The Dasha Mahavidya is a group of ten goddesses in Hinduism, who are believed to embody divine knowledge and power. “Dasha” means “ten” and “Mahavidya” means “great knowledge” or “great wisdom” in Sanskrit.
Each of the ten Mahavidyas is associated with a specific aspect of the divine feminine energy and represents a particular aspect of the universe. They are often depicted in Tantric art and iconography with fierce and powerful forms, and are considered to be both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
The ten Mahavidyas are:
- Kali – Goddess of destruction and time
- Tara – Goddess of compassion and protection
- Tripura Sundari (or Shodashi) – Goddess of beauty and harmony
- Bhuvaneshwari – Goddess of the universe and creation
- Bhairavi – Goddess of death and destruction
- Chinnamasta – Goddess of self-sacrifice and transformation
- Dhumavati – Goddess of poverty and misfortune
- Bagalamukhi – Goddess of deceit and victory
- Matangi – Goddess of knowledge and speech
- Kamala – Goddess of wealth and prosperity
Worship of the Mahavidyas is often associated with Tantra, a spiritual tradition that seeks to awaken the divine energy within the practitioner through the use of mantra, yantra, and other ritual practices. The Mahavidyas are seen as powerful allies in this pursuit, and are often worshipped for blessings such as spiritual growth, material success, and protection from negative forces.