Pratyangira

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Narasimhi (Pratyangira)
Pratyangira 2014-02-25 09-47.JPG
Other namesChenchu Lakshmi, Atharvana Bhadrakāli, Pratyanigara ,Simhamukha Lakshmi
Sanskritप्रत्यङ्गिरा
AffiliationDevi, Lakshmi ,Chenchu Lakshmi,Chandi, Durga,
WeaponTrishula (Trident), Damaru (Drum), Kapala, Pasha (rope/snake rope)
MountSimha (lion)
TextsDevi Bhagavatham. Atharvaveda.
ConsortNarasimha when Simhamukha Lakshmi. Shiva when Pratyangira.

Pratyangira (Sanskrit: प्रत्यङ्गिरा, Pratyaṅgirā), also called Atharvana Bhadrakali, Narasimhi, Nikumbhila (or Nikumbala) and Simhamukha Lakshmi is a Hindu Goddess associated with Shakti. This combination of lion and human forms represents the balance of good and evil. In Vaishnavism and Devi Bhagavatham,Narasimhi is the wife of Narasimha. In Shaktism, Pratyangira is Siddhilakshmi, a form of Guhya Kali. In Durga tradition, Pratyangira is Purna Chandi, the fiery destructive power of Brahman. In the Vedas, Pratyangira is Atharvana Bhadrakali, the goddess of Atharva Veda and magical spells.[1]

Legends[]

There are many Hindu texts that state different legends of Narasimhi.

According to many Puranas, at the end of Krita Yuga, a glittering spark appeared from the universe and transformed into a wicked demon named Vipulaasura. Vipulaasura disturbed a group of 8 sages who were performing rituals of Ashta Lakshmi. This angered the Goddess who transformed a holy lotus flower into a kavacha or a strong shield. It is also mentioned that the lotus which was transformed had 562 petals in it. The shield provided a great protection to the 8 sages, allowing them to perform the holy rituals without any disturbance. After that, Devi took the form of Narasimhi and defeated the demon Vipulaasura. Devi Bhagavatham says Narasimhi is wife of Narasimha and also called Chenchu Lakshmi.

According to the Markandeya Purana and Shiva Purana, in the beginning of the Treta Yuga, the Lord Narasimha, the fourth among the ten avatars of Vishnu, killed the unruly King Hiranyakashipu by tearing up his body and drinking his blood. Lord Narasimha became extremely angry, violent and unstoppable due to the anger contained in Hiranyakashipu's body and also because Lord Narsimha drunk his blood in rage. To calm him down, Lord Shiva came down as Sharabha, a bird-animal-human hybrid. The lord succeeded to pacify him, but as per minor sources, upon seeing this, Lord Narasimha released the form of Gandaberunda, a two headed bird to fight against Sarabheswara. These two beings fought a long time, for which Lord Sarabeshwara released goddess Pratyangira from one of his wings while goddess Shoolini being the other wing. The Goddess destroyed the form of Gandabherunda, while Shiva pacified Narasimha.

In another version, it is mentioned that, in ancient times, when two Rishis, Prathiyangira and Angiras were meditating, they re-discovered a Goddess through a Moola Mantra who was nameless. Later She privileged the rishis by naming Herself after them and hence She was called as Prathyangira Devi. Narasimhi is another name of Hers. 'Nara' means human and 'Simhi' means lioness. She got named thus as she appears with a lion's face and a human body.

The term 'Prati' means reverse and 'Angiras' means attacking. Thus, devi Pratyangira is the one who reverses any black magic attacks. In temples of south India, She is also eulogized as Atharvana Bhadrakali as the She is considered the ruling Goddess of the Atharva Veda, the scripture which contains spells to conjure and cure.[2][3]

Pratyangira is one of the chief warrior goddess of Lalita Tripura Sundari's army called Shakti Sena. Adi Parasakthi at an earlier time during the war between her and Bhandasura gave two boons to Pratyangira that the protection offered by Pratyangira is invincible and no deity can overcome it. Also when invoked for offensive purposes Pratyangira give invincibility and sure victory to her devotee. Thus Pratyangira is a very popular deity among the Kshatriyas warrior caste. She is often described as the ultimate Goddess to be worshipped for defensive and offensive power.

Association[]

In some images she is shown as dark-complexioned, terrible in aspect, having a lion's face with reddened eyes and riding a lion or wearing black garments, she wears a garland of human skulls; her hair stands on end, and she holds a trident, a serpent in the form of a noose, a hand-drum and a skull in her four hands. She is associated with Sharabha and she has a variant form, Atharvana-Bhadra-Kali. She is considered to be a powerful repellent of the influences generated by witchcraft and is said to have the power to punish anyone doing Adharma. It is said that when Narashimhika shakes her Lion's Mane, she throws the stars into disarray.[4][5]

In Hindu Epics[]

The Pratyangira yantra.

Prathyangira is also mentioned in the Hindu epic Ramayana. Indrajit was performing "Nikumbala yaga" (a sacred ritual to worship Goddess Nikumbala, which is another name of Goddess Prathyangira)[6] while Rama and his soldiers were waging war in Lanka. Hanuman came down to stop this ritual because he knew that if Indrajit completed it, he would become invincible.

Worship[]

Tantra classifies deities as Shanta (calm), Ugra (wrathful), Prachanda (horrifying), Ghora (terrifying) and Teevra (ferocious). Pratyangira is considered as a teevra murti. Pratyangira worship is strictly prohibited for people who have namesake Bhakti. Pratyangira worship is only done by the guidance of a Guru who is proficient in Tantra.[7]

Worships dedicated to Pratyangira is performed at many places for the welfare of the people and for eliminating the influences of evil forces. In some temples Pratyangira Devi Homam (Havan) is performed on days of Amavasya.[8]

Eight kinds of Tantric acts[]

Like all Tantric deities, she can be invoked for the eight kinds of acts usually performed. They are appealing, growth, increasing, attracting, subduing, dissention repealing and killing. Detailed information is found as to what kind of materials are to be used for the respective aim, and the number of recitations to be performed. It is further said that any act performed invoking this deity, especially the bad ones like killing and subduing, it is impossible to retract it even when the doer wishes.[9][10]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Dr Ramamurthy, Sri Maha Pratyangira Devi: Holy Divine Mother in Ferocious Form[1]
  2. ^ Max Muller The Hymns of the Atharva-Veda: The Sacred Books of the East V42
  3. ^ Teun Goudriaan Maya: Divine And Human
  4. ^ Max Muller The Hymns of the Atharva-Veda: The Sacred Books of the East V42
  5. ^ Benoytosh Bhattacharyya THE INDIAN BUDDHIST ICONOGRAPHY
  6. ^ "Sri Maha Pratyangira Devi: The Goddess to Counter Black Magic". Indiadivine.org. Retrieved 2014-06-14.
  7. ^ Ajit Mookerjee KALI Brill Archive 1988
  8. ^ "Pratyangira Devi Homa". nanjangud.info. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
  9. ^ Max Muller The Hymns of the Atharva-Veda: The Sacred Books of the East V42
  10. ^ Teun Goudriaan Maya: Divine And Human

External links[]


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