Chausath Yogini
Before discussing about Chausath yogini lets remeber below lines of Jai Ambhe Gauri Aarti (जयअम्बे गौरी आरती).
चौंसठ योगिनी मंगल गावत, नृत्य करत भैरों ।
बाजत ताल मृदंगा, अरू बाजत डमरू ॥
Chausath yogini mangal Gaavat, Nritya karat Bhairon ।
Baajat Taal Mrdanga, Aru baajat damaroo ॥
अर्थ - ताल, मृदंग और डमरू की सुरों में, चौंसठ योगिनियां आपके महिमा की स्तुति करती हैं, और भैरव आपके सामने नृत्य करते हैं।
Meaning - To the tune of taal, mridangam and damru, sixty-four yoginis praise your glory, and Bhairav dances before you.
Have you ever thought what these Chausath yogini's are?
In this blog we are going to discuss Chausath yogini and their names.
The yoginis are portrayed as formidable and sometimes intense female figures, connected with tantric rituals and believed to possess the power to bestow blessings or fulfill desires. The 64 yoginis also represent the 64 kalas or the arts.
In ancient times, eight powerful Goddesses, known as Shaktis, emerged from the cosmic soul of the Principle Deities and combined to form Kali Durga, the Universal Shakti Power.
These were the revered Grand Mothers, Ashta Matrikas, serving as the primordial Yoginis. According to Kaula Tantra, each of these eight Goddesses sequentially manifested into eight Divine Shaktis, resulting in the formation of the 64 Tantric Yoginis. These formidable Goddesses possess distinct personalities and powers, capable of fulfilling desires, dispelling negativity and fear, averting misfortunes, and bestowing knowledge, peace, overall prosperity, good progeny, and various auspicious blessings.
Exploring the ancient Tantric tradition reveals a special significance attributed to the number eight. It manifests in various aspects, such as
- Eight mother faculties (tatvas) of the manifested universe
- Eight directions encompassing cardinal and intermediate points (digbandahs)
- Eight miraculous yogic powers (siddhis)
- Eight "limbs" of Yoga (astanga)
- Eight forms of the Divine Mother (matrikas)
- Eight primary mystic symbols (mudras)
The square of eight, or sixty-four, holds an even deeper significance in Tantra, especially in identifying the sixty-four Tantric Yoginis, a crucial aspect for practitioners.
History of the Chausath Yogini
References to the 64 Yoginis and their extraordinary powers can be found in ancient scriptures such as the Brahmananda Purana, Agni Purana, Skanda Purana, Kalika Purana, Jnanarnava Tantra, Brihad Nandikeswara Purana, Chandi Purana of Sarala Das, Brihndla Tantra, Bata Avakasa of Balaram Das, and more. Additionally, historical and semi-historical literature, including Somadevasuri’s Yasastilaka (AD 959), Kalhana’s Rajatarangini (c.1150), and Somadeva’s Kathasarit Sagara (c.1070), contain legendary stories about these all-powerful Yoginis.
The Lalitha Sahasranama and Vishnu Bhagavatha Purana respectfully refer to the Divine Mother Shakti as Maha Yogini (Great Ascetic) and Kula Yogini. The Yogini Sahasranama and Kaula Kularnava Tantra also recognize the Supreme Devi as Maha Yogini.
In ancient times, eight formidable Female Shaktis emerged from the Universal Shakthi Energy known as Parashakthi. These were the Divine Grand Mothers, referred to as Ashta Matrikas, and they became the progenitors of all subsequent Yoginis. The 8 Matrikas further manifested into Eight Sacred Shaktis, giving rise to the 64 Tantric Yoginis.
These Yoginis are widely revered in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism across various countries, known by different names such as Bhairavis, Dhakinis, Shakinis, Sakinis, Sakthis, and more. It is believed that the 64 Yoginis have the ability to manifest in physical form and provide darshan even in the current Kali Yuga.
Names of Chausath Yogini
- Divyayoginī - दिव्ययोगिनी
- Mahayogini - महायोगिनी
- Siddhayoginī - सिद्धयोगिनी
- Mohini - मोहिनी
- Malini - मालिनी
- Chandi - चण्डी
- Kapala - कपाला
- Ganeshwari - गणेश्वरी
- Pretakshi - प्रेताक्षी
- Dakini - डाकिनी
- Kaali - काली
- Kapali - कपाली
- Kalagni - कालाग्नी
- Kaalratri - कालरात्रि
- Lakshmi - लक्ष्मी
- Bhairavi - भैरवी
- Nishachri - निशाचरी
- Rakta - रक्ता
- Ghorraktakshi - घोररक्ताक्षी
- Pishchi - पिशची
- Bhayaṃkari - भयंकरी
- Jhankari - झंकारी
- Urdvavetale - ऊर्द्ववेताली
- Kharpari - खर्परी
- Bhootyamini - भूतयामिनी
- Urdvakeshi - ऊर्द्वकेशी
- Virupakshi - विरुपाक्षी
- Shuskangi - शुष्कंगी
- Mansabhojani - मांसभोजनी
- Phetkari - फेत्कारी
- Veerabhadrakshi - वीरभद्राक्षी
- Dhoomrakshi - धूम्राक्षी
- Kalahapriya - कलहप्रिया
- Chaurika - चौरिका
- Maarika - मारिका
- Vaarahi - वाराही
- Mundadharini - मुण्डधरिणी
- Chakrini - चक्रिणी
- Krodha - क्रोधा
- Durmukhi - दुर्मुखी
- Pretavahini - प्रेतवाहिनी
- Kantaki - कण्टकी
- Dirghalambausthi - दीर्घलंबौष्ठी
- Mantrayogini - मन्त्रयोगिनी
- Chakri - चक्री
- Bhuvaneshvari - भुवनेश्वरी
- Kundalakshi - कुण्डलाक्षी
- Juhi - जुही
- Yamdooti - यमदूती
- Karalini - करालिनी
- Kaushiki - कौशिकी
- Bhakshini - भक्षिणी
- Yakshi - यक्षी
- Kaumaari - कौमारी
- Yantravaahini - यन्त्रवहिनी
- Vishala - विशाला
- Kaamuki - कामुकी
- Vyaghri - व्याघ्री
- Yakshnini - याक्षिनि
- Pretabhavani - प्रेतभवनी
- Dhoorjata- धूर्जटा
- Vikata - विकता
- Ghora - घोरा
- Langli - लङ्गली
Chausath Yogini Temples
Below are known temples related to Chausath yogini.
- Hirapur, Odisha: The 64 Yogini Temple, also known as the Chausath Yogini Temple, is situated in Hirapur, a small village approximately 20 km southeast of Bhubaneswar.
- Ranipur-Jharial, Odisha: The temple complex in Ranipur-Jharial is located in the Balangir district of Odisha.
- Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh: The Khajuraho temple complex in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh houses a 64 Yogini Temple.
- Mitaoli, Madhya Pradesh: The temple complex in Mitaoli is situated in the Morena district and is also referred to as Ekattarso Mahadeva Temple. Upon visiting this temple, you will encounter an open circular courtyard with 65 niches containing statues of Shiva. Initially, these niches held statues of one deity and 64 yoginis.
