INTRODUCTION
A yogini can be termed as a pious female sage, wife of a sage, and she would be well-versed in yoga, meditation as well as in various spiritual aspects. A yogini can also be described as a form of Ma Shakti Devi, and there are several yogini temples in India. As per Devi Bhagavata Purana, the yoginis are described as the divine attendants or as the supreme manifestations of Ma Durga Devi who were engaged in fighting with the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. Ma Akkamahadevi, a great female Kannada Saint is also considered as a “YOGINI”.
Sapthamatha are also considered as Yoginis who are also known as Saptha Kannigal are the seven powerful goddesses, who had taken avatars in order to shower their grace to their devotees. The temples of Saptha Kannigal are situated in Tamil Nadu. They are the divine incarnations of Mata Parvati, and by worshipping them is equivalent to worshipping Mata Parvati. They would give all sorts of benefits to us in this earth, and after our death, they would help us to attain SALVATION also. Hence let us worship the Holy Sapthamatha by the way of chanting their mantra, singing their songs and let us be blessed.
The Mantras for Sapthamatha are:
- Om Vaishnavyai Namaha
- Om Maheshwaryai Namaha
- Om Kaumaryai Namaha
- Om Aindriyai Namaha
- Om Vaarahyai Namaha
- Om Narasimhai Namaha
- Om Brahmanyai Namaha
‘Om’ is an eternal, universal sound, the Brahman and it denotes the supreme spirit, also called as almighty.
“Vaishnavyai”, “Maheshwaryai”, “Kaumaryai”, “Aindriyai”, “Vaarahyai”, “Narasimhai”, “Brahmanyai” means praising the seven divine mother goddesses, and worshipping them whole heartedly. “Nahama” means offering our salutations and Bowing our head before the great almighty.
The following are the wonderful songs written in praise of Ma Saptha Kannimar:-
My Humble Salutations to Ma Vaishnavi Devi who
-always bestows boons as Lord Vishnu, since she is an aspect of Vishnu;
who is always worshipped;
and she is the Goddess to whom the devotees turn into;
-is the Goddess always revered with Pujas, holy bath and flower decorations;
-is the mother goddess and
-is always praised and praised by her devotees.
My Humble Salutations to Ma Maheswari who
-bestows bliss to the Sages, Kings, Saints and to her devotees
-has great divine form;
-is uniquely interpreted in each and every observation; (she is beyond the imagination of mere mortals)
-is the Shakti element, the ultimate consciousness;
-is the core and content of Vedhas and Shastras;
-is endearing to the poor and needy;
-is full of mercy and benevolence; and
-is the Great Goddess.
My Humble Salutations to Ma Kaumaryai who
-is impartial and indifferent;
-blesses with benevolence;
-stays in the souls of her devotees;
-protects the universe;
-exists with divinity;
-dazzles like fire;
-blesses abundance; and
-she is worshipped by all and all.
My Humble Salutations to Aindriyai who
-has the powerful Vajrayudha weapon on her hand;
-destroys the sufferings of her devotees;
-is the Goddesses of the heaven;
-is the Goddess bestowing boons;
-is the Greatest Goddess;
-is the Goddess of the people;
-is the Goddess of the wealth;
-is the Goddess of the Goddesses;
-has the nature of showering mercy on her devotees.
My Humble Salutations to Vaarahyai who
-is the purest of pure;
-is the goddess of bravery, wisdom and fortunes, removes the evil planetary positions and relieves us from diseases and from black magic problems;
-has the lovely face;
controls Sun, Moon and the Fire and the entire things present in the universe -is always like a dazzling moon; and has the wonderful ornaments present on her body.
My Humble Salutations to Ma Narasimhai who
-adorns the skulls as the ornament on her neck;
-wears the wonderful garments;
-wears the beautiful fresh fragrant flowers;
-is the great and mighty warrior;
-adorns the tiger skin; and
-smears the holy Kumkum on her body.
My Humble Salutations to Ma Brahmanyai who is the creator of the whole world, roams everywhere and anywhere,
-adorns the wonderful garments and ornaments on her body;
-burns down our bad habits; and
-sits on the Holy Swan.
“OM MA YOGINI DEVI NAMO NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR