Goddess of the Week : Bagalamukhi : Origin Myths

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There are three myths concerning the origin of Bagalamukhi

 

1. Restoring Cosmic Stability

Once upon a time in the Krta Yuga a cosmic story threatened to

destroy the universe. Many creatures were killed and Vishnu, who was

reclining on the cosmic serpent, Sesa was himself disturbed. He went

to a sacred pond named Haridra ( turmeric) and undertook austerities

to find a solution to the problem. He prayed to Tripura-Sundari, who

appeared and lit up the entire world with her presence. She brought

forth Bagalamukhi, who sported in that pond of turmeric and then

climbed the storm with her great powers. She is also known as

Pitambara-Devi because she appeared in a lake of turmeric.

 

 

2. The Paralyser : having the power of superior speech.

A demon named Madan undertook austerities and won the boon of vak

siddhi, according to which anything he said came about. He abused

this siddhi by killing people. Enraged by his mischief, the gods

worshiped Bagalamukhi. She stopped the demon's rampage by taking

hold

of his tongue and stilling his speech. Before she could kill him,

however, he asked to be worshipped with her, and she relented. That

is why he is depicted with her

 

3. Challenging Siva

Once upon a time Siva was living in Mount Kailasa with Parvati. She

became so hungry that her body was racked with pain. She complained

to Siva, and asking him for something to eat. Siva told her to be

patient and wait a bit, after which he would give her anything she

want. Having said that, Siva went back into doing Yoga. She appealed

to him saying that she is desperate for food. He again asked her to

wait. When he is still uncooperative, she put Siva himself into her

mouth to devour him. A smoke began to issue from Parvati's body

and

Siva emerged from Parvati's and said to her "O Goddess, a

woman

without a husband, as you just were, is called a widow and must strip

herself of the odornments and marks of a married woman. That woman,

you who left her husband by swallowing him, will be known as

Bagalamukhi, and the smoke that came from her will be known as the

Dhumavati.

 

 

Om ParaShaktiye Namaha

 

Reference

David Kinsley : The Ten Mahavidyas. Tantric Visions of the Divine

Feminine