7/20/2014 Goddess Chinnamasta, The One with the Severed Head

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Published on Jul 18 2014 12:03 AM | Posted by Radha Pukan | Hindu Gods and Goddesses | 5,174views

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The text of the Gupta Lalitambika desribes Goddess Chinnamasta as

follows: "She who is the embodiment of virtue, love, humanness, anger,

valiancy, terror, odiousness, mysticism, humor and tranquility all put

together." It is quite a neat description of the Goddess. The name by

itself connotes 'one with the severed head'. She is refered as Prasanda

Chandika and comes 6th in line of the ten Mahavidyas. There is mention

of the Goddess in not only Hindu texts but also Buddhist Tantric

scriptures. She is also called Vajreshwari and is likened to the thunderbolt

of Lord Indra. Her eyes are expressive and some devotees also call her

Indrani. Those who follow her become inspired and courageous.

Significance of Mahavidya Chinnamasta

She is known to help the activation of the Manipur chakra in the human

body. As the chakra gets started a white odorless smoke is emitted. A

triangle and a lotus emerge. It also brings forth the images of Rati and

Manmata who are just above the white lotus. Manmata has his back on

the white lotus and Rati is positioned just above him. The image also

depicts Cinnamasta standing on the chest of Manmata. She has a head in

her hand. Her neck shows three sprays of blood spouting out (symbolizing

the flow of prana through Ida, Pingala and Sushumna Nadis). One spray of

blood is towards her friend Dakini and the other is for Varninini. The third

one, which is green and yellowish, is gaseous in nature. It assumes an

ultra violet shade and comes out of her mouth. This gas is spread all

across the universe. It intersperses with all living beings and touches

their lives.

The Devi is harsh on her self as she sacrifices her head. As she has

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immense self-control she is considered a yogi of the finest order. Since

she is able to sacrifice her own head it means she is capable of spiritual

advancement.

She is called a pure Yogini. This is why she is called by names like Vajra

Yogini, supreme Dakini or Para Dakini. Those who wish to get empowered

with the occult worship her ardently. Her left foot is positioned in a

manner that shows she is ready to move or is always 'on the go'. In her

hand she also carries a knife along with the severed head. A serpent is

around her neck and she has three eyes. Despite all her fearsome

features she is considered satvik and very feminine. Once she blesses the

devotee he is protected for life.

Legends Associated with Mahavidya Chinnamasta

Since there are not many available texts on her and also by way of

reference quite a lot has disappeared in antiquity, nevertheless through

art she is well depicted. As one of the forms of Kali many fear her. In

Tantric Buddhist texts she is refered as Vajrayoni and the form of Tara.

Those who follow the Tibetan tantric system believe that her ability to

hold her head in sacrifice shows the highest spiritual authority. Her not

7/20/2014 Goddess Chinnamasta, The One with the Severed Head

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being dead, and walking is also amazing as mentioned in the Tibetan

Tantra scriptures. This also signifies the enlighment from risen Kundalini,

and complete freedom from ego

How the Mahavidya’s Qualities Concern Us?

We need to get rid of all kinds of false identifications and emotions. We

have to go beyond the limitations and break free. She teaches us to

remove fear, self pity and also forget the pain of death. Her being naked

means she wants us also to be free from being bound by ego and false

designations.

As a Mahavidya she wears a garland of skulls and a necklace of bones

around her neck. She ties the snake on her neck like a yajnopavita or a

sacred thread. It is gruesome to see that she has cut off her head and is

carrying it in her hand. While she is standing with the severed head on

Rati and Manmata, the backdrop is equally terrifying. There is thunder and

lighting all around. She is in a state of amansaka (not dead). She is now

free of all human emotions and characteristics. She is still happy and sees

it all with her three eyes. The place where the event is happening is a

cremation ground. There are jackals that are around but are not interested

in the event.

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7/20/2014 Goddess Chinnamasta, The One with the Severed Head

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The Ten Mahavidyas of the Goddess

There is another image of the Mahavidya where she is sitting on the chest

of Shiva with her severed head. She is also called the red hibiscus and

she is like the rising sun. She is usually in red and at times blue. In

another image she is riding the lion with her severed head. The rest of

the features of the Mahavidya remain the same. In the oldest tradition

she stands naked like a Digambari. There is no illusion of the body or

attachment towards it. With her in such images there is hardly any reason

for her devotees to fear life or death. They are also stripped of illusion.

Her acts are heroic in nature. She is in bliss and not in pain.