“In the earlier age, during the period of Svayambhuva, in the beginning of Krtayuga, the goddess who is known as Mahamaya, Yoganidra, Jagaddhatri, and Jaganmayi, assuming a mighty figure with sixteen arms, renowned by the name Bhadrakali (appeared) on the northern shore of the Milk Ocean with a view to destroy Mahishasura and with a desire to do good to the world. Continue reading »
I pray to her who is the cause of delight of the world and is herself the embodiment of delight, who is the creation, existence, and the end of the world, who is auspicious Lakshmi of Hari (Vishnu).
This beautiful, moving hymn is sung by Brahma and various gods to console Shiva in the eighteenth chapter of Kalikapurana. This episode is the account of Shiva’s grief after the famous clash between Sati and her father Daksha.
Kamakhya is one of the most important goddesses in the history and development of Tantra and Shaktism, but she remains obscure today, somewhat fitting for a goddess presiding over esoteric rites and rituals. Many people have never heard her name, nor do they understand what her name means. But even those who do understand the Sanskrit meaning of her name, and its explanations in various Tantras and Puranas, often do not know the pre-Vedic, hidden history of this truly ancient Mother Goddess.
