Ashta Dasa Mahavidyas: The 18 Powerful Forms of Divine Shakti & Their divine power

The Ashtadasha Mahavidyas, or the 18 Great Wisdom Goddesses, are considered the highest form of divine feminine power in Hindu Dharma. They are primarily worshiped in Tantric and Shakta traditions. Each of them embodies different cosmic energies and wisdom. While we are most familiar with the Dasha Mahavidya (Ten Great Wisdom Goddesses), in some traditions, such as South India and Nepal, they worship the set of 18 Mahavidyas. In today's blog, we will explore more about the Ashtadasha Mahavidyas.

The Expanded List: Ashta Dasa Mahavidyas

The Mahavidyas are mainly a group consisting of 10 books of Hindu Tantric Goddesses. The word “Mahavidya” is a Sanskrit term which means great wisdom. The ten mahavidyas are Tara, Kali, Tripura Sundari, Bhairavi, Bhuvaneshvari, Chinnamasta, Dhumavati, Matangi, Bagalamukhi, and Kamalatmika. The worship of these books is called Dasa Mahavidya. The Yogini Tantra, Kalikapurana, and Chandi Tantra, describes the various aspects of Dasa Mahavidya. The group's formation includes several religious traditions, including Saivism, Vaishnavism, yogini worship, and Vajrayana Buddhism. Some people also believe that worshipping the Mahavidya, especially Tripura Sundari (Shodashi) and Kamala can enhance attraction, intimacy, and love in a relationship. The development of these Mahavidyas signifies a crucial turning point in the history of Shaktism as it marks the rise of the Bhakti aspect in Shaktism, which reached the zenith in 1700 CE. First forth in the post-Puranic age, around 6th century CE, there was a new theistic movement by which the supreme started being envisioned as a female. Shaktas believe that the divine mother is adored and approached as the 10 cosmic personalities, thus Dasa Mahavidya. The Ashtamahavidyas are considered as Tantric in nature and are identified as given as follows:

Kali
The goddess has a pitch black complexion, three eyes which represent past, present, and future. She has shining white teeth, and a red bloody tongue. She has open hair, and wears tiger skins as a garment, a garland of skulls and another of red rose flowers around her neck. She has skeletal bones adorned on her belt, and four hands, two of which have a Kharga, and a sword, and another two carrying a demon head and a bowl collection dripping blood from his head.

Tara:

The goddess who acts as a protector, and offers the ultimate knowledge that grants salvation. She is considered as a Goddess of all sources of energy. The Sun's energy is believed to be originating from her. After the Samudra Manthan incident, she healed God Shiva as her child, since then she is manifested as her mother. Goddess Tara has a light blue complexion, open hair, wearing a crown. She has three eyes, a snake sitting comfortably around her throat, a garland of skulls, and is wearing a tiger skin. Her four hands carry a scimitar, demon head, lotus, and scissors. 

Shodashi:

The third mahavidya is of the Mata Shodashi. She is also popular as Raja Rajeshwari, Lalita, and Tripura Sundari among other names. She is considered as the supreme goddess of Sri Kula and a person who worships her will never experience anything lacking in life. Special worship of Shodashi Devi is performed with Shree Yantra.

Bhuvaneshwari:

The fourth Mahavidya is Mata Bhuvaneshwari, and she is worshipped as the true form of nature. She is believed to grant all kinds of spiritual attainments. She is the presiding deity of three worlds called Trilok. One who worships her will be blessed with all types of pleasures.

Bhairavi:

She is known by many names like Kole Bhairavi, Tripura Bhairavi, Rudra Bhairavi, and Mata Bhairavi, which is believed to remove fear and she enhances courage in a person to face anything in life.

Chinnamasta:

Mata Chinnamasta or Chinnamastika may seem fearsome but she is regarded as the benefactor of all the Goddesses. Her blessings help in filling the granaries and bringing all sorts of happiness in one’s life.

Dhumavati:

Mata Dhumavati has a special place in the ten Mahavidyas and worshipping her helps in removing illness, poverty, and sorrow. In some places, she is also referred to as the widow of the Goddess. She is described in Rigveda as Sutra, which means one who bestows happiness.

Baglamukhi:

Mata Baglamukhi is the eighth Mahavidya of the ten. She has a special affinity for the color yellow, which is why she is also called Peetambara. She is the goddess of stambhan (halt) and her grace helps in destroying all enemies.

Matangi:

Of the ten mahavidya, she is the ninth mahavidya namely Devi Matangi. Her worship helps to enhance the magnetic attraction of one person, and she is the goddess of arts and is believed to grant desired boons to the devotees of Devi Matangi. She is worshipped for achieving all the forms of happiness, success, and mastery in arts.

Kamala:

In the hierarchy of Mahavidyas, Devi Kamala holds the 10th position, which is the last position. Her form is similar to that of Mahalaxmi. Worshipping Kamala Devi grants all kinds of achievements. She has several mantras, but worshipping her with Shri Sukta is particularly important. One who worships her is blessed with wealth, prosperity and property.

Pratyangira (Narasinghi)

The fierce goddess who counteracts Black magic. She is also depicted as a lion’s face and a human body goddess. People worship her to get protection from any evil forces and negative energies.

Annapurna:

The divine goddess of food and nourishment. The favourite color of the goddess is Golden. The weapon of Annapurna Mata is a Pot of rice and a ladle. People worship her for the fulfillment of food and nourishment. 

Varahi:

The goddess who destroys demonic forces and obstacles. Her weapons are the Chakra and plough. She symbolises victory, tantra, and magical knowledge. The color of the goddess is Dark

Gayatri:

The Goddess who awakens the higher intelligence and enlightenment. She is depicted with five heads sitting on a lotus. She is the goddess of Vedic Knowledge.

Maha Durga:

Goddess Durga is also known as the ‘the Divine Mother’ and her weapons are chakra, shankha , bow, arrow . Each weapon of Maa Durga symbolizes a different virtue, such as happiness, strength, courage, and duty. She is known for defeating the Demon Karindrasura with bare hands.

Jawala Malini

The goddess of Divine fire. She is illustrated with a flame surrounding her, which burns negative energy. She is worshiped to remove negative forces. She purifies karmic sins and grants strength.

 Tvarita:

 She is illustrated as a white gold complexion, holding a noose and goad. She is the swift goddess who grants quick results in spiritual practices. 

Trputa:

She is the compassionate dark goddess with deep blue complexion, holding a lotus and trident. She gives divine protection and kindness. 

Significance of Ashta Dasa Mahavidyas:

The Ashta Dasa Mahavidyas are highly Siddha forms of Goddess Parvati in her tantric form. In tantric scriptures, the special puja of these mahavidyas is of great significance. It is also said that from the smallest atom to the largest star of the universe, these mahavidyas control everything in the universe. In some traditions, these mahavidyas are also considered as special forms of Goddess Durga. These power goddesses help in attaining spiritual awakening and give strength to fight with any kind of fear in life.