Varahi Tantra (English Study)
by Roberta Pamio | 2014 | 29,726 words
This English essay studies the Varahi Tantra and introduces the reader to the literature and philosophy of the Shakta Tradition to which this text belongs. These Shakta Tantras are doctrines where the Mother Goddess is conceived as the Supreme deity who is immanent and transcendental at the same time. The Varahitantra (lit. the "Doctrine of th...
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Chapter 30 - Conclusion of the exposition on Durgāpūjā
The first half of this chapter concludes the exposition on Durgāpūjā (vv.1-57’), as it is given in the Du.Bh.T.[1]
Bhairava says that in the Durgāpūjā one should also worship the weapons, emblems and armour of the Goddess (v. 1): the pūjamantras of the weapons of the goddess are then given: khaḍga (vv.2-6); chūrikā, i.e. knife (vv.7-9); kaṭṭāraka, i.e. dagger (v.10); dhanu (vv.11-12); kunta, i.e. spear (v. 13); varma, i.e. armour (v.14); cāmara (v.15); chatra, i.e. parasol (v.16); śakradhvaja, i.e. Indra’s banner (vv.17-19); patāka; i.e. flag (vv.20-25’); dundubhi, i.e. kettledrum (vv.25"-28’); śaṅkha (vv.28"-29’); lion (vv.29"-33’); horse (vv.33"-41’).
In verse 41 is given the mantra for the offering of bali.
Verses 42-46 speak about the merits of awakening the Goddess; praising her with singing and music; circumambulating her; worshipping her as Triśūlinī in Navamī; and offering her a bali.
Verses 47-50 give the visarjana mantra.
Verses 50’"-57’ speak about the Aparājitā pūjā, performed on daśamī, i.e. the tenth lunar day of the crescent moon.
In verses 57"-65 is given the abhiṣeka mantra.
Then Bhairava gives rules for the atonement of certain sins (vv.66-100) and describes the funeral rights (vv.101-141); these arguments are discussed in a similar way by Śrīmān Narasiṃhaṭhakkura in his Tārābhaktisudhārṇava (Tā.Bh.S.).[2]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
See pages 184-112 of the Du.Bh.T.