Rakini, Rākiṇī: 8 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Shaivism
2. Shaktism
Languages
1. Sanskrit
See also

Introduction:

Rakini means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Kubjikāmata-tantra

Rākiṇī (राकिणी):—Name of one of the eight female deities (yoginīs) of the Yoginīcakra, according to tantric sources such as the Śrīmatottara-tantra and the Gorakṣa-saṃhita. In other tantric sources, such as the kubjikāmata-tantra, she is identified as Rāmaṇī. She is also mentioned as a similarly positioned yoginī in the Kulārṇava-tantra and the Ṣaṭcakranirūpaṇa where she forms part of a group of six or seven such female deities. The male counterpart of Rākiṇī is the Bhairava named Ruru, who should be visualized mentally.

Rākiṇī (and the other eight yoginīs) arise forth from the body of the Bhairava named Saṃvarta, who is described as a furious deity (mahāraudra) with various fearsome characteristics. During worship, She is to be placed in a petal facing south-east. Rākiṇī has the head of a owl (ulūka) according to the Śrīmatottara-tantra and the Kulārṇava-tantra. She has eight arms and is addicted to blood (rudhira) and fermented liquor. Her colour is red (rakta).

Source: archive.org: Indian Historical Quarterly Vol. 7 (shaivism)

Rākiṇī (राकिणी).—The Ḍākinīs, Rākiṇīs, Lākinīs, [Kākinīs?] Śākinīs and Hākinīs are mentioned as the female energies (Śaktis) of the Tantrik deities respectively called Ḍāmeśvaranātha, Rāmeśvaranātha, Lāmeśvaranātha, Kākeśvaranātha, Śāmeśvaranātha, and Hāmeśvaranātha who together with their Śaktis, form mystic groups designated under the mnemonic ḍa ra la ka śa ha. The Lord of Lāmā is here called Lāmeśvara.

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Rākinī (राकिनी) is the name of a Yoginī associated with Kāmarūpa, 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.—The main topic of chapter 35 of the Kumārikākhaṇḍa is the projection of the seats into the Six Wheels of the subtle body, each of which is governed by a Yoginī [i.e., Rākinī, Dākinī]. However, although placing them in pairs in each seat implies this simple linear development of the Wheels from the three seats, two by two from each one, the correspondences are soon skewed. Further ahead in chapter 35, the Wheels (cakra) in the body are again presented in relation to the sacred seats. But there, without any apparent reason, the seats have again become the standard four. Moreover, although the text names only four seats, it refers to them as six.

Source: Shodhganga: Saudarya Lahari of Sri Sankara A Study

Rākiṇī (राकिणी) refers to one of the 54 rays of the Anāhata-Cakra which (together with the 62 rays of the Maṇipūra) are associated with the solar plane called Viṣṇugranthi, according to Śaṅkarācārya’s Saudaryalaharī.—Accordingly, the Goddess is visualised (by Sādhaka) as dwelling above the six Ādhāracakras ruling over the 360 rays which emanate in them [e.g., Rākiṇī]. These 360 rays represent 360 syllables (i.e., a consummation of the śabdaprapañca or 50 alphabets) as well as the principles of nature. For the 360 syllables, together with haṃ and saḥ, Nyāsa should be performed for Śrīcakrapūjā.

Source: Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts: Volume 12 (1898) (shak)

Rākiṇī (राकिणी) refers to one of the topics discussed in the Rudrayāmalatantra, a Sanskrit manuscript collected in volume 1 of the catalogue “Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (first series)” by Rajendralal Mitra (1822–1891), who was one of the first English-writing historians dealing with Indian culture and heritage.— The Rudrayāmala-tantra is an elaborate and original Tantra, including the whole range of Śākta knowledge about religion, social orders, castes, sacred places, modes of adoration, forms of ceremonies, etc. It contains roughly 9,000 verses divided into 67 sections.—The catalogue includes the term—Rākiṇī in its ‘subject-matter list’ or Viṣaya (which lists topics, chapters and technical terms). The complete entry reads—[(1) chapter 37: svādhiṣṭhānaśrīkṛṣṇarākiṇīsādhana (2) chapter 41: rākiṇīstotraṃ (3) chapter 42: rākiṇyā aṣṭottarasahasranāmastotraṃ].

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Rākiṇī (राकिणी):—f. Name of a Tantra goddess, [Catalogue(s)] (cf. ḍākinī and lākinī).

[Sanskrit to German]

Rakini in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Relevant text

Search found 8 books and stories containing Rakini, Rākiṇī; (plurals include: Rakinis, Rākiṇīs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Verse 17 < [Section 2]

Summary (of verses 14-18) < [Section 2]

Verse 52 < [Section 8]

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Verse 84 [Gurukrama] < [Chapter 3 - Third Vimarśa]

Verse 141 [Pañca-devatākrama Sṛṣṭi] < [Chapter 3 - Third Vimarśa]

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Page 274 < [Volume 3 (1874)]

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The Shakta concept of the Yoga-nadis < [Chapter 5 - Shakta-Tantras—Saundaryalahari as an epitome of Shaktism]

Saundaryalahari as an epitome of Saktism < [Chapter 5 - Shakta-Tantras—Saundaryalahari as an epitome of Shaktism]

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