Yakshis also share similar protective functions as guardians of space and the directions with the Matrikas. Like the Yakshis, the Yoginis are said to be lavishly adorned, have captivating appearances that can be both terrifying and mesmerizing, and offer “life-enhancing energies that bring about fertility, growth, longevity, abundance and material and spiritual well-being.” The Yakshi and Yoginis appear both as accomplished female practitioners and in more “supernatural” or esoteric forms. In fact, many of the qualities of the Yoginis can be found with the Yakshis and Yakshinis, the tree and nature spirits of early Buddhism and Hinduism. Since ancient times, the Yoginis have appeared in various forms and often have a close association with nature. I also look at the contemporary Yogini as an alternative path for female practitioners.īrahmani Matrika. In this essay I present different categories of Yoginis and discuss the significance of their unique temples. These goddesses have individual and collective powers and together they also represent aspects of Devi. Sometimes Durga is even referred to as the “Queen of the Yoginis.” An entire spiritual tradition within various non-dual Tantric lineages (Naths, Siddhas, Kapalikas, Kaulas, et.al) has been formed around these groups of Yoginis and many of them include the Asta Matrikas and Nava Durgas in their fold. There are other collectives of Durga: the Nava (nine) Durgas and the 42, 64, and 81 Yoginis. In previous essays for Sutra Journal I have written about one of Devi’s collectives, the Asta Matrikas, eight forms of the Goddess Durga, who have both elemental and protective natures. Many of these goddesses have elemental energies, others contain certain powers of the natural world, and still others emulate the powers of the female body and sexual and reproductive cycles as well as stages within a woman’s life.
Collectives of female deities have a long-standing place in South Asian history, mythology, legend and the natural landscape. In South Asia, Goddess is described as “the one and the many.” She appears as Devi, the Great Shining One in Her infinite manifestations and as collectives of numerous goddesses. Chausath Yogini temple (Mahamaya temple) dedicated to 64 Yoginis By Soumendra Barik
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