Talk:Mahavidya

Issues For Cleanup

Hinduism contains a vast array of texts, including the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas, and the Tantras. These texts do not always agree. At a minimum, we can say that different texts often portray the same deities in a very different manner.

Commentators sometimes mix mythological elements with spiritual elements. The current version of Mahavidya explains the origin of the Ten Mahavidyas as based on the "numerous love games between Shiva and Parvati" - more or less the result of a marital tiff! This explanation tends toward the mythological and may not satisfy all readers.

The present article seems to be copied verbatim from:

http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/mahavidyas.html

This in turn is merely a condensation of an original article by Nitin Kumar published here:

http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/mahavidyas

So there may be copyright issues. Also, the Nitin Kumar article may not be scholarly or authoritative (though it's certainly worth a read). Kumar's "References and Further Reading" are all Western sources.

It might be helpful to explain that contravening social norms and exploring the forbidden (as discussed in the article) is more characteristic of Tantrism than of Hinduism as a whole. What may be confusing for some readers is that while the Ten Mahavidyas are Tantric Goddesses, some of them also exist outside Hindu Tantrism, where their origins and meaning may be expressed differently.

Perhaps one has to go into the "Tantric neighborhood" of Hinduism to find out about the Ten Mahavidyas. So one tends to get a Tantric-centered view of the universe where goddesses may be "horrific" or "ravishingly beautiful" (to quote the article). It might be helpful to get a more "normalized" view of the Ten Mahavidyas which brings them into the broader context of Hinduism. Admittedly, this is difficult to do.

The article's claim that the Ten Mahavidyas "most significantly established for always in the cannons of Indian thought the Goddess's superiority over her male counterpart" is a point of view. Elsewhere in Hinduism, one finds the idea that male and female are simply dual aspects of one essential Reality. As such, they are equal and inseparable.

Interestingly, Tara Devi (the second Mahavidya) was later embraced (and transformed) by Buddhists. In Buddhism, Tara has a special vow in which she states (according to Taranatha, b. 1575 CE):

In this life there is no such distinction as "male" and "female," neither of "self-identity," a "person" nor any perception, and therefore attachment to ideas of "male" and "female" is quite worthless. The weak-minded are always deluded by this.

Of course, that is the Buddhist view of Tara, not the Hindu view. But it helps to illustrate my point.

In case it's not clear, one of my concerns is that some of the stranger things found in esoteric Tantrism not be confused with Hinduism as a whole. --Fencingchamp 18:19, 4 November 2005 (UTC)

If it's such a direct copy, then it should be removed as a very likely copyright violation (Unless the original publisher very clearly public domains it). 68.39.174.238 15:24, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

Edits

I have expanded a bit in both the top section of the article, and the section on the origin of the Mahavidyas. Much of what I added can be verified in David Kinsley's "Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditition", which contains an excellent bibliography that references many primary sources (e.g. specific citations from the puranas).

To comment on Fenchingchamp's concerns above, I agree that the "Worship of Das Mahavidyas" section isn't very scholarly and ought to at least be qualified as representing a particular (Tantric) perspective which may not represent Hinduism as a whole. On the other hand, many of the myths and texts from which the Mahavidyas first appear may depict them as espesically shocking or fierce: I think it's equally important not to over-integrate the ideas with modern Hinduism, when the historical context might be quite different. Sonicforest 22:28, 29 July 2006 (UTC)

It is highly inaccurate to refer to the Mahavidyas as forms of Kali - very inaccurate. Each of these goddesses are full and remarkable forms with a broad base of worship on their own. Some are more familiar than others - for instance, Kamala is clearly closely connected to Lakshmi. Dhumavati is the least worshipped of the ten but even She is a great form. Kali is the first of the cycle. I have done Her worship for a very long time. Still, I do not make the mistake of regarding these as just forms of Her. There is no question of that the goddesses are interrelated and play, as it were, off of each other. But to suggest they are all forms of Kali doesn't help any understanding. It is like saying 'all gods are gods.. So what? Understanding their uniqueness and respecting that is terribly important for anyone who chooses to work with these goddesses.

Additionally, I couldn't agree more with the comments above. This article is a disappointing poor presentation of the goddesses and reflects a limited understanding. These forms have a long history which popular Hinduism is this age tends to gloss over for idiosyncratic and often quite repressive reasons. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Paulgarzajr (talk • contribs) 01:00, 26 March 2014 (UTC)

The ten mahavidyas and the ten sephiroth of the tree of life

Does anyone else see or suspect a simmilarity? I tried to attribute the sephiroth to the mahavidyas once, it matched to my opinion. I am looking forwards to other people's opinion on this...--N33 (talk) 09:40, 13 April 2008 (UTC)

from one other web search.

10 Mahavidyas is a very important aspect of Tantra and shakti sadhna. It is said that once Shiva became angry with Parvati and decided to leave. Parvati manifested as 10 mahavidyas and surrounded Shiva not to let him go.

Thus Shiva surrounded by 10 mahavidayas and enjoying or suffering due to them is called JIVA and any Jiva who wins these Mahavidyas becomes SHIVA.

The 10 mahavidyas and their shivas are :-

1 - Mahavidya ==Mahakali & Mahakaal

2- Shri vidya== Tara & Akshobhya

3- Siddha Vidya( I) ==Shodashi & Panchvaktra Shiva

4- siddha Vidya (ii) ==Bhuvaneshari & Traymbak Shiva

5- Vidya== Chhinmastaka & Kabandha

6-Siddha vidya (iii)== Bhairavi & Kaal Bhairav

7-vidya (ii)== Dhoomavati (alone)

8- siddha vidya(iv)== Baglamukhi & Ekvaktra shiva

9 - vidya (iii)=== Matangi & Matang

10 -vidya (iv)== Kamla & Sadashiv Vishnu

Nachiketa is right Mother Dhumavati is without Shiva and hence is called a Widow. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 123.236.130.166 (talk) 15:56, 24 September 2008 (UTC)

Mahavidyas are forms of Lakshmi - Vaishnavism perspective

Hi @245CMR:, Who told you that Shaktas developed Mahavidyas. Don't believe in whatever these Shaktas say. Mahavidyas comes in Skanda Purana, Devi Bhagavata, Vishnu Purana and many other puranas. Please don't remove Vaishnava views. Please go through this link for Mahavidya linked to Lakshmi (For full book go to this link page 57) The only text which I could found to support that Mahavidyas are Lakshmi is the Lakshmi Tantra, needs more evidence that the whole Vaishnava sect have the same view. What do you mean by this. Is there any logic in this. In Devi Mahatmyam or Devi Bhagavata Purana there is not direct mention of Parvati anywhere as Devi or Mahadevi. There is a clear explanation of these by various Vaishnava acharyas. If Shaktas can use Shakta tantras to claim they are correct then why shouldn't Vaishnavas use Vaishnava Tantras (Pancharatra) to say they are correct. Lakshmi Tantra is not an ordinary book, it is a Pancharatra text (Vaishnava Tantra). Not only this in Vishnu Purana, "Indra praises Lakshmi in verse (1-9-110 ) 'Yajna Vidya mahavidya guhyavidya ca shobane, Alma Vidya ca devi tvam vimukti phala dayani'. There are many more like this. Thank You. - MRRaja001 ^(talk) 07:18, 31 December 2020 (UTC)

@MRRaja001: pls quote Kali, Tara, Sodashi, Bhubaneswai, ....... from these texts, Mahavidya means great knowledge, so it is possible that Lakshmi is praised as the greatest knowledge of the universe.

Whatever the history is, now Mahavidya are worshipped by Shaktas as Uma. Vishnu's three main avatars - Matsya, Kurma and Varaha were Brahma's avatars (even the Ramayana and the Mahabharata mentioned it), but with the rise of Vaishnavism, they were attributed to Vishnu. .💠245CMR💠.•^👥📜 07:33, 31 December 2020 (UTC)

Here is a verses from the MBH:

And hearing the words of the fish they immediately tied the boat on that peak of the mountain and, O son of Kunti and ornament of Bharata's race, know that that high peak of the Himavat is still called by the name of Naubandhana (the harbour). Then the fish addressing the associated Rishis told them these words, 'I am Brahma, the Lord of all creatures; there is none greater than myself. Assuming the shape of a fish, I have saved you from this cataclysm. Manu will create (again) all beings--gods, Asuras and men, all those divisions of creation which have the power of locomotion and which have it not. By practicing severe austerities he will acquire this power, and with my blessing, illusion will have no power over him.

— "The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Markandeya-Samasya Parva: Section CLXXXVI"

.💠245CMR💠.•^👥📜 07:43, 31 December 2020 (UTC)

[1] It is quoting from Lakshmi Tantra only.

I am not able to get access to the second ref, sorry .💠245CMR💠.•^👥📜 07:59, 31 December 2020 (UTC)

@245CMR: This is called half knowledge. Words in sanskrit varies based on interpretation. If you bring books which are word to word translations from english authors, then it'll be like this only. Brahma is also one of the names of Vishnu, you can see Vishnu Sahasranāma name no:664; means the same thing as you told. - MRRaja001 ^(talk) 09:24, 31 December 2020 (UTC)

@245CMR: Mahavidyas are not just ten in number and also list varies based on tradition. First understand Tantra means a technique for sadhana. Lakshmi Tantra clearly explains about sadhana of Matrikas, Mahavidyas, Mahakali and all the forms of Lakshmi. Shaktas made it famous as Ten to compensate the popularity of Vishnu's Dashavataras. This doesn't mean that there are only Ten. - MRRaja001 ^(talk) 09:36, 31 December 2020 (UTC)

@245CMR: Mahavidya list varies based on scripture for example - Harvamsha says there are 16 Mahavidyas, 'Saktisangama Tantra' says there are 13 Mahavidyas, 'Niruttara Tantra' says there are 18 Mahavidyas, while Narada Tantra (Narada Pancharatra) says there are 7 million Mahavidyas etc.. - MRRaja001 ^(talk) 10:04, 31 December 2020 (UTC)

@245CMR: Reply for "It is quoting from Lakshmi Tantra only" — Directly quoting from Lakshmi Tantra comes under WP:NOR, but not research books like this, which was publisher by Oxford University Press. - MRRaja001 ^(talk) 10:26, 31 December 2020 (UTC)

True Correspondences with the Planets

For some reason, all sorts of schemes from unknown sources are common in Anglonet and Hindunet.

Therefore, I add here from Kokilarnava Tantra 25.54-282:

01) ...Mahavidya - Kalika...

Shiva - Mahakala, 
Bhairava - Kalabhairava... 
Graha - Surya (Sun)... 

02) ...Mahavidya - Chhinnamasta...

Shiva - Karala, 
Bhairava - Krodhasya... 
Graha - Rahu (North Node)... 

03) ...Mahavidya - Tarini...

Shiva - Akshobhya, 
Bhairava - Vatuka... 
Graha - Chandra (Moon)... 

04) ...Mahavidya - Dhumavati...

Shiva - Aghora, 
Bhairava - Unmatta... 
Graha - Shani (Saturn)... 

05) ...Mahavidya - Srividya...

Shiva - Rajarajeshvara, 
Bhairava - Asitanga... 
Graha - Guru (Jupiter)... 

06) ...Mahavidya - Bagala...

Shiva - Tryambakeshvara, 
Bhairava - Bhishana... 
Graha - Bhauma (Mars)... 

07) ...Mahavidya - Bhuvaneshwari...

Shiva - Parameshvara, 
Bhairava - Ruru... 
Graha - Bhrigu (Venus)... 

08) ...Mahavidya - Matangi...

Shiva - Mahesh,
Bhairava - Chanda... 
Graha - Budha (Mercury)... 

09) ...Mahavidya - Bhairavi...

Shiva - Kukkuteshvara, 
Bhairava - Samhara... 
Graha - Ketu (South Node)... 

10) ...Mahavidya - Kamala...

Shiva - Narayana, 
Bhairava - Kapali... 
Graha - Kulamarthanda (Lagna)... 2A00:1FA0:843C:202:95D8:AC75:23D6:31FE (talk) 09:05, 29 July 2022 (UTC)

More Correspondences to Various Forms of Kali

Taken from Tara Deepika Tantra 9.12-20:

01) ...Adyakali... - [...]

02) Tara... - ...Dakshinakali...,

03) Shodashi... - ...Kamakalakali,

04) Bhuvaneshwari - Mahakali (Kalakali),

05) Bhairavi - Siddhikali,

06) Chhinnamasta - Bhadrakali,

07) Dhumavati - Shmashanakali,

08) Bagalamukhi - Chamundakali (Chandakali),

09) Matangi - Guhyakali,

10) Kamalatmika - Sriyonikali (Dhanakali)... 2A00:1FA0:843C:202:B422:99B2:F005:C1F6 (talk) 11:20, 29 July 2022 (UTC)