7/20/2014

Goddess Chinnamasta, The One with the Severed Head

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

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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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Goddess Chinnamasta, The One with the Severed Head

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
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Goddess Chinnamasta, The One with the Severed Head

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 Mahavidyas 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

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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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Goddess Chinnamasta, The One with the Severed Head

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.

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