The Sanskrit terms Koṭarākṣī and Koṭarākṣin can be transliterated into English as Kotaraksi or Kotarakshi or Kotaraksin or Kotarakshin, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

1) Koṭarākṣī (कोटराक्षी) refers to one of the eight Kaula consorts (dūtī-aṣṭaka) associated with Oṃkārapīṭha (also called Oḍḍiyāna, Ādipīṭha or Uḍapīṭha), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—[...] The eight Kaula consorts (dūtī-aṣṭaka): Śivā, Ahutyagnidūtī, Koṭarākṣī, Kapālinī, Muktakeśī, Devadūtī, Tīkṣṇadaṃṣṭrā, Bhayaṃkarī.

2) Koṭarākṣī (कोटराक्षी) refers to “stern eyes”, according to the Kularatnoddyota, one of the earliest Kubjikā Tantras.—Accordingly, “That, O goddess, is said to be the subtle (form), now listen to the gross one. She possesses every limb and is endowed with a visualized form whose (basic) reality is clear. She is (black) like sliced collyrium and hair is brown and (tied in the) foreign (style). The eyes are stern [i.e., koṭarākṣī]. Showing (her) teeth, they (are as if) burning. The eyebrows are brown and the goddess bears the Five Insignias and shines with the skull that decorates (her). [...]”.

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.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Koṭarākṣī (कोटराक्षी) refers to “she who has eyes like the hollow of a tree” and is used to describe Bhairavī, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 10.7cd-17ab, while describing the worship of Bhairavī and Bhairava]—“[Bhairavī] has the appearance of vermillion or lac. [She has] erect hair, a large body and is dreadful and very terrifying. [She has the medicinal plant] śatavārī, is five-faced, and adorned with three eyes. [Her hands bear] curved talons curved [She has] eyes like the hollow of a tree (koṭarākṣī) and wears a garland of severed heads. [Ten-]armed, like Bhairava [she also] bears Bhairava’s weapons [of an axe and hatched]. [...]”.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Rakshin, Rakshi, Akshi, Kotara, Kota.

Full-text: Kotara, Akshi, Kapalini, Tikshnadamshtra, Devaduti, Ahutyagniduti, Ahutyagni, Bhayamkari, Muktakeshi, Shiva.

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Search found 2 books and stories containing Kotarakshi, Koṭarākṣī, Koṭarākṣin, Koṭa-rākṣin, Kotarakshin, Kotara-akshi, Koṭa-rākṣī, Kota-rakshi, Kota-rakshin, Kotaraksi, Kotaraksin, Kota-raksi, Kota-raksin, Koṭara-akṣī, Kotara-aksi; (plurals include: Kotarakshis, Koṭarākṣīs, Koṭarākṣins, rākṣins, Kotarakshins, akshis, rākṣīs, rakshis, rakshins, Kotaraksis, Kotaraksins, raksis, raksins, akṣīs, aksis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Padma Purana (by N.A. Deshpande)

Chapter 159 - Koṭaratīrtha < [Section 6 - Uttara-Khaṇḍa (Concluding Section)]

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The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)

Chapter 45 - The Arrival of Sixty-four Yoginīs < [Section 1 - Pūrvārdha]

Chapter 72 - Victory of Durgā < [Section 2 - Uttarārdha]

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