Devi Tantra, Mantra, Yantra (study)
by Srider Basudevan Iyer | 2008 | 80,291 words
This essay studies the history of Devi (the Goddess) in relation with worship using Tantra, Yantra and Mantra. The study explores the concept of the 'Female Principle' or Goddess, examining her role and significance in ancient Indian society. Drawing from lesser-known texts, Sri-vidyarnava-tantra and Mahalakshmi Ratnakosa, the research aims to comp...
Later Vedic goddesses (5.5): Jyeshta-Lakshmi
Jyesta-Laksmi - origin. Jyeshta-Lakshmi is considered as the opposite of Laksmi. It is stated in the Uttara khand of the Parma Purana it is mentioned that the goddess Jyesta or Alaksmi is the goddess of misfortune. She came out of the ocean of milk as a result of it being churned by the gods and their cousins. It is further stated that, the goddess A Laksmi was the wife of death or mrityu 235. In the Atharvaveda there is a mantra which is used to ward off Alakshmi in the form of poverty and misfortune 236. 235 Mar.P. L.33. 236 Atharvaveda I.18.1-4
chapter II Major goddesses Place among masses. 154 According to the folk belief, the goddess Alaksmi is the inauspicious spirit of poverty which has to be dispelled from the house during Deepavali. On the night of Deepavali, doors and windows are kept open in the night so that Laksmi may come in and at four in the morning, the eldest woman in the family beats and drives out Alaksmi out of the house. Temple. There is a temple dedicated to the goddess Jyesta in the old Calicut madras trunk road at a village called Thacha-nattu-kara 237.A second temple of the goddess is in Srinagar on a hill called Jethyar which overlooks the Dal-lake 238 Preferential places. The goddess Jyesta is the goddess of misfortune. She is the elder sister of Laksmi, the deity of fortune. Jyeshta is the deity of poverty, indigence, odium, reproach and ignominy. Her very name is a term of reaproach. She is the symbol of all that is detestable and loathsome. Jyeshta's presence in the house is indicated by the presence of waste, dirt, squalor, sloth-ness, indolence, idleness, disorder, anger 237 The Times Of India, vide the speaking tree Dt. 14.9.2002 238 The Times Of India, Dt. 1.10.2002 P. 14
chapter II Major goddesses 155 and all such undesirable things. The temple at Srinagar is dedicated to Jyestathe goddess of Anima- the first of the eight siddhis.. Iconographic details. The goddess, Jyesta is yellowish in complexion, and holds lotus in her hand. She is lotus eyed and is endowed with all the ornaments.