Navaratri Series — Day 8 — Guhyeshwari Devi
The Hindu scriptures repeatedly tell that the wisdom underlying is ‘Guhya’ or ‘secret’ only to be known by the worthy. In Bhagwadgita, Krishna warns Arjun that whatever conversation he had should be considered as secret and must be shared ONLY with the worthy recipient. The Tantra also warns tantriks not to share their knowledge with any non-serious disciple. This ‘Guhya’ knowledge is said to be guarded by the Goddess — Guhyeshwari.
The story of rebirth of the world in scriptures come when Vishnu opens his eyes. Brahma then goes in recollection of the knowledge that already exists and compiles them into Vedas. In each Kalpa as per Brahma’s capability the knowledge may differ a little bit. It is the Guhyeshwari who decides what knowledge would be grasped by Brahma.
The story goes that when Prajapati Daksha’s daughter Sati and Shiva both were not invited to the grand Yagna arranged by Daksha, she became furious and argued with her father as how could he forget the Rudra Shiva. Daksha, however, in his arrogance repeatedly insulted Shiva. Unable to get through her father, Sati decided to self-immolate herself in the Yagnakunda. As Sati burned, enraged Shiva danced and created Veerabhadra & Bhadrakali who attacked Daksha’s yagnashala and destroyed it. Shiva, took the charred body of Sati and started wandering in grief. Finally, Vishnu cut Sati’s body with his discuss. The body parts fell at different locations creating the Shaktipeeths. Guhyeshwari Shaktipeeth was formed where Sati’s hipbones fell.
Guhyeshwari’s temple is located in Kathmandu, capital city of the Nepal. She is also considered as the Patron deity of the Nepalese royal family along with Pashupatinath Shiva. She is also considered as a Vajrayogini by the Buddhists in Nepal making her shrine of an importance by Buddhists as well as Hindus. Guhyeshwari’s image is that of a woman sitting pose of giving birth to a child indicating Goddess’s association with fertility and motherhood. Women seeking child are often advised to take her blessings.
Apart from her, Kathmandu is also home to the world’s only living Goddess temple where an adolescent girl — Kumari is worshipped as Goddess by the devotees.
Day 8 of Navratri — Guhyeshwari Devi of Kathmandu located in the kingdom of Nepal of the Indian subcontinent.
