The emergence of the Mahavidyas in history...

June 10, 2009

Hare Rama Krishna,

Dear Rajarshi,

you may be quite right. It is possible that in Parashara's time the worship and sadhanas of the Mahavidyas were non existent.

Scholars (sometimes) passionately debate the exact date of Parashara. This may be somewhat difficult to ascertain by modern,accepted scholarship- as opposed to mythological and faith-based (more-or -less) guesswork.

However the the historicity of the Mahavidyas are a different matter. This can be dated with confidence.The first one- it seems -to emerge is Tara, about 1,500 years ago.This was, in all probability of the Buddhist kind. In fact the Buddhist version of Tara was very prevalent and widespread in India already 1,200 years ago, from (present day)Orissa to South India. Everywhere.

Then Ekajata, Bhrikuti,Nila Saraswati,Kali,Shri,Vasudharini,Cunda and eventually by about 1000 years ago the Mahavidyas- as we know them today were fully in view.

Now, the Mahavidyas are eternal.The emergence of a particular worship,rite or saddhana however happens in historical time (chronological time)- according to the needs (and karma) of the time. The Great Compassionate Mother will reveal herself in different forms-and different times for the benefit of her devotees.

It may be shocking for some even to contemplate that some of the Mahavidyas in fact were "borrowed" from Tantric Buddhist (Vajrayana) circles. The truth of the matter is somewhat more nuanced.Back then, some 1,500 years ago there was not so much difference between Buddhist or Hindu tantra.Certainly the two groups have interacted and learned a great deal from each other.(used the same cremation grounds- after all)The mantras,mudras etc were the same. (Much like in today's Bali in Indonesia, or even some places in Nepal)

Even a few hundred years back respectable Hindu tantrics recommended learning Tara Mahavidya- in it's full form-in "Mahacina"- which is Tibet. If you would visit some Newari (Buddhist)Vajracharyas in Nepal, you would also discover that they practice a "Krodha Kali" Mahavidya, which is nearly identical what is practiced in Bengal (by Hindu tantrics).

We also need to keep in mind that there are many different lineages for the Mahavidyas, both Hindu and Buddhist (although the line of demarcation between them is almost invisible sometimes). This may account for the difference in the correlations of the Grahas to the Mahavidyas. Even in the same Mahavidyas there are many lineages.

Let me relate a meeting which took place a year ago between two adepts of Shri Vidya.One of the adepts was from Kerala and the other from Bengal.As it is quite well known, the Kerala Shri Vidya tradition proudly traces it's spiritual ancestry to the great Shankaracharya.Moreover, it is assumed that all the existing Shri Vidya lineages descend from him.

My Kerala Adept -as he related this to me- was dumbfounded when he became aware that the Bengali Shri Vidya tradition traces it's "ancestry" way before Shankara. Then they compared "notes" as it were- and discovered a treasurehouse of hitherto unknown saddhanas, prayogas etc.The Bengali adept for instance was amazed that the Kerala Shri Vidya tradition has (among many, many other things), shava saddhana.And so on.

And now to the famous "list" of the Grahas to the Mahavidyas....

With some confidence I can state that in one of the Shri Vidya traditions Bagalamukhi is correlated with Mars(She is called the Leader of her Heavenly armies) and Matangi with Mercury (She is called the counsellor, Mantrini).The GREAT Vidya, the supreme one, of course is correlated with the SUN.-Please note that in some circles Shri Vidya is called the Tantric Gayatri.(Frankly,Matangi Devi's deep EMERALD green colour and her parrot, her function as a Tantric Saraswati fits rather well with Mercury.Bagalamukhi is clearly, unmistakenly Mars.) The rest is the same as Sarbani has given.

With deep respect to all:

AJ

sohamsa , rajarshi nandy <rajarshi14 wrote:>> NamasteÂ > Â > One possibility could be that during Parashara's time, the worship of the Mahavidyas was not prevelant as much as it was in later periods of history. That is why there is no direct correlation provided by him. > Â > Or, if theÂ worship wasÂ prevelant even those days, then Parashara may have deliberately not included such a co relation mybe because each ofÂ MahavidyasÂ have a more complex connection,Â not a direct oneÂ to one mapping. > Â > -Regards> Â Rajarshi> > > > The upsurge (of consciousness) is Bhairava - Shiva Sutra> > --- On Tue, 9/6/09, Vishnu Jandhyala jvishnu wrote:> > > Vishnu Jandhyala jvishnu Re: Consorts of Dasa Mahavidyas Given in Todala Tantra> sohamsa > Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 7:50 PM> > > > > > > > > Hare Rama Krishna,> > Dear Narasimha, Visti, Sarbani et al,> > Namaste,> > Could all of you please tone down the rhetoric so that we can discuss the issue at hand. I have a few basic questions and hope atleast one among you can answer it/them! > > 1) Can any of you provide a direct quote from any of the 64 authentic tantras that relates maha vidyas to planets? > > 2) Who do tantras stop after mapping/relating maha vidyas to dasa avataras?> > 3) Why hasn't Parasara related grahas to maha vidyas, where as he found it so convenient to relate them to dasa avataras?> > warm regards,> Vishnu> > > On Tue, Jun 9, 2009 at 2:34 AM, Sarbani Rath sarbani@srijagannat h.org> wrote:> > > > > > > > > > > > Hare Rama Krishna> Namastestu Mahamaye...> Dear Narsimha,> Â (Narasimha) Friends, there may be an outcry to my writings from astrologers used to a different planet-mahavidya mapÂ (which is NOT sanctioned by any scripture and yet popular today in some circles). I may not be able to respond to all the mails.> An outcry??? Regarding what?? No, no you have got the wrong end of the stick here. The planet-mahavidya mapping is used by many priests and pundits who are in no way associated with SJC. They even have them up in their websites. So please do not start an agenda of saying this is â€œSJCâ€â€™s version/unsanctione d etc. Let us instead have an intellectual theological debate, which is far more interesting. YOU can say that though in practice most priests and books follow a certain norm of planet-mahavidya co-relation, but on reflection a different order appeals to you and you are sharing that with us. > Mundamala Tantra is just one of the tantras, and not the top of the rung. It would be interesting to see what the Mahanirvan, the Gyanarnava, the Pranatoshini, the Mahanil, the Kularnava tantras and specially the Yamala texts have to say on this. I am delighted that you have at last succumbed to Devi worship. I remember 2-3 years back in Boston you rejected all kinds of Devi worship including the Sri Sri Chandi.> Mahavidya is THE supreme knowledge. When you write:> (Narasimha) From the perspective of Venus (enjoyment), this duality needs to be enjoyed and not run away from. The symbolism behind Chhinnamasta depicted accompanied by a naked couple in copulation and associates drinking wine is that nothing is impure and all is Brahman. That is the take of Venus (enjoyment).> Correctly you have pointed out that we should not be superficial. To say that the symbolism behind the copulating couple in Chhinnamastaâ€™ s iconography is about enjoyment is highly superficial. You have missed the boat here. Chhinnamasta is all about suppressing that. There have been many works by renowned scholars in both east and the west on this. There is surely nothing wrong with Venus. The problem occurs when Rahu is associated Venus. Thatâ€™s when we talk of re-directing that undesirable carnal energy. Chhinnamasta represents that unleashed carnality of Rahu. Venus on the other hand is the purest of them all. After all he gets exalted in the sign of maharishis. Venus has the capacity to bloom like the lotus from the cesspool like mud of life. At a deeper level, this blooming of the lotus is really the blooming of our soul, the awakening. That is why the Sharadatilaka tantra advises us to worship Kamalatmika in water as the sun rises. In her> mantra she is addressed as Jagatprasutyai ...the one who gives birth h to this world. Â I think you need to work a little more on this, and I am sure Mother will show the way. There are fantastic works done on the mahavidyas by many exponents from the different gurukuls of India, though of course no one writes the really deeper level experiences which can only stem from sadhana. > Incidentally, there are many quiet members in these lists who are extremely spiritual and any of whom have years of experience in devi worship. I appeal to them to share their experiences with us.> Best Regards,> Sarbani Rath> Homepage: http://sarbani. com> Sagittarius Publications: http://sagittariusp ublications. com> Sohamsa: http://sohamsa. com> Sri Jagannath Centre: http:// .org> Â > > > sohamsa@ .com [sohamsa@ .com] On Behalf Of Narasimha P.V.R. Rao> 09 June 2009 09:48> sohamsa@ .com; ; vedic astrology; > Consorts of Dasa Mahavidyas Given in Todala Tantra> > > > Â > > > > > > > > > Namaste,> > Â > > > Great... so because crows are black, as is Krishna's complexion, so > > Crows and Krishna are both Moon. People here know better than that.> Â > > I never talked of superficial things such as "complexion". Moreover, you are replacing Kaalika with crows in your sircasm and making fun really of Tantra and Parasara.> > Â > > *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *> > Â > > > Here's another list for you from Todala Tantra:> > > > <see below for list>> > > > > These are the Mahavidya (left) and their spouses (right side). See that > > Mahatripurasundari's spouse is Somanatha, and surely the name Soma-Natha > > implies that he is the Jyotirlinga associated with the Moon. But in your > > list Moon is Kali, so where are we at now with the logic you used and > > the list you have derived?> Â > > Instead of getting caught in superficial and extraneous factors, let us go to the crux.> > Â > > Mahavidyas and their consorts are not showing the same thing, but two different things that have a synergy. The list of planets mapping to mahavidyas and those mapping to mahavidya consorts will accordingly have to be different. I will elaborate with examples.> > Â > > Each mahavidya represents one form of liberating supreme knowledge that helps one overcome duality and become liberated, starting from different vantage points within duality and approaching liberation from them. Consorts are the factors that aid in that approach.> > Â > > *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *> > Â > > For example, Kaali is equated to Krishna by Munda Maalaa Tantra and Krishna is equated to Moon by Parasara. So Kaali is shown by Moon. From the perspective of Moon (mind), this duality is a very troublesome temptation and the way to overcome itÂ is to realize its impermanence and destroy the duality so that it cannot tempt again.> > Â > > During this process, the ideal companion of Moon is Saturn (vairagya and discipline). So the consort of Kaali shown by Moon is Mahakala shown by Saturn.> > Â > > Take Taaraa. She is equated to Raama by Munda Maalaa Tantra and Raama is equated to Sun by Parasara. So Taaraa is shown by Sun. From the perspective of Sun (soul), this duality is an ocean of delusion that needs to be waded across to reach the supreme cosmic soul.> > Â > > During this process, the ideal companion of Sun is Jupiter (intelligence and discrimination) . Just as rajaguru (Jupiter) guides king (Sun), the intellect and discrimination will aid soul in the process of wading the ocean of duality and reaching the supreme. So the consort of Taaraa shown by Sun is Akshobhya shown by Jupiter.> > Â > > Take Chhinnamasta. She is equated to Bhaargava Raama by Munda Maalaa Tantra and Bhaargava Raama is equated to Venus by Parasara. So Chhinnamasta is shown by Venus. From the perspective of Venus (enjoyment), this duality needs to be enjoyed and not run away from. The symbolism behind Chhinnamasta depicted accompanied by a naked couple in copulation and associates drinking wine is that nothing is impure and all is Brahman. That is the take of Venus (enjoyment).> > Â > > During this process, the ideal companion of Venus (enjoyment) is Ketu (detachment and egolessness) . Only when the enjoyment is gone through without ego and identification can it be conducive to liberation. So the consort of Chhinnamasta shown by Venus is Shiva-Kabandha shown by Ketu. Kabandha means the headless one.> > Â > > As Dhumaavati is shown by Jupiter (dhee, i.e. intellect and discrimination) , there is no need for a companion. If the force of dhee is there, one realizes that all is god and does not distinguish between good and bad, happy and sad etc and becomes liberated easily.Â One with a strong aatmabala or manobala can waver and may need supplementing influences, but one with a strong dheeshakti is fine. There is no supplementing influence.> > Â > > > *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *> > Â > > Now let us take your example. Mahatripuarasundari is equated to Kalki by Munda Mala Tantra and Kalki is equated to lagna by Maharshi Parasara. So Tripura is lagna.> > Â > > While Sun and Moon show the soul and mind, lagna shows the individualized consciousness through which we operate in the world. It includes body and more. It is lagna through which we act in the world. From the point of view of lagna, duality is to be overcome by doing what is expected from us by Nature and engaging in actions. Tripura personifies the supreme liberating knowledge of using the individualized consciousness to engage in perfect actions in the world to liberate oneself.> > Â > > Now, the most useful companion of lagna in this process is Moon (mind). The actor within you (lagna) needs mind as mind tells the actor what to do. Thus, the ideal companion of lagna is Moon. Accordingly, the consort of Mahatripurasundari shown by lagna is Somanatha shown by Moon.> > Â > > *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *> > Â > > You can find similar logic for all of them. Here is the full list:> > Â > > 1. Kaali (Moon) - Mahaa Kaala (Saturn)> 2. Taaraa (Sun)Â - Akshobhya (Jupiter)> 3. Mahatripurisundari (Lagna) - Somanaatha (Moon)> 4. Bhuvaneswari (Rahu) - Tryambaka (Venus)> 5. BhairaviÂ (Mars) - Dakshinaamurti (Sun)> 6. Chhinamastaa (Venus) - Shiva-Kabandha (Ketu)> 7. Dhumavati (Jupiter) - None> 8. Bagalaamukhi (Saturn) - Mahaa Rudra (Mars)> 9. Maatangi (Mercury) - Shiva Maatanga (Rahu)> 10. Kamalatmika (Ketu) - Vishnurupi Sadaashiva (Mercury)> > Â > > Short notes on the ones I did not cover before:> > Â > > Bhairavi represents the path of Mars, i.e. viewing the duality as a challenge that needs to be fought hard and fearlessly and not fear anything, including death and pain. The ideal companion is aatmabala, represented by Sun, just as a good king (Sun) is an ideal supplement for a good commander (Mars).> > Â > > Bagalaamukhi represents the path of Saturn, i.e. viewing the duality as that which results from one's own weaknesses, sinsÂ and internal enemies and seeing a conquest of internal enemies as the key to overcoming duality. The fighting spirit represented by Mars is the ideal companion in the process of overcoming enemies. Mahaa Rudra shown by Mars is hence the consort of Bagalamukhi.> > Â > > Maatangi represents the path of Mercury, i.e. viewing the duality as that which needs to be learnt, understood, mastered and then overcome. Free thinking without boundaries, represented by Rahu, is the ideal companion in this path. Maatanga means free spirited one or free roamer and Shiva Maatanga is such a form of Shiva. He is the consort of Maatangi.> > Â > > *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *> > Â > > Friends, there may be an outcry to my writings from astrologers used to a different planet-mahavidya mapÂ (which is NOT sanctioned by any scripture and yet popular today in some circles). I may not be able to respond to all the mails.> > Â > > But please do bear in mind that there is a simple and uniform philosophy behind the concept of Mahavidyas. Flowery expositions without a uniform philosophy and even a basic uniform understanding of what Mahavidyas are for are useless. If you are told logic like "Tripurasundari holds sugarcane. Mercury shows sugar cane. So Tripurasundari is shown by Mercury", reject such superficial logic. If somebody tells you that a mahavidya is for winning lawsuits or for getting power or getting wealth, reject such things.> > Â > > Please remember that mahavidyas are forms of *supreme liberating knowledge*. The path to liberation looks different from the point of view of different planets.> > Â > > Best regards,> Narasimha> ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------> Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam> Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana> Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom> Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net> Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org> Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org> ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- > Â > > sohamsa@ .com, Visti Larsen visti@ wrote:> >> > ??? ??? ?????> > Dear Narasimha, Namaskar.> > Great... so because crows are black, as is Krishna's complexion, so > > Crows and Krishna are both Moon. People here know better than that.> > Here's another list for you from Todala Tantra:> > > > 1. Dakshina/Kali - MahaKaal> > 2. Tara - Akshobya> > 3. Mahatripurisundari - Panchanan/Somanath> > 4. Bhuvaneswari - Tryambaka> > 5. BhairaviÂ - Dakshinamurti> > 6. Chinamaste - Shiva-Kabandha> > 7. Dhumavati -> > 8. Bagalamukhi - Maharudra> > 9. Matangi - Shiva Matanga> > 10. Kamalatmika - Sadashiva> > > > These are the Mahavidya (left) and their spouses (right side). See that > > Mahatripurasundari's spouse is Somanatha, and surely the name Soma-Natha > > implies that he is the Jyotirlinga associated with the Moon. But in your > > list Moon is Kali, so where are we at now with the logic you used and > > the list you have derived?> > Again I re-iterate that the logic you have used is not right as it > > cannot be replicated.> > Yours sincerely, Visti Larsen> > ------------ --------- --------- --------- ----> > Jyotish Guru (Vedic Astrologer)> > www: http://srigaruda. com> > @: visti@> > > > Narasimha P.V.R. Rao skrev:> > >> > >> > > Namaste friends,> > >Â > > > > Narasimha's list is his own invention...> > >Â > > > Parasara *equated* planets to dasavataras of Vishnu in Brihat > > > Paaraasara Horaa Saastram, an authoritative Jyotish treatise.> > >Â > > > As you can see in the verse quoted by Narayan below, dasavataras of > > > Vishnu are *equated* to dasa mahavidyas in Munda Maalaa Tantra, a > > > respected tantra treatise regarding mahavidyas. For example, > > > "kR^iShnastu kaalikaa saakShaat raamamUrtishca taariNI" literally > > > means "Krishna is literally Kaalika and Rama is Taarini". In Hindi, it > > > can be translated as "Krishen ji to saakshaat Kaalika hain aur Raam ji > > > Taarini hain".> > >Â > > > *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *> > >Â > > > If a and b are *equated* and also b and c are *equated*, it is logical > > > to infer that a and c can be equated.> > >Â > > > It is mischievous to label this logical inference as my "own > > > invention". The philosophical justification of the mapping is mine, > > > but the list is NOT my invention.> > >Â > > > Those who want to accept the list given by author Bhattacharya, who, > > > according to Sarbani, does not quote a scriptural basis for his list, > > > are free to do so. But it is mischievous to call what I gave as my > > > "own invention".> > >Â > > > Best regards,> > > Narasimha> > >Â > > > sohamsa@ .com <sohamsa>, Visti > > > Larsen <visti@> wrote:> > > >> > > > ??? ??? ?????> > > > Dear Sarbani and Swee, Namaskar.> > > > The verse that Narayan Iyer has given mentions nothing about the Graha> > > > corresponding to the Mahavidya. The verse is otherwise mentioned in > > > MANY> > > > tantras and is a well known one which shows which Mahavidya corresponds> > > > to which Vishnu Avatara.> > > > Narasimha has merely inferred the Graha linkages and therefore the list> > > > is his own research and is NOT supported by any treatise at all.> > > > In fact everyone SHOULD be encouraged to follow the list given by Sri> > > > Jyotirbhushan Bhattacharya, as he HAS given a direct list of Graha and> > > > corresponding Mahavidya. Narasimha's list is his own invention... the> > > > sloka mentions nothing about the graha linkages.> > > >> > > > Just because Parasara equates Sun to Rama we should think Sun should> > > > also be Tarini as per the Mahavidya-Vishnu avatara link? This is not a> > > > proper logic, in fact when we were taught the Agni Purana on the second> > > > year of Jaimini Sutras, and the names of Vishnu therein, we saw a> > > > completely different concept of mapping of the grahas to the name of > > > the> > > > avataras.> > > > This mapping that Narasimha has suggested is simply not acceptable > > > as it> > > > is too simple an explanation, and doesn't bring out the real importance> > > > as to how the Mahavidya and Vishnu Avatara are connected. I.e. how the> > > > left foot corresponds to Tara and the right hand corresponds to Rama,> > > > whilst the right foot is Kali and the left hand is Krishna and how the> > > > hands and feet walk together in sync showing the Gati (feet) and karma> > > > (hands) that are connected. This itself was taught to us on the > > > first year.> > > > Yours sincerely, Visti Larsen> > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- ----> > > > Jyotish Guru (Vedic Astrologer)> > > > www: http://srigaruda. com <http://srigaruda. com>> > > > @: visti@> Â > > Original mail:> > Â > > > Dear Narayan,> >Â > > Thanks for the verse from Munda Maalaa Tantra. Out of all planet-mahavidya> > mappings I have seen, this is the most philosophically sound mapping.> > > > Sun - Taaraa - Raama> > Moon - Kaali - Krishna> > Mars - Bhairavi - Nrisimha> > Mercury - Maatangi - Buddha> > Jupiter - Dhumaavati - Vaamana> > Venus - Chhinnamastaa - Bhaargava Rama> > Saturn - Bagalamukhi - Koorma> > Rahu - Bhuvaneswari - Varaaha> > Ketu - Kamala - Matsya> > > > *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *> > > > Vidya is knowledge. Mahavidya is supreme knowledge. Dasa mahavidyas are the> > ten highest forms of knowledge that take us to moksha or liberation,> > approaching from different angles. Other kinds of knowledge (e.g.> > mathematics, physics, astronomy, astrology, grammar etc) do not liberate us.> > But these ten kinds of knowledge liberate us. The deities (names and forms> > described in books for ten mahavidyas) are personifications of those ten> > types of supreme knowledge that liberate us.> > > > *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *> > > > Please note one thing here. Moksha means overcoming the maayaa of the> > duality around us. Seeing some things as desirable, some as undesirable,> > some as pleasurable, some as painful, some as beautiful, some as ugly etc is> > what binds us. Overcoming the duality and seeing all as Brahman is> > liberation or moksha.> > > > Different planets represent different aspects of our selves. The duality> > around us and the way to overcome it seem different from different angles.> > From the point of view of individual soul (Sun), this maayaa is something> > that needs to be overcome by crossing and reaching the other end (supreme> > cosmic soul). From the point of view of mind (Moon), this duality is> > something that clouds the vision and needs to be destroyed so that it cannot> > tempt again. From the point of view of the intellect/discrimin ation/dhee> > (Jupiter), it issomething that is non-existent anyway ("so what was the> > problem in the first place?"), like shapes made of smoke. From the point of> > view of initiative and energy within us (Mars), it is something that needs> > to be fought hard and fearlessly. From the point of view of the learning> > ability within us (Mercury), it is something that needs to be learnt and> > understood fully so that we can overcome it. From the point of view of> > enjoyment and happiness (Venus), it is something that needs to be accepted> > and enjoyed and not something to fear or avoid ("after all, all is Brahman.> > Then why stay away from enjoyments?"). And so on.> > > > But remember one important thing. Whichever approach is taken to overcoming> > duality, the end result is the same. One first masters the approach. It> > becomes part of one's common sense and thinking. One eventually overcomes> > duality. One becomes self-realized and becomes liberated. That end result is> > the same irrespective of the approach chosen.> > > > *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *> >Â > > Sun is the soul within us. The highest form of knowledge coming from delving> > deep into this aspect is what makes one wade (tar=swim/wade/ cross) the ocean> > of delusion and get to the source. If you master the knowledge that helps> > one view the world as an ocean that needs to be crossed to reach the> > supreme, other things will follow and you eventually get liberation. Taaraa> > personifies this knowledge.> >Â > > Moon is the mind within us. The highest form of knowledge coming from> > delving deep into this aspect is an understanding of attachments and> > desires, their impermanence and how to kill them. If you master the> > knowledge that kills all attachments and desires and gives perfect control> > on the mind, other things will follow and you eventually get liberation.> > Kaali personifies this knowledge.> >Â > > Mars is the energy and initiative within us. The highest form of knowledge> > coming from delving deep into this aspect is what gives one fearlessness of> > anything in the universe. If you master the knowledge that makes you utterly> > fearless and you do not fear anything (including death or pain!) other> > things will follow and you eventually get liberation. Bhairavi personifies> > this knowledge.> >Â > > Mercury is knowledge and learning ability within us. The highest form of> > knowledge coming from delving deep into this aspect is what gives one> > learning of various topics. If you master the knowledge that give you> > mastery of all kinds of learning through logical and rational thinking,> > other things will follow and you eventually get liberation. Maatangi> > personifies this knowledge. In fact, some people associate Maatangi with> > Saraswati. Saraswati is also known as "Maatanga Kanya".> > > > Jupiter is the intellect, wisdom and discrimination (dhee shakti) within us.> > The highest form of knowledge coming from delving deep into this aspect is> > that all is delusion. The individual soul and individual mind and everything> > they perceive is just an illusion. All that is there is Brahman. Any other> > perceptions, of various good or bad things, are just a delusion, like> > figures made of smoke. If you master the knowledge that makes your intellect> > shine, you will realize that the entire world is a delusion and not deluded> > by anything anymore. Then other things will follow and you eventually get> > liberation. Dhumaavati personifies this knowledge.> > > > Venus is the spirit of enjoyment and bliss. The highest form of knowledge> > coming from delving deep into this aspect is what makes one egoless and> > blissful. If you master the knowledge that makes you utterly fearless and> > you do not fear anything, including death or pain, other things will follow> > and you eventually get liberation. Chhinnamasta personifies this knowledge.> > She is depicted as a deity holding her own severed head, standing near a> > naked couple in copulation and surrounded by associates who are drinking> > wine. One mastering this knowledge need not stay away from any pleasures,> > but one learns to see god even those pleasures. However, pleasure obtained> > with an ego ("*I* am enjoying this act or object") binds. The headless state> > symbolizes egolessness. If one has overcome I-ness, pleasures are not> > binding. One not thinking in terms of "*I* am enjoying" but having no sense> > of "I" can live life without running away from any pleasures or undertaking> > any austerities and yet become liberated.> > > > Saturn is the spirit of hard work within us. He also represents our> > weaknesses and sins. The highest form of knowledge coming from delving deep> > into this aspect is what makes us realize our internal enemies and destroy> > them. If you master the knowledge that makes you overcome weaknesses such as> > laziness and internal enemies such as lust, anger, greed, jealosy etc, other> > things will follow and you eventually get liberation. Bagalamukhi> > personifies this knowledge. Most of her mantras ask to destroy enemies and> > so people foolishly think that she is the one who gives success in> > litigation and worship her for court cases. This is like going to a king to> > ask for two spoons of sugar for your milk. You go to the king for bigger> > things and a neighbor is enough for giving you two spoons of sugar. The> > enemies destroyed by Bagalamukhi are internal enemies and your own laziness.> > Remember, she is a mahavidya, i.e. a type of supreme knowledge that> > liberates you!> >Â > > Rahu is the spirit of material well-being within us. Rahu is the one who> > binds us to rebirth (this is why Saturn showing sins and Rahu showing> > rebirth are important in the death chart). The highest form of knowledge> > coming from delving deep into this aspect is what gives us worldly success> > in a dhaarmik way. If you master the knowledge that makes you materially> > successful in a dharmik way, you become successful and fulfil all your> > duties and debts in the world and eventually get liberation. Bhuvaneswari> > personifies this knowledge.> > > > Ketu is the spirit of of detachment and Vedic knowledge within us. The> > highest form of knowledge coming from delving deep into this aspect is the> > essense of Veda. If you master the knowledge that enables you to be in> > oneness with the supreme cosmic being, you eventually get liberation. Kamala> > (Mahaalakshmi) personifies this knowledge. According to saptashati rahasya> > also, Mahaalakshmi is the Aadyaa (the first One). She is the energy of> > supreme cosmic being. She divides Herself into 3 parts - Mahaakaali,> > Mahaalakshmi and MahaaSaraswati and they create Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and> > their consorts. Kamala represents the knowledge of the supreme cosmic energy> > of the supreme cosmic being.> > > > *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *> > > > One of the above is not superior to the other. Depending on your vasanas> > (mental conditioning) , attitudes, likes and dislikes, depending on which> > aspect of your personality dominates over other aspects (the sinfulness and> > weaknesses? or the interest in learning things? or the spirit of fighting?> > or the sense of enjoyment? etc), one Mahavidya may be more suitable than> > others, as that knowledge uses your strong aspect and moulds that aspect to> > take you towards liberation. Do not compare them. Take the one that is most> > suitable, but do master that aspect.> > > > *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *Â Â Â Â Â Â Â *> > > > There are some who do Dasa Mahavidya sadhana by doing one Mahavidya's mantra> > for one month, then switch to another and so on. They think that by doing> > each mahavidya mantra for a certain count, they "finish" the mahavidya> > sadhana. This is wrong and serves no useful purpose. Instead, one should> > pick any ONE mahavidya and succeed in that sadhana. The definition of> > success is that the knowledge represented by that deity becomes part of your> > common sense - you understand that knowledge and ooze that knowledge in your> > thoughts and actions. Whether you experience the deity as an external> > human-like form (who may impart some knowledge to you) or as an internal> > human-like form or as light or as sound is secondary, but the end result> > should be that the knowledge represented by Her should become common sense> > and second nature to you. One claiming visions or siddhi of a mahavidya but> > not showing the corresponding knowledge is bluffing.> > > > There are many people who do mahavidya sadhana and yet many others who claim> > to have siddhi in one or more mahavidyas, but very few who actually possess> > any of the ten mahavidyas. The area of mahavidya sadhana is one of the most> > ill-understood in today's age of ignorance and half-baked knowledge. It is> > easier to possess lower vidyas or lower shaktis, but mahavidyas are beyond> > the capability of understanding for most people.> > > > Best regards,> > Narasimha> > > > > > -- > Om Akhanda mandalaakaaram> vyaptam yena charaa charam> tatpadam darsita yena > tasmai sri gurave namaha> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Own a website.Get an unlimited package.Pay next to nothing.*Go to http://in.business./>

June 10, 2009

Hare Rama Krishna

Dear

Arpad,

Indeed

Bagalamukhi is unmistakably Mars. Sadhakas will know that. As far as the Graha-Mahavidya

mapping is concerned, what you state, with minor overlapping, is what is commonly

practiced in most of the traditions. There is no other list of mapping. At

least not that we are aware of. Of course this can be open for debate and

speculation, as Narasimha is doing. Multiple mappings are available for

mahavidya-avatara co-relations. This is primarily a Purusha-Prakriti

relationship, and different traditions will albeit view it differently. David Kinsley

has written quite extensively on this aspect. Different Avatar-Mahavidya

co-relations are given in the Guhyatiguhya Tantra, the Todala tantra, the

Mundamala Tantra and some other articles as well. He provides another list

given by Swami Sadhananda Shastri of VaranasiÂ which goes thus:

Bagalamukhi

â€“ Vamana

Kamala

â€“ Vishnu

Kali

â€“ Krishna

Tara

â€“ Rama

Bhairavi

â€“ Rudra

Chhinnamasta

â€“ Matsya

Matangi

â€“ Brahma

Dhumavati

â€“ Varaha

Sodasi

â€“ Siva

Bhuvaneshwari

â€“ Nirakar Brahman

The

GREAT vidya as you mention also differs from the Kalikula and the Srikula

traditions, does it not? Kalikula upholds Kali. While Srikula Tripura. All

tantra tradiitons hold Kali, Tara and Tripura to be the three primary

mahavidyas. The debates over the various lineages are unresolved and that is

how it should be. I feel we are richer with the plurality of traditions. There

will be one group who will strongly vouch for Vedic origins of the tantras,

like Swami Pragyananada, historian Chintaharan Chakravarti, M. S. Bhatt,

Bhaskaray, even Woodroffe to name a few. They claim Srividya to be

Atharvavedaswarupini and quote Shaunakaâ€™s Rishirgvidhan. They are impervious to

the exchange with Tibet and Mahachin. It is immaterial who took what from whom.

That there was an exchange and influence is undeniable.Â It is undeniable that

Vajravairocini (mantra devata for Chhinnamasta) figured prominently in Buddhist

mantragraphy. Elisabeth Ann Benard has shown that beautifully in her slim

volume, with complete Buddhist and Hindu renditions of the Chhinnamasta mantra.

Historians of the art and culture of Orissa, have explored this aspect quite

deeply.Â But, yes, there are far too many traditions and lineages, sects and

sub-sects and sub-sub-sects, to dogmatically pronouce â€œI know bestâ€, â€œI am

rightâ€ and â€œeveryone else is wrongâ€!!

Best

Regards,

Sarbani

Rath

Homepage:

http://sarbani.com

Sagittarius

Publications: http://sagittariuspublications.com

Sohamsa:

http://sohamsa.com

Sri

Jagannath Centre: http://.org

sohamsa

[sohamsa ] On Behalf Of Arpad Joo

10 June 2009 07:51

sohamsa

Re: The emergence of the Mahavidyas in history...

Hare Rama Krishna,

Dear Rajarshi,

you may be quite right. It is possible that in Parashara's time the

worship and sadhanas of the Mahavidyas were non existent.

Scholars (sometimes) passionately debate the exact date of Parashara. This

may be somewhat difficult to ascertain by modern,accepted scholarship- as

opposed to mythological and faith-based (more-or -less) guesswork.

However the the historicity of the Mahavidyas are a different matter. This

can be dated with confidence.The first one- it seems -to emerge is Tara, about

1,500 years ago.This was, in all probability of the Buddhist kind. In fact the

Buddhist version of Tara was very prevalent and widespread in India already

1,200 years ago, from (present day)Orissa to South India. Everywhere.

Then Ekajata, Bhrikuti,Nila Saraswati,Kali,Shri,Vasudharini,Cunda and

eventually by about 1000 years ago the Mahavidyas- as we know them today were

fully in view.

Now, the Mahavidyas are eternal.The emergence of a particular

worship,rite or saddhana however happens in historical time (chronological

time)- according to the needs (and karma) of the time. The Great Compassionate

Mother will reveal herself in different forms-and different times for the

benefit of her devotees.

It may be shocking for some even to contemplate that some of the Mahavidyas

in fact were " borrowed " from Tantric Buddhist (Vajrayana) circles.

The truth of the matter is somewhat more nuanced.Back then, some 1,500 years

ago there was not so much difference between Buddhist or Hindu tantra.Certainly

the two groups have interacted and learned a great deal from each other.(used

the same cremation grounds- after all)The mantras,mudras etc were the same.

(Much like in today's Bali in Indonesia, or even some places in Nepal)

Even a few hundred years back respectable Hindu tantrics recommended

learning Tara Mahavidya- in it's full form-in " Mahacina " - which

is Tibet. If you would visit some Newari (Buddhist)Vajracharyas in Nepal, you

would also discover that they practice a " Krodha Kali " Mahavidya,

which is nearly identical what is practiced in Bengal (by Hindu tantrics).

We also need to keep in mind that there are many different lineages for the

Mahavidyas, both Hindu and Buddhist (although the line of demarcation between

them is almost invisible sometimes). This may account for the difference in the

correlations of the Grahas to the Mahavidyas. Even in the same Mahavidyas there

are many lineages.

Let me relate a meeting which took place a year ago between two adepts of

Shri Vidya.One of the adepts was from Kerala and the other from Bengal.As it is

quite well known, the Kerala Shri Vidya tradition proudly traces it's spiritual

ancestry to the great Shankaracharya.Moreover, it is assumed that all the

existing Shri Vidya lineages descend from him.

My Kerala Adept -as he related this to me- was dumbfounded when he became

aware that the Bengali Shri Vidya tradition traces it's

" ancestry " way before Shankara. Then they compared " notes "

as it were- and discovered a treasurehouse of hitherto unknown saddhanas,

prayogas etc.The Bengali adept for instance was amazed that the Kerala Shri

Vidya tradition has (among many, many other things), shava saddhana.And so on.

And now to the famous " list " of the Grahas to the Mahavidyas....

With some confidence I can state that in one of the Shri Vidya traditions

Bagalamukhi is correlated with Mars(She is called the Leader of her Heavenly

armies) and Matangi with Mercury (She is called the counsellor, Mantrini).The

GREAT Vidya, the supreme one, of course is correlated with the SUN.-Please note

that in some circles Shri Vidya is called the Tantric Gayatri.(Frankly,Matangi

Devi's deep EMERALD green colour and her parrot, her function as a

Tantric Saraswati fits rather well with Mercury.Bagalamukhi is clearly,

unmistakenly Mars.) The rest is the same as Sarbani has given.

With deep respect to all:

AJ

sohamsa , rajarshi nandy <rajarshi14 wrote:

>

> NamasteÃ‚

> Ã‚

> One possibility could be that during Parashara's time, the worship of the

Mahavidyas was not prevelant as much as it was in later periods of history.

That is why there is no direct correlation provided by him.

> Ã‚

> Or, if theÃ‚ worship wasÃ‚ prevelant even those days, then

Parashara may have deliberately not included such a co relation mybe because

each ofÃ‚ MahavidyasÃ‚ have a more complex connection,Ã‚ not a

direct oneÃ‚ to one mapping.

> Ã‚

> -Regards

> Ã‚ Rajarshi

>

> The upsurge (of consciousness) is Bhairava - Shiva Sutra

>

> --- On Tue, 9/6/09, Vishnu Jandhyala jvishnu wrote:

>

> Vishnu Jandhyala jvishnu

> Re: Consorts of Dasa Mahavidyas Given in Todala Tantra

> sohamsa

> Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 7:50 PM

>

> Hare Rama Krishna,

>

> Dear Narasimha, Visti, Sarbani et al,

>

> Namaste,

>

> Could all of you please tone down the rhetoric so that we can discuss the

issue at hand. I have a few basic questions and hope atleast one among you can

answer it/them!

>

> 1) Can any of you provide a direct quote from any of the 64 authentic

tantras that relates maha vidyas to planets?

>

> 2) Who do tantras stop after mapping/relating maha vidyas to dasa

avataras?

>

> 3) Why hasn't Parasara related grahas to maha vidyas, where as he found it

so convenient to relate them to dasa avataras?

>

> warm regards,

> Vishnu

>

> On Tue, Jun 9, 2009 at 2:34 AM, Sarbani Rath sarbani@srijagannat h.org>

wrote:

>

> Hare Rama Krishna

> Namastestu Mahamaye...

> Dear Narsimha,

> Ã‚ (Narasimha) Friends, there may be an outcry to my writings from

astrologers used to a different planet-mahavidya mapÃ‚ (which is NOT

sanctioned by any scripture and yet popular today in some circles). I may not

be able to respond to all the mails.

> An outcry??? Regarding what?? No, no you have got the wrong end of the

stick here. The planet-mahavidya mapping is used by many priests and pundits

who are in no way associated with SJC. They even have them up in their websites.

So please do not start an agenda of saying this is Ã¢â‚¬Å“SJCÃ¢â‚¬ÂÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s

version/unsanctione d etc. Let us instead have an intellectual theological

debate, which is far more interesting. YOU can say that though in practice most

priests and books follow a certain norm of planet-mahavidya co-relation, but on

reflection a different order appeals to you and you are sharing that with us.

> Mundamala Tantra is just one of the tantras, and not the top of the rung.

It would be interesting to see what the Mahanirvan, the Gyanarnava, the

Pranatoshini, the Mahanil, the Kularnava tantras and specially the Yamala texts

have to say on this. I am delighted that you have at last succumbed to Devi

worship. I remember 2-3 years back in Boston you rejected all kinds of Devi

worship including the Sri Sri Chandi.

> Mahavidya is THE supreme knowledge. When you write:

> (Narasimha) From the perspective of Venus (enjoyment), this duality needs

to be enjoyed and not run away from. The symbolism behind Chhinnamasta depicted

accompanied by a naked couple in copulation and associates drinking wine is

that nothing is impure and all is Brahman. That is the take of Venus

(enjoyment).

> Correctly you have pointed out that we should not be superficial. To say

that the symbolism behind the copulating couple in ChhinnamastaÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ s

iconography is about enjoyment is highly superficial. You have missed the boat

here. Chhinnamasta is all about suppressing that. There have been many works by

renowned scholars in both east and the west on this. There is surely nothing

wrong with Venus. The problem occurs when Rahu is associated Venus. ThatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s

when we talk of re-directing that undesirable carnal energy. Chhinnamasta

represents that unleashed carnality of Rahu. Venus on the other hand is the

purest of them all. After all he gets exalted in the sign of maharishis. Venus

has the capacity to bloom like the lotus from the cesspool like mud of life. At

a deeper level, this blooming of the lotus is really the blooming of our soul,

the awakening. That is why the Sharadatilaka tantra advises us to worship

Kamalatmika in water as the sun rises. In her

> mantra she is addressed as Jagatprasutyai ...the one who gives birth h to

this world. Ã‚ I think you need to work a little more on this, and I am

sure Mother will show the way. There are fantastic works done on the mahavidyas

by many exponents from the different gurukuls of India, though of course no one

writes the really deeper level experiences which can only stem from sadhana.

> Incidentally, there are many quiet members in these lists who are

extremely spiritual and any of whom have years of experience in devi worship. I

appeal to them to share their experiences with us.

> Best Regards,

> Sarbani Rath

> Homepage: http://sarbani. com

> Sagittarius Publications: http://sagittariusp ublications. com

> Sohamsa: http://sohamsa. com

> Sri Jagannath Centre: http:// .org

> Ã‚

>

> sohamsa@ .com [sohamsa@ .com] On Behalf

Of Narasimha P.V.R. Rao

> 09 June 2009 09:48

> sohamsa@ .com; ;

vedic astrology;

> Consorts of Dasa Mahavidyas Given in Todala Tantra

>

> Ã‚

>

> Namaste,

>

> Ã‚

>

> > Great... so because crows are black, as is Krishna's complexion, so

> > Crows and Krishna are both Moon. People here know better than that.

> Ã‚

>

> I never talked of superficial things such as " complexion " .

Moreover, you are replacing Kaalika with crows in your sircasm and making fun

really of Tantra and Parasara.

>

> Ã‚

>

> *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚

*Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *

>

> Ã‚

>

> > Here's another list for you from Todala Tantra:

> >

> > <see below for list>

>

> >

> > These are the Mahavidya (left) and their spouses (right side). See

that

> > Mahatripurasundari's spouse is Somanatha, and surely the name

Soma-Natha

> > implies that he is the Jyotirlinga associated with the Moon. But in

your

> > list Moon is Kali, so where are we at now with the logic you used and

> > the list you have derived?

> Ã‚

>

> Instead of getting caught in superficial and extraneous factors, let us go

to the crux.

>

> Ã‚

>

> Mahavidyas and their consorts are not showing the same thing, but two different

things that have a synergy. The list of planets mapping to mahavidyas and those

mapping to mahavidya consorts will accordingly have to be different. I will

elaborate with examples.

>

> Ã‚

>

> Each mahavidya represents one form of liberating supreme knowledge that

helps one overcome duality and become liberated, starting from different

vantage points within duality and approaching liberation from them. Consorts

are the factors that aid in that approach.

>

> Ã‚

>

> *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚

*Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *

>

> Ã‚

>

> For example, Kaali is equated to Krishna by Munda Maalaa Tantra and

Krishna is equated to Moon by Parasara. So Kaali is shown by Moon. From the

perspective of Moon (mind), this duality is a very troublesome temptation and

the way to overcome itÃ‚ is to realize its impermanence and destroy the

duality so that it cannot tempt again.

>

> Ã‚

>

> During this process, the ideal companion of Moon is Saturn (vairagya and

discipline). So the consort of Kaali shown by Moon is Mahakala shown by Saturn.

>

> Ã‚

>

> Take Taaraa. She is equated to Raama by Munda Maalaa Tantra and Raama is

equated to Sun by Parasara. So Taaraa is shown by Sun. From the perspective of

Sun (soul), this duality is an ocean of delusion that needs to be waded across

to reach the supreme cosmic soul.

>

> Ã‚

>

> During this process, the ideal companion of Sun is Jupiter (intelligence

and discrimination) . Just as rajaguru (Jupiter) guides king (Sun), the

intellect and discrimination will aid soul in the process of wading the ocean

of duality and reaching the supreme. So the consort of Taaraa shown by Sun is

Akshobhya shown by Jupiter.

>

> Ã‚

>

> Take Chhinnamasta. She is equated to Bhaargava Raama by Munda Maalaa

Tantra and Bhaargava Raama is equated to Venus by Parasara. So Chhinnamasta is

shown by Venus. From the perspective of Venus (enjoyment), this duality needs

to be enjoyed and not run away from. The symbolism behind Chhinnamasta depicted

accompanied by a naked couple in copulation and associates drinking wine is

that nothing is impure and all is Brahman. That is the take of Venus

(enjoyment).

>

> Ã‚

>

> During this process, the ideal companion of Venus (enjoyment) is Ketu

(detachment and egolessness) . Only when the enjoyment is gone through without

ego and identification can it be conducive to liberation. So the consort of

Chhinnamasta shown by Venus is Shiva-Kabandha shown by Ketu. Kabandha means the

headless one.

>

> Ã‚

>

> As Dhumaavati is shown by Jupiter (dhee, i.e. intellect and

discrimination) , there is no need for a companion. If the force of dhee is

there, one realizes that all is god and does not distinguish between good and

bad, happy and sad etc and becomes liberated easily.Ã‚ One with a strong

aatmabala or manobala can waver and may need supplementing influences, but one

with a strong dheeshakti is fine. There is no supplementing influence.

>

> Ã‚

>

> *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚

*Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *

>

> Ã‚

>

> Now let us take your example. Mahatripuarasundari is equated to Kalki by

Munda Mala Tantra and Kalki is equated to lagna by Maharshi Parasara. So

Tripura is lagna.

>

> Ã‚

>

> While Sun and Moon show the soul and mind, lagna shows the individualized

consciousness through which we operate in the world. It includes body and more.

It is lagna through which we act in the world. From the point of view of lagna,

duality is to be overcome by doing what is expected from us by Nature and

engaging in actions. Tripura personifies the supreme liberating knowledge of

using the individualized consciousness to engage in perfect actions in the

world to liberate oneself.

>

> Ã‚

>

> Now, the most useful companion of lagna in this process is Moon (mind).

The actor within you (lagna) needs mind as mind tells the actor what to do.

Thus, the ideal companion of lagna is Moon. Accordingly, the consort of

Mahatripurasundari shown by lagna is Somanatha shown by Moon.

>

> Ã‚

>

> *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚

*Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *

>

> Ã‚

>

> You can find similar logic for all of them. Here is the full list:

>

> Ã‚

>

> 1. Kaali (Moon) - Mahaa Kaala (Saturn)

> 2. Taaraa (Sun)Ã‚ - Akshobhya (Jupiter)

> 3. Mahatripurisundari (Lagna) - Somanaatha (Moon)

> 4. Bhuvaneswari (Rahu) - Tryambaka (Venus)

> 5. BhairaviÃ‚ (Mars) - Dakshinaamurti (Sun)

> 6. Chhinamastaa (Venus) - Shiva-Kabandha (Ketu)

> 7. Dhumavati (Jupiter) - None

> 8. Bagalaamukhi (Saturn) - Mahaa Rudra (Mars)

> 9. Maatangi (Mercury) - Shiva Maatanga (Rahu)

> 10. Kamalatmika (Ketu) - Vishnurupi Sadaashiva (Mercury)

>

> Ã‚

>

> Short notes on the ones I did not cover before:

>

> Ã‚

>

> Bhairavi represents the path of Mars, i.e. viewing the duality as a

challenge that needs to be fought hard and fearlessly and not fear anything,

including death and pain. The ideal companion is aatmabala, represented by Sun,

just as a good king (Sun) is an ideal supplement for a good commander (Mars).

>

> Ã‚

>

> Bagalaamukhi represents the path of Saturn, i.e. viewing the duality as

that which results from one's own weaknesses, sinsÃ‚ and internal enemies

and seeing a conquest of internal enemies as the key to overcoming duality. The

fighting spirit represented by Mars is the ideal companion in the process of

overcoming enemies. Mahaa Rudra shown by Mars is hence the consort of

Bagalamukhi.

>

> Ã‚

>

> Maatangi represents the path of Mercury, i.e. viewing the duality as that

which needs to be learnt, understood, mastered and then overcome. Free thinking

without boundaries, represented by Rahu, is the ideal companion in this path.

Maatanga means free spirited one or free roamer and Shiva Maatanga is such a

form of Shiva. He is the consort of Maatangi.

>

> Ã‚

>

> *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚

*Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *

>

> Ã‚

>

> Friends, there may be an outcry to my writings from astrologers used to a

different planet-mahavidya mapÃ‚ (which is NOT sanctioned by any scripture

and yet popular today in some circles). I may not be able to respond to all the

mails.

>

> Ã‚

>

> But please do bear in mind that there is a simple and uniform philosophy

behind the concept of Mahavidyas. Flowery expositions without a uniform

philosophy and even a basic uniform understanding of what Mahavidyas are for

are useless. If you are told logic like " Tripurasundari holds sugarcane.

Mercury shows sugar cane. So Tripurasundari is shown by Mercury " , reject

such superficial logic. If somebody tells you that a mahavidya is for winning

lawsuits or for getting power or getting wealth, reject such things.

>

> Ã‚

>

> Please remember that mahavidyas are forms of *supreme liberating

knowledge*. The path to liberation looks different from the point of view of

different planets.

>

> Ã‚

>

> Best regards,

> Narasimha

> ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

> Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam

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> Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom

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> Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org

> ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

> Ã‚

>

> sohamsa@ .com, Visti Larsen visti@ wrote:

> >

> > ??? ??? ?????

> > Dear Narasimha, Namaskar.

> > Great... so because crows are black, as is Krishna's complexion, so

> > Crows and Krishna are both Moon. People here know better than that.

> > Here's another list for you from Todala Tantra:

> >

> > 1. Dakshina/Kali - MahaKaal

> > 2. Tara - Akshobya

> > 3. Mahatripurisundari - Panchanan/Somanath

> > 4. Bhuvaneswari - Tryambaka

> > 5. BhairaviÃ‚ - Dakshinamurti

> > 6. Chinamaste - Shiva-Kabandha

> > 7. Dhumavati -

> > 8. Bagalamukhi - Maharudra

> > 9. Matangi - Shiva Matanga

> > 10. Kamalatmika - Sadashiva

> >

> > These are the Mahavidya (left) and their spouses (right side). See

that

> > Mahatripurasundari's spouse is Somanatha, and surely the name

Soma-Natha

> > implies that he is the Jyotirlinga associated with the Moon. But in

your

> > list Moon is Kali, so where are we at now with the logic you used and

> > the list you have derived?

> > Again I re-iterate that the logic you have used is not right as it

> > cannot be replicated.

> > Yours sincerely, Visti Larsen

> > ------------ --------- --------- --------- ----

> > Jyotish Guru (Vedic Astrologer)

> > www: http://srigaruda. com

> > @: visti@

> >

> > Narasimha P.V.R. Rao skrev:

> > >

> > > Namaste friends,

> > >Ã‚

> > > > Narasimha's list is his own invention...

> > >Ã‚

> > > Parasara *equated* planets to dasavataras of Vishnu in Brihat

> > > Paaraasara Horaa Saastram, an authoritative Jyotish treatise.

> > >Ã‚

> > > As you can see in the verse quoted by Narayan below, dasavataras

of

> > > Vishnu are *equated* to dasa mahavidyas in Munda Maalaa Tantra,

a

> > > respected tantra treatise regarding mahavidyas. For example,

> > > " kR^iShnastu kaalikaa saakShaat raamamUrtishca

taariNI " literally

> > > means " Krishna is literally Kaalika and Rama is

Taarini " . In Hindi, it

> > > can be translated as " Krishen ji to saakshaat Kaalika hain

aur Raam ji

> > > Taarini hain " .

> > >Ã‚

> > > *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚

*Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *

> > >Ã‚

> > > If a and b are *equated* and also b and c are *equated*, it is

logical

> > > to infer that a and c can be equated.

> > >Ã‚

> > > It is mischievous to label this logical inference as my

" own

> > > invention " . The philosophical justification of the mapping

is mine,

> > > but the list is NOT my invention.

> > >Ã‚

> > > Those who want to accept the list given by author Bhattacharya,

who,

> > > according to Sarbani, does not quote a scriptural basis for his

list,

> > > are free to do so. But it is mischievous to call what I gave as

my

> > > " own invention " .

> > >Ã‚

> > > Best regards,

> > > Narasimha

> > >Ã‚

> > > sohamsa@ .com <sohamsa@ .

com>, Visti

> > > Larsen <visti@> wrote:

> > > >

> > > > ??? ??? ?????

> > > > Dear Sarbani and Swee, Namaskar.

> > > > The verse that Narayan Iyer has given mentions nothing

about the Graha

> > > > corresponding to the Mahavidya. The verse is otherwise

mentioned in

> > > MANY

> > > > tantras and is a well known one which shows which Mahavidya

corresponds

> > > > to which Vishnu Avatara.

> > > > Narasimha has merely inferred the Graha linkages and

therefore the list

> > > > is his own research and is NOT supported by any treatise at

all.

> > > > In fact everyone SHOULD be encouraged to follow the list

given by Sri

> > > > Jyotirbhushan Bhattacharya, as he HAS given a direct list

of Graha and

> > > > corresponding Mahavidya. Narasimha's list is his own

invention... the

> > > > sloka mentions nothing about the graha linkages.

> > > >

> > > > Just because Parasara equates Sun to Rama we should think

Sun should

> > > > also be Tarini as per the Mahavidya-Vishnu avatara link?

This is not a

> > > > proper logic, in fact when we were taught the Agni Purana

on the second

> > > > year of Jaimini Sutras, and the names of Vishnu therein, we

saw a

> > > > completely different concept of mapping of the grahas to

the name of

> > > the

> > > > avataras.

> > > > This mapping that Narasimha has suggested is simply not

acceptable

> > > as it

> > > > is too simple an explanation, and doesn't bring out the

real importance

> > > > as to how the Mahavidya and Vishnu Avatara are connected.

I.e. how the

> > > > left foot corresponds to Tara and the right hand

corresponds to Rama,

> > > > whilst the right foot is Kali and the left hand is Krishna

and how the

> > > > hands and feet walk together in sync showing the Gati

(feet) and karma

> > > > (hands) that are connected. This itself was taught to us on

the

> > > first year.

> > > > Yours sincerely, Visti Larsen

> > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- ----

> > > > Jyotish Guru (Vedic Astrologer)

> > > > www: http://srigaruda. com <http://srigaruda. com>

> > > > @: visti@

> Ã‚

>

> Original mail:

>

> Ã‚

>

> > Dear Narayan,

> >Ã‚

> > Thanks for the verse from Munda Maalaa Tantra. Out of all

planet-mahavidya

> > mappings I have seen, this is the most philosophically sound mapping.

> >

> > Sun - Taaraa - Raama

> > Moon - Kaali - Krishna

> > Mars - Bhairavi - Nrisimha

> > Mercury - Maatangi - Buddha

> > Jupiter - Dhumaavati - Vaamana

> > Venus - Chhinnamastaa - Bhaargava Rama

> > Saturn - Bagalamukhi - Koorma

> > Rahu - Bhuvaneswari - Varaaha

> > Ketu - Kamala - Matsya

> >

> > *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚

*Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *

> >

> > Vidya is knowledge. Mahavidya is supreme knowledge. Dasa mahavidyas

are the

> > ten highest forms of knowledge that take us to moksha or liberation,

> > approaching from different angles. Other kinds of knowledge (e.g.

> > mathematics, physics, astronomy, astrology, grammar etc) do not

liberate us.

> > But these ten kinds of knowledge liberate us. The deities (names and

forms

> > described in books for ten mahavidyas) are personifications of those

ten

> > types of supreme knowledge that liberate us.

> >

> > *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚

*Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *

> >

> > Please note one thing here. Moksha means overcoming the maayaa of the

> > duality around us. Seeing some things as desirable, some as undesirable,

> > some as pleasurable, some as painful, some as beautiful, some as ugly

etc is

> > what binds us. Overcoming the duality and seeing all as Brahman is

> > liberation or moksha.

> >

> > Different planets represent different aspects of our selves. The

duality

> > around us and the way to overcome it seem different from different

angles.

> > From the point of view of individual soul (Sun), this maayaa is

something

> > that needs to be overcome by crossing and reaching the other end

(supreme

> > cosmic soul). From the point of view of mind (Moon), this duality is

> > something that clouds the vision and needs to be destroyed so that it

cannot

> > tempt again. From the point of view of the intellect/discrimin

ation/dhee

> > (Jupiter), it issomething that is non-existent anyway ( " so what

was the

> > problem in the first place? " ), like shapes made of smoke. From

the point of

> > view of initiative and energy within us (Mars), it is something that

needs

> > to be fought hard and fearlessly. From the point of view of the

learning

> > ability within us (Mercury), it is something that needs to be learnt

and

> > understood fully so that we can overcome it. From the point of view

of

> > enjoyment and happiness (Venus), it is something that needs to be

accepted

> > and enjoyed and not something to fear or avoid ( " after all, all

is Brahman.

> > Then why stay away from enjoyments? " ). And so on.

> >

> > But remember one important thing. Whichever approach is taken to

overcoming

> > duality, the end result is the same. One first masters the approach.

It

> > becomes part of one's common sense and thinking. One eventually

overcomes

> > duality. One becomes self-realized and becomes liberated. That end

result is

> > the same irrespective of the approach chosen.

> >

> > *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚

*Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *

> >Ã‚

> > Sun is the soul within us. The highest form of knowledge coming from

delving

> > deep into this aspect is what makes one wade (tar=swim/wade/ cross)

the ocean

> > of delusion and get to the source. If you master the knowledge that

helps

> > one view the world as an ocean that needs to be crossed to reach the

> > supreme, other things will follow and you eventually get liberation.

Taaraa

> > personifies this knowledge.

> >Ã‚

> > Moon is the mind within us. The highest form of knowledge coming from

> > delving deep into this aspect is an understanding of attachments and

> > desires, their impermanence and how to kill them. If you master the

> > knowledge that kills all attachments and desires and gives perfect

control

> > on the mind, other things will follow and you eventually get

liberation.

> > Kaali personifies this knowledge.

> >Ã‚

> > Mars is the energy and initiative within us. The highest form of

knowledge

> > coming from delving deep into this aspect is what gives one

fearlessness of

> > anything in the universe. If you master the knowledge that makes you

utterly

> > fearless and you do not fear anything (including death or pain!)

other

> > things will follow and you eventually get liberation. Bhairavi personifies

> > this knowledge.

> >Ã‚

> > Mercury is knowledge and learning ability within us. The highest form

of

> > knowledge coming from delving deep into this aspect is what gives one

> > learning of various topics. If you master the knowledge that give you

> > mastery of all kinds of learning through logical and rational

thinking,

> > other things will follow and you eventually get liberation. Maatangi

> > personifies this knowledge. In fact, some people associate Maatangi

with

> > Saraswati. Saraswati is also known as " Maatanga Kanya " .

> >

> > Jupiter is the intellect, wisdom and discrimination (dhee shakti)

within us.

> > The highest form of knowledge coming from delving deep into this

aspect is

> > that all is delusion. The individual soul and individual mind and

everything

> > they perceive is just an illusion. All that is there is Brahman. Any

other

> > perceptions, of various good or bad things, are just a delusion, like

> > figures made of smoke. If you master the knowledge that makes your

intellect

> > shine, you will realize that the entire world is a delusion and not

deluded

> > by anything anymore. Then other things will follow and you eventually

get

> > liberation. Dhumaavati personifies this knowledge.

> >

> > Venus is the spirit of enjoyment and bliss. The highest form of

knowledge

> > coming from delving deep into this aspect is what makes one egoless

and

> > blissful. If you master the knowledge that makes you utterly fearless

and

> > you do not fear anything, including death or pain, other things will

follow

> > and you eventually get liberation. Chhinnamasta personifies this

knowledge.

> > She is depicted as a deity holding her own severed head, standing

near a

> > naked couple in copulation and surrounded by associates who are

drinking

> > wine. One mastering this knowledge need not stay away from any

pleasures,

> > but one learns to see god even those pleasures. However, pleasure

obtained

> > with an ego ( " *I* am enjoying this act or object " ) binds.

The headless state

> > symbolizes egolessness. If one has overcome I-ness, pleasures are not

> > binding. One not thinking in terms of " *I* am enjoying " but

having no sense

> > of " I " can live life without running away from any

pleasures or undertaking

> > any austerities and yet become liberated.

> >

> > Saturn is the spirit of hard work within us. He also represents our

> > weaknesses and sins. The highest form of knowledge coming from

delving deep

> > into this aspect is what makes us realize our internal enemies and

destroy

> > them. If you master the knowledge that makes you overcome weaknesses

such as

> > laziness and internal enemies such as lust, anger, greed, jealosy

etc, other

> > things will follow and you eventually get liberation. Bagalamukhi

> > personifies this knowledge. Most of her mantras ask to destroy

enemies and

> > so people foolishly think that she is the one who gives success in

> > litigation and worship her for court cases. This is like going to a

king to

> > ask for two spoons of sugar for your milk. You go to the king for

bigger

> > things and a neighbor is enough for giving you two spoons of sugar.

The

> > enemies destroyed by Bagalamukhi are internal enemies and your own

laziness.

> > Remember, she is a mahavidya, i.e. a type of supreme knowledge that

> > liberates you!

> >Ã‚

> > Rahu is the spirit of material well-being within us. Rahu is the one

who

> > binds us to rebirth (this is why Saturn showing sins and Rahu showing

> > rebirth are important in the death chart). The highest form of

knowledge

> > coming from delving deep into this aspect is what gives us worldly

success

> > in a dhaarmik way. If you master the knowledge that makes you

materially

> > successful in a dharmik way, you become successful and fulfil all

your

> > duties and debts in the world and eventually get liberation.

Bhuvaneswari

> > personifies this knowledge.

> >

> > Ketu is the spirit of of detachment and Vedic knowledge within us.

The

> > highest form of knowledge coming from delving deep into this aspect

is the

> > essense of Veda. If you master the knowledge that enables you to be

in

> > oneness with the supreme cosmic being, you eventually get liberation.

Kamala

> > (Mahaalakshmi) personifies this knowledge. According to saptashati

rahasya

> > also, Mahaalakshmi is the Aadyaa (the first One). She is the energy

of

> > supreme cosmic being. She divides Herself into 3 parts - Mahaakaali,

> > Mahaalakshmi and MahaaSaraswati and they create Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva

and

> > their consorts. Kamala represents the knowledge of the supreme cosmic

energy

> > of the supreme cosmic being.

> >

> > *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚

*Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *

> >

> > One of the above is not superior to the other. Depending on your

vasanas

> > (mental conditioning) , attitudes, likes and dislikes, depending on

which

> > aspect of your personality dominates over other aspects (the

sinfulness and

> > weaknesses? or the interest in learning things? or the spirit of

fighting?

> > or the sense of enjoyment? etc), one Mahavidya may be more suitable

than

> > others, as that knowledge uses your strong aspect and moulds that

aspect to

> > take you towards liberation. Do not compare them. Take the one that

is most

> > suitable, but do master that aspect.

> >

> > *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚

*Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *

> >

> > There are some who do Dasa Mahavidya sadhana by doing one Mahavidya's

mantra

> > for one month, then switch to another and so on. They think that by

doing

> > each mahavidya mantra for a certain count, they " finish "

the mahavidya

> > sadhana. This is wrong and serves no useful purpose. Instead, one should

> > pick any ONE mahavidya and succeed in that sadhana. The definition of

> > success is that the knowledge represented by that deity becomes part

of your

> > common sense - you understand that knowledge and ooze that knowledge

in your

> > thoughts and actions. Whether you experience the deity as an external

> > human-like form (who may impart some knowledge to you) or as an

internal

> > human-like form or as light or as sound is secondary, but the end

result

> > should be that the knowledge represented by Her should become common

sense

> > and second nature to you. One claiming visions or siddhi of a

mahavidya but

> > not showing the corresponding knowledge is bluffing.

> >

> > There are many people who do mahavidya sadhana and yet many others

who claim

> > to have siddhi in one or more mahavidyas, but very few who actually

possess

> > any of the ten mahavidyas. The area of mahavidya sadhana is one of

the most

> > ill-understood in today's age of ignorance and half-baked knowledge.

It is

> > easier to possess lower vidyas or lower shaktis, but mahavidyas are

beyond

> > the capability of understanding for most people.

> >

> > Best regards,

> > Narasimha

>

> --

> Om Akhanda mandalaakaaram

> vyaptam yena charaa charam

> tatpadam darsita yena

> tasmai sri gurave namaha

>

> Own a website.Get an unlimited package.Pay next to nothing.*Go to

http://in.business./

>

June 11, 2009

Hare Rama Krishna,

Dear Sarbani,

It is so good to hear from you...First of all I would like to correct a wrong impression, which I may have made inadvertedly: I certainly DO appreciate the many ,diverse lineages and traditions of the Mahavidyas. In fact, I am continually amazed at the wonderful richness and wealth of the many traditions.To me all this is an unceasing wonder to behold.

The second wrong impression which many people may have when they talk about "Tibetan" tantra. There is no such thing, in fact. All the great Tantras currently "in use" in Vajrayana circles have not only their origin in India, but actually wholesale "imports".

All the Bhairava Tantras,the great Chakrasamvara,Vajrayogini,Yamantaka,Saraswati etc Tantras are pure Indian Tantras.

Someone on this list incidentally, earlier on ,wrote about the "Tibetan Kalachakra". This is of course an oxymoron.The many volumes of the Kalachakra Tantra were written in India and made their transition into Tibet around the 11th century CE. In fact, historically the bulk of Kalachakra Tantra was recorded in Bengal. (The 800+++ page volume of Vimalaprabha is now published in English,was written by a Bengali Adept, detailing outer/inner and secret Kalachakra.Worth reading)

It would be somewhat comical if some people start to refer to "authentic Californian Vedic Astrology" or something like that. Just because Jyotish is now "imported" into Tinseltown,that would scarsely justify calling it "Hollywood Vedic tradition". Similarly,it is a misnomer to refer to the many Tantras in Tibet as Tibetan.

I also appreciate that many of the scholars- and some of them are truly outstanding-have a certain agenda to further. Many scholars are this way. That was certainly true of Woodroffe. The man was a product of his time (actually a bit ahead) came out of a particular milieu-(Judeo-Christian/Colonial white/anglo saxon/protestant) and wanted to prove a point. He certainly did, but at least he was an honest scholar.

Now to your observations about saddhana.Oh, how I agree with you that the Mahavidyas can only been known through saddhana! But I would like to add something here: this Saddhana must be in secret, away from the gaze of the world as it is intensely intimate.

All real sadhaks will keep their practice to themselves.(Silence is golden)In fact, most real sadhaks in these matters will jealously guard their privacy.This world is full of esoteric "voyeurs" who out of curiosity collect (like some kind of trophy or spiritual memorabilia)Mantras,Yantras etc- but actually seldom do the real work.These folks unceasingly want to pry open or wrench, out of sheer curiosity-some "secrets" of the Mahavidyas. Occasionally,while surfing the web, I come across well intentioned though totally misleading recommendations for "astrological remedies", using one or more (now published) Mahavidya mantras. How misguided! No doubt you and many others have run across such sites.The web seems to be full of them.

For the benefit of members on the ,list let me relate a recent experience of mine, actually a path not taken, out of caution.

A few months ago a rare opportunity came my way to receive Purna diskha in Chinmasta Vidya. The Yogi (Acharya)has spent 27 years, much of it in total seclusion in Chinmasta Mahavidya saddhana. There were years (yes YEARS), when he even took a vow not even to lie down to sleep. (although he allowed himself to lean against the wall, while standing up- still not a great way to sleep)

He has perfected the outer and inner Saddhanas.He- to the best of my knowledge- did't practice any other Mahavidya- just Chinmasta ("just").

At first, I jumped at the opportunity to receive the diksha. Then the following was explained to me:

The diksha itself will take 2 full days.The full ceremony is very elaborate and intense.Various parts of the body is touched by the Acharya,who literally "drives" the various Nyasas into the body (actually the subtler vehicles). It is a one-to-one encounter.The Tantric Guru takes this very seriously.

After the diksha, I was to take off 10 days, in a semi retreat situation, when the Acharya will thoroughly explain the method and intricacies of the saddhana.

I must make a commitment to do the japa of the Mula Mantra 2 million times with FULL/Intense commitment and concentration- within a certain period of time (rather short)- and under very special conditions.

These practices have what is known as "guardians".Sort of a safety mechanism built into the Mahavidyas. These protector/Guardians make sure that the sankalpa is enforced- or else!

After taking stock of my present commitments along similar lines,I have decided not to take this path-at this time-because I was't sure I could fulfill the resolutions (one could even call it oath) as it is required.

Hopefully in some future time when outer conditions will be more favourable- this will be open to me again.

I have offered this account mainly for the benefit of some junior members of this list, who may be tempted to "jump in" so to speak- prematurely into Mahavidya practice, without adequate preparation and/or instruction.Or worse,recommend some of these mantras for astrological "prophylactic" measure.

And just a personal note to Sarbani: I deeply appreciate and treasure your connection to Thakur…. I often touch his feet

Thank you

with deep respect to all

AJ

sohamsa , "Sarbani Rath" <sarbani wrote:>> Hare Rama Krishna> > Dear Arpad,> > Indeed Bagalamukhi is unmistakably Mars. Sadhakas will know that. As far as the Graha-Mahavidya mapping is concerned, what you state, with minor overlapping, is what is commonly practiced in most of the traditions. There is no other list of mapping. At least not that we are aware of. Of course this can be open for debate and speculation, as Narasimha is doing. Multiple mappings are available for mahavidya-avatara co-relations. This is primarily a Purusha-Prakriti relationship, and different traditions will albeit view it differently. David Kinsley has written quite extensively on this aspect. Different Avatar-Mahavidya co-relations are given in the Guhyatiguhya Tantra, the Todala tantra, the Mundamala Tantra and some other articles as well. He provides another list given by Swami Sadhananda Shastri of Varanasi which goes thus:> > Bagalamukhi â€" Vamana> > Kamala â€" Vishnu> > Kali â€" Krishna> > Tara â€" Rama> > Bhairavi â€" Rudra> > Chhinnamasta â€" Matsya> > Matangi â€" Brahma> > Dhumavati â€" Varaha> > Sodasi â€" Siva> > Bhuvaneshwari â€" Nirakar Brahman> > The GREAT vidya as you mention also differs from the Kalikula and the Srikula traditions, does it not? Kalikula upholds Kali. While Srikula Tripura. All tantra tradiitons hold Kali, Tara and Tripura to be the three primary mahavidyas. The debates over the various lineages are unresolved and that is how it should be. I feel we are richer with the plurality of traditions. There will be one group who will strongly vouch for Vedic origins of the tantras, like Swami Pragyananada, historian Chintaharan Chakravarti, M. S. Bhatt, Bhaskaray, even Woodroffe to name a few. They claim Srividya to be Atharvavedaswarupini and quote Shaunakaâ€™s Rishirgvidhan. They are impervious to the exchange with Tibet and Mahachin. It is immaterial who took what from whom. That there was an exchange and influence is undeniable. It is undeniable that Vajravairocini (mantra devata for Chhinnamasta) figured prominently in Buddhist mantragraphy. Elisabeth Ann Benard has shown that beautifully in her slim volume, with complete Buddhist and Hindu renditions of the Chhinnamasta mantra. Historians of the art and culture of Orissa, have explored this aspect quite deeply. But, yes, there are far too many traditions and lineages, sects and sub-sects and sub-sub-sects, to dogmatically pronouce â€œI know bestâ€, â€œI am rightâ€ and â€œeveryone else is wrongâ€!! > > Best Regards,> > Sarbani Rath> > Homepage: <http://sarbani.com/> http://sarbani.com> > Sagittarius Publications: <http://sagittariuspublications.com/> http://sagittariuspublications.com> > Sohamsa: <http://sohamsa.com/> http://sohamsa.com> > Sri Jagannath Centre: <http://.org/> http://.org> > > > sohamsa [sohamsa ] On Behalf Of Arpad Joo> 10 June 2009 07:51> sohamsa > Re: The emergence of the Mahavidyas in history...> > > > > > > > > Hare Rama Krishna,> > > > Dear Rajarshi,> > you may be quite right. It is possible that in Parashara's time the worship and sadhanas of the Mahavidyas were non existent.> > Scholars (sometimes) passionately debate the exact date of Parashara. This may be somewhat difficult to ascertain by modern,accepted scholarship- as opposed to mythological and faith-based (more-or -less) guesswork.> > However the the historicity of the Mahavidyas are a different matter. This can be dated with confidence.The first one- it seems -to emerge is Tara, about 1,500 years ago.This was, in all probability of the Buddhist kind. In fact the Buddhist version of Tara was very prevalent and widespread in India already 1,200 years ago, from (present day)Orissa to South India. Everywhere. > > Then Ekajata, Bhrikuti,Nila Saraswati,Kali,Shri,Vasudharini,Cunda and eventually by about 1000 years ago the Mahavidyas- as we know them today were fully in view.> > Now, the Mahavidyas are eternal.The emergence of a particular worship,rite or saddhana however happens in historical time (chronological time)- according to the needs (and karma) of the time. The Great Compassionate Mother will reveal herself in different forms-and different times for the benefit of her devotees.> > It may be shocking for some even to contemplate that some of the Mahavidyas in fact were "borrowed" from Tantric Buddhist (Vajrayana) circles. The truth of the matter is somewhat more nuanced.Back then, some 1,500 years ago there was not so much difference between Buddhist or Hindu tantra.Certainly the two groups have interacted and learned a great deal from each other.(used the same cremation grounds- after all)The mantras,mudras etc were the same. (Much like in today's Bali in Indonesia, or even some places in Nepal)> > Even a few hundred years back respectable Hindu tantrics recommended learning Tara Mahavidya- in it's full form-in "Mahacina"- which is Tibet. If you would visit some Newari (Buddhist)Vajracharyas in Nepal, you would also discover that they practice a "Krodha Kali" Mahavidya, which is nearly identical what is practiced in Bengal (by Hindu tantrics).> > We also need to keep in mind that there are many different lineages for the Mahavidyas, both Hindu and Buddhist (although the line of demarcation between them is almost invisible sometimes). This may account for the difference in the correlations of the Grahas to the Mahavidyas. Even in the same Mahavidyas there are many lineages.> > Let me relate a meeting which took place a year ago between two adepts of Shri Vidya.One of the adepts was from Kerala and the other from Bengal.As it is quite well known, the Kerala Shri Vidya tradition proudly traces it's spiritual ancestry to the great Shankaracharya.Moreover, it is assumed that all the existing Shri Vidya lineages descend from him.> > My Kerala Adept -as he related this to me- was dumbfounded when he became aware that the Bengali Shri Vidya tradition traces it's "ancestry" way before Shankara. Then they compared "notes" as it were- and discovered a treasurehouse of hitherto unknown saddhanas, prayogas etc.The Bengali adept for instance was amazed that the Kerala Shri Vidya tradition has (among many, many other things), shava saddhana.And so on.> > And now to the famous "list" of the Grahas to the Mahavidyas....> > With some confidence I can state that in one of the Shri Vidya traditions Bagalamukhi is correlated with Mars(She is called the Leader of her Heavenly armies) and Matangi with Mercury (She is called the counsellor, Mantrini).The GREAT Vidya, the supreme one, of course is correlated with the SUN.-Please note that in some circles Shri Vidya is called the Tantric Gayatri.(Frankly,Matangi Devi's deep EMERALD green colour and her parrot, her function as a Tantric Saraswati fits rather well with Mercury.Bagalamukhi is clearly, unmistakenly Mars.) The rest is the same as Sarbani has given.> > With deep respect to all:> > > > AJ> > > > sohamsa , rajarshi nandy rajarshi14@ wrote:> >> > NamasteÃ‚ > > Ã‚ > > One possibility could be that during Parashara's time, the worship of the Mahavidyas was not prevelant as much as it was in later periods of history. That is why there is no direct correlation provided by him. > > Ã‚ > > Or, if theÃ‚ worship wasÃ‚ prevelant even those days, then Parashara may have deliberately not included such a co relation mybe because each ofÃ‚ MahavidyasÃ‚ have a more complex connection,Ã‚ not a direct oneÃ‚ to one mapping. > > Ã‚ > > -Regards> > Ã‚ Rajarshi> > > > > > > > The upsurge (of consciousness) is Bhairava - Shiva Sutra> > > > --- On Tue, 9/6/09, Vishnu Jandhyala jvishnu@ wrote:> > > > > > Vishnu Jandhyala jvishnu@> > Re: Consorts of Dasa Mahavidyas Given in Todala Tantra> > sohamsa > > Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 7:50 PM> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hare Rama Krishna,> > > > Dear Narasimha, Visti, Sarbani et al,> > > > Namaste,> > > > Could all of you please tone down the rhetoric so that we can discuss the issue at hand. I have a few basic questions and hope atleast one among you can answer it/them! > > > > 1) Can any of you provide a direct quote from any of the 64 authentic tantras that relates maha vidyas to planets? > > > > 2) Who do tantras stop after mapping/relating maha vidyas to dasa avataras?> > > > 3) Why hasn't Parasara related grahas to maha vidyas, where as he found it so convenient to relate them to dasa avataras?> > > > warm regards,> > Vishnu> > > > > > On Tue, Jun 9, 2009 at 2:34 AM, Sarbani Rath sarbani@srijagannat h.org> wrote:> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hare Rama Krishna> > Namastestu Mahamaye...> > Dear Narsimha,> > Ã‚ (Narasimha) Friends, there may be an outcry to my writings from astrologers used to a different planet-mahavidya mapÃ‚ (which is NOT sanctioned by any scripture and yet popular today in some circles). I may not be able to respond to all the mails.> > An outcry??? Regarding what?? No, no you have got the wrong end of the stick here. The planet-mahavidya mapping is used by many priests and pundits who are in no way associated with SJC. They even have them up in their websites. So please do not start an agenda of saying this is Ã¢â‚¬Å"SJCÃ¢â‚¬ÂÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s version/unsanctione d etc. Let us instead have an intellectual theological debate, which is far more interesting. YOU can say that though in practice most priests and books follow a certain norm of planet-mahavidya co-relation, but on reflection a different order appeals to you and you are sharing that with us. > > Mundamala Tantra is just one of the tantras, and not the top of the rung. It would be interesting to see what the Mahanirvan, the Gyanarnava, the Pranatoshini, the Mahanil, the Kularnava tantras and specially the Yamala texts have to say on this. I am delighted that you have at last succumbed to Devi worship. I remember 2-3 years back in Boston you rejected all kinds of Devi worship including the Sri Sri Chandi.> > Mahavidya is THE supreme knowledge. When you write:> > (Narasimha) From the perspective of Venus (enjoyment), this duality needs to be enjoyed and not run away from. The symbolism behind Chhinnamasta depicted accompanied by a naked couple in copulation and associates drinking wine is that nothing is impure and all is Brahman. That is the take of Venus (enjoyment).> > Correctly you have pointed out that we should not be superficial. To say that the symbolism behind the copulating couple in ChhinnamastaÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ s iconography is about enjoyment is highly superficial. You have missed the boat here. Chhinnamasta is all about suppressing that. There have been many works by renowned scholars in both east and the west on this. There is surely nothing wrong with Venus. The problem occurs when Rahu is associated Venus. ThatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s when we talk of re-directing that undesirable carnal energy. Chhinnamasta represents that unleashed carnality of Rahu. Venus on the other hand is the purest of them all. After all he gets exalted in the sign of maharishis. Venus has the capacity to bloom like the lotus from the cesspool like mud of life. At a deeper level, this blooming of the lotus is really the blooming of our soul, the awakening. That is why the Sharadatilaka tantra advises us to worship Kamalatmika in water as the sun rises. In her> > mantra she is addressed as Jagatprasutyai ...the one who gives birth h to this world. Ã‚ I think you need to work a little more on this, and I am sure Mother will show the way. There are fantastic works done on the mahavidyas by many exponents from the different gurukuls of India, though of course no one writes the really deeper level experiences which can only stem from sadhana. > > Incidentally, there are many quiet members in these lists who are extremely spiritual and any of whom have years of experience in devi worship. I appeal to them to share their experiences with us.> > Best Regards,> > Sarbani Rath> > Homepage: http://sarbani. com> > Sagittarius Publications: http://sagittariusp ublications. com> > Sohamsa: http://sohamsa. com> > Sri Jagannath Centre: http:// .org> > Ã‚ > > > > > > sohamsa@ .com [sohamsa@ .com] On Behalf Of Narasimha P.V.R. Rao> > 09 June 2009 09:48> > sohamsa@ .com; ; vedic astrology; > > Consorts of Dasa Mahavidyas Given in Todala Tantra> > > > > > > > Ã‚ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Namaste,> > > > Ã‚ > > > > > Great... so because crows are black, as is Krishna's complexion, so > > > Crows and Krishna are both Moon. People here know better than that.> > Ã‚ > > > > I never talked of superficial things such as "complexion". Moreover, you are replacing Kaalika with crows in your sircasm and making fun really of Tantra and Parasara.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *> > > > Ã‚ > > > > > Here's another list for you from Todala Tantra:> > > > > > <see below for list>> > > > > > > > These are the Mahavidya (left) and their spouses (right side). See that > > > Mahatripurasundari's spouse is Somanatha, and surely the name Soma-Natha > > > implies that he is the Jyotirlinga associated with the Moon. But in your > > > list Moon is Kali, so where are we at now with the logic you used and > > > the list you have derived?> > Ã‚ > > > > Instead of getting caught in superficial and extraneous factors, let us go to the crux.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > Mahavidyas and their consorts are not showing the same thing, but two different things that have a synergy. The list of planets mapping to mahavidyas and those mapping to mahavidya consorts will accordingly have to be different. I will elaborate with examples.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > Each mahavidya represents one form of liberating supreme knowledge that helps one overcome duality and become liberated, starting from different vantage points within duality and approaching liberation from them. Consorts are the factors that aid in that approach.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *> > > > Ã‚ > > > > For example, Kaali is equated to Krishna by Munda Maalaa Tantra and Krishna is equated to Moon by Parasara. So Kaali is shown by Moon. From the perspective of Moon (mind), this duality is a very troublesome temptation and the way to overcome itÃ‚ is to realize its impermanence and destroy the duality so that it cannot tempt again.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > During this process, the ideal companion of Moon is Saturn (vairagya and discipline). So the consort of Kaali shown by Moon is Mahakala shown by Saturn.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > Take Taaraa. She is equated to Raama by Munda Maalaa Tantra and Raama is equated to Sun by Parasara. So Taaraa is shown by Sun. From the perspective of Sun (soul), this duality is an ocean of delusion that needs to be waded across to reach the supreme cosmic soul.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > During this process, the ideal companion of Sun is Jupiter (intelligence and discrimination) . Just as rajaguru (Jupiter) guides king (Sun), the intellect and discrimination will aid soul in the process of wading the ocean of duality and reaching the supreme. So the consort of Taaraa shown by Sun is Akshobhya shown by Jupiter.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > Take Chhinnamasta. She is equated to Bhaargava Raama by Munda Maalaa Tantra and Bhaargava Raama is equated to Venus by Parasara. So Chhinnamasta is shown by Venus. From the perspective of Venus (enjoyment), this duality needs to be enjoyed and not run away from. The symbolism behind Chhinnamasta depicted accompanied by a naked couple in copulation and associates drinking wine is that nothing is impure and all is Brahman. That is the take of Venus (enjoyment).> > > > Ã‚ > > > > During this process, the ideal companion of Venus (enjoyment) is Ketu (detachment and egolessness) . Only when the enjoyment is gone through without ego and identification can it be conducive to liberation. So the consort of Chhinnamasta shown by Venus is Shiva-Kabandha shown by Ketu. Kabandha means the headless one.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > As Dhumaavati is shown by Jupiter (dhee, i.e. intellect and discrimination) , there is no need for a companion. If the force of dhee is there, one realizes that all is god and does not distinguish between good and bad, happy and sad etc and becomes liberated easily.Ã‚ One with a strong aatmabala or manobala can waver and may need supplementing influences, but one with a strong dheeshakti is fine. There is no supplementing influence.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > > > *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *> > > > Ã‚ > > > > Now let us take your example. Mahatripuarasundari is equated to Kalki by Munda Mala Tantra and Kalki is equated to lagna by Maharshi Parasara. So Tripura is lagna.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > While Sun and Moon show the soul and mind, lagna shows the individualized consciousness through which we operate in the world. It includes body and more. It is lagna through which we act in the world. From the point of view of lagna, duality is to be overcome by doing what is expected from us by Nature and engaging in actions. Tripura personifies the supreme liberating knowledge of using the individualized consciousness to engage in perfect actions in the world to liberate oneself.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > Now, the most useful companion of lagna in this process is Moon (mind). The actor within you (lagna) needs mind as mind tells the actor what to do. Thus, the ideal companion of lagna is Moon. Accordingly, the consort of Mahatripurasundari shown by lagna is Somanatha shown by Moon.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *> > > > Ã‚ > > > > You can find similar logic for all of them. Here is the full list:> > > > Ã‚ > > > > 1. Kaali (Moon) - Mahaa Kaala (Saturn)> > 2. Taaraa (Sun)Ã‚ - Akshobhya (Jupiter)> > 3. Mahatripurisundari (Lagna) - Somanaatha (Moon)> > 4. Bhuvaneswari (Rahu) - Tryambaka (Venus)> > 5. BhairaviÃ‚ (Mars) - Dakshinaamurti (Sun)> > 6. Chhinamastaa (Venus) - Shiva-Kabandha (Ketu)> > 7. Dhumavati (Jupiter) - None> > 8. Bagalaamukhi (Saturn) - Mahaa Rudra (Mars)> > 9. Maatangi (Mercury) - Shiva Maatanga (Rahu)> > 10. Kamalatmika (Ketu) - Vishnurupi Sadaashiva (Mercury)> > > > Ã‚ > > > > Short notes on the ones I did not cover before:> > > > Ã‚ > > > > Bhairavi represents the path of Mars, i.e. viewing the duality as a challenge that needs to be fought hard and fearlessly and not fear anything, including death and pain. The ideal companion is aatmabala, represented by Sun, just as a good king (Sun) is an ideal supplement for a good commander (Mars).> > > > Ã‚ > > > > Bagalaamukhi represents the path of Saturn, i.e. viewing the duality as that which results from one's own weaknesses, sinsÃ‚ and internal enemies and seeing a conquest of internal enemies as the key to overcoming duality. The fighting spirit represented by Mars is the ideal companion in the process of overcoming enemies. Mahaa Rudra shown by Mars is hence the consort of Bagalamukhi.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > Maatangi represents the path of Mercury, i.e. viewing the duality as that which needs to be learnt, understood, mastered and then overcome. Free thinking without boundaries, represented by Rahu, is the ideal companion in this path. Maatanga means free spirited one or free roamer and Shiva Maatanga is such a form of Shiva. He is the consort of Maatangi.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *> > > > Ã‚ > > > > Friends, there may be an outcry to my writings from astrologers used to a different planet-mahavidya mapÃ‚ (which is NOT sanctioned by any scripture and yet popular today in some circles). I may not be able to respond to all the mails.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > But please do bear in mind that there is a simple and uniform philosophy behind the concept of Mahavidyas. Flowery expositions without a uniform philosophy and even a basic uniform understanding of what Mahavidyas are for are useless. If you are told logic like "Tripurasundari holds sugarcane. Mercury shows sugar cane. So Tripurasundari is shown by Mercury", reject such superficial logic. If somebody tells you that a mahavidya is for winning lawsuits or for getting power or getting wealth, reject such things.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > Please remember that mahavidyas are forms of *supreme liberating knowledge*. The path to liberation looks different from the point of view of different planets.> > > > Ã‚ > > > > Best regards,> > Narasimha> > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------> > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam> > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana> > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom> > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net> > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org> > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org> > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- > > Ã‚ > > > > sohamsa@ .com, Visti Larsen visti@ wrote:> > >> > > ??? ??? ?????> > > Dear Narasimha, Namaskar.> > > Great... so because crows are black, as is Krishna's complexion, so > > > Crows and Krishna are both Moon. People here know better than that.> > > Here's another list for you from Todala Tantra:> > > > > > 1. Dakshina/Kali - MahaKaal> > > 2. Tara - Akshobya> > > 3. Mahatripurisundari - Panchanan/Somanath> > > 4. Bhuvaneswari - Tryambaka> > > 5. BhairaviÃ‚ - Dakshinamurti> > > 6. Chinamaste - Shiva-Kabandha> > > 7. Dhumavati -> > > 8. Bagalamukhi - Maharudra> > > 9. Matangi - Shiva Matanga> > > 10. Kamalatmika - Sadashiva> > > > > > These are the Mahavidya (left) and their spouses (right side). See that > > > Mahatripurasundari's spouse is Somanatha, and surely the name Soma-Natha > > > implies that he is the Jyotirlinga associated with the Moon. But in your > > > list Moon is Kali, so where are we at now with the logic you used and > > > the list you have derived?> > > Again I re-iterate that the logic you have used is not right as it > > > cannot be replicated.> > > Yours sincerely, Visti Larsen> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- ----> > > Jyotish Guru (Vedic Astrologer)> > > www: http://srigaruda. com> > > @: visti@> > > > > > Narasimha P.V.R. Rao skrev:> > > >> > > >> > > > Namaste friends,> > > >Ã‚ > > > > > Narasimha's list is his own invention...> > > >Ã‚ > > > > Parasara *equated* planets to dasavataras of Vishnu in Brihat > > > > Paaraasara Horaa Saastram, an authoritative Jyotish treatise.> > > >Ã‚ > > > > As you can see in the verse quoted by Narayan below, dasavataras of > > > > Vishnu are *equated* to dasa mahavidyas in Munda Maalaa Tantra, a > > > > respected tantra treatise regarding mahavidyas. For example, > > > > "kR^iShnastu kaalikaa saakShaat raamamUrtishca taariNI" literally > > > > means "Krishna is literally Kaalika and Rama is Taarini". In Hindi, it > > > > can be translated as "Krishen ji to saakshaat Kaalika hain aur Raam ji > > > > Taarini hain".> > > >Ã‚ > > > > *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *> > > >Ã‚ > > > > If a and b are *equated* and also b and c are *equated*, it is logical > > > > to infer that a and c can be equated.> > > >Ã‚ > > > > It is mischievous to label this logical inference as my "own > > > > invention". The philosophical justification of the mapping is mine, > > > > but the list is NOT my invention.> > > >Ã‚ > > > > Those who want to accept the list given by author Bhattacharya, who, > > > > according to Sarbani, does not quote a scriptural basis for his list, > > > > are free to do so. But it is mischievous to call what I gave as my > > > > "own invention".> > > >Ã‚ > > > > Best regards,> > > > Narasimha> > > >Ã‚ > > > > sohamsa@ .com <sohamsa>, Visti > > > > Larsen <visti@> wrote:> > > > >> > > > > ??? ??? ?????> > > > > Dear Sarbani and Swee, Namaskar.> > > > > The verse that Narayan Iyer has given mentions nothing about the Graha> > > > > corresponding to the Mahavidya. The verse is otherwise mentioned in > > > > MANY> > > > > tantras and is a well known one which shows which Mahavidya corresponds> > > > > to which Vishnu Avatara.> > > > > Narasimha has merely inferred the Graha linkages and therefore the list> > > > > is his own research and is NOT supported by any treatise at all.> > > > > In fact everyone SHOULD be encouraged to follow the list given by Sri> > > > > Jyotirbhushan Bhattacharya, as he HAS given a direct list of Graha and> > > > > corresponding Mahavidya. Narasimha's list is his own invention... the> > > > > sloka mentions nothing about the graha linkages.> > > > >> > > > > Just because Parasara equates Sun to Rama we should think Sun should> > > > > also be Tarini as per the Mahavidya-Vishnu avatara link? This is not a> > > > > proper logic, in fact when we were taught the Agni Purana on the second> > > > > year of Jaimini Sutras, and the names of Vishnu therein, we saw a> > > > > completely different concept of mapping of the grahas to the name of > > > > the> > > > > avataras.> > > > > This mapping that Narasimha has suggested is simply not acceptable > > > > as it> > > > > is too simple an explanation, and doesn't bring out the real importance> > > > > as to how the Mahavidya and Vishnu Avatara are connected. I.e. how the> > > > > left foot corresponds to Tara and the right hand corresponds to Rama,> > > > > whilst the right foot is Kali and the left hand is Krishna and how the> > > > > hands and feet walk together in sync showing the Gati (feet) and karma> > > > > (hands) that are connected. This itself was taught to us on the > > > > first year.> > > > > Yours sincerely, Visti Larsen> > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- ----> > > > > Jyotish Guru (Vedic Astrologer)> > > > > www: http://srigaruda. com <http://srigaruda. com>> > > > > @: visti@> > Ã‚ > > > > Original mail:> > > > Ã‚ > > > > > Dear Narayan,> > >Ã‚ > > > Thanks for the verse from Munda Maalaa Tantra. Out of all planet-mahavidya> > > mappings I have seen, this is the most philosophically sound mapping.> > > > > > Sun - Taaraa - Raama> > > Moon - Kaali - Krishna> > > Mars - Bhairavi - Nrisimha> > > Mercury - Maatangi - Buddha> > > Jupiter - Dhumaavati - Vaamana> > > Venus - Chhinnamastaa - Bhaargava Rama> > > Saturn - Bagalamukhi - Koorma> > > Rahu - Bhuvaneswari - Varaaha> > > Ketu - Kamala - Matsya> > > > > > *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *> > > > > > Vidya is knowledge. Mahavidya is supreme knowledge. Dasa mahavidyas are the> > > ten highest forms of knowledge that take us to moksha or liberation,> > > approaching from different angles. Other kinds of knowledge (e.g.> > > mathematics, physics, astronomy, astrology, grammar etc) do not liberate us.> > > But these ten kinds of knowledge liberate us. The deities (names and forms> > > described in books for ten mahavidyas) are personifications of those ten> > > types of supreme knowledge that liberate us.> > > > > > *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *> > > > > > Please note one thing here. Moksha means overcoming the maayaa of the> > > duality around us. Seeing some things as desirable, some as undesirable,> > > some as pleasurable, some as painful, some as beautiful, some as ugly etc is> > > what binds us. Overcoming the duality and seeing all as Brahman is> > > liberation or moksha.> > > > > > Different planets represent different aspects of our selves. The duality> > > around us and the way to overcome it seem different from different angles.> > > From the point of view of individual soul (Sun), this maayaa is something> > > that needs to be overcome by crossing and reaching the other end (supreme> > > cosmic soul). From the point of view of mind (Moon), this duality is> > > something that clouds the vision and needs to be destroyed so that it cannot> > > tempt again. From the point of view of the intellect/discrimin ation/dhee> > > (Jupiter), it issomething that is non-existent anyway ("so what was the> > > problem in the first place?"), like shapes made of smoke. From the point of> > > view of initiative and energy within us (Mars), it is something that needs> > > to be fought hard and fearlessly. From the point of view of the learning> > > ability within us (Mercury), it is something that needs to be learnt and> > > understood fully so that we can overcome it. From the point of view of> > > enjoyment and happiness (Venus), it is something that needs to be accepted> > > and enjoyed and not something to fear or avoid ("after all, all is Brahman.> > > Then why stay away from enjoyments?"). And so on.> > > > > > But remember one important thing. Whichever approach is taken to overcoming> > > duality, the end result is the same. One first masters the approach. It> > > becomes part of one's common sense and thinking. One eventually overcomes> > > duality. One becomes self-realized and becomes liberated. That end result is> > > the same irrespective of the approach chosen.> > > > > > *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *> > >Ã‚ > > > Sun is the soul within us. The highest form of knowledge coming from delving> > > deep into this aspect is what makes one wade (tar=swim/wade/ cross) the ocean> > > of delusion and get to the source. If you master the knowledge that helps> > > one view the world as an ocean that needs to be crossed to reach the> > > supreme, other things will follow and you eventually get liberation. Taaraa> > > personifies this knowledge.> > >Ã‚ > > > Moon is the mind within us. The highest form of knowledge coming from> > > delving deep into this aspect is an understanding of attachments and> > > desires, their impermanence and how to kill them. If you master the> > > knowledge that kills all attachments and desires and gives perfect control> > > on the mind, other things will follow and you eventually get liberation.> > > Kaali personifies this knowledge.> > >Ã‚ > > > Mars is the energy and initiative within us. The highest form of knowledge> > > coming from delving deep into this aspect is what gives one fearlessness of> > > anything in the universe. If you master the knowledge that makes you utterly> > > fearless and you do not fear anything (including death or pain!) other> > > things will follow and you eventually get liberation. Bhairavi personifies> > > this knowledge.> > >Ã‚ > > > Mercury is knowledge and learning ability within us. The highest form of> > > knowledge coming from delving deep into this aspect is what gives one> > > learning of various topics. If you master the knowledge that give you> > > mastery of all kinds of learning through logical and rational thinking,> > > other things will follow and you eventually get liberation. Maatangi> > > personifies this knowledge. In fact, some people associate Maatangi with> > > Saraswati. Saraswati is also known as "Maatanga Kanya".> > > > > > Jupiter is the intellect, wisdom and discrimination (dhee shakti) within us.> > > The highest form of knowledge coming from delving deep into this aspect is> > > that all is delusion. The individual soul and individual mind and everything> > > they perceive is just an illusion. All that is there is Brahman. Any other> > > perceptions, of various good or bad things, are just a delusion, like> > > figures made of smoke. If you master the knowledge that makes your intellect> > > shine, you will realize that the entire world is a delusion and not deluded> > > by anything anymore. Then other things will follow and you eventually get> > > liberation. Dhumaavati personifies this knowledge.> > > > > > Venus is the spirit of enjoyment and bliss. The highest form of knowledge> > > coming from delving deep into this aspect is what makes one egoless and> > > blissful. If you master the knowledge that makes you utterly fearless and> > > you do not fear anything, including death or pain, other things will follow> > > and you eventually get liberation. Chhinnamasta personifies this knowledge.> > > She is depicted as a deity holding her own severed head, standing near a> > > naked couple in copulation and surrounded by associates who are drinking> > > wine. One mastering this knowledge need not stay away from any pleasures,> > > but one learns to see god even those pleasures. However, pleasure obtained> > > with an ego ("*I* am enjoying this act or object") binds. The headless state> > > symbolizes egolessness. If one has overcome I-ness, pleasures are not> > > binding. One not thinking in terms of "*I* am enjoying" but having no sense> > > of "I" can live life without running away from any pleasures or undertaking> > > any austerities and yet become liberated.> > > > > > Saturn is the spirit of hard work within us. He also represents our> > > weaknesses and sins. The highest form of knowledge coming from delving deep> > > into this aspect is what makes us realize our internal enemies and destroy> > > them. If you master the knowledge that makes you overcome weaknesses such as> > > laziness and internal enemies such as lust, anger, greed, jealosy etc, other> > > things will follow and you eventually get liberation. Bagalamukhi> > > personifies this knowledge. Most of her mantras ask to destroy enemies and> > > so people foolishly think that she is the one who gives success in> > > litigation and worship her for court cases. This is like going to a king to> > > ask for two spoons of sugar for your milk. You go to the king for bigger> > > things and a neighbor is enough for giving you two spoons of sugar. The> > > enemies destroyed by Bagalamukhi are internal enemies and your own laziness.> > > Remember, she is a mahavidya, i.e. a type of supreme knowledge that> > > liberates you!> > >Ã‚ > > > Rahu is the spirit of material well-being within us. Rahu is the one who> > > binds us to rebirth (this is why Saturn showing sins and Rahu showing> > > rebirth are important in the death chart). The highest form of knowledge> > > coming from delving deep into this aspect is what gives us worldly success> > > in a dhaarmik way. If you master the knowledge that makes you materially> > > successful in a dharmik way, you become successful and fulfil all your> > > duties and debts in the world and eventually get liberation. Bhuvaneswari> > > personifies this knowledge.> > > > > > Ketu is the spirit of of detachment and Vedic knowledge within us. The> > > highest form of knowledge coming from delving deep into this aspect is the> > > essense of Veda. If you master the knowledge that enables you to be in> > > oneness with the supreme cosmic being, you eventually get liberation. Kamala> > > (Mahaalakshmi) personifies this knowledge. According to saptashati rahasya> > > also, Mahaalakshmi is the Aadyaa (the first One). She is the energy of> > > supreme cosmic being. She divides Herself into 3 parts - Mahaakaali,> > > Mahaalakshmi and MahaaSaraswati and they create Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and> > > their consorts. Kamala represents the knowledge of the supreme cosmic energy> > > of the supreme cosmic being.> > > > > > *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *> > > > > > One of the above is not superior to the other. Depending on your vasanas> > > (mental conditioning) , attitudes, likes and dislikes, depending on which> > > aspect of your personality dominates over other aspects (the sinfulness and> > > weaknesses? or the interest in learning things? or the spirit of fighting?> > > or the sense of enjoyment? etc), one Mahavidya may be more suitable than> > > others, as that knowledge uses your strong aspect and moulds that aspect to> > > take you towards liberation. Do not compare them. Take the one that is most> > > suitable, but do master that aspect.> > > > > > *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ Ã‚ *> > > > > > There are some who do Dasa Mahavidya sadhana by doing one Mahavidya's mantra> > > for one month, then switch to another and so on. They think that by doing> > > each mahavidya mantra for a certain count, they "finish" the mahavidya> > > sadhana. This is wrong and serves no useful purpose. Instead, one should> > > pick any ONE mahavidya and succeed in that sadhana. The definition of> > > success is that the knowledge represented by that deity becomes part of your> > > common sense - you understand that knowledge and ooze that knowledge in your> > > thoughts and actions. Whether you experience the deity as an external> > > human-like form (who may impart some knowledge to you) or as an internal> > > human-like form or as light or as sound is secondary, but the end result> > > should be that the knowledge represented by Her should become common sense> > > and second nature to you. One claiming visions or siddhi of a mahavidya but> > > not showing the corresponding knowledge is bluffing.> > > > > > There are many people who do mahavidya sadhana and yet many others who claim> > > to have siddhi in one or more mahavidyas, but very few who actually possess> > > any of the ten mahavidyas. The area of mahavidya sadhana is one of the most> > > ill-understood in today's age of ignorance and half-baked knowledge. It is> > > easier to possess lower vidyas or lower shaktis, but mahavidyas are beyond> > > the capability of understanding for most people.> > > > > > Best regards,> > > Narasimha> > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Om Akhanda mandalaakaaram> > vyaptam yena charaa charam> > tatpadam darsita yena > > tasmai sri gurave namaha> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Own a website.Get an unlimited package.Pay next to nothing.*Go to http://in.business./> >>