Goddess Cult

TANTRIC – Goddess Cult

Anthropologists spoke about the entire ancient world being dominated by a powerful Mother goddess cult prevailing throughout.

Goddess as a cosmic force creates, annihilates and recreates the universe. She destroys Demonic forces that threaten World equilibrium wielding weapons in multiple arms that testify to her ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

Invoking goddess could help you realize your inner strength and the truth of reality. If you are a Seeker She could guide you towards Moksha or liberation. For this you need to abandon Form and turn to the Formless like seer Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

Hinduism evolved and changed through centuries, the roles and functions of Hindu goddesses and gods also went through dramatic changes.

(Rigveda 10.125) depicts the goddess as the power expressed through all the gods. They are united in her who shines with consciousness. Her presence is all pervading; she supports all of Creation. She is the Source of righteousness and the revealer of truth. She is the source of all Words; she shines Transcendent beyond them.

Sri Aurobino says "there is one divine force which acts in the Universe and in the individual and is also beyond the individual and the Universe. The mother stands for all these".

Invoking Universal Mother Adi Shankara exalted the Mother goddess: "Immersed in danger, O Durga, I turn my mind to you, O Ocean of Mercy and Spouse of Shiva, please don't consider this as anything less than heartfelt, since children remember their mother when they suffer from hunger and thirst".

During Navaratri the nine-day festival the feminine principle- the Chandi or Durga is celebrated. The word Durga means a fort-something that is difficult to access. The cyclical presentation of the protracted balik every year also shows that it is not easy to rid oneself of the pernicious instincts entrenched within. But hope turns bright in the belief that everyone has a divine spark that could light the fire of self purification.

A group of 10 Mahavidyas of Tantric goddesses manifest different aspects of Divine Feminine principle. Through advait Sadhana one can aspire to become one with the Mahavidya, in the process one forms an emotional connection with one's goddess. She talks to him or her and this Conversation takes place in one's own mind.

There are 10 Mahavidyas or wisdom goddesses. They are the Sagun Brahmin god with form representing the Feminine Energy. Mahavidyas emerged as tantric deities in the ancient era; they Were addressed by both tantrics and yogis. Maha means great and vidya means knowledge. Maha Vidya is Supreme knowledge. The goddesses are the master yogins often depicted in subtle yoga mudras. They are each invoked and celebrated during the Navaratri- chanting, rituals and meditation.

The mahavidyas are:

1. Kali - Representative of Bhairava-Dark, fearsome and powerful. The goddess represents the ever evolving cosmos in all its glory. Kali is the manifestation of Kundalini. Her foot placed on Siva's chest is a metaphor for a raised Kundalini that over shadows the human body. Kali wears a garland of human skulls which symbolizes the Sanskrit Alphabet. The severed head in her hand is the manifestation of the AUM, the shabda Brahma. Her sword is that of wisdom that cuts through ignorance and destroys false hood. We need some sort of imagery to help us focus. We use these images as reference and point of concentration to focus. We need a certain direction to stay focused. Whoever has consciousness has the potential to fully realize one's Own Self.

2. Tara — She is the personification of wisdom. The blue goddess is a guide and a protector. She could be both fierce and aggressive also mild and friendly. Taruni Vidya or the worship of Tara is for those aspiring to attain nirvana. Both Kali and Tara are shown with lolling tongue and are portrayed standing with one leg on the chest of Shiva or a Corpse. Tara is also Neelsaraswati seated on a lotus. She looks friendly with her charming smile. She is popular in Tibetan Buddhism especially vajrayana school of Buddhism where the importance of rituals and the practical application of Shunayata are practiced.

3. Lalita Tripura Sundari or Shodashi - She is depicted in red and golden colours.

Lalita means elegant and charming. She has overcome three cities, hence she is Tripurasundari, her beauty transcends boundaries and the cities are symbols of body and mind. She is shown with five arrows or flowers, a noose symbolizing attachment, the goad signifies repulsion, the Sugar cane bow is like the mind and arrows are the five sense objects.

4. Bhuvaneshwari - The supreme lady of the universe has the power to create and destroy. She symbolizes universal oneness. She takes a yogi beyond the narrow confines of Creed and helps him realize the highest state of being

5. Bhairavi - The warrior goddess is often depicted holding a book and rosary. Bhairavi is a wrathful goddess but her anger is directed at the negative forces within the yogi. She is the master yogin, the one who is free of all fear and inspires fear in her detractors.The name Bhairavi means 'terror' or "awe inspiring".

6. Chandika - Chinnamasta - The ferocious goddess is a symbol of self control and an

embodiment of sexual energy. She is easily identified, thanks to the gory iconography; The self decapitated goddess holds her Owns Severed head in one hand, a sword in another. Three streams of blood spurt out of her bleeding neck and she is usually depicted standing on a copulating couple. It is associated with Kundalini awakening and its upward movement,

* Sects are not invariably formed by breaking away from historical religions mainstream but are at times born from mosaic of belief, worship, and mythology coming together.

7. Dhumavati - She is the older more somber of the maha -vidyas and is associated with Strife, loss and inauspicious omens. Dhumavati is often depicted riding a Crow in a Cremation ground. Some tantra scholars consider her to be a great teacher, who is free from judgment Of good and bad, auspicious and inauspicious.

8. Bagalamukhi - Also known as Pitambara Devi or Brahmastra Roopini she turns negative thoughts, emotions and feelings into positive ones. The Devi resides in the heart Of the sadhakas forming an emotional connection. She is the master of Speech and articulation.

9. Matangi - Also known as Tantric Saraswati the green complexioned goddess is often

presented seated on an altar with a smile. Mata means 'a mother' or 'an Opinion'. Matangi is the goddess of the spoken word. She imparts talent and expertise.

10. Kamala - The lotus goddess is the Tantric Lakshmi, The goddess of wealth, fertility and Prosperity. Kamala literally means "Lotus' in Sanskrit and stands for chastity and good fortune.

            Invoking goddess could help you realize your inner strength and if you are seeker she could guide you towards moksha or liberation. For this you need to abandon form and turn to the formless like the Seer Ramakrishna, He realized supreme reality only after he tore his beloved Kali into two pieces With a Sword While in a meditative state. After that, it is said he was lost in Brahma Samadhi for three days. It is the mind that a yogi needs to master to reach a state of equanimity and rise above the

Tantra as path to enlightenment

Tantras implies inter meaning of thousand and teachings as thread it's to a treat techniques are practices as many spiritual and regions paths we encounter a choice sexuality or spirituality.

Tantras gives different invitations :- choose both simultaneously and brings the two together to create a wholeness and fullness is your life

Tibetan Tantra and Taoism Kashmirri Shaivam is often thoughts as the true root of Tantra

Vignan Bhairav Tantras: a popular scripture is the conversation between Devi and Bhairava containing 112 Tantrik meditation techniques.

Devi is the creative energy permitting the universe and her nature is power, strength and midnight.

Bhairava is the infinite consciousness that embraces her. The tantric approach is the path of transformation of our designs into divine bliss.

 Tantra utilizes all mundane things including breathing tastings sleeping and even love making for realization our native Yantra, Mantra and mudras are used for preparation and practice of Tantra Sadhana on the path of Liberation.

Tantras uses deep awareness has one of its methods. Even sexuality ought  to be engaged with whole awareness and meditative and continued practice would ………...one from it over a period of time and raise one’s base energy connected to swadhisthana Chakra to a higher level of consciousness related to other chakras. Swadhisthana Chakra is connected to sex energy and physical pleasures. These chakras are 7 spinning whirl pools of energy points located along the spine

The aim of Tantra is to reach to highest one that is there for free enlargement enlightenment sexuality also can be a door to personal illumination awareness is the important things driving practice.

Tantras is about expanding our inner level (horizon) over a period of time Tantras earned had name has it has been reduced to ……………form of sex is which tantrik bliss is confined with sensual and organic pleasure.

Tantras is not about equating with ………for multiple organs with spiritual bliss