forwarded: [Shakta_and_Shaiva_Tantra] Sadosh Matrikas

[Guest guest]

Prem Kumar <premv wrote:

 

Hi Alexandra & Dr. Krishna!

 

That is a proper list and description of the Goddesses.

 

There is a different way of looking at it. Here is a brief

discussion. The moment you say 16 it reminds me of the Goddess Raja

Rajeswari. Her other names or Lalita, TripuraSundari, Sodasi, etc.

Sodasi means the 16 lettered one. These 16 letters or Bija(seed)

mantras represent the 16 elemental forces of nature. These forces are

personified as the anga devatas of the Goddess Lalita. I assume you

are familiar with the idea of anga devatas. They are usually

reprsented as a chakra or a flower with 16 petals with the Goddess

Lalita in the Center. Each letter is inscribed on a petal(a state of

consciousness). For those who meditate on the Goddess Lalita, these

petals get energized in the Chakras and you begin to realize all these

devis (and their worlds and consorts) before realizing the Goddess

Lalita. You can also think of this as the King/Queens's court with all

the 16 ministers; these ministers in turn might be ruler of different

worlds and beings. You get to know all these worlds and the creations

there before meeting the King. If you want to realize one of the

worlds, then you begin to chant and meditate on one of the bija mantras

and gain entry into that astral world and enjoy that world. When you

are done with that world, masters there will guide you to the next

world.

 

Likewise, each Maha Vidya Goddess has a certain number of chief anga

devatas.

 

Cheers,

Prem.