Chhinnamasta
Chhinnamasta is a Hindu goddess and one of the Mahavidyas, ten goddesses from the esoteric tradition of Tantra. She is a ferocious aspect of Mahadevi, the Hindu mother goddess, symbolizing both life-giving and life-slaying aspects. The self-decapitated nude goddess holds her own severed head and a scimitar, with three jets of blood spurting from her neck, representing death, temporality, destruction, life, immortality, and recreation.
↻ synthesized from 2 sources
When
- First attested
- 500 CE
- Attested period
- 500 – 2020
- Historical notes
- Chhinnamasta is worshipped in the Kalikula sect of Shaktism and is a significant Tantric deity.
Relationships
- co occurs with
- Vishalakshi, Trikaya-vajrayogini, Mekhala, Kanakhala, Lakshminkara, Sarvabuddha, Vajravaironi, Vajravarnini, Sarvasiddhi, Vaironi, Varnini, Sarvabuddhi, Korravai, Krodha Bhairava, Prachanda Chandika, Mahashakti, Dhumavati, Dakshinakalika, Smashanakalika, Ekajata, Ugratara, Taritni, Nilasarasvati, Jayadurga, Vashuli, Vajravarahi, Dakini, Kotavi, Renuka, Shakambhari, Mahavidyas, Parvati, Chandika, Pratyangira, Durga, Mahakali, Bhadrakali, Tulja Bhavani, Mahishasuramardini, Raktabija, Guhyakali, Navadurgas, Katyayani, Matangi, Bagalamukhi
- syncretized with
- Vajrayogini, Chinnamunda, Parashurama
- parent of
- Narasimha
- child of
- devi
Mentioned by
- Vajravarahi
- Dakini
- Kotavi
- Renuka
- Shakambhari
- Mahavidyas
- Parvati
- Chandika
- Pratyangira
- Durga
- Mahakali
- Bhadrakali
- Tulja Bhavani
- Mahishasuramardini
- Raktabija
- Guhyakali
and 6 more
Sources
Source passages
“The iconography of Chhinnamasta is described in the Trishakti Tantra (pre-16th century), the Tantrasara (Prachandachandika section), the Shakta Pramoda (Chinnamastatantra section), and the Mantra-mahodadhih (1589 CE).”
#30556 · extracted by google/gemini-2.0-flash-001
“According to Tantras, she revealed through the north face, which is one of six faces of Shiva. This face is blue in colour and with three eyes and also revealed the Devis, Dakshinakalika, Mahakali, Guhyakali, Smashanakalika, Bhadrakali, Ekajata, Ugratara (fierce Tara), Taritni, Chhinnamasta, Nilasarasvati”
#31162 · extracted by google/gemini-2.0-flash-001