Goddess Chinnamasta:

Chhinnamasta (Sanskrit: , "She whose head is severed"), often spelled Chinnamasta and also called
Chhinnamastika and Prachanda Chandika, is one of the Mahavidyas, ten Tantric goddesses and a ferocious aspect
of Devi, the Hindu Divine Mother. Chhinnamasta can be easily identified by her fearsome iconography. The selfdecapitated goddess 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 associated with the concept of self-sacrifice as well as the awakening of the kundalini spiritual
energy. She is considered both as a symbol of self-control on sexual desire as well as an embodiment of sexual
energy, depending upon interpretation. She symbolizes both aspects of Devi: a life-giver and a life-taker. Her
legends emphasize her sacrifice sometimes with a maternal element, her sexual dominance and her selfdestructive fury. Though she enjoys patronage as part of the Mahavidyas, her few individual temples found in
Northern India and Nepal and individual public worship is rare, due to her ferocious nature and her reputation of
being dangerous to approach and worship. Her individual worship is restricted to heroic, Tantric worship by
Tantriks, yogis and world renouncers.
Chhinnamasta signifies that life, death and sex are interdependent. Chhinnamasta's image conveys the eternal
truth that "life feeds on death, is nourished by death, necessitates death, and that the ultimate destiny of sex is to
perpetuate more life, which in turn will decay and die in order to feed more life". While the lotus and the
lovemaking couple symbolize life and the urge to create life, in a way gives life-force to the beheaded goddess, the
blood flowing from goddess conveys death and loss of the life-force, which flows into the mouths of her devotee
yoginis, nourishing them. Chhinnamasta signifies the concept of sacrifice and renewal of creation. Chhinnamasta
self-sacrifices herself and her blood drunk by her attendants nourishes the universe. An invocation to her calls
her the sacrifice, the sacrificer and the recipient of the sacrifice, with the severed head treated as an offering.
Her individual temples as well as her public worship are rare. Her individual worship is restricted to heroic, Tantric
worship by Tantrics, yogis and world renouncers. The lack of her worship is attributed by scholars to her ferocious
nature and her reputation of being dangerous to approach and worship. Her hundred-name hymn and thousandname hymn describe her fierce nature and wrath. The names describe her as served by ghosts and as gulping
blood. She is pleased by human blood, human flesh, meat, sexual fluid and worshipped by body hair, flesh and
fierce mantras.
Chhinnamasta is often named as the fifth Mahavidya in the group, with hymns identifying her as a fierce aspect of
the Goddess. Pranotasani Tantra narrates once, while having a bath in Mandakini river, two female attendants of
Parvati Dakini and Varnini (also called Jaya and Vijaya) become extremely hungry and beg for food. Though Parvati
initially promises to give them food once they return home, later the merciful goddess beheaded herself by her
nails and gave her blood to satiate their hunger.
Tantric practitioners worship Chhinnamasta for acquiring siddhis or supernatural powers. Chhinnamasta's mantra:
Srim hrim klim aim Vajra vairocaniye hum hum phat svaha is invoked by Tantrics to attract, subjugate and bring
women under their spell. Another goal of her worship is to cast evil spells and cause harm to others. Other goals
are common to worship of all mahavidyas : poetic speech, well-being, control of one's foes, removal of obstacles,
ability to sway kings, ability to attract women, conquest over other kings and finally, moksha (salvation).
Chinnamasta
Mahavidya (great knowledge goddess)
Mahabhima (great fierce one)
Mahodari (great bellied one)
Candesvari (fierce goddess)
Candamata (mother of fierce beings or the fierce mother)
Candamundaprabhanjini (killer of demons Canda and Munda)
Mahacanda (great fierce one)
Candarupa (fierce form)
Candika (fierce one)
Candakhandini (destroyer of Canda)
Krodhini (wrathful one)
Krodhajanani (creator of wrathful beings)
Krodharupa (wrathful form)
Kuhuh (new moon day)
Kala (skillful one)
Kopatura (afflicted with rage)
Kopayuta (filled with rage)
Kopasamharakarini (destroyer of rage)
Vajra
Vajravairocani (adamantine one)
Vajrakalpa (competent with a vajra)
Dakini
Dakinikarmanirata (involved with the work of dakinis)
Dakinikarmapujita (worshipped as the work of dakinis)

Dakinisanganirata (delighted in the company of dakinis)

Dakinipremapurita (filled with love of dakinis)
Khatavangadharini (holder of a khatvanga)
Kharva (mutilated one)
Khadgakharparadharini (holder of a scimitar and a skullcup)
Pretasana (feeder of pretas [hungry ghosts])
Pretayuta (united with pretas)
Pretasangaviharini (plays or dwells in the company of pretas)
Chinnamundadhara (holds a severed head)
Chinnacandavidya (fierce mantra of the one with the severed body)
Citrini (having variegated forms)
Ghorarupa (terrific form)
Ghoradrsta (terrific to behold)
Ghorarava (having a terrific roar)
Ghanodari (firm abdomen)
Yogini (practices yoga)
Yoganirata (practitioner of yoga)
Japayajnaparayana (absorbed in sacrifice and recitation)
Yonicakramayi (possessing yonicakra)
Yonih (embodying the yoni)
Yonicakrapravarttini (arising from the yonicakra)
Yonimudra (has the yonimudra)
Yonigamya (accessible to the yoni)
Yoniyantranivasini (abides in the yoniyantra)
Yantrarupa (has the yantra form)
Yantramayi (possesses the yantra)
Yantresi (goddess of the yantra)
Yantrapujita (worshipped with a yantra)
Kirtya (renowned one)
Kapardini (has matted hair)
Kali
Kankali (emaciated)
Kalavikarini (constantly transforming)
Arakta (being slightly red)
Raktanayana (having red eyes)
Raktapanaparayana (quaffing blood continuously)
Bhavani
Bhutida (gives prosperity)
Bhutih (prosperity)
Bhutidatri (bestows prosperity)
Bhairavi (formidable one)
Bhairavacaranirata (engaged in the practice of bhairavas)
Bhutabhairavasevita (served by fierce beings)
Bhima (formidable one)
Bhimesvaridevi (goddess who is lord of the formidable one)
Bhimanadaparayana (having continuous formidable sounds)
Bhavaradhya (praised by Sankara)
Bhavanuta (worshipped by all)
Bhavasagaratarini (crosses over the ocean of existence)
Bhadrakali (a form of Kali)
Bhadratanuh (having a beautiful body)
Bhadrarupa (beautiful form)
Bhadrika (goodness)
Bhadrarupa (embodies goodness)
Mahabhadra (magnanimous)
Subhadra (wonderful goodness)
Bhadrapalini (protectoress of goodness)
Subhavya (exceedingly beautiful)
Bhavyavadana (having beautiful face)
Sumukhi (good face or mouth)
Siddhasevita (served by siddhis)
Siddhida (gives siddhis)
Siddhanivaha (has the collection of siddhis)
Siddha (accomplished one)
Siddhanisevita (honoured by siddhas)
Subhada (gives auspiciousness)
Subhaga (elegant)
Suddha (pure)
Suddhasattva (has pure sattva)
Subhavaha (bearer of auspiciousness)
Srestha (excellent)
Drstamayi (embodies the right view)
Devi
Drstisamharakarini (capable of destroying by her gaze)

Sarvani (Sivas wife)

Sarvaga (omnipresent)
Sarva (complete)
Sarvamangalakarini (creator of all auspiciousness)
Siva (pacifier)
Santa (peaceful)
Santirupa (embodiment of peacefulness)
Mrdani (gladdened)
Madanatura (indomitable by Kamadeva)