Yoginis
are holy women with yogic powers or female attendants of Shiva or Durga.
Commonly it is believed that eight yoginis exist, namely Mangala, Pingala,
Dhanya, Bhramari, Bhadrika, Ulka, Siddhi, and Sankata.
The
philosophy of the concept of yogini is based on the concept of Sapta Matrikas,
seven Mother goddesses. Sixty-four yoginis symbolise the multiplication of
these values. The symbology involves references to sixteen kalas or
phases that are constituted by the mind, five gross elements, and ten sense
organs. The moon has sixteen phases out of which fifteen are visible and one is
invisible. There is a group of sixteen eternal goddesses. There are sixteen
siddhis or attainments or supernatural powers.
The circle of sixty-four yoginis symbolises the continuation of life. It is a never-ending circle – a spiritual symbol named ‘mandala’. Yogini Temples are always circular in design.
All
yogini images are beautiful and have unique attires, hairstyles, and ornaments.
Left
to right is Narmada, Yamuna and Yogini at 64 Yogini Mandir, Hirapur Odisha.
Read
about Goddess Parvati as the Major Deity in Yogic Sadhana, Important Temples in
India of 64 Yoginis, The Yogini Cult, Characteristics Features of the Names of
Yoginis, Unique Features of Yogini Temple, Hirapur in Odisha, Symbology about
Yoginis and Their Mounts.
For your convenience have highlighted parts of the article in yellow.
Above are excerpts from article. To read article in PDF format.
Author is a Vice
Chairperson, Ela Foundation, Pune, India.
To see pictures
of Yogini Temples
1 Chausath
Yogini Mandir, Bedaghat Jabalpur
2 Yogini Temple
Hirapur near Bhubaneshwar
This article was first published in the January 2019 issue (titled ‘Thoughts on Yoga’) of Prabuddha Bharata, monthly journal of The Ramakrishna Order started by
Swami Vivekananda in 1896. This article is courtesy and copyright Prabuddha
Bharata. I have been reading the Prabuddha Bharata for years and found it
enlightening. Cost is Rs 180/ for one year, Rs 475/ for three years, Rs 2100/
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