Chamunda Devi
Chamunda
CHAMUNDA:
Durga is also known as Chamunda Mata or Chandi-Chamunda close to the South Indian version. This fierce mother goddess has big eyes dressed in red and green adorned with garlands of flowers and in front of her is vehicle the Lion She is one of the seven Matrikas or ‘Saptamatrikas’ or Seven Divine Mothers and one of the chief Yoginis. The Matrikas are Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maheshvari, Indrani, Kaumari, Varahi, Chamunda and Narasimhi.
The Matrikas are of paramount importance to Shaktam mother goddess worship and Tantrism. They are connected to Lord Skanda Kumara’s birth and later to the Shaivite sect itself. According to Brihat-Samhita, Mother Goddesses are to be made with cognizance of Hindu Gods corresponding to their names and associated as their Shaktis. In this sense Chamunda is taken to be the consort of Lord Shiva.
PADAMALA MANTRA OF CHAMUNDA: This is one of the celebrated mantra traditions of Chandika Vidya. It is found in Yuddha-jayarnava Tantra, Agni Purana and Devi Purana. It is also know severally as Bhairava Vidya, Naravimohini and Chamunda Mantra Mala. In the myth, Rudra invoked Chamunda in a 28 handed form when the world was tormented by Ghora, the demon. The original mantra was narrated by Rudra to Vishnu and then transmitted to the sage Agastya. He in turn narrated to Kshatriya Nripavahana to reach the world. It is also said that the mantra was transmitted by Rudra to Ushanakavya.
Mother Goddess Devi is perceived by bhaktas in innumerable forms when she is venerated or rituals are performed. In Padamala Mantra Vidya, Mother Devi is addressed by thirty-two names portraying Camunda, the presiding deity.
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The thirty two appearances or identities according to the mantras are:
1. Devi is addressed as Bhagavati Camunda, meaning the goddess who slaughtered the demons Canda and Munda.
2. Devi is called Smasanavasini, a name referring to someone who resides in a cremation ground.
3. Devi is invoked as Khatvanga-kapalahaste, a deity who holds a rib bone and a human head.
4. Devi’s epithet is Mahapreta Samarudhe, one who is mounted on great spirits.
5. Devi is addressed as Mahavimanamalakule, one who is decorated with garlands and is seated on a form of flying transportation.
6. Devi is called Kalaratri, referring to an entity who is like the darkest night.
7. Devi is hailed as Bahuganaparivrte or someone surrounded by innumerable attendants.
8. Devi is hailed as Mahasukhe Bahubhuje, meaning many-handed blissful goddess
9. Devi is addressed as Ghanta Damaru Kinkininadasabbda Bahule, adorned with a bell, a percussion, instrument covered with skin and ornaments producing rhythmic sounds.
10. Devi is called Attattahase or someone who roars with frightening laughter.
11. Devi is visualized as Ca Karanetre, one who has squinting eyes.
12. Devi is called Lalanajihve, referring to her lolling tongue.
13. Devi is invoked as Bhrukutimukhi referring to the pronounced frown on her face.
14. Devi’s name is Humkarabhayatrasini, someone who scares others with her bellowing voice.
15. Devi is Sphurita Vidyutsamaprabhe or a deity as beautiful as streaked lightning.
16. Devi is Kapala Mala Vesita Jatanmukuta Sasankadharini, one holding a moon in her matted crest and adorned with a wreath of skulls.
17. Devi is venerated as Attahase, a term reminding the devotee of her roaring laughter.
18. Devi is called Bibho, a reference to the all-pervading Camunda.
19. Devi is recognized as Vicce, here she is black, fierce, infallible and a giver of blessings.
20. Devi is addressed as Hum Hum, in this embodiment, she mutters hum as bija mantra and bestows the four aims, the purusharta of life.
21. Devi is Damstra Ghorandhakarini, meaning one with dreadful teeth and creatirix of a dark abyss.
22. Devi is addressed as Sarvabighna Vinasini in order to convey her power to destroy all obstacles.
23. Devi is Urdhakesi, a term that refers to her spiked hair.
24. Devi is Ulukavadane, one with a frightening owl-like face.
25. Devi is addressed as Karamgamaladharini; describing her as holding a kamandala water pot.
26. Devi is invoked as Vikrtarupini, the goddess with a hideous face.
27. Devi is addressed as Krsnabujanga Vestitasarire, one whose body is encircled with a black snake.
28. Devi is Pralamvasthi, one with pendulous lips.
29. Devi is addressed as Bhagna Nasike, one who has the broken nose.
30. Devi is invoked as Cipitamukhe, the names refers to someone with a sunken face.
31. Devi is addressed as Kapilajate Jvalamukhi, a deity with tawny complexion and matted hair.
32. Devi is addressed as Raktaksi Purnamaya or one who has blood shot eyes.
Hara Hara Mahadeva.
(draft God, Goddesses, Deities © taken from a facebook posting
