Ashta Matrukas
The Bhupura – the square, outermost enclosure of Sri Meru, is comprised of three walls which are, in turn, graced by the 28 Devis or yoginis known respectively as the 10 Mudra Shaktis, the 8 Matrukas and the 10 Siddhis.
In this puja we focus upon the 8 Matrukas, who govern the second or middle Bhupura wall, in each of its cardinal and intermediate directions; thus it is to the eight corners of the Sri Meru’s square enclosure to which we shall direct our worship.
Ashta Matrukas
The Bhupura – the square, outermost enclosure of Sri Meru, is comprised of three walls which are, in turn, graced by the 28 Devis or yoginis known respectively as the 10 Mudra Shaktis, the 8 Matrukas and the 10 Siddhis.
In this puja we focus upon the 8 Matrukas, who govern the second or middle Bhupura wall, in each of its cardinal and intermediate directions; thus it is to the eight corners of the Sri Meru’s square enclosure to which we shall direct our worship.
Contents
Abhishekam to Ashta Matrukas
Abhisheka in Sanskrit means “bathing of the divinity to whom worship is offered.” It is a religious rite or method of prayer in which a devotee pours a liquid offering on an object of worship (image or murti of a Deity, or a human recipient).
- Worship of the 8 Mothers can provide both spiritual and material benefits to the devotees.
- Their names and associations tell us how and why they can be useful to us, to give us the grace of the Divine Mother.
- Each one represents one of the passions (kāma, krodha, lobha, etc), achieving control of which can can help devotees progress spiritually.
- Also, each Matṛka oversees a separate dominion (education, business, progeny, etc.) based on which, she can give boons to people and improve their lives.
Glimpse of Abhishekam
The Ritual
Sankalpam is performed before the commencement of the ritual and abhishekam is performed with Cow milk & perfumed water.
Brāhmī
Brahmi is Brahma’s Atma Shakti, Saraswati, who symbolizes creativity in all of its aspects, most prominently - music and knowledge.
- Passion : Lust
- Boon : Education, Creativity
- In all efforts that improve one’s quality of life with regards to education, learning and creativity – worship of Brahmi is recommended.
- She also helps one to overcome Lust.
Māheśvarī
A Goddess of Shiva; Maheshwari brings Mahat Tattva (i.e., the first transformation of primordial nature, containing all other elements in their subtle, unmanifest forms) under control.
- Passion : Anger
- Boon : Job & Business
- For those who aspire greatness through business or enterprise in various forms, propitiating Maheshwari is recommended.
- She also helps to remove or overcome Anger.
Kaumārī
Kaumari is the Atma Shakti of Kumara, Skanda – Ganesha’s brother, whose wives are Valli and Devasena. He is Shanmukha, the Kundalini Shakti; the serpent power itself. He resides at all the six chakras balancing them; he is the leader of the armed forces of the Devas.
- Passion : Greed
- Boon : Conceiving Children
- Worship of Kaumari is recommended for couples who wish to obtain progeny. By propitiating Kaumari, by worshipping the Yoni, the seat of Kundalini as Nagashakti – wellness hormones are generated, and conditions suitable for conception are created.
- She helps to overcome Greed.
Vaiṣṇāvī
Vaishnavi is the Shakti of Vishnu, whose nature is Maya. Maya means Hrimkara or involvement in the world.
- Passion : Delusion
- Boon : Marriage, Interpersonal Relationship
- Vaishnavi, a form of Lakshmi, creates illusions of Samsara, can assist in improving one’s relationships in life, between husband and wife, between friends and in all kinds of interpersonal relationships.
- She also helps to overcome Delusion.
Vārāhī
Varahi is the commander-in-chief of armed forces of Lalita Devi. Residing at Ajna Chakra, She has vast armies at Her command with which She can defeat any enemy.
- Passion : Pride
- Boon : Health
- She can direct her armies to quell various enemies, which can represent diseases and internal destructive emotions.
- She can also be invoked to bring relief to others, by chanting sankalpam with the person’s name and doing japa (mantra recitation) or prōkṣaṇa (the actual or visualized sprinkling of energized water on the person on whose behalf you are appealing) with the Varahi mantra.
- It would be especially useful with respect of bringing relief to terminally ill cancer or AIDS patients.
- She also helps us to overcome Mada (pride).
Māhendrī
Mahendri is the Atma Shakti of Indra, the God of Rain. He sends his thunderbolt, Vajra to seed the clouds and bring the rain, which fertilizes the Earth.
- Passion : Envy
- Boon : Good Harvest
- All our desires regarding the well-being of crops, controlling the floods, natural calamities, anything related to rain and water and fertilization of the earth is best handled by worshipping Indra’s Atma Shakti – Mahendri.
- She protects crops, ensures better dairy products and is generally useful for those in the agricultural industries, as well as for environmental control.
- She helps us to overcome Envy.
Cāmuṇḍā
Chamunda is the War Goddess, a form of Chandi. She is the one who lives in the cemeteries, riding upon a revivified corpse.
- Passion : Negative Actions
- Boon : Protection against negative forces
Propitiating Chamunda, will enable you to control and eliminate all evils done to you.
Mahālakṣmī
Mahalakshmi is the wealth of Sri Narayana. She is the Cosmic Awareness, and shuns pettiness in all its aspects. Thus She represents the infinite wealth of the Lord, and removes poverty of all kinds. Ashta Aishwaryas and Ashta Lakshmis are all under Her control and they all obey Her commands.
- Passion : Attachment to wealth
- Boon : Wealth
She not only gives material benefits, but also brings forth spiritual wealth of the Lord Vishnu.
Ways To Worship Ashtamatrkas
- At Home: One can worship these Devis with a Mahāmeru or with a printed Śrī Chakra.
- At Devipuram: On its grounds Devipuram has consecrated Aṣṭamātṛka murtis. Devotees are welcome to come and perform rituals themselves and in case the trip is not possible, the ritual can be ordered to be performed by Devipuram on behalf of the person.