Kankali Yogini

Story/Legend:

According to legend, Kankali Yogini was once a powerful sorceress who used her magical abilities for selfish purposes. However, she eventually realized the error of her ways and turned to the worship of the goddess as a means of attaining spiritual liberation. In some versions of the story, she is said to have been cursed by a rival sorcerer, which led her to seek the help of the goddess.

Religious Aspect:

Kankali Yogini is worshipped as a fierce and powerful goddess who has the ability to grant spiritual and material blessings to her devotees. She is associated with the power of transformation and is often invoked in practices designed to help the practitioner overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

Description:

Kankali Yogini is typically depicted as a beautiful goddess with a fierce expression, holding a sword and a severed head. She is often portrayed with her consort, Bhairava, and is surrounded by her 64 yogini attendants. She is also sometimes depicted with a snake around her neck, which symbolizes her power and connection to the earth.

Cultural Importance:

Kankali Yogini is worshipped primarily by followers of the Kaula tradition of Tantra. She is regarded as a powerful goddess who can help her devotees overcome obstacles and achieve their goals, both in the spiritual realm and in the material world.

Festivals:

There are no specific festivals dedicated to Kankali Yogini, but she may be worshipped during other Hindu festivals or as part of Kaula Tantra rituals.

Conclusion:

Kankali Yogini is a powerful and transformative goddess who is worshipped as a means of attaining spiritual liberation and enlightenment. She is associated with the power of transformation and is often invoked in practices designed to help her devotees overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

References:

"Kankali Yogini: The Fierce Mother of Tantra" by Laura Amazzone

"The Goddess in India: The Five Faces of the Eternal Feminine" by Devdutt Pattanaik

"Tantra Illuminated" by Christopher D. Wallis

FAQs:

Q: Can Kankali Yogini be worshipped by anyone, regardless of gender? A: Yes, Kankali Yogini is considered a powerful goddess who can be worshipped by anyone, regardless of gender.

Q: What is the significance of Kankali Yogini's sword and severed head? A: The sword represents the goddess's power to cut through ignorance and the severed head represents the destruction of the ego, which is necessary for spiritual liberation.

Q: How is Kankali Yogini different from other Hindu goddesses? A: Kankali Yogini is associated specifically with the Kaula tradition of Tantra, which emphasizes the use of the body and senses in spiritual practice. She is often depicted as more fierce and powerful than other Hindu goddesses.

Q: What are some of the benefits that Kankali Yogini can grant her devotees? A: Kankali Yogini is believed to have the power to grant blessings in all aspects of life, including spiritual growth, material prosperity, and protection from harm. She is also associated with the power of transformation and can help her devotees overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

Q: What is the meaning of the 64 yogini attendants of Kankali Yogini? A: The 64 yogini attendants of Kankali Yogini represent the different aspects of the divine feminine and are believed to have specific powers and qualities that can aid in spiritual practice and attainment.

Q: How is Kankali Yogini worshipped in the Kaula tradition of Tantra? A: Kankali Yogini may be worshipped through the performance of specific rituals and practices, which may include meditation, mantra recitation, and offerings of flowers and other sacred objects.

Q: Is Kankali Yogini a wrathful goddess? A: Kankali Yogini is often depicted as a fierce and powerful goddess, but she is not considered a wrathful deity in the same way as some other Hindu goddesses. Rather, she is associated with the power of transformation and is believed to grant blessings and aid to her devotees.

Q: What is the significance of Kankali Yogini's connection to the earth and the snake around her neck? A: Kankali Yogini is sometimes associated with the primordial energy of the earth and the snake around her neck represents her connection to this powerful force. It is also believed to symbolize her ability to awaken the kundalini energy, which lies dormant at the base of the spine, and to help her devotees attain spiritual realization.

Q: Is Kankali Yogini worshipped outside of the Kaula tradition of Tantra? A: While Kankali Yogini is primarily associated with the Kaula tradition of Tantra, she may also be worshipped by other Hindu devotees who are drawn to her fierce and transformative qualities.