Devotee
Welcome, friends, to our YouTube channel, GuptoSadhakShyamakhapa.com. As you continue to watch our Guru’s valuable videos on various subjects, we request you to like, share, and subscribe to this channel so we can hear more of his insights on important topics. Today, we will discuss the Dasha Mahavidya.
In Hinduism, the Dasha Mahavidya refers to a collective group of ten aspects of the Divine Mother. On one end of this evolutionary spectrum of divinity, we have fierce manifestations, while on the other, we see exquisitely beautiful forms of the Goddess. Today, we will learn about the Dasha Mahavidya from our Guru.
Guru Shyama Khyapa
You are asking about the Dasha Mahavidya. When the Vedas were first established at the beginning of creation, they were the primary focus. However, over time, the study of the Vedas began to decline. Since the Vedas are considered masculine in essence, some thinkers wondered if introducing a female deity would be beneficial. In this context, Ramprasad Sen is a notable name, as is his Guru, Krishnananda Agamavagisha, who established the worship of Kali.
The Agama and Nigama Tantras are derived from the dialogues between Shiva and Durga. When Shiva asks questions to Durga, it is called Nigama Tantra. When Durga asks questions to Shiva, it is known as Agama Tantra. If you look at an almanac (Panjika), you often see a picture of Shiva and Durga sitting together in conversation—this represents the core of Tantra.
One cannot contemplate Kali or the Dasha Mahavidya without Durga. According to the Puranas, Lord Vishnu once desired to be held in the womb of Mother Durga. He was searching for an opportunity to approach her. One day, while traveling on the back of Garuda, he saw Mother Durga bathing in the Manasarovar Lake in Kailash.
Vishnu descended and approached the Mother. Durga asked, "Why have you come here while I am bathing?" Vishnu replied, "Mother, I am like your son. I have a request—please hold me in your womb once." Durga granted his wish, saying, "So be it."
Because she held Narayana (Vishnu) in her womb, one of Durga’s names is Narayani. When we bow to the Goddess, we say, "Narayani Namostute." She is the presiding deity of Narayana. After being born, Narayana began to guard the entrance of her home in Kailash.
One day, Shiva’s attendants, Nandi and Bhringi, came to see Mother Durga. Narayana, guarding the door, told them, "The Mother is busy and cannot be seen right now." Nandi and Bhringi were offended, exclaiming, "How dare you! We are Shiva’s closest attendants." A fierce battle broke out, and Narayana defeated them, leaving them in a pitiful state.
When they returned to Shiva and explained what happened, Shiva became furious. He took his trident and beheaded Narayana. Seeing this, Durga became enraged. She began to change her forms rapidly—Kali, Tara, Kamala, Bagala, Matangi, Bhuvaneshwari—taking on ten distinct forms.
Seeing these fierce forms, even Lord Shiva became frightened. This is the origin of the Dasha Mahavidya: Kali, Tara, Mahavidya, Shodashi, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi, and Kamala.
Shiva and Brahma were terrified and tried to calm her down. Brahma promised to revive her son. Following Brahma's instructions, they brought the head of Airavata (Indra’s elephant) and attached it to the boy’s body. Thus, the boy was revived as Ganesha.
Durga was still upset that her beautiful son now had an elephant's head and wondered who would worship him. Brahma decreed that Ganesha would be worshiped first in every ritual. No deity would receive offerings until Ganesha was honored. Thus, he became the "Lord of the People" (Ganapati).
Once Ganesha was restored, Durga calmed down and retracted the ten forms back into herself. She explained that just as milk is one but can be turned into many different sweets, she is one but can take millions of forms depending on the need.
Shiva asked if these ten forms (Dasha Mahavidya) should be worshiped at home. Durga replied, "No. These forms are for spiritual seekers (Sadhaks) and should be worshiped in specific places like cremation grounds (Shmashan), vast empty fields (Prantar), or isolated, abandoned houses (Shunnagar)."
This is why we advise against keeping images of the Dasha Mahavidya at home. They are fierce and meant for intense spiritual practice, not for household worship.
Devotee
Guru, can these deities be kept in temples?
Guru Shyama Khyapa
Yes, in temples or places where people do not live, cook, or perform daily household chores.
Durga is also called Vishnu-prasavini because she gave birth to Vishnu (as Ganesha). Another name for her is Katyayani. There is a story about Sage Katyayan, who prayed for the Mother to reside in his ashram. She agreed and stayed there in the form of a young maiden, which is why the place is called Kanyakumari.
Swami Vivekananda visited Kanyakumari and had a vision of the Mother. When he returned to Belur Math, he instructed that while no other traditional deity worship would be mandatory, Durga Puja and Kumari Puja must be performed. To this day, Belur Math is famous for its grand Durga Puja and Kumari Puja, following Vivekananda’s instructions.
Namaskar.