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A captivating story of the origin of Goddess Matangi, a manifestation of Parvati, unfolds, revealing elements of love, deception, and divine wisdom.
Characters in the story:
Goddess Parvati: Goddess Parvati is a prominent deity in Hinduism, known as the divine mother and the consort of Lord Shiva. She represents feminine power, fertility, love, and devotion, and is worshiped for her nurturing and compassionate nature.
Lord Shiva: Lord Shiva holds significant prominence in Hinduism as a prominent deity, revered for his role as the vanquisher of malevolence and the catalyst of universal change. Depicted in various forms, he is often portrayed as a tranquil ascetic engaged in deep meditation or as the divine dancer, adorned with a third eye, an entwined serpent around his neck, and a trident grasped firmly in his hand.
Goddess Matangi: She is one of the Mahavidyas, ten Tantric goddesses. She is considered to be the origin of Saraswati, the goddess of music and learning. Matangi governs speech, music, knowledge and the arts. Her worship is prescribed to acquire supernatural powers, especially gaining control over enemies, attracting people to oneself, acquiring mastery over the arts, and gaining supreme knowledge.
Goddess Matangi holds a special place among the Dasa Mahavidyas, revered as a manifestation of the divine Goddess Parvati. Some scholars also draw parallels between her and Madurai Meenakshi. Legend has it that her divine intervention was prompted by a need to teach Lord Shiva a lesson, after he tried to trick her by assuming a different form.
The tale speaks of a time when Goddess Parvati decided to visit her family, leaving Lord Shiva behind. Feeling a pang of jealousy due to her absence, Shiva disguised himself as a simple jewelry merchant and sneaked into Parvati’s father’s palace.
Parvati saw through his disguise and went ahead with the transaction, buying bangles from the vendor. However, when asked about the price, the disguised Shiva requested a more intimate form of payment. Showing her cleverness and loyalty, Parvati agreed to the terms but decided to postpone the exchange for a more appropriate time.
Parvati had a clever plan to teach Shiva a lesson. She disguised herself as a Chandala girl, someone from the hunter community, and appeared before him while he was praying in the evening. With her charm and enticing dance, she completely captured Shiva’s attention, leaving him curious about who she was. Deftly, she complimented Shiva’s appearance, making him believe she had come seeking his divine presence.
As Shiva and the Chandala girl came together intimately, little did Shiva know that his beloved Parvati was orchestrating a divine play. In a dramatic revelation, Parvati revealed her true form, causing Shiva to realize the divine trickery at play and finally recognize his consort’s true identity.
Parvati proclaimed this form as one of her enduring manifestations, granting herself the title of Ucchista Chandalini.
Goddess Matangi is often portrayed with a greenish-blue tint and is strongly linked to Tantra traditions, especially those involving magic and mystical arts known as Indrajal. Regarded as the protector of vast Tantra wisdom, she reigns over various forms of sound, music, fine arts, and the mystical knowledge of Siddhas.
Her divine sound holds sway over all living beings, guiding them towards righteousness while dissuading those who stray towards wrongdoing. Furthermore, she is highly respected for her connection with practices like Vashikaran and Sammohan Vidya.
On Earth, Goddess Matangi is thought to be the daughter of Matang Muni, also called Ucchishta Chandalini. She’s depicted with three eyes and four arms. You’ll notice a crescent moon sitting on her forehead, while her hands hold a veena, a skull, a sword, and make a gesture known as Abhaya Mudra. Usually, she’s seen with a parrot perched nearby, and she’s constantly chanting the powerful Beeja Mantra Hreem.
Devotees seek her blessings to resolve issues related to sexual compatibility and other intimate matters, as she holds the power to fulfill desires pertaining to love and intimacy.
In the end, Goddess Matangi’s divine intervention serves as a timeless reminder of loyalty, wisdom, and the triumph of truth over deceit, inspiring reverence and devotion for generations to come. Her story stands as a testament to the enduring power of love and the transformative potential of divine grace.