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"The chakra of the letters of the alphabet is based upon time and so is
identical with the sidereal zodiac." - Tantraraja Tantra
The Nityas or Eternities of Lalita represent the fifteen lunar days or
tithis of the waxing Moon. Each has her own yantra, mantra, tantra and
prayogas or ritual applications. The full circle of the Nityas also
represents the 21,600 breaths a human being takes in a full day and
night. As such, the Nityas are the Kalachakra, or Wheel of Time.
The information in this section is drawn from a number of tantras
including the Tantraraja, the Dakshinamurti Samhita and the Jnanarnava
Tantra, as well as the Kalpasutra, which seems to be the primary source.
Readers will also find it useful to refer to Sir John Woodroffe's digest
of the Tantraraja (Ganesh & Co, 1971), although here he fails to give
sufficient idea of the number of prayogas (magical rites) associated
with the Nityas. Yantras and mantras, where given, are drawn from
Tantraraja, although it is necessary to point out that the Dakshinamurti
Samhita gives somewhat different versions.
You can find larger versions of the yantras according to the
Tantrarajatantra on this page.
The 15 Nityas are modifications of Lalita as red goddess with her three
gunas and her five elements of aether, air, fire, water and earth. As
the moon remains itself, though appearing differently according to
phase, so too does Lalita. Each Nitya has her own vidya (that is
mantra), yantra and group of energies (Shaktis). Their names appear in
the first chapter of Vamakeshvara Tantra. Gopinath Kaviraj, a renowned
scholar of tantra in the first half of this century, describes the
Kalachakra and the Nityas succinctly in the introduction to the Sanskrit
edition of Yogini Hridaya. (Sarasvati Bhavana Granthamala, 1963):
"What the Bhavanopanishad says implies that the Human Body is to be
conceived as the Sri Cakra, being the expression of one's own self.
(Svatma). This means that while on the one hand the Body is to be
regarded as non-different from the atma, the entire cosmic system
associated with the body should also be viewed in the same light. This
outer system in its manifestation rests on Time (kala), Space (deha) and
a combination of the two. The exponents of the School hold that the well
known fifteen Kalas of the Moon, representing the 15 lunar tithis, are
to be regarded as identical with the fifteen Nityas (Kameshvari to
Citra). The sixteenth Kala called Sadakhya should be viewed as one with
Lalita or the Supreme Deity Herself. In other words, one has to feel
that what appears in Kalacakra is nothing but an expression of what
exists eternally as Nityas in the supreme Sri Cakra itself. The
tithicakra or the wheel of time is constantly revolving and the Sri
Cakra is within it and not without. It should also be remembered that
from the standpoint of an esoteric yogin the tithis are in the last
analysis to be identified with the 21600 shvasas supposed to be the
average number of breaths per day of a normal human being."
Hence Lalita or Tripurasundari is the 16th day or full moon, with her 15
digits. Each of the Nityas has a certain number of arms, the totality of
arms (= rays) of the whole circle being 108. Because any unit of time is
taken as a microcosm or parallel of any other valid unit, each of the
fifteen Nityas thus has 1,440 breaths (see Bhavanopanishad). This
identity between space, time, Tripurasundari and the individual is
elaborated at great length and with considerable sophistication by the
author of the Tantraraja.
According to that text, the Nityas are the vowels of the Sanskrit
alphabet and are identical with both time and space. For example, if the
number of tattvas or consonants (36) are multiplied by the 16 Nityas the
number of letters is 576. The multiples of this number provide the
number of years in the different Yugas. So the circle of the matrikas
and the Nityas is identical with the sidereal zodiac as well as mantra.
This theme is further elaborated in the 28th chapter of the same tantra,
where Shiva says that in the centre of the world is the Meru, outside of
this being the seven oceans and beyond this the Kalachakra or wheel of
time which moves in a clockwise direction by the power of Iccha (Will)
Shakti. The circle is divided by 12 spokes and the planets or grahas are
within this. Lalita, says the tantra, is in the Meru, while 14 Nityas
from Kameshvari to Jvalamalini reside in the seven islands and seven
oceans. Chitra, who is the 16th Nitya, occupies supreme Space or
Paramavyoma.
In the Dakshinamurti Samhita, the Nityas are identified with kalas or
parts of the different stages of deep sleep, dreaming, waking, and full
consciousness or Turiya. Here it is said that the Nityas, including
Lalita, are the 16 parts of the continuum of consciousness, while the
17th Kala is beyond all of this. Each of the Nityas has the respective
vowel letter associated with her mantra vidya.
Vowels Moon Deep Sleep 14 spokes Prameya
Consonants Sun Waking Two 10s Pramana
Ya etc. Fire Dream Eight spokes Pramata
Sha etc Fire Fourth Four lines
16 Petals Fire Waking Pramata
Eight petals Fire Dream Pramana
Three lines Fire Deep Sleep Prameya
Visarga Trikona Blossoming universal place, Kriya
Bindu Bindu Non blossoming place, Jnana
Visargabindu Mahabindu Place of Samarasa
Similar ideas are found in the Matrikachakra Viveka, as in the table
above, drawn from the Sanskrit introduction to the 1934 Government
Sanskrit College of Benares edition, which classifies the nine mandalas
of the Shri Yantra according to Pramana - means of knowledge, Pramata -
the subject, and Prameya - the object and relates the different states
of consciousness to the yantra. See Tattvas on this site. lalita image
According to the Tantraraja, the 15 Nityas are limbs or rays of Lalita,
who is herself pure consciousness without additions. Varahi and
Kurukulla bear the relationship of father and mother respectively. The
Nityas themselves can be meditated upon and worshipped in different
forms and colours for the attainment of different ends. In daily worship
(puja) of the Nityas, each has her own nyasa and ritual sequence and
they are to receive puja on the lunar days associated with them. The
vidya mantras of the different Nityas below are prefaced by Aim Hrim
Shrim bija mantras and suffixed with Shri Padukam Pujayami Tarpayami
Namah, that is Hail. I worship and libate the auspicious lotus feet [of
the appropriate Nitya]. The yantras used below are those from the
Tantraraja while the Sanskrit syllables are the vowel letters associated
with each Nitya and day of the Moon.
The images embedded in the text above are taken from a sadhaka's
manuscript of the 1,000 names of Lalita.
Kameshvari Nitya
The first Nitya in the cycle is Kameshvari, a name which means Lady of
Desire. Her vidya (mantra) according to the Tantrarajatantra, is Aim
Hrim Shrim Am Aim Sa Ka La Hrim Nityaklinne Madadrave Sauh Am Kameshvari
Nitya Shri Padukam Pujayami Tarpayami Namah.
The same tantra gives her dhyana or meditation image as red like 10
million dawn suns, having a diadem of rubies, wearing throat ornaments,
necklaces, waistchains and rings. She is red, has six arms and three
eyes, and bears a crescent Moon, smiling softly. She holds a bow of
sugar cane, flowering arrows, noose, goad, and a nectar-filled begemmed
cup, showing the mudra of bestowing boons. The five arrows of desire
(Kama) in the five petals are Longing, Maddening, Kindling, Enchanting
and Wasting. These five Kamas are five forms of Kamadeva, Lalita as
Krishna, who are Kamaraja (Hrim), Manmatha (Klim), Kandarpa (Aim),
Makara (Blum) and Manobhava (Strim) with the colours yellow, white, red,
purple and blue. Each of the Kamadevas has two eyes and two arms, the
hands holding sugar cane bow and flowering arrows, the very form of the
five elements.
Bhagamalini Nitya
Nitya Bhagamalini, whose name refers to the flowering yoni, is the
second of the cycle of the waxing Moon and has a remarkable and very
long vidya (mantra) which runs: Aim Hrim Shrim Am Aim Bhagabuge Bhagini
Bhagodari Bhagamale Bhagavahe Bhagaguhye Bhagayoni Bhaganipatini
Sarvabhagavashankari Bhagarupe Nityaklinne Bhagasvarupe Sarvani Bhagani
Me Hyanaya Varade Rete Surete Bhagaklinne Klinnadrave Kledaya Dravaya
Amoghe Bhagavicce Kshubha Kshobhaya Sarvasatvan Bhagodari Aim Blum Jem
Blum Bhem Blum Mom Blum Hem Blum Hem Klinne Sarvani Bhagani Me
Vashamanaya Strim Hara Blem Hrim Am Bhagamalini Nitya Shri Padukam
Pujayami Tarpayami Namah.
She has six arms, three eyes, sits on a lotus and holds in her left
hands a night water lily, a noose and a sugar cane bow and in her right
a lotus, a goad and flowering arrows. Around her is a host of Shaktis
all of whom look like her, according to the Tantrarajatantra.
The Dakshinamurti Samhita has a different image (dhyana). Here (chapter
41), she is described as dwelling in the middle of a flowery forest,
adorned with various gems, holding noose, goad, book, scales, nail (?)
and writing implement, showing the mudras or hand gestures of allaying
fears and bestowing boons. Her yantra is described differently, too, as
triangle, hexagon, 16 petals, eight petals, then the bhupura or fence.
Nityaklinna Nitya
Her name means Wet Nitya, or Always Wet. The third Nitya's mantra is Aim
Hrim Shrim Nityaklinne Madadrave Svaha im Nityaklinna Nitya Shri Padukam
Pujayami Tarpayami Namah.
She is surrounded by 19 Shaktis, according to the Tantraraja, who are
Kshobhini, Mohini, Lila, Nitya, Niranjana, Klinna, Kledini, Madanatura,
Madadrava, Dravini, Vidhana, Madavila, Mangala, Manmatharta, Manashvini,
Moha, Amoda, Manomayi, Maya, Manda and Manovati. The Nityaklinna
herself, the same tantra says, is restless with desire, smeared with red
sandal paste, wears red clothes, smiles, has a half moon on her head,
and holds noose, goad, cup and makes the mudra dispelling fear.
The Dakshinamurti Samhita (chapter 42) gives her root mantra as being of
11 syllables, Hrim Nityaklinna Madadrave Svaha. The image is similar
except that she holds a noose, a goad, a skull and dispels fears. Her
face is bathed in sweat and her eyes move with desire. Here the yantra
is described as trikona, eight petals, and earth square (bhupura). She
bestows enjoyment and liberation and subdues the three worlds for one
siddha (successful) in her vidya (mantra).
Bherunda Nitya
Bherunda, the fourth Nitya, has three eyes and eight arms, with her body
the colour of molten gold, wearing beautiful ornaments on her hands,
feet, arms and around her waist. She smiles sweetly with her hands
holding noose, goad, shield, sword, mace, thunderbolt (vajra), bow and
arrow.
The vidya mantra is: Aim Hrim Shrim Im Om Krom Bhrom Kraum Jhmraum
Cchraum Jraum Svaha Im Bherunda Nitya Shri Padukam Pujayami Tarpayami
Namah, says Tantraraja. Using her mantra destroys poison.
The DS describes her yantra as being triangle, eight petals and bhupura.
In the triangle are Shikhini, Nilakanthi and Raudri. Bherunda, according
to this source, rules the Vetalas. The vidya mantra also differs.
Vahnivasini Nitya
Vahnivasini is the sixth Nitya (Eternity) in the cycle, her name meaning
the dweller in fire. Her mantra is Om Hrim Vahnivasiniyai Namah. The
Shaktis in the eight trikonas are Jvalini, Visphulingini, Mangala,
Sumanohara, Kanaka, Ankita, Vishva and Vividha. In the 12 petals are the
12 signs of the Hindu (sidereal)zodiac. Her description in the
Tantraraja Tantra is as a beautiful young woman, the colour of gold,
with eight arms, dressed in yellow silk garments, adorned with rubies.
She holds a red lotus, a conch, a bow of red sugarcane and the full moon
in her left hands; in her right a white water lily, golden horn, flowery
arrows and a citron. Around her are numberless Shaktis who look like
her. She is the dweller in fire who devours the universe.
Mahavajreshvari Nitya
Her vidya-mantra is Um Hrim Klinne Aim Krom Nityamadadrave Hrim Um
Mahavajreshvari Nitya Shri Padukam Pujayami Tarpayami Namah.
She is described in the Tantraraja as having four arms, three eyes,
garmented in red, red in colour, wearing red jewels and strewn with red
flowers, wearing a crown of rubies. She sits on a throne on a golden
boat which floats on an ocean of blood, and holds noose, goad, sugar
cane bow and flowering arrows. She is surrounded by a host of Shaktis
similar to her and sways while she smiles mercifully.
The description in the DS differs. Here, she is described as resembling
the china rose, wearing red clothes, and holding noose, goad, skull and
dispelling fear. She is swaying from having drunk pure wine. The yantra
here is described as having a triangle, four petals, eight petals and a
bhupura.
Duti Nitya
According to Nityotsava, an expansion of the Kalpasutras, the
vidya-mantra of Shivaduti Nitya is Aim Hrim Shrim Shivadutyai Namah
Shivadutinitya Shri Padukam Pujayami Tarpayami Namah. She is called
Shivaduti because she makes Shiva her messenger (Duti).
The Tantraraja describes her as being dressed in red, with nine jewels
in her crown, surrounded by Rishis singing her praises and having eight
arms and three eyes. She looks as bright as the summer sun at midday and
smiles sweetly. Her hands hold horn, shield, mace, cup, goad, cleaver,
axe and lotus.
Tvarita Nitya
Tvarita is the ninth Nitya (Eternity) in the cycle. Also called Totala
Devi. She is called Tvarita ("Swift") as She grants fruit to the sadhaka
quickly. She is of auspicious form, in the first flush of youth, and
dark in colour. She has 3 eyes and 4 hands and Her beautiful lotus- like
face smiles gently. She is clad in new leaves. She is adorned with 8
fierce and great serpents of 4 kinds, and with waist chains and anklets.
On Her head is a crystal crown with a crest of peacock feathers. Her
arms are adorned with bangles made of beautiful peacock feathers. She
has an umbrella and a banner made of peacock feathers. She wears strings
of (red) gunja berries around Her throat, and Her breasts are smeared
with red sandal and kumkum. She holds noose, goad, dispels fear, and
grants boons.
In front of this Goddess is a black servant carrying a mace, who is
worshipped for the attainment of the desired fruit. On either side of
Her are Her two Shaktis Jaya (conquering) and Vijaya (Victorious) who
are like Her and who carry and swing gold canes.
The 8 Serpents are: Ananta & Kulika, fiery in colour, each with 1000
hoods, Her ear ornaments. Vasuki & Shankhapala, yellow in colour, each
with 700 hoods, Her upper arm bangles. Takshaka & Mahapadma, blue in
colour, each with 500 hoods, Her girdle. Padma & Kartataka, white, each
with 300 hoods, Her toe ornaments. Her Shaktis are Humkari, Khechari,
Chandi, Chedini, Kahepani, Strikari, Dumkari, Kahemakari -- these are
similar to the Lokapalas, and the Shaktis in the 8 petals of the yantra.
Her mantra is Om Hrim Hum Khe Ca Che Ksah Strim Hum Kse Hrim Phat.
Tvarita Puja
Taking up a position facing East, and having done three pranayamas, one
should do the following Nyasa: Hail to the Rishi Saura on the head: Hail
to the Metre Virat on the mouth: Hail to the Devi Tvarita Nitya in the
heart: Hail to the Bija Om in the genitals: Hail to the Shakti Hum on
the feet: Hail to the Linchpin Kse on the navel. Then making the anjali
gesture near the heart one should do the following Nyasa: Cm Khe Ca to
the heart Namah: Ca Cche to the head Svaha: Cche Ksah to the peak Vasat:
Ksah Stri to the armour Hum: Stri Hum to the 3 eyes Vaushad: Hum Kse to
the Missile Phat.
Then one should do the Tvarita Nyasa: (Head) Hrim Om Hrim Namah:
(Forehead) Hrum Hum Hrim Namah: (Throat) Hrim Khe Hrim Namah: (Heart)
Hrim Ca Hrim Namah: (Navel) Hrim Cche Hrim Namah: (Muladhara) Hrim Ksah
Hrim Namah: (Thighs) Hrim Stri Hrim Namah: (Knees) Hrim Hum Hrim Namah:
(Legs) Hrim Kse Hrim Namah: (Feet) Hrim Phat Hrim Namah: End with a
diffusion.
After placing the yantra in front of you, visualise Devi Tvarita in the
heart. Take Her to the head, resolve to do Her puja, place the flower on
the yantra centre. Worship the triple Guru line first, as being in the
three circles, then Devi's servitor who is in the west of the Yantra.
Worship Jaya and Vijaya on both sides of the door. Worship Humkari,
Khecari, Canda, Cchedini, Ksepini, Strikari, Dumkari, Ksemakari in the
eight petals. Tvarita Devi in the centre.
Kulasundari Nitya
Her vidya-mantra is given as Aim Hrim Shrim Aim Klim Sauh Kulasundari
Nitya Shri Padukam Pujayami Tarpayami Namah.
She has twelve arms and six faces, says the Tantraraja. In her right
hands she holds coral mala (rosary), lotus, a gem-studded pitcher,
drinking cip, lemon and displays the exposition mudra. Her left hands
hold book, red lotus, golden pen, garland of gems, conch shell with the
last showing the boon mudra, according to the same tantra. Around her
are hostes of Kinnaras, Yakshas, Devas and Gandharvas.
The letters of the vidya Aim Klim Sauh comprise the Tripura bulb which
is the united state of knower, knowledge and object of knowledge; the
three humours of Vata, Kapha and Sleshma; and Fire, Sun and the Moon.
According to the DS (chapter 48), Kulasundari is identical with Bala and
placed in the Eastern lion-seat.
Nitya Nitya
The Kalpasutra's version of Nitya Nitya's mantra runs Ha Sa Ka La Ra
Daim Ha Sa Ka La Ra Dim Ha Sa Ka La Ra Dauh Nitya Nitya Shri Padukam
Pujayami Tarpayami Namah.
The Tantraraja describes her as like the dawn sun, ruling the Shaktis of
the bodily dhatus (Dakini, Shakini, Rakini &c), dressed in red clothes
and wearing rubies. She has three eyes and 12 arms and holds in her
hands noose, white lotus, sugar cane bow, shield, trident, and favour
mudra, goad, book, flowering arrows, sword, skull, mudra dispelling
fear.
Nilapataka Nitya
Her name means Sapphire Banner and her mantra is Aim Hrim Shrim Phrem
Strum Krom Am Klim Aim Blum Nityamadadrave Hum Phrem Hrim Em Nilapataka
Nitya Shri Padukam Pujayami Tarpayami Namah.
The Tantraraja says that she is nila (sapphire) in hue with five faces
and ten arms, wearing red clothes and beautiful gems. Her left hands
show noose, banner, shield, horn bow, and the mudra granting gifts. Her
right hands show goad, dart, sword, arrows and the mudra banishing fear.
She sits on a lotus surrounded by hordes of Shaktis like her. She rules
the Yakshinis and the 64 Chetakas and has an uncanny collection of
siddhis or magical powers to grant to her sadhaka or sadhika including a
sword unbeatable in battle (Khadga siddhi), Treasure, the power to see
through walls (Anjana), the ability to travel miles in an instant
(Paduka Siddhi) and lots, lots more.
Vijaya Nitya
She brings victory in battle and success in buying and selling, hence
her name, Victorious.
According to Nityotsava, her vidya mantra is Aim Hrim Shrim Bha Ma Ra Ya
Aum Aim Vijaya Nitya Shri Padukam Pujayami Tarpayami Namah. According to
the DS she has one head and 10 arms and wears a garland of human skulls
but the dhyana or meditation image in the Tantraraja differs from this.
There she has five heads and 10 arms which hold conch, noose, shield,
bow, white lily, discus, goad, arrows and lemon.
Sarvamangala Nitya
Her name means "all auspicious" and her vidya mantra is Aim Hrim Shrim
Svaum Om Sarvamangala Nitya Shri Padukam Pujayami Tarpayami Namah. She
has two arms and one head, sits on her lotus yantra and has eyes which
represent the sun and the moon, while she smiles sweetly. In her right
hand she holds a citron and with the left shows the boon-giving mudra.
All her 76 attendants surround her, they are solar, lunar and fiery.
She rules over the kalas (parts or digits) of the sun (12), the moon
(16) and fire (10). This numbers 38 and her attendants are doubled
because each is with her consort.
Jvalamalini Nitya
Her name means "garlanded with flames" and her mantra, according to
Tantrarajatantra, is Om namo bhagavati Jvalamalini devadevi
sarvabhutasamharakarike jatavedasi jvalanti jvala jvala prajvala
prajvala Hrim Hrim Hum Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Jvalamalini Hum Phat
Svaha.
As the Nitya of flame, she is surrounded by Shaktis, each of whom
resembles her and she herself has a body of flaming fire, with six faces
and 12 arms. Each of her faces, each with three eyes, smile sweetly.
Her 12 hands hold noose, goad, arrow, mace, tortoise, spear, flame and
she shows two mudras - granting boons and dispelling fear.
The DS gives a different yantra to the Tantraraja, with one of the
mandalas having forty rather than 32 petals.
The Shaktis and her description also show variants. She is described as
sitting on a lion-seat, and holds different weapons which include the
damaru drum and a jar of wine.
Chitra Nitya
The last Nitya in the cycle is Chitra, whose mantra is Aim Hrim Shrim
Ckaum Am Chitra Nitya Shri Padukam Pujayami Tarpayami Namah. Her name
means variegated and she wears a silk garment of different colours, has
four arms, one head and holds noose, goad, and shows the gestures
granting boons and dispelling fears. |
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