jihvāgramādāya karēṇa dēvīṁ vāmēnaśatrūn paripīḍayantīṁ gadābhi ghātēna ca dakṣiṇēna pītānrāḍhyāṁ dvibhujāṁ namāmi
Goddess Bagalamukhi is the eighth deity belonging to the Tantrik pantheon of Dasa Maha Vidya. She is attributed to the power of controlling speech, which is a vital aspect of Sadhana. She is said to sustain the cosmic flow of beginnings and endings with her divine posture. Her right hand is raised to the lips, implying the essence of controlling the value of speech and discernment. Just like Kaali or Tara, sometimes she is shown with her tongue extending out.
In some depictions of the Goddess, she is shown to pull out the tongue of a demon called Madana. As madana also means lust, the significance of this depiction is profound. The Goddess holds back the tongue of lustful speech that is filled with greed, rumours, arrogance, and deceit. On her other hand, she wields the cudgel as her weapon, which is said to stun the enemies with a swift impact.
When the right hand is placed on her lips, she implies the importance of wisdom imparted by speech. The posture also signifies the value of uttering words of compassion, courage, and honesty. However, she is also worshipped as the deity who paralyzes the speech of the enemy, putting an abrupt halt to false talks. Her paralyzing power forms the basis of the Stambhana Sadhana in Tantrik occult.
To the devout Sadhaka, the two hands of the Goddess imply harmony and balance of life’s essence. The integration of diametrically opposite forces is the very basis of duality, essentially leading the worshipper to the realization of Advaita (Non-Duality). Her speech is understood to co-exist with her left hand as she forbids the utterance of impurities. The left hand protects the worshipper from the harm brought about by false speech, and the right hand signifies the courage to sustain the voice of truth.
Raising the Kundalini Energy to the ThroatThe worship of the Goddess raises the Kundalini Shakti to the throat of the Sadhaka. The throat chakra is known as Vishuddha, an emblem of absolute purity. The Vishuddha Chakra is depicted as a lotus with sixteen petals. It is said that the flow of wisdom to the throat is likened to the elixir of immortality or Amrita.
This elixir, within the Vishuddha chakra, is transformed into a pure form and a poison. The worship of Goddess Bagalamukhi helps the devotee to find the courage to utter the purity of knowledge, and at the same time dispel the poison of Avidya or ignorance.
The worship of the Goddess is also associated with the Anahata Chakra in the heart region and the Ajna Chakra in the forehead. Since cosmic wisdom must be validated by the heart with sensitivity and empathy, the worship of the Goddess imparts courage. Also, in advanced forms of worship, the Kundalini Shakti is raised to the forehead at the Ajna Chakra. Since words have the power to command, Goddess Baglamukhi enables the devotee to attain the power of Bak Siddhi.
Bak Siddhi symbolizes the power to predict and manifest words into events. In the depictions of the Goddess, where she pulls out the tongue of the demon Madana, it is said that she controls the misuse of Bak Siddhi.
The Shloka of Goddess Bagalamukhi inspires the worshipper to remember the multifaceted nature of the divine feminine and realize the power of honesty. The compassion, strength, and nourishment that she bestows guide the devotee to the path of discernment and wisdom.
The Other Names of the GoddessShe is also known as the Devi Pitamvari or the one who is adorned with a yellow garment. Yellow is associated with gold and fire, representing the riches of holy wisdom and the fire of truth. Yellow is also associated with turmeric, a spice that is used in holy rituals.
In many parts of India, the bride and the groom are bathed with a turmeric paste before weddings. This is why the worship of the Goddess Bagalamukhi is considered auspicious before marriage ceremonies. Her abode is in the Haridra Sarovar, or the Ocean of Turmeric.
She is also worshipped as Goddess Kalyani, or the one who grants benevolence to devotees.
Tantrik Paths to Attain Her BlessingsThe devotee must worship the Goddess by the Tantrik path that suits his/her temperament and abilities. There are three main paths, the Dakshinacharam, the Vamacharam, and the Kaulacharam.
The Dakshinacharam denotes the right-hand path, which is more orthodox and conservative than the intense Vamacharam. The right-hand path signifies a potential for deep spiritual growth and assimilation of wisdom. An experienced Tantrik guides the devotee to Dakshinacharam. Dakshinacharam requires the devotee to attain mastery over Sattwik's qualities.
The Vamacharam, or the left-hand path, requires immense discipline. This is because this is the sadhana of the Pancha Ma’karas or the Five M’s. Any mistake or deviation in the path of the Five M’s can have disastrous results on the Tantrik. The Five M’s are Mada, Mamsa, Matsya, Mudra, and Maithuna. Mada, Mamsa, and Matsya mean alcohol, meat, and fish, respectively. Mudra refers to parched grains. Another meaning of Mudra is wealth. Maithuna means sexual intercourse. Vamacharam is a strictly Tamasic path and not for everyone.
Goddess Bagalamukhi Guides the Devotee by the Wisdom of SpeechThe Goddess is to be worshipped for the removal of obstacles and gain victory over enemies. Her boons grant the power to paralyze enemies, remove misunderstandings, and silence malicious tongues.
Problem: Rumors spread by enemies and negative forces.
Solution: The devotee must conduct a Yajna to please the Goddess Bagalamukhi. The fire ritual must be conducted with a pure heart since yellow is also the colour of the Devi. The devotee must wear yellow garments and offer yellow flowers to the Goddess. Turmeric is an essential ingredient in the fire ritual to please the Goddess.
The devotee should utter the Bagalamukhi mantra with a pure tongue. Properly done, the mantra will dispel negative energies and silence the enemies.
Problem: Court cases and legal issues.
Solution: The devotee must perform regular worship to Goddess Bagalamukhi. The worship should include turmeric, yellow flowers, and the chanting of her mantra. Devotees should also light a ghee lamp and burn incense sticks.
Furthermore, the devotee should instil a Bagalamukhi Yantra at home or place of business. One should worship the Yantra while chanting her Mantra.
Problem: Lack of confidence and fear of speaking the truth.
Solution: The devotee should visualize her golden-yellow form, holding a cudgel in her right hand to paralyze the enemies. By chanting her mantra, the devotee can overcome the paralyzing fear that holds back one’s tongue from speaking the truth.
The Homa or the Yajna of Goddess Bagalamukhi should be conducted properly. The devotee must offer yellow mustard seeds, sesame seeds, and ghee to the Havan or Holy Fire.
Problem: Lack of financial independence.
Solution: The Goddess who wears a golden-coloured Saree should be worshipped to invite the blessings of prosperity into the household. The devotee should also use yellow items in everyday life, always remembering the Goddess Bagalamukhi in devotion. Wearing yellow clothes on Thursdays can help you gain the favour of Goddess Bagalamukhi.
The Puja of the Goddess should be performed on Thursdays, as this day is considered auspicious for her worship. The devotee should offer yellow clothes, yellow flowers, and yellow sweets to the Goddess.
Problem: Miscommunications and dispute
Solution: The devotee should perform Bagalamukhi Sadhana for 21 and 40 days. During this period, he/she should wear yellow garments and chant her mantra 108 times every day. The Brahma Muhurta, or the time before sunrise, is the perfect moment to utter her Mantras.
During her Puja, offerings of honey and ghee should be made to the Goddess. Seek her blessings to remove the paralyzing obstacles from your life.
Seek the Guidance of a Tantrik GuruAn experienced Tantrik guru can guide the devotee to attain liberation from the curse of false speech and deceit. He decides on the right path of Sadhana by assessing the temperament and the devotion of the individual. A heart filled with doubt and suspicion about the Power of Dasa Maha Vidya cannot fully assess the blessings of the Goddess. The Guru dispels the darkness of ignorance from the mind of the devotee and helps to settle the mind to the feet of Goddess Pitamvari.