Chinnamasta Yogini Thangka

Description

Chinnamasta Yogini Thangka is handpainted in Nepal in Newari Style. Chinnamasta Yogini Thangka is closely related to Chinnamunda the severed headed form of the Tibetan Buddhist goddess Vajrayogini.

Chhinnamasta often spelled Chinnamasta, and Prachanda Chandika is a Hindu goddess. She is one of the Mahavidyas, ten goddesses from the esoteric tradition of Tantra, and a ferocious aspect of Devi, the Hindu Mother goddess. The self-decapitated nude goddess, usually standing or seated on a divine copulating couple, holds her own severed head in one hand, a scimitar in another. Three jets of blood spurt out of her bleeding neck and are drunk by her severed head and two attendants.

Chhinnamasta is a goddess of contradictions. She symbolizes both aspects of Devi: a life-giver and a life-taker. She is considered either a symbol of sexual self-control or an embodiment of sexual energy and gift, depending upon interpretation. She represents death, temporality, and destruction as well as life, immortality, and recreation. The goddess conveys spiritual self-realization and the awakening of the kundalini – spiritual energy. The legends of Chhinnamasta emphasize her self-sacrifice – sometimes coupled with a maternal element – sexual essence, and self-destructive fury.

Chhinnamasta is worshipped in the Kalikula sect of Shaktism, the Goddess-centric tradition of Hinduism. Though Chhinnamasta enjoys patronage as one of the Mahavidyas, temples devoted to her (found mostly in Nepal and eastern India) and her public worship are rare. However, she is a significant Tantric deity, well known and worshipped among esoteric Tantric practitioners.