Shakti refers to the fundamental energy that governs the universe. It represents all of creation and manifestations in the universe. Though in many parts of the world, feminine worship was practiced, only in India we see it being celebrated even today. Navaratri is a significant occasion in all of India and is an opportunity for everyone to show their gratitude to this feminine energy that pervades this universe. Nava means nine and ratri means night. Navaratri represents nine nights dedicated to the worship of the Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. Four Navaratris are celebrated in year. Sharadiya, Chaitra, Ashada and Magha of which the first two are popular.
Vasanta Panchami, also known as Saraswati Puja, is a Hindu festival celebrated in the spring season, typically falling in the Hindu month of Magha, which corresponds to January or February in the Gregorian calendar. The festival marks the onset of spring and is dedicated to the worship of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, arts, and learning. The word "Vasanta" means "spring," and "Panchami" refers to the fifth day of the lunar fortnight. Vasanta Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day (Panchami) of the bright half of the lunar month of Magha.
Vasanta Panchami is dedicated to the worship of Maa Saraswati or Raja Matangi, the tantric or Dasa Mahavidya form of Maa Saraswati.
सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि ।
विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा ॥
Salutations to Devi Saraswati, Who grants boons and fulfills wishes. O Devi, as I begin my vidya, bestow upon me its fulfillment always.
Dasa Mahavidyas represent the ten aspects of Parashakti and are very significant for tantric practitioners. Each of the aspects represent a unique form of energy that will yield specific benefits when invoked. Mahavidya sadhakas are strictly initiated by a Guru and usually initiated only on one of the Vidyas. The mantras chanted for the Goddesses compress all aspects of Shakti — both gentle and fierce. The Mahavidyas represent the multifaceted aspects of the feminine: she can sit on the cremation ground, she can vanquish.
Sati the daughter of Daksha was married to Shiva. Daksha had organized a yagya for which he did not invite Shiva. Daksha thought of Shiva as an unrefined being who spends time with gory ganas, who sits in the graveyard and who dressed like a beggar. Sati insisted to Shiva that they should participate in the yagya as everyone was heading there. Shiva did not agree as they had not been invited. In her anger her eyes become red and bright and her limbs tremble. Seeing her fury, Siva closes his eyes. When he opens them, a fearsome female stands before him. As he looks at her, she becomes very old, her graceful appearance disappearing. She develops four arms, her complexion becomes fiery and her hair disheveled, her lips are smeared with sweat, and her tongue lolls out and begins to wave from side to side. She is naked except for a garland of severed heads; she wears the half moon as a crown. Standing before Siva, she blazes like a million rising suns and fills the world with earth-shattering laughter. Shiva tries to flee but obstructed at various exits by the ten different forms — the Dasa Mahavidyas.
One might think that this is a display of “female” ego but each of the avataras or manifestations happen for a reason and they happen at an appropriate time and place and are triggered by a specific incidents. This story of Daksha is often narrated only from the perspective of Shiva. This incident is an opportunity for all of us to know the mahima of Shakti, the divine energy and mother Goddess.
Matangi or Raja Shyamala
Matangi is the ninth of the Mahavidyas. She is the goddess of Music, Learning and Knowledge. She is both ferocious and sweet spoken. The story of Matangi according to one of the tantric texts goes like this. Vishnu and Lakshmi visited Shiva and Parvati and offered them various foods. When the Gods were partaking the food, some of food dropped on the ground. A beautiful maiden arose from it and asked for the food that was left over. The Gods happily offered their left-over food. Hence Matangi is known to be fed with left-over food. The Shyamaladandakam text describes Matangi as the daughter of Sage Matanga.
The Dhyana mantra, which outlines the deity's form for meditation, within the Brhat Tantrasara elucidates Uchchhishta-Matangini, a widely revered manifestation of the goddess. Matangi sits atop a corpse adorned in crimson attire, crimson ornaments, and a necklace of gunja seeds. Depicted as a youthful maiden of sixteen, she bears mature features, including fully developed breasts. With a skull bowl and a sword in hand, she is portrayed as accepting offerings of leftovers.
Maa Matangi is described as the Goddess of knowledge, learning and speech. She also represents the words of the Guru that enlightens us. She is also known as Mantrini for her mastery over the mantras and bestower of such a capability to a sadhaka. Matangi embodies the potency of verbal expression (Vaikhari), reflecting the articulation of thoughts and intellect. Additionally, she embodies the capacity for attentive listening and comprehension, transforming speech into wisdom and understanding. Beyond verbal communication, Matangi governs all forms of inner creativity and knowledge, including art, music, and dance. Even the transformation of ideas to speech- Madhyama is attrubuted to her. She resides in the Vishuddhi chakra there by purifying the power of speech, creativity and expression.
Maa Matangi’s is worshipped in the main shrine of Maa Kamakhya along with Maa Kamala. Goddess Meenakshi is considered to be a form of Maa Matangi.
Kavi Kalidasa describes beautifully in his Shymala Dandakam
भक्तिभाजां परं श्रेयसे कल्पसे । योगिनां मानसे द्योतसे ।
छन्दसामोजसा भ्राजसे। गीतविद्याविनोदातितृष्णेन कृष्णेनसंपूज्यसे भक्तिमच्चेतसा वेधसा स्तूयसे ।
विश्वहृद्येन वाद्येन विद्याधरैर्गीयसे ।
O Mother! You bless your devotees with material and spiritual welfare. You shine in the hearts of yogis. You shine by the powerful Vedic chants. You are worshipped by Krishna who very much likes gitavidya( the fine art of music). Brahma sings your praises with deep devotion. Vidyadharas sing your glories with instruments which captivate the hearts of all.
Listen to Anaadi Foundation’s Matangi Strotram