Orissa Review * September - 2004 Sakti Cult in Upper Mahanadi Valley S.S. Panda Saptamatrka carved on monolithic rock at village Ghudar near Titilagarh, District Balangir 7 Learned scholar Rajeshwari1 writes, “The more. Varahamihira is silent about their conception of God as Mother is natural and number and has just mentioned that “Mothers ultimate. In almost all the ancient civilizations are to be made with cognisances of gods God is conceived as Mother. She is Prakrti, corresponding to their names.” The Earth and Mother Supreme.” Saptamatrkas are generally carved in relief Saptamatrka on a rectangular stone slab in the order of Brahmani, Mahesvari, Kaumari, Vaisnavi, The creation of Matrkas is associated Varahi, Indrani and Camunda, being flanked by with the destruction of the asura Andhaka by Virabhadra and Ganesa in both sides (first and Siva, which is elaborately described in the 2 last). Matsya Purana (179.1-90). We find details about the creation of the Saptamatrkas also in In the Varaha and Kurma Puranas8 it is 3 the Vaman Purana (44.1-96). T.A. Gopinatha mentioned that after Prahalada, Andhakasura 4 Rao has dealt in detail about the purpose of became the king of the Asuras and by his auster the creation of these Matrkas. He has quoted penances he obtained several boons from the stories from Matsya Purana, Vamana Brahma and became invincible. Being haressed Purana, Varaha Purana, Kurma Purana and by him, the Devas prayed Lord Siva in Kailasa the Suprabhedagama. The iconographical to come to their rescue. When Lord Siva was features of Saptamatrkas are found in Agni listening to their complaints, Andhakasura 5 Purana, Amsumadbhedagama, and arrived there and challenged the Lord and even 6 Markandeya Purana also. Learned scholar dared to try to snatch away Devi Parvati. This Dr. H.C. Das has elaborately dealt with the act of the Asura infuriated Lord Siva as a result iconography and images of Saptamatrkas of which he took the three great Nagas; Vasuki, found in Orissa in his recently published book Takshaka and Dhananjaya to be his belt and “Iconography of Sakta Divinities.” While all bracelets and got himself ready to fight with other texts put the number of Matrkas to be Andhakasura. Clad with his peculiar garments, seven. Varaha and Kurma Puranas put it to the Lord started his expedition alongwith his eight (Asthamatrkas). The number and names Ganas to fight with the Asura. Visnu and other of the Matrkas vary in different contexts. They gods also went with him to offer help. But in are usually seven, sometimes eight or even the struggle that ensued Visnu and other Devas 61 Orissa Review * September - 2004 had to run away. At last Lord Siva aimed his Balangir district. Huge stone-blocks having the arrow and shot at the Asura and wounded him; carved figures of Saptamatrkas were once blood began to flow in profusion from the upon a time adorning the pedestals meant for wound and each drop of it, as touched the earth central deities in temples at Udeypur and assumed the shape of another Andhakasura. Ranipur Jharial. The huge stone block once Thus there arose thousands of Andhakasura to adorning the temple at Udeypur is now lying fight against Siva. Immediately Siva thrust his half-buried in the embankment of a peddy field Trisula through the body of the real to the south-east of Udeypur village near Andhakasura and began to dance. Visnu Titilagarh. destroyed with his Chakrayudha the secondary But the Saptamatrka stone slab of Asuras produced from the blood drops of Ranipur Jharial is missing now, except we Andhakasura. To check the blood from falling know about it from a photo taken by the down on the earth, Siva created out of the flame Archaeological Survey of India. Plate No.3319 that was issuing from his mouth a Sakti called in the book 'Hindu Temple Art of Orissa', Yogesvari. Indra and other Devas also sent their Vol.III by Prof. Thomas E. Donaldson). A Saktis to serve the same purpose. They are broken part of it having three of the seven Bhahmani, Mahesvari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Matrka figures has been shiefted by Dr. C.B. Varahi, Indrani and Chamunda, who are the Patel, the present Superintendent of the Orissa female counterparts of the gods, Brahma, State Museum in around 1985 from the Ranipur Mahesvara, Kumara, Visnu, Varaha, Indra and Jharial site and now it is lying uncared in the Yama respectively and are armed with the District Culture Office at Sambalpur. Before same weapons, wear the same ornaments and it is lost it should be shiefted to the Orissa ride the same Vahanas and carry the same State Museum. This stone slab was most banners as the corresponding male gods do. probably installed in the Liyahari temple at Such is the account of the origin of the Ranipur Jharial in the original state. Saptamatrkas or the seven mother-goddesses. On the door-lintel of the Garbhagrha of The seven Matrikas licked all drops of the Khambeswari temple of Sonepur, a panel blood and checked from falling on the ground, of ten lady figures are carved in one panel. In as a result of which the multiplication of the first and tenth positions are two front-faced secondary Andhakasura could not take place. ladies in the Dvibhanga standing position with In the struggle Andhakasura finally lost his both hands folded in obeisance, whereas rest power known as Asura Maya and was defeated of the eight goddesses (including Gajalaksmi) by Lord Siva. Nevertheless by the grace of are in the seated position. Gajalaksmi is in the Lord Siva, the Asura met a good end. centre, flanked by three and four seated Devis Independent Saptamatrka images are to her proper right and left respectively. all found amidst loose sculptures at Belkhandi in these seven seated Devi figures are carved Kalahandi district and Chandital in Baud under Chhatra design and on their left thigh district. Rock-cut Saptamatrka panels are they hold one child each, seated on it. In the found on monolithic rocks, two at Ghudar and Gajalaksmi motif, Laksmi is seen to be seated another set of two at Ranipur Jharial in in Lalitasana. Most probably, this is a unique 62 Orissa Review * September - 2004 Gajalaksmi panel as one of the locks could not be tied, she and the only of its uprooted it and threw it on the ground. This kind, depicting the form produced the terrible goddess Saptamatrkas, a cult Chandamari. This Chandamari is Chamunda, popularised some so called as she presented the crest of skulls time around the 9th prepared from the heads of Chanda and Munda century A.D. This to Durga. She is also called Kumarika, (Skanda panel might have Purana VII. 1.242.19). In the Vamana Purana been fitted during the (44.41.47) again it is mentioned that she was Chauhan period by born from the perspiration that gathered at the collecting it from the forehead of Siva when he fought with the ruins of an earlier demon Andhaka. As she was said to be Chamunda, Ranipur Jharial, Dist.Balangir temple. "smeared" with blood, she came to be known Chamunda as Charccika. The goddess Charccika is said to be at the boundary of the Utkala country. The Devi Mahatmyam (chap.7) Section She is said to be decorated with a garland of of the Markandeya Purana tells the story of human skulls. The Skanda Purana (II.2.11.91- Chamunda. According to this story a dazzlingly 92) mentions her in connection with a king beautiful goddess named Kausiki sprang from named Indradyumna (of Ujjayini) who the Supreme Goddess to annihilate the demon travelled to the Utkala country, got down from king Sumbha and his brother Nisumbha. In the chariot and paid respect to her. course of her fight she had to face in the (Sk.P.II.2.11.91- "Simamutkaladesasya beginning the demons Chanda and Munda. Vibhajantim Vanantare I Margastham Being furious by this, Kausiki created from her Carcikam Prapa Carcitam Mundamalaya II". forehead Chamunda, a goddess of terrible An eight-handed Chamunda is worshipped as countenance, black and scowling, with drawn Charccika at Banki, which can be taken as the sword and lasso, holding a Khatvanga, border of Utkala and Daksina Kosala in wearing a garland of skulls, clad in a tiger skin, ancient period. As mentioned in the hungry and emaciated, mouth hideously Visnudharmottara, Chamanda is described as distorted and the tongue protruding out. She living in the funeral ground under a Vata tree plucked off the heads of Chanda and Munda, surrounded with many ghosts. She likes flesh, and presented both heads to Kausiki. wine and fat, her face is smeared with flesh We find nine of her names like Rudra and fresh blood (Navarudhira-mukha) and she Charccika, Rudra - Chamunda, Mahalaksmi, sits on a corpse in the Padmasana pose Siddha Chamunda, Siddha Yogesvari, (Pretapadmasanastha). As a Yogini she likes Rupavidya, Ksama, Dantura and Kubjika in flesh, wine and fat, her face is smeared with Agni Purana (44.41-47). flesh, fresh blood (Navarudhira-mukha). According to the Vamana Purana The same text gives a list of weapons (29.47-85), when Kausiki killed the demon found in her hands which are Musala, Kavaca, Ruru, she skinned him right from the ear to the Bana, Ankusa, Khadga, Khetaka, Pasa, feet and with that skin she tied her locks. But Dhanu, Danda and Parasu. 63 Orissa Review * September - 2004 In the upper Mahanadi valley of Orissa Saptamatrka group of goddesses amidst temple independent images of Chamunda are found in ruins at Belkhandi and Chandital.