Story/Legend:

According to Hindu mythology, Chhinnamasta is believed to have emerged from the goddess Parvati's body when she was feeling intense hunger. Chhinnamasta, then, asked Parvati's consort, Lord Shiva, to fulfill her hunger. Lord Shiva asked her to cut off her own head, and she complied, causing three streams of blood to flow from her neck. The blood was said to have been drunk by her own two attendants and the goddess herself, thus symbolizing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

Religious Aspect:

Chhinnamasta is associated with the Manipura chakra, the solar plexus chakra, which is associated with personal power and transformation. She is also associated with the element of fire and the planet Mars. Devotees of Chhinnamasta seek her blessings for protection, power, and liberation from negative energies and obstacles. Her worship is often accompanied by the recitation of mantras and the performance of Tantric rituals.

Description:

Chhinnamasta is depicted as a naked goddess with disheveled hair, standing on the body of Kamadeva, the god of desire, and his consort, Rati. She holds her own severed head in one hand, a sword in the other, and a skull-cup filled with blood in the third hand. She is often flanked by two female attendants, Dakini and Varnini, who drink her blood.

Cultural Importance:

Chhinnamasta is an important deity in Tantric traditions, especially in the Shakta sect of Hinduism. She is often worshipped as a part of the Navadurga (nine forms of Durga) and the Dasamahavidya (ten forms of the divine mother). Her worship is also prevalent in Nepal and Tibet, where she is revered as a protector deity.

Festivals:

Chhinnamasta is worshipped on various occasions, including the Navaratri festival, which celebrates the nine forms of the goddess Durga. Her special day of worship is known as Chhinnamasta Jayanti and is celebrated on the eighth day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April).

Conclusion:

Mahavidya Chhinnamasta is a powerful and revered goddess in Hinduism and Tantric traditions. Her iconography represents the idea of self-sacrifice, transformation, and the ability to overcome negativity and obstacles. Her worship is accompanied by the recitation of mantras and the performance of Tantric rituals, seeking her blessings for protection, power, and liberation from negative energies.

References:

• Kinsley, D. R. (1988). Tantric visions of the divine feminine: The ten mahavidyas. University of California Press.
• Vettam, M. (2012). Puranic encyclopaedia: A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers.

FAQs:

Q: What does the name Chhinnamasta mean? A: The name Chhinnamasta means "she whose head is severed."

Q: What is Chhinnamasta associated with? A: Chhinnamasta is associated with the Manipura chakra, the solar plexus chakra, and is also associated with the element of fire and the planet Mars.

Q: What is the story behind Chhinnamasta? A: According to Hindu mythology, Chhinnamasta emerged from the goddess Parvati's body when she was feeling intense hunger. She asked Lord Shiva to fulfill her hunger, and he asked her to cut off her own head, causing three streams of blood to flow from her neck.

Q: Why is Chhinnamasta worshipped? A: Devotees of Chhinnamasta seek her blessings for protection, power, and liberation from negative energies and obstacles.

Q: When is Chhinnamasta Jayanti celebrated? A: Chhinnamasta Jayanti is celebrated on the eighth day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April).

Q: What is the significance of Chhinnamasta's iconography? A: Chhinnamasta's iconography represents the idea of self-sacrifice, transformation, and the ability to overcome negativity and obstacles.