The Tale of the Vindhyavasini

Just as books lead to more books, so it is with hymns, chants, and bhajans. New aspects of the divine; unheard stories get revealed. And if one follows the trail, it leads to fascinating discoveries.

Recently, while listening to Devi bhajans, I stumbled upon the name “Vidhyavasini”. Often, Devi bhajans allude to Shakti Piths and other important Shakta centers. By calling the “Vindhyas,” abode of Devi, the bhajan was also pointing toward an important place of worship. On researching, I came to know that a famous temple is nestled in the Vindhyachal ranges. Situated on the banks of the Ganges is the Vindyavasini temple, popularly known as Vindhyachal Dham. It is located between the cities of Prayag and Kashi, two prominent pilgrimage centers. The unique feature of the Vindhyavasini temple is that the Devi idol is seen in its complete manifestation here. The other shakti piths are devoted to worshipping a particular body part of Devi and not the entire form.

There is an interesting story behind the presence of the Devi in the Vindhyas. Devi ‘Vidyavasini’ is another name for Devi Mahamaya, who was born to Yashoda on the epochal night when Krishna was born to Devaki. Strategically, the two children were exchanged. While baby Krishna was carried to Gokul, the baby girl, the saviour of Lord Krishna, was taken to Kansa’s prison. In his rage, Kansa tried to kill her (just as he had murdered the other seven children)but dodging his grip, she shot up into the sky and changed into a goddess. She laughed and chided at Kansa’s ruthless and foolish conduct. Declaring the arrival of Devaki’s eighth son, Devi Mahamaya, also portended the end of Kansa’s tyrannical rule.

Thereafter, it is believed that Devi Mahamaya decided to reside in the Vindhyas, where her temple came to be built later. She is seen as the power or energy of Vishnu or ‘Vishnu’s Maya.’ Alternately, she is also referred to as “Krishna anuja’ (Krishna’s younger sister). The local folklore maintains that she was reborn as ‘Subhadra’, Krishna’s sister. Markandeya Purana sees Vindhyavasini as the same form of Durga who killed Mahishasura. Sometimes, the Vindhyavasini temple is not included among the prominent 51 Shakti piths. However, it is counted in the 108 Shakti piths.

Thanks to one name, I stumbled upon Vidheshwari Chalisa by Pandit Channulal Mishra. Here it is for you.