Shivas of 10 Mahavidyaas of Tantra

Prakrishta Vaachakrah Prashch Kritshch Srishti Vachakah,

Srishtau Prakrishtaa Yaa Devi Prakritih Saa Prakertitaa.

Gune Satve Prakrishte Ch Prashabdo Vartate Shrutau,

Madhayamah Krishch Rajasi Tishchnte Tamsi Smritah.

Trigunatma Swarooptvaat Prakratih Kathyate Shrutau,

Pradhaanaa Srishrtikarane Sarvshakti Samanavitam(Agam Rahasya-I; 6/38-40)

‘Pra’ representing prakrisht means ‘excellent’, Kriti means ‘creation’. Hence it means whatever is excellent in this creation is prakriti (pra+kri+ti). In shruti Pra represents satva-guna(goodness), excellent, quality and kri represents rajo-guna (action mode) and it represents tamo-guna. Hence prakriti or nature mentioned in the Shruti represents all the three attributes of Sat-Raj and Tam (goodness-action mode-inertia mode).

When there was Nothing, at that time too Shiv and Shakti both were present in the creation. In that state of Mahashunya (great void), Shiv representing knowledge/ Purusha and Shakti represented the action mode/ playful mode. They were so closely associated with each other that it was not possible for anyone to perceive them as different. In that duality too one could experience oneness only. When purusha endowed with knowledge wished to create, Shakti realizing His wish for creation moved to give form to his resolve and light form chit shakti struck on that great void from which Mahabindu was created. That very bindu further divided into two to form a visarg and thus the process of becoming Many from One started. While creating, prakriti or nature divided into parts, its southern part was called Purush while other was called prakriti or nature.

Earlier creation was not based on a womb (but only on power of vow to manifest) but after Daksh Prajapati it needed a womb to give birth. Daksh Prajapati was son of Brahma (god of creation), married two daughters of Swayambhu manu. From Prasooti (she gave birth to 24 daughters) and from Veeranee (she gave birth to 60 daughters, Diti and Aditi being two of them).    

Daksh Prajpati arranged a yajna at his place in which he did not invite his daughter. When Parvati, came to know that a yajna is being performed in her parent’s house she started preparing to go there uninvited. Shiva, her consort suggested her not to go anywhere uninvited, even if it’s her parent’s house. On hearing this Parvati got very angry and (due to anger) her face turned dark. This became her 1st form of 10 Mahavidyas’ i.e. Mahakaali. On seeing her such terrifying form Shiv got frightened and ran away from there. In whichever direction he ran, she obstructed that path with a new form. Thus, Shiva ran in 10 directions and she created ten different forms obstructing him. These ten form of goddess Parvati represented ten mahavidyas’ of tantra. With each form of Parvati Shiva also formed specific Bhairav form. Without Shiva, Shakti and without Shakti, Shiva is incomplete. Without one others siddhi cannot achieved, this is absolutely true. Adishakti Parvati is the cause of all the tantra’s ten mahavidyas.

Shyama, Tarini Shodashi Bhuvneshwari Bhairavi,

Chinnmasta Dhoomavati Bagla Maatangi Luxmi.

In tantra the sequence of ten mahavidyaas is as per above sloka which appeared on different tithis of the Hindu calendar.

Kaalikaaya Mahakalah Sundarya Laliteshwarah,

Tarayashch tatha Akshobhah Chinnayah Krodhbhairavah,

Bhuvnaya Mahadevi Dhoomaya Kaalbhairavah,

Narayano Mahalaxamyaa Bhairavya Batukah Smritah,

Maatangyashch Matangah Syadthvaa syaat Sadashivah,

Mrityunjayastu Bagla Vidyayaah Parikirtitah. Aagam Rahasya, 124/54-56.

As per the above sloka compilation ten forms of Bhagwati’s connection to ten avtaars of Vishnu and various planets is enumerated. If we add the information of directions too into this, it will be very useful for all the sadhaks. Bhagwati-Avataar-Direction details of ten mahavidyas are as per below:

1.

Mahakaal: Mahakaali’s Shiv is Mahakaal who provide both desired fruits and final emancipation to true sadhaks. Before many yugas when Adinath was engrossed with Kaali in Vipreetrati, groups of divinities, celestial maidens, Gandharavas came and praised him. They said you have completed your work of final annihilation of the cosmic creation, so please now start the recreation process. On hearing this Shiv went into meditation. Mother Kaali disappeared from there. ‘Where has my beloved gone?’, thinking this he kept on meditating. With the grace of the Mother, Shiv, while busy in the expansion of the creation, in the middle point of it saw the beautiful form of Mahachakra Naayika. This very Shiva who was beyond time was called Mahakaal here. Mahakaal’s temple is located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.  

2.

Taar: Tara’s Shiv is called Taar/ Taarkeshwar/ Akshobh. He provides both desired fruit and moksha and provides happiness to His devotees. Yellow hued Taar aur Taarkeshwar is Rudra’s second avatar. Place of Tara is established in the great cremation ground by the banks of Dwaraka-river in Bengal state, India. At some places he is represented by Nag-form (Serpent form).

3.

Rajrajeshwar/ Tripuresh/ Panch Vaktra/ Shodeshwar: He is adorned with Shodashi form of divinity. He is provider of happiness and comformt to the devotes. 14 attributes Shodashi appeared on Mohraatri. Shree Tripuratmika, appeared on the Sreesail mountain by the river Pataal Ganga, Krishna River, Andhra Pradesh. Her Bhairav is also called Shodeshwar, who is having 16 kalas. Shakti Peeth of Bhagwati is near Tripura state’s Udaipur, on Maataabari mountain. This very place is of Tripur Sundari and Tripuresh bhairav.

Parmeshwar’s five forms, thorough which whole creation took form, is known by the name of Panchvaktra.

As per Shiv Puran, Brahma ji praised lord Shiva in different Kalapas thorugh which his 05 forms appeared, namely, Sadyojaat, Vaamdev, Aghor, Tatpurush and Ishan respectively.

a.Sadyojat:

During 19th Shvet-lohit-kalp during Brhama ji’s meditation for the purpose of creation, a fair, iron hued boy with tuft of hair on his head, western face, western Amnaya, annihilator, provider of the karma yoga, called Sadyojaat appeared who further produced four sons namely Sunand, Nandan, Vishvanand and Upnand, who helped Brahma ji in the work of creation. Sadyojaat form of the lord gave ultimate knowledge to Brahma ji.

From the toe to heart is the pathway of A-kaar. In it is carried boundless delusions. Starting from Earth up to Pradhaan, all the elements are there in it.  Sadyojaat form of Bhairav/ Rudra with the help of its 8 kalas Ridhi, Sidhi, Luxmi, Medha, Kaanti, Dhriti and Swaha assesses all the jivas.

b.Vaamdev:

During 20th, in order to get a son, Brahma adorned a red hued body and started meditating. Then a red hued form, with red colour clothes, red eyed, representing northern face and uttar amanaya, one who blesses and provides knowledge to all, Vaamdev, who produced four sons, namely Viraja, Vivaah, Vishok and Vishvbhavan respectively, appeared in front of him. Becoming happy with Brhma, he provided him with knowledge and power to help in creation.

From the heart to throat he is established with Vaishnav part and purushatv is also maintained here only. Vamdev resides along with his 14 kalas Rajaa, Rakshaa, Rati, Paalyaa, Kaamyaa, Vridhi, Maayaa, Naadi, Bhramini and Mohini………Netra tantra.

c.Tatpurush:

During 21st kalpa of Peetvaasaa, wearing a yellow dress, when Brahma ji were meditating with a desire for a son, a boy with great effulgence, huge arms, yellow dressed, representing east face, capable of creation, giver of mantra usage knowledge appeared. Recognizing him as Tatpurush, Brahma ji appeased him. From him four boys came who were adapts in path of yog. Tatpurush through his attributes is established in the nature or prakriti. Those who were adept in knowledge of the gross matter, recognized Tatpurush as lord of skin, touch and air.

In our body, its space if eyebrow centre, where it resides in the bindu form Ishwar tattva with its 04 kalas, namely Nivritti, Pratishtha, Vidyaa and Shaanti

e.Aghor:

During later times in Peetvarna kalp, with a desire to create Brahma again sat for penance then a black hued powerful child appeared who was wearing black clothes, black headgear, black sacred thread. His body was smeared with black sandal paste.

Brahma ji praised that South facing head form, representing Dakshin Amanaya, preserver of creation, provider of bhakti yog and Shiva like four boys were born, who were known as Krishna, Krishnashikh, Krishnasya, Krishn-kanth-dhrik. They spread yog by the name of Ghor for creatin purpose.Aghor along with his dharma etc. eight parts is established in intellect. Aghor is further known to be the lord of feet, eyes, form and fire element. 

From throat to pallet, it is established in Rudra form. Here only from niyati to maya, all tattvas are assessed. In the U-kaar form it is established in its 8 kalas of tam, moh, kshudha, nidra, mrityu, maya, bhya/fear and jara/ old age…….Netra Tantra.

e.Ishan:

During the Vishvaroop Kalpa, with desire for a son, Brahma ji again meditated and ferociously sounding Saraswati-river appeared an along with her one representing urdhav amanaya, provider of Shiv-yog, Parmeshwar Ishan manifested. Brahmaji praised formless Ishan who giving sermon on the right path gave four sons named Jati, Mundi, Shikhandi and Ardhmundi respectively. Ishan is the best form which is established with the knowledge of the body, soul and physical matter. It is the lord of hearing, speech, sound and ether element. It is famous in the whole creation by the name of Divakar.

Ishan form is connected with Naad tattva and it resides with its 5 kalas of Taaraa, Sutaaraa, Tarani, Taaryanti and Sutaarini respectively.

4.

Bhuvnesh/ Trayambak: its feminine power is Bhuvneshwari which provides happiness to upright people and appeared during Chaitra month, shukla paksha, 9th day known as Krodh-raatri. He is rudras thrind avatar. His form is fair and peaceful. Her temple is in Uttrakhand near Narad Ganga where Maharishi Vedvyas ji wrote all the Puranas.

5.

Bhiarav: Its feminine power is Bhairavi. He always fulfills the desires of his devotees. Out of the ten avtaars of Rudra, it is the 5th one. He is defender of the all directions. In the explanation of the Shaktipeeths, Mother Bhairavi’s temple is established in Ujjain on the banks of Kshipra river where sati’s lips fell.

6.

Chinnmastak/ Daamodreshwar/ Kaband Shiv: His feminine power is Chinnmastika who provides all the desires to her devotees. Before the yuga when shakti was at Kailash with Shiv and buy in her adornment, then she sat on Shiva and when time came for Shukra to fall, she became statue of Chand. During this period two of her maids appeared from her body who were called Dakini and Varnini. All three of them went to take bath in Pushpbhadra river. After bath, her maids felt hungry and asked her to provide food. She cut her head and three blood flows issued from her body, out of these two were given to Dakini and Varnini to satiate their hunger while third one was used to feed her own cut head. On the day of Veer-raatri, that very head was established on Kabandh and chinnmastika form appeared and established.

Damodreshwar or Chinnmastak was 6th form of 10 rudra avatars. Chinnmastika temple in Chintpurni, Himachal is considered a famous tantik temple.

7.

Dhoomvaan/ Dhoomeshwar: His power is Dhomavati. It fulfills the desires of its excellent sadhaks. During the time of annihilation of yajna of Dakshprajapati, great vacillating natured annihilator Dhoomvati appeared. As per another story, once Bhagwati while travelling with Shiva felt very hungry. As there was no food, so she ate Shiva himself and who appeared as smoke from body. Covered with that smoke she looked vary old and was called Dhoomavati. Since she ate up her own husband, hence she is also known as a widow.

8.

Baglamukhi/ Peeteshwar/ Ekvaktra: Its feminine power Baglamukhi is provider of great anand. It provides propitious deeds in dharma and karma. Her temple Peetambara peeth is established at Datiya in Madhya Pradesh and another one is Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.

During Satyug, once there was terrible storm and rains, whole of the creation got submerged and decimated. Seeing all this lord Vishnu became very concerned. He performed penance at Hridra Kund as Peeteshvar for a l very long time and did Shree Vidyaa poojan. After getting happy by his poojan, at midnight during Shiva Ardra Nakshatra along with her maha nisheeth kala Bhagwati appeared in front of Peeteshwar. At that time Stambhan named Baan also took birth. Hence, she represents stambhan shakti to freeze all in its tracks.

9.

Maatang/ Maatangeshwar: His feminine power is Maatangeshwari who fulfills all the desires of its devotees. Maatang is rudras 9th avatar.

Once Matang Rishi along with many birds went to a forest of Kadamb to gain control over some very cruel powers. There he performed penance for 10,000 years. A great effulgence appeared from the eyes of Sundari devi and took a dark form of Raajmatangini. Matang became Bharav of that Matangi. He represents 9th of the 10 avtaars of Rudra. His form is green in colour. Matangeshwar’s feminine power is called Maatangeshwari.

On the western side of mountain Meru, in a Hrid called Chole, mother Mahaneel Saraswati appeared. Then Shiva in the form of Rishi Akshobhya was performing his penance there. Then in front of him a great light appeared, which was Matangi. Thus, Akshobhya became bhairav of that Shakti itself.

10.

Kamlesh: He is the tenth avatar out of the ten avataars of Rudra. Its shakti is Kamala. This avatar of Shiva is endowed with 64 kalas and is 8 petalled like lotus. It’s known as the lotus form of lord Shiva.

Thus with limited knowledge in the vast ocean of Mahavidya philosophy one has tried to provide a small description of 10 Bhairavs of Mahavidyas with the sole purpose that it may benefit some sadhaks…..Om!    Shaktanand.