Chinnamasta and Dadhayk

[Guest guest]

Namaste all,

 

As a writer on Vedic and Tantric Hinduism, this is one of many articles on Maa

Chandi, that I hope will broaden the horizens of many.

 

It is based on Ganapati Muni's teachings on Maa Cchinnamasta also. But I am also

interested in any additional works on Chinnamasta, since she is my Ishta devata.

 

 

CHINNAMASTA AND DADHYAK:

Veda and Tantra relations

 

The Goddess Parvati is said to have been begged by Jaya and Vijaya, her

attendants for food.

Eventually, as there was no other food-source, she severed her head, and

Chinnamasta, Jaya and Vijaya all shared in her streams of blood for food, thanks

to her sacrifice.

Chinnamasta also represents the lightening-force, and is known as

vajra-vairochani.

Her consort is said to be Kabhanda, the headless form of Shiva.

This is according to the Pranatosini Tantra.

 

In the Rig Veda, Rishi Dadhyak was also requested by the Two Ashwins, in order

to gain knowledge of Brahman. However, Indra had cursed anyone that gave them

knowledge. Eventually, he gave in, and his head was cut off, and replaced with

that of a Horse, and he gave knowledge to the Two Ashwins. Dadhyak also later

became the Vajra or Thunderbolt of Indra, through his bones. Dadhyak is also

known as Kabhanda-Atharvan in the Brihadaranakya, and the

be-headed demon Kabhanda, who helped Rama in Ramayana.

 

Herein, we see the origin of Chinnamasta is quite clear. Dadhyak appears as the

male-form of Chinnamasta, as Kabhanda (same name in Tantra and Veda), from which

she came.

 

Moreover, we note of the Two Ashwins as Ida and Pingala, and also as Jaya and

Vijaya. In Both cases a request is made. But the head must first be chopped off.

Moreover, the Vedic myth shows the esoteric nature of the Tantric one - that by

the head being chopped off, Dadhyak, and the Two Ashwins, receive the

Brahmavidya or knowledhe of Brahmin (also Madhuvidya).

 

Likewise, in the Tantric tradition, the food is hence 'Brahmavidya', which

Chinnamasta and Jaya and Vijaya learn, as 'streams' of blood. As in Dadhyak's

case, there is the Madhuvidya as the knowledge of Brahman (once ego is gone),

Chinnamasta grants Shri Vidya!

 

The blood is also representing Soma, the Divine Elixer. Dadhyak's vidya is also

the Soma-vidya or Wisdom of Soma, which he 'proclaims' to the Ashwins in Rig

Veda.It is also the Shri Vidya, the wisdom of the Goddess Shri (Lalita) and the

Wisdom of Brahman, here personified as 'Soma Elixer', ie. the streams of blood

of Chinnamasta! So again we see a Vedic origin of this.

 

Chinnamasta the 'blood drinker' is hence Vedic Indra-Dadhyak the 'Soma-drinker'.

Hence, the Vedic ideas actually give us more insights into Tantric imagery and

their esoteric natures!

 

 

JAI MA!

-R