Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Mother did not show these 10 forms to Shiva at that moment. Mother Durga assumed the 10 forms when Shiva killed Ganesha. Yes, when Shiva struck Ganesha, Mother Durga assumed these 10 forms, which are known as the Dasha Mahavidya. Later, when Shiva's guards were beaten up by this boy (Ganesha) and returned in a critical state, Shiva asked, Who put you in this condition? They said, Let's go and see. Shiva then went, picked up his Trishul (trident), and struck him...
Narrator:
Pranam, Gurudev. I hope all our viewers are doing well and chanting the Holy Name (Harinam). Today, we are going to start a new series on this channel. In previous episodes, you saw Gurudev discussing the 10 Avatars of Lord Narayana. This time, we are starting a series on the Dasha Mahavidya (The Ten Wisdom Goddesses). Gurudev will discuss each of the Dasha Mahavidyas one by one. But today, I request Gurudev to give us an overview. In the upcoming episodes, we will break it down and talk about Goddess Tara and the others individually. But for today, Gurudev, could you please explain the overarching concept of the Dasha Mahavidya? Where did this concept originate?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look, the Dasha Mahavidyas manifested by splitting out of Goddess Durga. They emerged from Durga, and they are all different forms of Durga.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now, these ten Mahavidyas are closely related to what we call the Navagraha (the nine astrological planets). Today, palmists and astrologers who read hands are often not deeply experienced in this. They look at the lines on your hand and just say whatever comes to mind. They prescribe gemstones as remedies. However, within the practice of the Dasha Mahavidya, you don't even need to prescribe a stone or give any physical remedy. Worshipping the specific Goddess is enough.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Working with the Goddesses refers to the mantra: Kali, Tara, Mahavidya, Shodashi, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Vidya Dhumavati, Bagala, Siddhavidya, Matangi, Kamalatmika. Dasha Mahavidya Siddhavidya Prakirtita.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
All these Goddesses are worshipped. There is one Goddess who has no ruling planet, and we do not associate her with one. Aside from her, every other deity is associated with a specific planet. For example, Kali is associated with Saturn (Shani)—Dakshinakali is for Shani. Tara represents Jupiter (Brihaspati).
Narrator:
Gurudev, we will go through which Goddess represents which planet episode by episode. What I primarily wanted to know from you today is the origin story. How did the concept of these ten forms come about?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Dasha Mahavidyas are the 10 forms of Goddess Durga. Mother Durga showed each of these 10 forms to Mahadev (Shiva), and later, this found a prominent place in our Tantra.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In Tantra, the Dasha Mahavidya is a massive subject. Without the Dasha Mahavidya, Tantric Sadhana (spiritual practice) cannot be performed. Starting from Kali and Tara, if you want to practice the Dasha Mahavidya, you must master them one by one. You must achieve Siddhi (perfection/mastery) in them. It's not something you do once and just walk away from. You must become a Siddha.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There are basically two approaches. Authentic Tantrics work through the Dasha Mahavidya. For instance, if your Mars is afflicted, they might perform a Homa (fire ritual) for Goddess Bagalamukhi. If someone's Saturn is afflicted, they invoke Goddess Dakshinakali. If someone is facing severe family unrest, they might invoke Goddess Tara. Different Goddesses are invoked for different issues.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
On the other hand, astrologers who read hands do not care about these rituals. They just look at your hand and prescribe a gemstone. Now, there is a vast difference in cost. If you want to buy a high-quality gemstone, it will cost you ₹50,000, ₹60,000, or even ₹1,00,000. But rituals for the Dasha Mahavidya do not cost that much; the question doesn't even arise. Authentic Tantrics don't even dare to charge such exorbitant amounts. Charging vast sums of money in the name of the deities brings absolute ruin, not benefit.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Because of this, those of us who practice Tantra and the Dasha Mahavidya never demand money. If we did, we would suffer terrible consequences, and our lives would be destroyed. We have always provided our services without chasing money, and we continue to do so. Just by looking at a person, I can tell what issue or disease they are suffering from, and I can quickly arrange a remedy. That is why we are so respected. We try to provide quick, effective solutions. Sometimes we advise a specific Puja, or we suggest performing a Homa in the person's name for their well-being.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Do you know Kankhal (in Haridwar)? That was originally Goddess Sati's (Durga's) home. Prajapati Daksha, Sati's father, did not like Shiva at all. Shiva had no wealth, he wandered in cremation grounds, and consumed intoxicants like bhang. Because of this, her father was completely against Sati marrying Shiva. But Sati was determined. She performed immense penance to attain Mahadev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When it was time to give Sati away in marriage, Shiva was asked about his Gotra (lineage). Shiva replied that he had no Gotra. Daksha was furious: How can the marriage happen? I will not give my daughter to someone with no lineage! At that moment, the Gods intervened. Lord Brahma and Lord Narayana appeared and reasoned with Daksha, explaining that a wedding cannot be halted once the couple is at the altar. Daksha reluctantly agreed, but he never truly accepted Shiva.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Later, King Daksha organized a grand Yajna (fire sacrifice) at his house. However, he did not invite Shiva. Now, a Yajna without Shiva is incomplete. When Parvati (Sati) heard about it, she insisted on going. There is a famous song about this: Everyone will go and receive a warm welcome, but if I go, my father won't even speak to me...
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Mahadev repeatedly forbade her from going, but she forced her way there. Upon arriving, Mother Durga (Sati) was subjected to immense insults directed at her husband. A wife can never tolerate the humiliation of her husband. Unable to bear it, she threw herself into the sacrificial fire and gave up her life.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When this news reached Mahadev, he was enraged. He tore a lock of his matted hair (Jata), threw it on the ground, and summoned the fierce warrior Virabhadra. Virabhadra appeared and asked for his orders. Shiva commanded him to destroy Daksha's Yajna and slaughter anyone in his path. Virabhadra completely destroyed the sacrifice, killing many, including some sages present there.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Eventually, Shiva arrived, picked up Sati's burnt body, and placed her on his shoulders. As he was leaving, Daksha's wife fell at his feet, pleading, Will I become a widow? Shiva said, No, you will not be a widow. Take the head of that sacrificed goat lying there and attach it to your husband's neck. He will come back to life. By doing this, Shiva proved a point: Daksha acted as foolishly as a goat. Since then, Daksha lived with a goat's head.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Carrying Mother Sati's body, Shiva began his terrifying Tandava (dance of destruction). Seeing this, Lord Narayana realized that a massive catastrophe would destroy the universe. So, Narayana released his Sudarshana Chakra, cutting the Mother's body into 51 pieces (the Shakti Peethas). Sati's teeth (Danta) fell near Mansarovar. That is why she is worshipped there as Mother Dakshayani. There is a Shiva-Durga temple there where this Puja takes place.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now, regarding the Dasha Mahavidya—the Mother did not show these ten forms during the Daksha Yajna. She showed them when Shiva struck Ganesha.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
One day, Nandi went to Shiva and said, We want to have a Darshan (sight) of the Mother. Shiva told them to go. But Ganesha was guarding the door while his mother was inside. He refused to let anyone in. A fight broke out between Ganesha and Shiva's guards. The guards were beaten terribly and returned to Shiva. Shiva asked, Who did this to you? They replied, There is a boy guarding the door.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Shiva went there himself, picked up his Trishul, and struck Ganesha, severing his head. Upon hearing that her son had been killed, Parvati was furious and assumed the 10 terrifying forms of the Dasha Mahavidya. All the Gods were absolutely terrified. Finally, upon Lord Brahma's pleading, the Mother calmed down. Ganesha was revived with the head of an elephant (Gajanana).
Narrator:
You have all been listening to us. We started with the Dasha Mahavidya, and once Gurudev starts speaking, I can't even say a word! I just keep listening to the stories, and so do you. The main point is that we will dive deeper into the Dasha Mahavidyas in our upcoming episodes.
Narrator:
Let me also announce that on our other channel, Gupti Sadhak Shyamakhyapa, we will be uploading a highly detailed video soon. Gurudev has explained the profound connection between the Dasha Mahavidya and the Navagrahas (nine planets)—which Tantric Goddess corresponds to which remedy. However, I must give a strong warning: That is strictly Guruvidya (secret Tantric knowledge). Do not try to practice those rituals at home just by watching the video. Doing so can cause adverse effects, which is highly undesirable.
Narrator:
Also, for our viewers, you will find some great new short-form content on our Instagram and Facebook pages, so be sure to follow us there. In the next episodes, Gurudev will discuss Goddess Kali, Goddess Tara, and others one by one. You will find the links to these episodes in the description box.
Narrator:
Finally, I will request Gurudev, as always, to conclude today's session with the Harinam Sankirtan.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Harer Namaiva Kevalam, Harer Namaiva Kevalam. Kalau Nastyeva Nastyeva Nastyeva Gatir Anyatha. (In the age of Kali, there is no other way but the Holy Name.)
Narrator:
May everyone stay healthy, stay well, and keep chanting the Holy Name. Pranam, Gurudev.