Goddess Siddhalakshmi : An Introduction

 Goddess Siddhalakṣmī : An Introduction 

Goddess Siddhalakṣmī 

[[ Thanks to Mr. Animesh Nagar, Honourable Indologist and Professor for helping us to write this article. We are grateful to you sir.]]

Introduction:- 

[[ Goddess Siddhalakṣmī in modern art]] 

According to Śākta Texts, the number of Mahāvidyās (primordial deities in Śaktism) are uncountable. The Muṅḍamālā Tantra says there are seven crore Mahāvidyās and unlimited Upavidyās. Some of them belong to Kālīkrama, some belong to Śrīkula or Saubhāgyakrama, some are in other Kramas. Siddhalakṣmī is a renowned Mahāvidyā. She is a manifestation of Ādi Parāśakti. She belongs to Kālīkrama or Kālīkula. She is one of the main deities of Uttara Āmnāya (Northern Tantric Tradition). Goddess Siddhalakṣmī is also known as Pratyāṅgirā (प्रत्याङ्गिरा), Caṇḍakāpālinī (चण्डकापालिनी) and Śivā (शिवा). According to the Śrī Tridaśaḍāmara Mahātantra, she is addressed as Siddhalakṣmī-Pratyāṅgirā in Jayadratha Yāmala Tantra (जयद्रथ यामलतन्त्र), Caṇdā or Caṇḍakāpālinī in Jhaṃkāra Bhairava Tantra and Śivā in Kulaḍāmara Tantra.

प्रत्यङ्गिरात्वियं देवि सिद्धिलक्ष्मी जयद्रथे ।

झंकारभैरवे चण्डा शिवान्तु कुलडामरे ॥

According to the Niruttara Tantra, she belongs to the Mahāvidyās of Kālīkula.

काली तारा छिन्नमस्ता भुवना महिषमर्दिनी।

त्रिपुटा त्वरिता दुर्गा विद्या प्रत्यङ्गिरा तथा ।

कालीकुलं समाख्यातं श्रीकुलश्च ततः परम्‌॥ 

Here Pratyāṅgirā is none other than Siddhalakṣmī. Jayadratha Yāmala states,

उद्धृत्ता परमाविद्या सुखसौभाग्यमोक्षदा ।

शतद्वयं च वर्णानां नवत्यधिकमुद्धृतम् ॥

एषा विद्या महाविद्या नाम्नात्रैलोक्यमोहिनी।

[[ Reference:- Jayadratha Yāmala, 2nd Ṣaṭaka, 21st Paṭala]] 

Etymology:- 

Siddhalakṣmī word is originated from two words. They are Siddha and Lakṣmī. 

"Siddha" pada or term signifies Muktaśiva or Paramśiva or the consciousness of self manifestation through pratyābhijñā. Lakṣmī term comes from Lakṣ Dhātu. This dhātu signifies discernment, knowledge, wisdom etc. Lakṣmī isn't applied for a particular Goddess. As per Nārada Purāṇa, Kubera's wife is also called as Lakṣmī. Lakṣmī is a common noun. 

Briefly, the Lakṣmī who is worshipped by Siddhas, is called as Siddhalakṣmī. 

Siddhalakṣmī was known as Somalakṣmī(सोमलक्ष्मी) in the ancient times. Soma(सोम) word has been created from two terms — Sa(स)+Uma(उम). It means who is always with Pārvatī. Soma means Śiva. Somalakṣmī means the Lakṣmī who is associated with lord Śiva. 

Iconography:- 

[[ Siddhalakṣmī in Newari Art ]] 

In the very first portion of Durgā Saptaśatī(दुर्गा सप्तशती) or Śrīśrīcaṇdī (श्रीश्रीचण्डी), her dhyāna is found. 

या चण्डी मधुकैटभादिदैत्यदलनी या माहिषोन्मूलिनी

या धूम्रेक्षणचण्डमुण्डमथनी या रक्तबीजाशनी ।

शक्तिः शुम्भनिशुम्भदैत्यदलनी या सिद्धलक्ष्मी परा

सा देवी नवकोटिमूर्तिसहिता मां पातु विश्वेश्वरी ॥ 

But this dhyāna describes her glories instead of her iconography. The iconographical Dhyānas of Goddess Siddhalakṣmī are mentioned in Umā Yāmala Mahātantra(24th Patala), Kālānala Tantra, Jayadratha Yāmala Tantra, Tridaśaḍāmara, Mahābhairavapūjā, Mahākāla Saṃhitā etc texts. 

We are going to describe her iconography as per the 24th Paṭala of Umā Yāmala Tantra. 

Goddess Siddhalakṣmī has five heads, ten hands. She has three eyes in every face. She is as fair as mount Kailāśa. She is riding on Bhairava and adorned with the jewelries of serpents. She holds Pāśa (rope), Aṃkuśa (elephant goad), Vara-Abhaya Mudrās, Khaḍaga (sword), Khatvāṅga, Śūla (Trident), Kapāla (Scull), Muṇḍa (chopped fresh head) and Amṛtakumbha (pot of nectar). 

Consort :- 

Ākāśa Bhairava is recognised as Devī Siddhalakṣmī's consort. He is addressed as Mahābhairava in the Mahākulakrama.

कालसंकर्षणी नाम्ना गौरीरक्षणनामिका । महाकालीभराशान्ता महाभैरववल्लभा ॥

[[ Reference:- Mahākulakrama Tantra : Mahākaravīrayāga : Vidyoddhāra Paṭala (2nd Paṭala)]] 

[[ Siddhapadmā is Manuscripts ]]

The Mahābhairava Pūja Paddhati is dedicated to Lord Ākāśa Bhairava. It also describes his wife Siddhalakṣmī's pūjā. 

[[ Siddheśvara Bhairava]] 

Mahābhairava has many forms — Siddheśvarabhairava(सिद्धेश्वरभैरव), Śikhāsvacchandabhairava (शिखास्वच्छन्दभैरव), hanubhairava (हनुभैरव),  mahākālabhairava (महाकालभैरव). Mostly Siddheśvara is worshipped with Siddhalakṣmī. 

Seat or Pīṭha of Goddess Siddhalakṣmī :- 

Goddess Siddhalakṣmī resides in the Karavīra Śmaśāna Pīṭha (not be confused with Karavīra Kolhāpura Śaktipīṭha). This Pīṭha is mentioned in Manthan Bhairava Tantra, Ambāmata Saṃhitā, Śrīmatottara Tantra and many other texts. The Karavīra cremation ground is situated near Oḍiyāna Mahāpīṭha, Kāśmīra. 

श्मशाने करवीरस्थां ऊर्ध्वकेशीं भयंकरीम् ।

नग्नवाससमोपेतां नौमि विज्ञानदायिनीम्॥ 

[[ Ambāmata Saṃhitā Tantra ]] 

An ancient Śākta Āgama called Ambāmata Saṃhitā mentioned this Pīṭha. It tells, 

I salute the frightening Ūrdhvakeśī who resides in the cremation ground Karavīra and, accompanied by Nagnavāsa (the Naked One, another name of Śiva), bestows knowledge. 

करवीरश्मशानस्थां कालसंकर्षणीं शिवाम् । चण्डां प्रत्यंगिरां कालीं सिद्धलक्ष्मीं नमाम्यहम् ॥ 

[[ Śrīkālasaṃkarṣaṇīmata Tantra : Trailokyamohana Caturviṃśatisāhasra : Vidyāsamudāya śrīsiddhikālī kramaṭiyiṇikaṃ :  1st paṭala]] 

According to the Kālasaṃkarṣaṇīmata Tantra (कालसंकर्षिणीमत तन्त्र), Goddess Kālasaṃkarṣaṇī dwells in the Karavīra Śmaśāna as Siddalakṣmī (wife of Siddheśvara and energy of Sadāśiva). She is addressed as Śivā (wife of Śiva), Caṇdā (ferocious), Pratyaṃgirā (worshipped by two sages named Pratyas and Aṃgirā ) and Kālī (who grasps Kāla).  

Later a portion of the energy of Karavīra Śmaśāna went to Kolhāpura and established a Pīṭha. Actually Kolhāpura Mahālakṣmī is her manifestation. 

Story of Appearance:- 

Siddhalakṣmī emerged on the day of Mahāśivarātri (Māgha Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa Carturdaśī). Her story is described in Tridaśaḍāmara(81 Paṭala ), Dūtīḍāmara and Haracaritacintāmaṇi(31st Prakāśa) . Here is the story below:—

One 64 Yoginīs invited Paramśiva on the day of Mahāśivarātri. Goddess Pārvatī, the wife of Paramaśiva, became angry for not getting invitation. To impress her, lord Śiva took his Bhairava form and comprised Pārvatī in his mind. Then he went to the festival of Yoginīs. Yoginīs sacrificed their relatives and made Caru(चरु) or Yajñabhāga(यज्ञभाग) for Mahābhairava. Then Yoginīs wanted Praticaru(प्रतिचरु) or opposite yajñabhāga from him.–चतुःषष्ठिस्तु या कोट्या साकिन्याद्या महाबलाः । यज्ञभागं प्रयच्छन्ति चरुं कृत्वास्वबांधवान् ॥ 

Bhairava denied to offer Caru to them. Hearing this, Yoginīs became ferocious. They made a Prayoga on  Pārvatī who was situated in the heart of Siddheśvara. Siddheśvara created Narasiṃha or Saṃkarṣaṇa to defend themselves from Yoginīs. But the Yoginīs defeated Narasiṃha. Thereafter Siddheśvara meditated upon his heart's Pārvatī for vanquishing the Yoginīs. Goddess Ādi Parāśakti Pārvatī came out from the heart of Siddheśvara as Goddess Siddhalakṣmī.–"परं समाधिमाश्रित्य चेतस्तत्र समाश्रितम् । हृदयादुत्थिता देवी जगदानन्दकारिणी ॥" 

Light beams erupted like the explosion of crores of suns. She was looking like Kālāgni (death of fire). 

कालसंकर्षणी ख्याता चक्रे कालाग्निभैरवी । आधारभूता जीवसो स्थिता सा परमाकला ॥ व्यापिनी सर्वभूतानामेकासानेकता गता । एका परापराशक्ति विश्वग्रासैकलंपटा ॥ 

After that, Goddess Siddhalakṣmī Pārvatī defeated all Yoginīs. They sought mercy from her. 

Glorifications of Siddhalakṣmī :- 

It will be our audacity if we go to write about the glorifications of Goddess Siddhalakṣmī who can never be described by Tridevas. But we are trying to show her greatness according to Śāstras. 

भुक्तिदा मुक्तिदा विद्या जयदा मुखसिद्धिदा ।

नानया सदृशी विद्या त्रिषुलोकेषु विद्यते ॥

[[ Reference:- Jayadratha Yāmala Tantra: 2nd Ṣaṭaka: 36th Paṭala]] 

Meaning:- 

Goddess Siddhalakṣmī gives both of Bhoga (enjoyment) and Mokṣa (Salvation). By her Grace, one can gains wisdom, victory and Siddhis (spiritual powers). No other knowledge in the whole creation is as great as her. 

The same chapter also states, 

सर्वपापप्रशमनी सर्वसंपद्गुणावहा ।

सर्वानर्थप्रशमनी सर्वदुष्टविमर्दनी ॥

सर्वसंकरदोषघ्नी सर्वदारिद्र्यमर्दनी ‌।

सर्वव्याधिप्रशमनी सर्वोपद्रवभेदिनी ।

सर्वसौभाग्यजननी महाभाग्यावरोहिनी ॥

Goddess Pūrṇacaṇdī(पूर्णचण्डी) destroys all sins. By her Sādhana, one can get all types of wealth (spiritual or worldly). She mitigates all troubles and tramples all evils. She also removes the sin which is created from the mixture of different Āgamic Paramparās. She eradicates poverty and cures all diseases. She is the bestower of all types of fortune. 

There is no difference between Goddess Kālī, Goddess Kubjikā and Goddess Siddhalakṣmī. Hāhārava Tantra quotes, 

यथा काली तथा कुब्जा सिद्धलक्ष्मी तथा प्रिये ।

प्रत्यंगिरा अभेदेन पूजयेत् कुलभैरवी ॥ 

And Lastly Would Like To Conclude This With:—

कलिदुःस्वप्नशमनीं महोत्पातविनाशिनीम् । प्रत्यंगिरां नमस्यामि सिद्धिलक्ष्मीं जयप्रदाम् ॥