Sakti Consciousness in Tantra
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ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review Sakti Consciousness in Tantra Himanshu Sekhar Bhuyan There are eight great Sakti pithas in the land of Ugratara of Bhusandapur, Daskhinakali of Lord Jagannath surrounding Srikshetra such as; Harekrisnapur, Narayani of Barakul etc. - Bimala in Puri, Mangala in Kakatapur, Bhagabati Out of general evidences, it might be in Banapur, Charchika in Banki , Biraja in Jajpur, mentioned here that most Chandi Pithas are being Sarala in Jhankad, Bhattarika in Badamba, placed in four corners such as- Samaleswari in Cuttack Chandi in Cuttack. Apart from these Sambalpur, Tarini in Keonjhar, Tara in Ganjam prominent eight Sakti Pithas, there are many and Ambika in Baripada. Out of many expressive Chandi Pithas in different places of Odisha. There figures of Sakti, a few goddesses are having are thirty four Sakti Pithas and nineteen Saiva terrible postures like Chandi, Chinnamasta, Pithas, which are surrounded by sixteen Chamunda are related to tantric rituals. Many Mahasakti Pithas for the sake of their sacred spheres of divine goddesses still remain preservation. unworshipped. All of those are based on sound The other ‘Sakti’s names of Divine foundation of Tantra and most of those are out of Mother are as such; — Baseli of common views. Choudwar,‘Barunei’ of Khorda, Gouri of A few aspects are seemed to be the same Bhubaneswar, Bhadrakali of Bhadrak, Bhairavi in ‘Agama’. The ‘jyotisha’ or‘jyotisha tatwa’, seen of Boud, Hingulai of Talcher, Budhi Thakurani of in the scriptures of ‘tantra’ as well as ‘yamala’ of Angul, Sidhakali of Keonjhar, Bindhyabasini of ‘AGAMA’, although appear to be almost same, Redhakhol, Ghanteswari of Chipilima, it varies from its ways of appliances. Similarly Lankeswari of Junagarh, Maa Pendari of ‘Yugadharma’ term is seen to be there in both Navarangapur, Sureswari of Subarnapur, ‘Tantra’ and ‘Yamala’ which is included in Patamaheswari of Jeypore, Pataneswari of ‘Agama’. Apparently the entire procedure of Patana, Manikeswari of Bhabanipatana, worships was held at first on the basis of Sakta Majhighariani of Rayagada, Narayani of Nuagada, norms and forms. Even the followers of one Kichakeswari of Khiching, Jhadeswari of Dhama, originally existed religion’ or Adi-dharma , the Jain- Kalijai of Chilika, Harachandi of Brahmagiri, saints also used to offer prayers before an Ramachandi of Konark, Shyamakali of Balisahi, embodiment of ‘Sakti’ form like ‘Chakreswari’ Sanabhauni of Jagulai, Batamangala near Puri, etc .The theories of ‘Agama’ were not only 44 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER - 2019 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 attractive for having ideal ideas of Saktas but assimilate divine power by virtue of this worship. also spread the spectrum of various exemplars Late Tantrik Prafulla Chandra Bhanjadeo not only of religions like Saiva-Dharma and Vaisnab- was a prominent king of Bastar in Madhya Dharma etc . So like ‘Saktagama’ the other two Pradesh, but also was a member of Parliament. terms‘ Saivagama and ‘Vaisnavagama’ had also He could manage to give some sight regarding erupted. Accordingly an event elucidated in few goddesses of Odisha where their histories Purana, after being offended by Her father are being evolved and shaped by tantric Daksya’s unenduring words towards Siva, Sati foundation. It is being maintained in his elaborated jumped into the fire of altar and passed away. essay regarding Goddess Kuru Kulla of Then carrying Sati’s body on his shoulder, Lord Mayurbhanja district of Odisha. Sir John Shiva started dancing with anger so terribly that Woodroff also has mentioned in his book ‘Tantra- the whole universe was thrilled. The entire universe raj Tantra’ regarding this Goddess. This‘Sakta’ was on the brink of destruction. Then in response religion is being spread from Aryans to Dravidians. to the bewildering deities’ prayer offered to Lord This is being elaborately mentioned not only in Vishnu, the body of Sati was scattered and cut ‘Nigama’ or ‘vedic sastras’ but also in various into pieces through the sharpened edge of ‘Tantric’ scripts. More prominently this concept Sudarshan Chakra thrown by Lord Vishnu . The is being illuminated in Rig Veda, ‘Ratri Sukta’ and pieces of the body were fallen in many places at in Sama Veda. But it is also true that many could sixes and sevens. The spots where the main part not find the pearls of Tantra in these Suktas and and parcel of her physique were fallen, those were Shastras. Even then the Puranas which being identified as main places of Divine Mother. In this inspired by these Suktas are quite elaborate and event, the roles of ‘Sati’, ‘Siva’ and ‘Vishnu’ are profound in mentioning of Sakta Dharma. In the authentic to each other. In this context, Saktism, beginning of first Mantra of ‘Atharva Veda’ the Saivism and Vaisnavism came to the limelight word ‘Devi’ is being mentioned. together to be one with Sakti consciousness. Here ‘Samaso ‘Devi’ ravistaya apo bhabanti is the criteria to synthecise- saktagama, saivagama Pitaya samajo abhisrabantu nah.’ and vaisnavagama to each other. As in many Sakta manuscripts tantra is It is being said that for the achievement being clearly mentioned similarly in many tantric of Sakti consciousness Buddhists most of the time scriptures there is profound in expression of Sakta had taken shelter in the power of Bija Mantra consciousness. In Tantric scriptures like ‘Gouri (dharini). Each Mantra was meant for specific Tantra’, some words indicating ‘Sakti’ and invocation of different spheres of energies. ‘Tantra’ prove the clearance of indifferences Buddhists could manage to awake Supreme Sakti between these two terms - ’Kumari Tantra’ and by dint of Mantra’s invocation. (It is being referred 'Yogini Tantra'. These two examples are enough. from ‘Sadhana Mala’ and ‘Sadhan Samuchaya’) Most of the titles of tantrik scriptures are likely Synthesis of Saktas’ and tantrics’ seen of this style. In ‘Gauri Tantra’ as well as- in processes - P.C. Bhanjdeo- a glimpse- Since ‘Sammohana Tantra’ (Tantra of mesmerization) past life Tantrik Prafulla Chandra was a seeker most probably Sakta’s emotion is being observed of goddess Chinnamasta. He could manage to there. Initially Sakta philosophy has come from SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER - 2019 45 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review ‘Veda’ or ‘Nigama’. Besides these, Sakta the book by the author was the only root cause philosophy was accepted in Boudh, Saiva and of opposing him. In an encounter of short period Vaisnab religion also. in 1991, in the room no.127 of Hotel Kalinga Anomalous, yet theoretical-In Sakta Ashok, Kalpana square-Bhubaneswar, when he conspicuousness some exceptional rituals are came to Odisha. This humble writer’s polite observed in most occasions. A sort of difference appeal before him was all the amorous postures was observed in Sakta consciousness. One of its depicted on temples were not only based on example is known from the prayer of Rudra and ‘kamasashtras and silpasashtras, but also those Ambika for availing best brooms for the brides. were constructed on the basis of the sakta-tantric Rudra and Ambika were not only known as rituals mentioned in tantra-sastras. The American brothers and sisters but also were co-related with researcher has also supported it by giving many each other as husband and wife. (Bajasaneya references in the subjects of his book. Therefore Samhita, Taitaria Brahmana and Taitaria the book could have been titled as- ‘Fifth-‘M’s Aranyaka) Tantric Cult; Odisha’. This was the opinion of mine which was published in a highly circulated Yugannadha (cosmic couple): One thing to be weekly magazine of Odisha at that time. I don’t noted here that devi Subhadra is worshipped near know how far Dr. Donaldson realized and Lord Jagannath. Even if she is His sister, it is being remembered it or not, but certainly the eastern said that she is known as his Sakti also. (…’’Tara thought is always higher than the western, which yantre pralambaghno Subhadra bhubaneswari..’) is being emphasized by this humble writer in She is being prayed by devotees as Jagatjanani, almost every sphere of this kind of speculation. Parameswary, Mohini, Tripura Sundari and Yogamaya etc (Niladri Mohodaya, chapter 26). This humble writer had already stated Cosmic couple’s idol (amorous idol) is being also the views by delivering a speech in A.I.R. in originated from the concept of concert of Gods. 1991, January in support of the temple’s statues Like Brahma’s Brahmani and Sabitri, Visnu’s of amorous couple as total divine, which were Baisnabi or Laksmi and for Maheswara or depicted in accordance with tantra’s sacred Rudra’s Ambika, Sivani or Siva are being treated rituals. Another talk (in Hindi )of this writer was as Sakti. Like that Indra’s Indrani, Jama’s Yami also broadcast in 1995 in A.I.R. in favour of the and for Baraha She is Barahi—these pictures of sanctity of the syntaxes used by the chariot-driver feminine figures are mentioned in Manduky in Car-festival or Rath-yatra, the ritual of uttering Upanishad, being treated as Sakti. was the source of pleasure for Mother Durga as a mystery in Sakti consciousness. Even wise The American Historian Dr. Thomas E. people also severely criticize it generally in public Donaldson’s visit to Odisha was remarkable for by blatantly blaming it –‘obscene’. To call a spade his research work (books containing of three a spade there is nothing obscenity in addition or volumes) regarding the temples of Odisha. presentation of amorous thoughts in divine art, Another authentic one was his best composition culture and sculpture. Because certainly those are and compilation named Kamadeva's 'Pleasure almost based on some sort of tantric divinities like Garden;-Orissa'. This sort of titling or naming of ‘bajrajani- boudha-tantra’ of ‘Indravuti’ as well 46 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER - 2019 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 as ‘sahaj-jana’ of his sister ‘Lakshmingkara’ or glimpse of Uma Haimavati as Omnipotent sacred sakti consciousness of Odisha or India Supreme Goddess.