Sati (first avatar of Parvati) and Shiva were married much against her father’s will. She was her father’s favorite child. Her father Daksha organized a Yagna, a great sacrifice. All the Gods were invited, other than Sati and her husband Shiva. Sati was heart-broken and Shiva being Shiva did not care. She begged him to take her to the Yagna uninvited. He refused and then she transformed herself into 10 manifestations of herself and each form was more terrifying than the other. They surrounded Shiva and he had to agree to her demand.

Today these 10 forms of Sati are worshipped. As a group they are said to cause trouble and conflict among people but each one of them can grant spiritual liberation (moksha). They can bestow powers of marana, the ability to cause death simply by willing it, utchatana, the power of making one’s enemy sick, sthambhan, the ability to immobilize a person. The other shaktis are the ability to remain young while causing others to grow old, the power to attract others to oneself and the power to control another’s speech.

The Mahavidyas are associated with creation, preservation, and destruction. Many of us turn to worship because of our frustrations, desires and needs. The Mahavidyas grant a great many blessings. The sadhaka (practitioner) develops mental capacities through meditation. Our chakras open and we can look upon the Mahavidyas as aspects of stages of consciousness in the spiritual quest. There are 10 mantras which awaken our consciousness and expand the senses and intellect. We discover the knowledge gained and awakened within. The Dasmahavidyas can be looked upon as Goddesses who will nurture us if we pray with purity in our heart.

The 10 Mahavidyas are Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari, Bhuveneswari, Chinnamasta,, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi and Kamala.

Aim Hrim Klim