Volume I Number II
Sagar Vandan,
In Hindu Cosmology, Prakrati is recognized as source of creation that enacts with the Purush (Parbrahmm) in order to disperse the element of life in the cosmos. According to the Shakt-Sect, Prakrati is identified as ‘Adi Shakti’, the source to all, who prevails in this mythical creation in her “Das-Mahavidya” forms, the ten aspects of Shakti.
The story behind Mahavidyas’ first appearance is quite intriguing, the story of Sati: Once Daksha organized a ‘param-yagya’, he invited all deities, except Shiv. When Sati came to know about the yagya, she being Daksh’s daughter asked for Shiv’s permission to attend the yagya. But since they weren’t invited, Shiv suggested her to not go. This enraged Sati; she decided to reveal her ultimate form. Shiv felt uneasy and hence walked from the place. But soon he found himself surrounded from all ten directions, blocking his way. It were the ten different forms of Sati who successfully subdued Shiv. These ten forms were later known as Dus-Mahavidyas.
These Mahavidyas are the bestower of all arts, knowledge & wisdoms that are revealed or hidden. They are tantric in nature and hence known to only those saadhaks/seekers who are disciplined and know the esoteric arts.
Originally, they are all forms of Maha kali and are recognized in two disciplines:
Kaali-Kul & Shree-Kul.
The goddesses of Kaali-Kul are believed to be of fierce form and frightening appearance, which includes:
Maha Kali: The ultimate form of Adi Shakti and supreme deity of Kaali-kul, she regulates kaal/time.

Painting by Pieter Weltevrede
Tara: The goddess of protection who redeems her devotees from great crisis. During ‘Samudra-Manthan’ she absorbed the calory of the halahala and calmed Shiv. She is more prevelant as a Buddhist diety.

Painting by Pieter Weltevrede
Chinnamasta: The self-decapitated goddess, who symbolizes highest form of yog-sadhna. She beheads herself in order to feed herself & her companions Dakini & Varini, with the three blood-streams (Ida-Pingala-Sushmana – three nadis through which prana flows in the body) coming from her throat.

Painting by Pieter Weltevrede
Bhuvaneshvari: The cosmic-mother, she engenders the five elements/panch bhoot: dharti, akash, jal, agni & vayu. She is the master of all the three worlds.

Painting by Pieter Weltevrede
While the goddesses of Shree-Kul are believed to be benign and kindly, which includes:
Maha Tripursundari: Supreme deity of Shree-kul, she is recognized in her ‘shodashi’ roop (a sixteen year old woman), the most beautiful in all worlds. She is ‘tantric-parvati’, deity of ‘Shri-Vidya’.

Painting by Pieter Weltevrede
Tripur Bhairavi: The fierce goddess, Shiv’s desolator power.
Dhumawati: The widow of Shiv, goddess of death. She is Lakshmi’s sister, known as ‘Alakshmi’ goddess of beggary.

Painting by Pieter Weltevrede
Bagalamukhi: The one paralyzes the enemies. She is ‘pitambara’, the one who appears in yellow attire. She is believed to have emerged from Vishnu’s radiance. She is used by Tantrics to control the speech of others.

Painting by Pieter Weltevrede
Matangi: The ‘tantric-saraswati’, she emerged from the harmony between Shiv & Parvati. She is the goddess of spoken words and supernatural powers.

Painting by Pieter Weltevrede
Kamala: The ‘tantric-lakshmi’, she is the bestower of fortunes. She is depicted as being bathed by four large elephants of amrit-elixir.

Painting by Pieter Weltevrede