Alternative spellings of this word include Yoginichakra.

In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Kubjikāmata-tantra

Yoginīcakra (योगिनीचक्र):—One of the five internal mystic centres (pañcacakra), according to the kubjikāmata-tantra (or, kādiprakaraṇa). These five cakras follow the general principle of a cakra (inward representation of a maṇḍala, the representation of cosmic creation). The Yoginīcakra is the fourth cakra, and is occupied by the goddesses who are called Yoginīs (‘sorceresses’). This cakra, indicated as the Ghaṭādhāra or Ghaṭasthāna, is localized in the region of the throat.

The Yoginīcakra is associated with the gross element Air (vāyu).

Six female deities (yoginīs) are born from the central male deity (of the Yoginīcakra) known as Kuleśvara (‘the Lord of kula’):

1. Ḍāmarī,
2. Rāmaṇī,
3. Lambakarṇī or Lambikā,
4. Kākinī or Kākī,
5. Sākinī, 
6. Yakṣiṇī.

7) Kusuminī (or Kusumamālinī) is the optional seventh yoginī according to the kubjikāmata-tantra.

The following names are mentioned in texts such as the Kulārṇava-tantra and the Ṣaṭcakranirūpaṇa:

1. Ḍākinī,
2. Rākiṇī,
3. Lākinī,
4. Kākinī,
5. Śākinī,
6. Hākinī,

7) Yakṣiṇī is added as a seventh deity in the Kulārṇava-tantra and is known as Yākinī in the Setubandha commentary on the Yoginīhṛdaya.

8) Kusumāyudhā (or Kusuṃā) is a variant to Kusuminī (or Kusumamālinī) according to tantric sources such as the Śrīmatottara-tantra and the Gorakṣa-saṃhita.

These Yoginīs primarily have a fearsome nature, and are associated with concepts such as the sixfold adhvan, the bodily substances (dhātus), the Ṣaṭcakra, six aṅgas, and the six tattvas.

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Yoginīcakra (योगिनीचक्र) refers to the “circle of Yoginīs”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.37. Accordingly:—“[...] Vīrabhadra took up all the great miraculous weapons for his fight with Viṣṇu and roared like a lion. [...] A noisy terrible fight ensued between the Gaṇas and the guardians of the quarters, both roaring like lions. [...] Splitting up all the Devas, the great leader of Bhairavī in collaboration with the circle of Yoginīs [i.e., yoginīcakra], drank much of their blood”.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Yoginīcakra (योगिनीचक्र) refers to the “assembly of Yoginīs”, one of the sacred seats (pīṭha), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Ṛṣis are commonly part of the Kaula assemblies just as they commonly said to be in both Tantras and Purāṇas a part of Śiva’s or Bhairava’s retinue on mountain Kailāśa along with numerous other saints, supernatural beings and deities, great and small. In one description of an assembly of Yoginīs (yoginīcakra), they are portrayed as singing the Kulāgama, just as they did the Vedas.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: MDPI Books: The Ocean of Heroes

Yoginīcakra (योगिनीचक्र) refers to a “circle of Yoginīs”, according to the 10th-century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly [while describing the wind-circle (vāyu-cakra)]: “[...] [Figures] of Yoginīs should be placed in the middles of the adamantine spokes in order. The wise should also know the other name [of their consort heroes], ‘Ākāśagarbha’. [The yoginīs are]—[...] The Yoginīs’ circle (yoginīcakra) is thus [described]. The color [of their bodies] is the same as [the color of] the circle of [their residential] place (variegated dark blue). [...]”.

context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Cakra, Yogini, Yokini.

Starts with: Yoginicakrapujana.

Full-text: Yoginicakrapujana, Ghatadhara, Ghatasthana, Ramani, Damari, Lambakarni, Yakshini, Pancacakra, Sakini, Kakini, Yakini, Kusuma, Rakini, Lakini, Hakini, Rishi, Dakini.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Yoginicakra, Yoginīcakra, Yogini-cakra, Yoginī-cakra; (plurals include: Yoginicakras, Yoginīcakras, cakras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)

Chapter 350 - Greatness of Durga-Kūṭa Gaṇapati < [Section 1 - Prabhāsa-kṣetra-māhātmya]

Chapter 4 - A Fight between Vīrabhadra and Viṣṇu and Others < [Section 1 - Kedāra-khaṇḍa]

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