Dash Mahavidhya
The Ten Mahavidyas: The Divine Mother’s Cosmic Expressions of Wisdom
The Mahavidyas represent ten distinct aspects of the One Supreme Truth — the Divine Mother, or Shakti, who manifests herself as ten unique cosmic personalities. Each of these forms embodies a specific power, guiding spiritual seekers toward self-realization and liberation.
As Devadutta Kali writes in The Power of Consciousness,
“The highest spiritual truth is that reality is One. When this reality is personified as the Divine Mother, she expresses herself in countless ways. The ten Mahavidyas, or Wisdom Goddesses, represent distinct aspects of divinity intent on guiding the spiritual seeker toward liberation. For the devotionally minded seeker, these forms can be approached in a spirit of reverence, love, and intimacy. For the knowledge-oriented seeker, these same forms represent various states of inner awakening along the path to enlightenment.”
The Origin of the Ten Mahavidyas
According to the Shakta Maha Bhagavata Purana, the story of the Dasa Mahavidya (Ten Wisdom Goddesses) begins with Sati, the devoted daughter of Daksha Prajapati. Deeply in love with Lord Shiva, Sati marries him despite her father’s objections.
When Daksha performs a grand yagna (sacrificial ritual), he invites all the gods — except Shiva. Insulted by this deliberate exclusion, Sati decides to attend the ritual to defend her husband’s honor. Shiva forbids her from going, warning that the ceremony will bear no auspicious fruit.
Angered by what she perceives as a slight to her power and intelligence, Sati transforms into the Divine Mother in her most powerful form. As Shiva attempts to flee her wrath, she manifests in ten different directions, each form representing a unique facet of her divine energy. These ten manifestations together are revered as the Ten Mahavidyas — the Great Wisdom Goddesses who subdue all resistance and reveal the ultimate truth of divine unity.
The Ten Forms of the Divine Mother
Each Mahavidya has her own name, story, qualities, and sacred mantras. Together, they symbolize the complete spectrum of divine power and wisdom.
1. Kali – The Devourer of Time (Kala)
Kali, the Primordial Goddess and first Mahavidya, represents the power of consciousness beyond time and space. She is the Adi Mahavidya, the origin of all creation. Dark, fierce, and transcendent, Kali destroys ignorance and ego, revealing the eternal truth of the Brahman.
Symbolism: Ultimate freedom, death of illusion, transformation.
Mantra: Om Krim Kalikayai Namah
2. Tara – The Compassionate Guide
Tara, the second Mahavidya, is the Goddess of Compassion and Guidance. She rescues devotees from suffering and spiritual confusion, just as a star (Tara) guides travelers through darkness. Tara embodies knowledge that saves, showing seekers the path across the ocean of existence.
Symbolism: Protection, guidance, and salvation.
Mantra: Om Hreem Streem Hum Phat
3. Tripura Sundari (Shodashi) – The Goddess of Supreme Beauty
Tripura Sundari, also called Shodashi, is the Goddess of Beauty, Love, and Divine Perfection. She governs the three worlds—physical, mental, and spiritual—and harmonizes them through grace and wisdom. She symbolizes the bliss of pure consciousness.
Symbolism: Harmony, bliss, beauty, and divine order.
Mantra: Om Aim Hreem Shreem Sri Lalitayai Namah
4. Bhuvaneshwari – The Queen of the Universe
Bhuvaneshwari means “Ruler of the Worlds.” She is the cosmic mother who gives form to creation. As the vast expanse of space itself, she represents the divine matrix in which all existence unfolds. Her energy brings peace, clarity, and expansion of awareness.
Symbolism: Space, creation, and the sustaining power of the universe.
Mantra: Om Hreem Shreem Hoom Bhuvaneshwaryai Namah
5. Bhairavi – The Fierce Goddess of Transformation
Bhairavi, known as the Terrible One, represents the transformative power of divine wrath. She destroys impurities and attachments that prevent spiritual evolution. Bhairavi’s energy is fierce yet liberating, burning away ignorance and leading the seeker toward freedom.
Symbolism: Courage, purification, inner fire, and transcendence.
Mantra: Om Hreem Bhairavye Namah
6. Chhinnamasta – The Self-Sacrificing Goddess
Chhinnamasta is one of the most paradoxical Mahavidyas — both life-giving and life-taking. She decapitates herself to feed her attendants, symbolizing self-sacrifice, transformation, and detachment from the ego. Her image teaches that spiritual awakening often requires surrender of the self.
Symbolism: Sacrifice, detachment, awakening, and self-mastery.
Mantra: Om Hreem Vajra Vairocaniyai Hum Hum Phat Swaha
7. Dhumavati – The Widow Goddess of Emptiness
Dhumavati, the Smoky One, represents the void, dissolution, and the wisdom of nothingness. She is worshipped as the crone form of the Goddess, embodying the truth that everything arises and dissolves into the same cosmic emptiness. Through her, seekers realize the impermanence of all phenomena.
Symbolism: Detachment, introspection, and transcendence beyond form.
Mantra: Om Dhum Dhum Dhumavati Swaha
8. Bagalamukhi – The Power of Stillness and Speech Control
Bagalamukhi, also called Pitambara Devi, embodies the power to stun, silence, and paralyze negativity. She symbolizes mastery over the tongue, thoughts, and external conflicts. Her energy brings mental stillness and victory over enemies — both internal and external.
Symbolism: Speech control, protection, and mental power.
Mantra: Om Hreem Bagalamukhyai Namah
9. Matangi – The Goddess of Inner Speech and Wisdom
Matangi, the Goddess of Speech (Vāk) and Inner Knowledge, represents the power of the spoken word and divine communication. She governs learning, creativity, and music. Often compared to Saraswati, she reveals hidden wisdom through intuition and inner harmony.
Symbolism: Knowledge, eloquence, and artistic expression.
Mantra: Om Hreem Aim Matangyai Namah
10. Kamala – The Goddess of Prosperity and Grace
Kamala, the final Mahavidya, is the Lotus Goddess of Wealth and Abundance — akin to Lakshmi, but with deeper spiritual significance. She represents the abundance of spiritual and material prosperity, teaching that true wealth lies in spiritual realization and compassion.
Symbolism: Prosperity, grace, love, and fulfillment.
Mantra: Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamalavasinyai Namah