Dasha Mahavidyas & Dasha Avataras
कराङ्गुलि नखोत्पन्न नारायण दशाकृतिः (80)
Karanguli Nakhotpanna Narayaṇa Dashakritihi (80)
From the Lalita Sahasranama we get this knowledge that the 10 Avataras of Lord Narayana were created by Devi from the tip of her fingernails. The Dasha Mahavidyas were the ten forms in the ten directions that Devi took on to showcase her true form to Lord Shiva. They were the 10 primary stores of knowledge that were recovered and preserved. The question that naturally arises then is what, if any, are the relationships between the Dasha Maha Vidyas of Devi and the Dasha Avataras of Lord Vishnu. How can Jyotish help us answer this question and what are its significations.
It would be convenient to assume that the relationship between the Avatara and the Mahavidya is based on the Graha that they are associated with however that is not accurate. To get to the root of this question, we must understand a few key principles
The Vishu Energy is present in the exaltation of Grahas
The Vishnu Forms are upholding Dharma.
The 9th from a Graha is the Dharma of the Graha
The 5th from a Graha is the Mantra or Vibrations.
Vibration solidified is Matter.
Thus, the key to understanding the relationships between the Dasha Maha Vidyas and the Dasha Avatars is the 5-9 relationship observed from the Rashi of exaltation of the Graha corresponding to the Vishnu Avatara
Lord Rama - Ma Tara
The Graha associated with Lord Rama is Surya. The exaltation of Surya is in Aries and the 9th from Aries is Sagittarius ruled by Jupiter. The Maha Vidya associated with Jupiter is thus Ma Tara. The ashtottara of Ma Tara gives us the confirmation
ॐ रामरूपायै नमः।
Om Ramarupayai Namah।
ॐ रामशक्त्यै नमः।
Om Ramashaktyai Namah।
ॐ रामरूपानुकारिण्यै नमः।
Om Ramarupanukarinyai Namah।
When Lord Ravana understood this, he himself did the teevra sadhana of Ma Tara, sacrificing his own flesh, and had her give him the boon to protect him as a counter measure to Lord Rama’s capabilities; which she did. However, the condition was to adherence of Dharma which he failed to keep and in the critical moment lost the protection to be defeated by Lord Rama. Highlighting the 5-9 relationship and the upholding of Dharma as the key objective of the Avataras.
Both Rama and Ma Tara Jayanti are observed on the Shukla Navami in Chaitra Masa further confirming this relationship.
Lord Krishna - Ma Kali
The Graha associated with Lord Krishna is the Moon. The exaltation of the Moon is in Taurus and the 9th from Taurus is Capricorn. Saturn is the lord of Capricorn, and the Mahavidya associated with Saturn is Ma Kali. There are many episodes from Lord Krishna’s life showcasing this very relationship. It is the Dharma of Kali that Krishna is upholding and in turn, Lord Krishna is the crystallization of the Mantra of Ma Kali.
The interesting evidence of these relationships are in the celebration of the Jayanti’s (or Lunar anniversaries of birth). Both Lord Krishna and Ma Kali are celebrated on the Krishna Ashtami of Sravana Masa.
Lord Narasimha - Ma Chinnamasta
Mars, the Graha associated with Lord Narasimha, exalts in Capricorn. The 9th from Capricorn is Virgo that is lorded by Rahu. The MahaVidya connected with Rahu is Devi Chinnamasta. This is very logical connection given the ati-ugra nature of Devi Chinnamasta and of Lord Narasimha. This is further confirmed by the shared Jayanti of both Lord Narasimha and Maa Chinnamasta on the Shukla Chaturti of Visakha masa.
Lord Parashurama - Ma Bagalamukhi
The Avatara of Lord Parashurama is associated with the Graha Venus. The 9th from its exaltation in Pisces is Scorpio, ruled by Mars. The MahaVidya associated with Mars is Ma Bagalamukhi. Thus, Lord Parashurama is carrying out the dharma of the giver of all the Brahma & Divya Astras and the one who silences and vanquishes foes. In the Sri Vidya tradition, Lord Parashurama receives the teachings from his Guru Hyagriva and is the primary guru of the Divyachara marga and thus is usually associated with Ma Lalita. However, we can see that it is the dharma of Ma Bagalamukhi he is upholding while being the Guru of the teachings of Ma Lalita
We can apply this process to the other Grahas to complete the list of the 10 Avataras and the 10 Maha Vidyas. However, there are three exceptions to manage.
The first is when we are solving for Vamana Avatar, Jupiter exalts in cancer and thus the 9th from Cancer is Pisces that is also ruled by Jupiter. We thus take the 5th from (mantra Drishti) to get back to cancer ruled by the Moon.
The second is when solving for Varaha avatara, Rahu exalts in Gemini and the 9th therefrom is Aquarius that is also ruled by Rahu. We take the 2nd Drishti of Rahu to get to Pisces ruled by Ketu for the Mahavidya of Dhumavati as the solutions.
The third is that the Kalki avatar and Ma Tripura Bhairavi are associated with the Lagna and thus directly linked.
We can observe that all the Jayantis line up perfectly except for that of the Buddha Avatar. The Buddha Poornima in Mrigashira that we celebrate in contemporary times is associated with the enlightenment of Gautama Buddha. However, the most likely Jayanti for the first Buddha is on the Amavasya of Mrigashira as we are expecting a realized being born not one achieving realization. Thisis also likely tyhe Buddha that Maharishi Parashara refers to when associating Mercury with Buddha based on the chronology.
|| ॐ गुरवे नमः ||
