

archives, you'll find all levels of posts on the Mahavidyas, their

worship and lore.

 

After the Mahavidyas, there are plenty of other exciting Goddesses of

the Week in store, each revealing yet another facet of the Devi's

totality. For example:

 

* Manasa, the Serpent Goddess

* Lajja Gauri, the Womb Goddess

* Narasimhi, the Lion Goddess

* and so on!

 

Along the way, we'll take breaks for special occasions -- such as the

the Nine Durgas during Navratri and so on; Saraswati for Saraswati

Pooja, etc. ... If you have further suggestions, ideas, requests,

etc, do let us know. It is Devi's Group and we will be honored to

post any of Her manifold forms for the pleasure, inspiration and

instruction of Her devotees.

 

Aum Maatangyai Namahe