Matangi

The Matangi Shloka Evokes Deep Tranquility in the Heart

ōṁ ghanaśyāmalāṅgīṁ sthitā ratnapīṭhē śuka syōditanśr̥ṇvatīnraktavastram surāpānamattānsarōjasthitānśrīmbhajēvallakīnvādayantīmmātaṅgī

Goddess Matangi invokes the cosmic music of tranquillity and harmony on her Veena. She is the ninth Goddess in the pantheon of the Dasa MahaVidya, blessing the devotees with her compassionate presence. She governs the faculties of speech, arts, and learning, exuding benevolence by her divine form. Her radiant emerald-green form paints dense imagery of enchantment and the intoxication of music. Her grace endows the devotee with the supreme knowledge of music and the arts.

She sits on a resplendent bejewelled throne and is accompanied by a parrot. In some depictions, she is seen seated on a blooming lotus, signifying purity and spiritual enlightenment. Her eyes are described as endless pools of darkness, and sparkling with an intoxicating charm. The eyes reflect the depth of her wisdom and the charms of her divinity. Her lips are stained with the crimson nectar of a heavenly beverage, hinting at her intoxicating and otherworldly presence.

Her lotus seat symbolizes the marriage of the heavens with the earthly. Her hands are adorned with jewels, and she grasps a Veena, playing the cosmic tunes on the stringed instrument. In some Tantrik texts, where she is worshipped as Raja-Matangini, she is seen with four arms. In this form, she wields a sword, a noose, along with a goad, and a club. The noose and the goad are the emblems of controlling passions and ego. The shield and the club represent her fierce aspects, always ready to sever the bondage of illusion with a swift movement. She is also seen wearing a garland of white lotus, signifying absolute holiness.

In other depictions, she is seen carrying a sugarcane bow and arrows, along with the goad and the noose. She is said to pierce the heart of evil with her arrows pointed towards a swift death. When she strums the Veena, the entire creation is filled with holy music. Her music is said to carry the ability to transform, uplift, and awaken spiritual consciousness in the listeners.

The worship of the Goddess is said to raise the Kundalini Shakti to the Vishuddha Chakra, located in the throat region. Vishuddha means absolute purity, and through her worship, the devotee can attain the deep spiritual bliss of speaking the truth. Only the way of truth is absolutely pure, and the grace of Matangi removes the inhibitions of speaking the truth even in the face of adversity.

The purification of the soul (Atma), centring on the Vishuddha Chakra, also leads to the realization of musical abilities in the devotee. Graced with Matangi, the devotee learns to sing the most difficult musical notes with ease.

Since the Vishuddha Chakra also grants the power of speech, the devotee becomes an effective speaker. He learns to discern between truths and lies and delivers his logical reasoning to uphold the true cause. He learns to reason and justify, presenting the right arguments wherever needed to uphold Dharma.

Since she plays the Veena, Matangi is also called Tantra-Saraswati. She is thus the Tantric form of Goddess Saraswati, who imparts the boon of knowledge, arts, and discernment to the devotee. Her music is said to please even the Nataraja, the God of Dance.

Surprisingly, the Goddess Matangi is also associated with inauspiciousness. She is sometimes worshipped as Uchhistha-Matangini, where she is offered leftover food with her left hand. In Hindu tradition, food is eaten exclusively with the right hand. Uchhistha means leftovers of food. The story of her emergence is also associated with Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva.

It is said that once Shiva visited the Goddess in the disguise of a Chandal, or someone who handles corpses and cleans the filth. When she asks for sexual favours from Goddess Parvati in this disguise, she is disgusted. However, through her meditative powers, she realized that the Chandal is none other than her husband, Shiva. Then, she decided to visit him in secret as a Chandalini (the female Chandal) and danced to please him.

After their union, the Goddess asked her husband that her Chandalini form be worshipped through the ages. Shiva granted her wish, and thus, Matangi, or Uchhistha Chandalini, was born out of the Mahadevi. In some legends, she is said to have emanated from Sati, the wife of Shiva, or Kali, the consort of Shiva.

Tantric disciplines have several paths prescribed for the realization of Siddhis, or the awakening of Kundalini Shakti in the devotee. These paths are chosen according to the temperament of the Sadhaka. There are three main paths, depending on the practice of the three Gunas, Sattwa, Rajas, and Tamas. The Gunas are inherent qualities that dominate the character of an individual.

Dakshinacharam, or the Right-Hand path, is dependent on the practice of the Sattwik Guna. It is an orthodox path based on the cultivation of Sattwik qualities such as sexual abstinence, charity, penance, and strict vegetarianism. Dakhshinacharam holds great potential for spiritual progress.

Vamacharam, or the Left-Hand path, is dependent on the practice of the Tamasic Guna. The Vamachari Sadhaka masters the Five M’s or Pancha Ma’Karas. These Five M’s represent the five cardinal attributes of Tamasa. These are Madya, Mamsa, Matsya, Mudra, and Maithuna. They represent alcohol and meat consumption along with money management. Sexual intercourse is described as Maithuna. The purpose of this path is to guard the Atma (soul) from the impurities associated with the Five M’s.

Kaulacharam is based on Rajasic qualities. It is similar to Vamacharam but also incorporates the principles of Dakshinacharam.

The Goddess guides the devotee through the perils of life and helps him to attain the Siddhi (superpowers associated with Tantra). She is also a benevolent Goddess, gracing the devotees with her boons to resolve their problems.

Before proceeding with the worship of Matangi, the devotee should make certain arrangements. Firstly, you should set up an altar dedicated to the Goddess at your home. You need to wear green clothes and decorations. Secondly, you should not forget to pray to her daily. The devotee must ignite a ghee lamp and light incense sticks in front of her image. You should also offer fruits, flowers, and sweets to the Goddess.

On special days, such as Navratri, and every Tuesday, you need to perform a special Puja in her honour. Thirdly, you should sing Bhajans and Hymns to the Goddess of the Veena to invoke her blessings. Here are a few problems, and their solutions are described using the appropriate path of Tantra.

Problem: The devotee may struggle with acquiring knowledge and understanding complex concepts or lack the necessary wisdom to make critical decisions.

Solution:

• Mantra chanting: You should regularly chant her Mantra 108 times to invoke the blessings of Goddess Matangi. The Mantra is, "Om Hrim Aim Namo Bhagavati Ucchishta-Chandali Shri Matangeshwari Sarvajanavasankari Swaha."
• Meditation:The devotee must meditate on the forms and attributes of Goddess Matangi. Visualize her emerald-green complexion and her serene presence. A strong visualization can help you overcome the difficulties in acquiring knowledge.
• Make offerings:You need to offer green foods to her, along with flowers and sweets.

Problem:The devotee faces difficulties in expressing himself, speaking the truth, or has a fear of public speaking.

Solution:

• Mantra recitation: Chant the Matangi mantra and seek her blessings in overcoming problems of articulation and eloquence. The Mantra is "Om Hrim Shreem Kleem Matangyai Phat Swaha."
• Visualization:Visualize her being seated on a throne, surrounded by a halo of green light. The halo represents her divine grace and her command over the Vishuddha Chakra.
• Make offerings: You need to offer honey and turmeric to her, as these are Ayurvedic medicines that enhance clarity in speech.

Problem: The devotee faces a creative block in artistic endeavours.

Solution:

• Mantra chanting: You need to chant the Mantra, "Om Matangyai Svaha," 108 times daily to invoke creative energies.
• Artistic practice: You should engage in artistic practice such as dancing, singing, painting, writing, or playing music in front of the image of Matangi, seeking her blessings.
• Make offerings:You should offer symbolic items such as a pen or a paintbrush to the altar of Goddess Matangi and seek her blessings.

Problem:The devotee feels socially isolated, being incapable of exerting any influence on others.

Solution:

• Mantra chanting:The devotee should recite the Mantra, "Om Hrim Klim Hoom Matangyai Svaha," to evoke her blessings in social circles.
• Visualization: You need to visualize the Goddess with her green halo surrounding you. Her blessings help to realize the power of speech and communication.
• Make offerings:You need to make offerings of sweets and flowers to her, seeking her blessings to enhance social charisma.

Problem:The devotee struggles with mental anxiety and emotional unrest.

Solution:

• Mantra chanting:You should chant the Matangi Mantra daily. The Mantra, “Om Matangyai Namaha,” helps to evoke mental peace and tranquillity.
• Meditating on her image: You need to meditate upon the image of the Goddess. Visualize her serene face and compassionate eyes to gain mental stability.
• Make offerings: You need to make offerings of white flowers and milk to her, symbolizing purity and peace.

The devotee must find the right Guru to progress in Tantrik spirituality. Tantra can be extremely complex, and only an accomplished Tantrik can explain the concepts to you. Any error in the practice of Tantra can evoke bad luck in the form of curses. The Guru helps you to mitigate these spiritual challenges and attain your desired Siddhi. Only the Guru can take responsibility for the spiritual progress of the devotee.