16 Nitya Devis  Goddesses  ENGLISH

15 Nityā Devīs according to Tantrarājatantra

(source Mike Magee)

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admin Jul 23, 2021 Edited

"The chakra of the letters of the alphabet is based

upon time and so is identical with the sidereal
zodiac." - Tantraraja Tantra

The Nityas or Eternities of Lalita represent the fifteen

lunar days or tithis of the waxing Moon. Each has her
own yantra, mantra, tantra and prayogas or ritual
applications. The full circle of the Nityas also
represents the 21,600 breaths a human being takes
in a full day and night. As such, the Nityas are
the Kalachakra, or Wheel of Time.

The information in this section is drawn from a

number of tantras including the Tantraraja,
the Dakshinamurti Samhita and the Jnanarnava
Tantra, as well as the Kalpasutra, which seems to be
the primary source. Readers will also find it useful to
refer to Sir John Woodroffe's digest of the Tantraraja
(Ganesh & Co, 1971), although here he fails to give
sufficient idea of the number of prayogas (magical
rites) associated with the Nityas. Yantras and
mantras, where given, are drawn from Tantraraja,
although it is necessary to point out that
the Dakshinamurti Samhita gives somewhat different
versions.

You can find larger versions of the yantras according

to the Tantrarajatantraon this page.

The 15 Nityas are modifications of Lalita as red

goddess with her three gunas and her five elements
of aether, air, fire, water and earth. As the moon
remains itself, though appearing differently according
to phase, so too does Lalita. Each Nitya has her own
vidya (that is mantra), yantra and group of energies
(Shaktis). Their names appear in the first chapter
of Vamakeshvara Tantra. Gopinath Kaviraj, a
renowned scholar of tantra in the first half of this
century, describes the Kalachakra and the Nityas
succinctly in the introduction to the Sanskrit edition
of Yogini Hridaya. (Sarasvati Bhavana Granthamala,
1963):

"What the Bhavanopanishad says implies that the

Human Body is to be conceived as the Sri Cakra,
being the expression of one's own self. (Svatma).
This means that while on the one hand the Body is to
be regarded as non-different from the atma, the
entire cosmic system associated with the body
should also be viewed in the same light. This outer
system in its manifestation rests on Time (kala),
Space (deha) and a combination of the two. The
exponents of the School hold that the well known
fifteen Kalas of the Moon, representing the 15 lunar
tithis, are to be regarded as identical with the fifteen
Nityas (Kameshvari to Citra). The sixteenth Kala
called Sadakhya should be viewed as one with Lalita
or the Supreme Deity Herself. In other words, one
has to feel that what appears in Kalacakra is nothing
but an expression of what exists eternally as Nityas in
the supreme Sri Cakra itself. The tithicakra or the
wheel of time is constantly revolving and the Sri
Cakra is within it and not without. It should also be
remembered that from the standpoint of an esoteric
yogin the tithis are in the last analysis to be identified
with the 21600 shvasas supposed to be the average
number of breaths per day of a normal human being."

Hence Lalita or Tripurasundari is the 16th day or full

moon, with her 15 digits. Each of the Nityas has a
certain number of arms, the totality of arms (= rays)
of the whole circle being 108. Because any unit of
time is taken as a microcosm or parallel of any other
valid unit, each of the fifteen Nityas thus has 1,440
breaths (see Bhavanopanishad). This identity
between space, time, Tripurasundari and the
individual is elaborated at great length and with
considerable sophistication by the author of
the Tantraraja.

According to that text, the Nityas are the vowels of

the Sanskrit alphabet and are identical with both time
and space. For example, if the number of tattvas or
consonants (36) are multiplied by the 16 Nityas the
number of letters is 576. The multiples of this
number provide the number of years in the different
Yugas. So the circle of the matrikas and the Nityas is
identical with the sidereal zodiac as well as mantra.

This theme is further elaborated in the 28th chapter

of the same tantra, where Shiva says that in the
centre of the world is the Meru, outside of this being
the seven oceans and beyond this the Kalachakra or
wheel of time which moves in a clockwise direction
by the power of Iccha (Will) Shakti. The circle is
divided by 12 spokes and the planets or grahas are
within this. Lalita, says the tantra, is in the Meru,
while 14 Nityas from Kameshvari to Jvalamalini reside
in the seven islands and seven oceans. Chitra, who is
the 16th Nitya, occupies supreme Space or
Paramavyoma.

In the Dakshinamurti Samhita, the Nityas are

identified with kalas or parts of the different stages
of deep sleep, dreaming, waking, and full
consciousness or Turiya. Here it is said that the
Nityas, including Lalita, are the 16 parts of the
continuum of consciousness, while the 17th Kala is
beyond all of this. Each of the Nityas has the
respective vowel letter associated with her mantra
vidya.

Similar ideas are found in the Matrikachakra Viveka,

as in the table above, drawn from the Sanskrit
introduction to the 1934 Government Sanskrit
College of Benares edition, which classifies the nine
mandalas of the Shri Yantra according to Pramana -
means of knowledge, Pramata - the subject, and
Prameya - the object and relates the different states
of consciousness to the yantra. See Tattvas on this
site.

According to the Tantraraja, the 15 Nityas are limbs

or rays of Lalita, who is herself pure consciousness
without additions. Varahiand Kurukulla bear the
relationship of father and mother respectively. The
Nityas themselves can be meditated upon and
worshipped in different forms and colours for the
attainment of different ends. In daily worship (puja)
of the Nityas, each has her own nyasa and ritual
sequence and they are to receive puja on the lunar
days associated with them. The vidya mantras of the
different Nityas below are prefaced by Aim Hrim
Shrim bija mantras and suffixed with Shri Padukam
Pujayami Tarpayami Namah, that is Hail. I worship
and libate the auspicious lotus feet [of the
appropriate Nitya].

The images embedded in the text above are taken

from a sadhaka's manuscript of the 1,000 names of
Lalita.

Source: http://www.shivashakti.com/nitya.htm

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admin Jul 23, 2021 Edited

1. Kameśvarī (अं / aṃ)

The first Nitya in the cycle is Kameshvari, a name

which means Lady of Desire. Her vidya (mantra)
according to the Tantrarajatantra, is Aim Hrim Shrim
Am Aim Sa Ka La Hrim Nityaklinne Madadrave Sauh
Am Kameshvari Nitya Shri Padukam Pujayami
Tarpayami Namah.

The same tantra gives her dhyana or meditation

image as red like 10 million dawn suns, having a
diadem of rubies, wearing throat ornaments,
necklaces, waist chains and rings. She is red, has six
arms and three eyes, and bears a crescent Moon,
smiling softly. She holds a bow of sugar cane,
flowering arrows, noose, goad, and a nectar-filled
begemmed cup, showing the mudra of bestowing
boons. The five arrows of desire (Kama) in the five
petals are Longing, Maddening, Kindling, Enchanting
and Wasting. These five Kamas are five forms of
Kamadeva, Lalita as Krishna, who are Kamaraja
(Hrim), Manmatha (Klim), Kandarpa (Aim), Makara
(Blum) and Manobhava (Strim) with the colours
yellow, white, red, purple and blue. Each of the
Kamadevas has two eyes and two arms, the hands
holding sugar cane bow and flowering arrows, the
very form of the five elements.

Source: http://www.shivashakti.com/nitya.htm

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2. Bhagamalinī (आं / āṃ)

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Nitya Bhagamalini, whose name refers to the

flowering yoni, is the second of the cycle of the
waxing Moon and has a remarkable and very long
vidya (mantra) which runs: Aim Hrim Shrim Am Aim
Bhagabuge Bhagini Bhagodari Bhagamale Bhagavahe
Bhagaguhye Bhagayoni Bhaganipatini
Sarvabhagavashankari Bhagarupe Nityaklinne
Bhagasvarupe Sarvani Bhagani Me Hyanaya Varade
Rete Surete Bhagaklinne Klinnadrave Kledaya
Dravaya Amoghe Bhagavicce Kshubha Kshobhaya
Sarvasatvan Bhagodari Aim Blum Jem Blum Bhem
Blum Mom Blum Hem Blum Hem Klinne Sarvani
Bhagani Me Vashamanaya Strim Hara Blem Hrim Am
Bhagamalini Nitya Shri Padukam Pujayami Tarpayami
Namah.

She has six arms, three eyes, sits on a lotus and

holds in her left hands a night water lily, a noose and
a sugar cane bow and in her right a lotus, a goad and
flowering arrows. Around her is a host of Shaktis all
of whom look like her, according to
the Tantrarajatantra.

The Dakshinamurti Samhita has a different image

 16 of 21 posts 
(dhyana). Here (chapter 41), she is described as 
dwelling in the middle of a flowery forest, adorned
with various gems, holding noose, goad, book,
scales, nail (?) and writing implement, showing the
mudras or hand gestures of allaying fears and
bestowing boons. Her yantra is described differently,
too, as triangle, hexagon, 16 petals, eight petals, then
the bhupura or fence.

Source: http://www.shivashakti.com/nitya.htm

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3. Nityaklinnā (इं / iṃ)

Her name means Wet Nitya, or Always Wet. The third

Nitya's mantra is Aim Hrim Shrim Nityaklinne
Madadrave Svaha im Nityaklinna Nitya Shri Padukam
Pujayami Tarpayami Namah.

She is surrounded by 19 Shaktis, according to

the Tantraraja, who are Kshobhini, Mohini, Lila, Nitya,
Niranjana, Klinna, Kledini, Madanatura, Madadrava,
Dravini, Vidhana, Madavila, Mangala, Manmatharta,
Manashvini, Moha, Amoda, Manomayi, Maya, Manda
and Manovati. The Nityaklinna herself, the same
tantra says, is restless with desire, smeared with red
sandal paste, wears red clothes, smiles, has a half
moon on her head, and holds noose, goad, cup and
makes the mudra dispelling fear.

The Dakshinamurti Samhita (chapter 42) gives her

root mantra as being of 11 syllables, Hrim Nityaklinna
Madadrave Svaha. The image is similar except that
she holds a noose, a goad, a skull and dispels fears.
Her face is bathed in sweat and her eyes move with
desire. Here the yantra is described as trikona, eight
petals, and earth square (bhupura). She bestows
enjoyment and liberation and subdues the three
worlds for one siddha (successful) in her vidya
(mantra).

Source: http://www.shivashakti.com/nitya.htm

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4. Bheruṇḍā (ईं / īṃ)

Bherunda, the fourth Nitya, has three eyes and eight

arms, with her body the colour of molten gold,
wearing beautiful ornaments on her hands, feet, arms
and around her waist. She smiles sweetly with her
hands holding noose, goad, shield, sword, mace,
thunderbolt (vajra), bow and arrow.

The vidya mantra is: Aim Hrim Shrim Im Om Krom

Bhrom Kraum Jhmraum Cchraum Jraum Svaha Im
Bherunda Nitya Shri Padukam Pujayami Tarpayami
Namah, says Tantraraja. Using her mantra destroys
poison.

The DS describes her yantra as being triangle, eight

petals and bhupura. In the triangle are Shikhini,
Nilakanthi and Raudri. Bherunda, according to this
source, rules the Vetalas. The vidya mantra also
differs.

Source: http://www.shivashakti.com/nitya.htm

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5. Vahnivāsinī (उं / uṃ)

Vahnivasini is the fifth Nitya (Eternity) in the cycle,

her name meaning the dweller in fire. Her mantra is
Om Hrim Vahnivasiniyai Namah. The Shaktis in the
eight trikonas are Jvalini, Visphulingini, Mangala,
Sumanohara, Kanaka, Ankita, Vishva and Vividha. In
the 12 petals are the 12 signs of the Hindu
(sidereal)zodiac. Her description in the Tantraraja
Tantra is as a beautiful young woman, the colour of
gold, with eight arms, dressed in yellow silk
garments, adorned with rubies. She holds a red lotus,
a conch, a bow of red sugarcane and the full moon in
her left hands; in her right a white water lily, golden
horn, flowery arrows and a citron. Around her are
numberless Shaktis who look like her. She is the
dweller in fire who devours the universe.

Source: http://www.shivashakti.com/nitya.htm

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6. Mahāvājreśvarī (ऊं / ūṃ)

Her vidya-mantra is Um Hrim Klinne Aim Krom

Nityamadadrave Hrim Um Mahavajreshvari Nitya Shri
Padukam Pujayami Tarpayami Namah.

She is described in the Tantraraja as having four

arms, three eyes, garmented in red, red in colour,
wearing red jewels and strewn with red flowers,
wearing a crown of rubies. She sits on a throne on a
golden boat which floats on an ocean of blood, and
holds noose, goad, sugar cane bow and flowering
arrows. She is surrounded by a host of Shaktis similar
to her and sways while she smiles mercifully.

The description in the DS differs. Here, she is

described as resembling the china rose, wearing red
clothes, and holding noose, goad, skull and dispelling
fear. She is swaying from having drunk pure wine.
The yantra here is described as having a triangle,
four petals, eight petals and a bhupura.

Source: http://www.shivashakti.com/nitya.htm

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7. Śivadūtī (ऋं / ṛṁ)

According to Nityotsava, an expansion of

the Kalpasutras, the vidya-mantra of Shivaduti Nitya
is Aim Hrim Shrim Shivadutyai Namah Shivadutinitya
Shri Padukam Pujayami Tarpayami Namah. She is
called Shivaduti because she makes Shiva her
messenger (Duti).

The Tantraraja describes her as being dressed in red,

with nine jewels in her crown, surrounded by Rishis
singing her praises and having eight arms and three
eyes. She looks as bright as the summer sun at
midday and smiles sweetly. Her hands hold horn,
shield, mace, cup, goad, cleaver, axe and lotus.

Source: http://www.shivashakti.com/nitya.htm

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8. Tvaritā (ॠं / ṝṁ)

Tvarita is the ninth Nitya (Eternity) in the cycle. Also

called Totala Devi. She is called Tvarita ("Swift") as
She grants fruit to the sadhaka quickly. She is of
auspicious form, in the first flush of youth, and dark
in colour. She has 3 eyes and 4 hands and Her
beautiful lotus-like face smiles gently. She is clad in
new leaves. She is adorned with 8 fierce and great
serpents of 4 kinds, and with waist chains and
anklets. On Her head is a crystal crown with a crest
of peacock feathers. Her arms are adorned with
bangles made of beautiful peacock feathers. She has
an umbrella and a banner made of peacock feathers.
She wears strings of (red) gunja berries around Her
throat, and Her breasts are smeared with red sandal
and kumkum. She holds noose, goad, dispels fear,
and grants boons.

In front of this Goddess is a black servant carrying a

mace, who is worshipped for the attainment of the
desired fruit. On either side of Her are Her two
Shaktis Jaya (conquering) and Vijaya (Victorious)
who are like Her and who carry and swing gold
canes.

The 8 Serpents are: Ananta & Kulika, fiery in colour,

each with 1000 hoods, Her ear ornaments. Vasuki &
Shankhapala, yellow in colour, each with 700 hoods,
Her upper arm bangles. Takshaka & Mahapadma,
blue in colour, each with 500 hoods, Her girdle.
Padma & Kartataka, white, each with 300 hoods, Her
toe ornaments. Her Shaktis are Humkari, Khechari,
Chandi, Chedini, Kahepani, Strikari, Dumkari,
Kahemakari -- these are similar to the Lokapalas, and
the Shaktis in the 8 petals of the yantra. Her mantra
is Om Hrim Hum Khe Ca Che Ksah Strim Hum Kse
Hrim Phat.

Source: http://www.shivashakti.com/nitya.htm

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9. Kulasundarī (ऌं / ḷṁ)