Yogini
Yoginis ( Sanskrit : योगिनी, yoginī) are female yogis or Rishis in medieval Hinduism , and later also in Nepalese - Tibetan tantric Buddhism , who have quasi-divine or demigod-like powers. Their human followers are also sometimes referred to as yoginis . The male intern is the yogi (Sanskrit योगिन् yogin m., Nom. Sg. योगी yogī)
Origin and meaning
The origin of the Indian yoginis is largely unclear - they seem to be closely related to rural demonic and tantristic ideas and fertility cults and thus also to the group of the “seven”, “eight” or even “nine mothers” ( matrikas ) in some cases - but not consistently - were specifically integrated into the numerically larger group of yoginis (42, 64 or 81). Therefore it is sometimes assumed that the 'mothers' have reproduced accordingly (8 × 8 = 64/9 × 9 = 81). In ancient Indian texts ( Kathasaritsagara , Harivamsa ) they are mentioned as companions or followers of Kalis or Durgas . Yoginis are viewed by most Hindus as ominous and terrifying and associated with illness and death, but their magical powers can also work in positive ways (fertility, growth).
presentation
Yoginis are difficult to identify iconographically outside their temples - in rare cases they have names that identify them as yoginis; but often a female figure who is not clearly recognizable as a goddess by attributes, mount, etc., is referred to as a 'yogini'. Yoginis are usually shown with two arms - an indication of their demigod-like position; four-armed yoginis are rarer. Mostly they stand on the back of a riding or companion animal ( vahana ), sometimes also on a human figure, which mostly embodies evil and ominous forces; seated yoginis in meditation posture are less common. Mostly they are young, beautiful and quite seductive, but there are also curiosities: Very rarely does a yogini appear whose old emaciated body seems to be modeled on the goddess Chamunda , and also a yogini named Vinayaki ( Vinayak = another name for Ganesh ) is sometimes seen; Most curious of all is a hermaphroditic yogini named Ekapada (the "one-legged") who sports an erect penis.
Yogini from Tamil Nadu, Smithsonian Institute , Washington (10th century)
Yogini Ekapada , Hirapur (10th century)
Yogini with owl, San Antonio Museum of Art (10th / 11th century)
dancing vajra yogini made of gilded bronze, Nepal, Honolulu Museum of Art (18th century)
Yogini in front of their hut in an idyllic landscape, Brooklyn Museum (18th century)
cult
None of the yoginis is particularly emphasized over the others by their size or their attributes - this fact seems to be more appropriate to rural beliefs and practices than the development of high deities endowed with individual character traits. No yogini seems to have outstanding powers; only in their entirety are they strong. Today it is predominantly women who visit the yogini temples as part of puja ceremonies ; During a tour, all yoginis are usually sprayed with a few drops of milk or water or decorated with flowers. To what extent this can be transferred to the cult practices of earlier centuries is largely unclear.
See also
- Chausath Yogini Temple (Hirapur)
- Chausath Yogini Temple (Khajuraho)
- Chausath Yogini Temple (Bhedaghat)
literature
- Vidiya Dehejia: Yogini Cult and Temples - A Tantric Tradition. National Museum, New Delhi 1986.
Web links
- 64 yoginis - photos, information + invocations (mantras )
- Yogini temple - Photos and information (Engl.)
- Yogini temple in Bheraghat - Photos and information (Engl.)
References and comments
- ↑ On the ambivalence of the powers of some female Indian gods (Mahadevi, Durga, Kali and others) see David Kinsley: Indian Goddesses - Female Gods in Hinduism. Insel-Verlag, Frankfurt / M. 1990, ISBN 3-458-16118-X