The practice of the 64 Yoginis is one of the most esoteric and powerful of all tantric practices. They were devotional in nature, linked to black tantrism using the destructive energies of Kali and Bhairavi but that hardly makes them witches! Their central focus of worship was Bhairavi, Kali and Shiva Bhairava, using destructive energies of Kali or Bhairavi with a positive goal. They deemed themselves as servants of the Mother Divine.
The objective of the cult was to cultivate supernatural powers. Some of the wisdom that were imparted by these Guardian Goddesses are: anima (the ability to become very small), laghima (the power to levitate and to be able to leave your body at will), garima (the power to become very heavy), mahima (the power to become large in size), istiva (the power to control the body and mind of oneself and others), parakamya (the power to make others do your biding), vasitva (the power to control the five elements) and kamavasayitva (the power to be able to fulfill all your desires). The term dakini is still retained in the Buddhist tradition which refers to sorceress, witch or even ghoul.Īble to impart magical powers to their worshipers and bestow wisdom (vidya), that are still till today, regarded as unrivaled and unmatched by any other wisdom of the similar strain. Each of the yogini was seen as a different part of the Devi’s body. Later, the term yogini, as used in the Chandi Purana referred to the form of Devi, the Supreme Goddess. Dakini is a term used to describe a ‘sky dancer,’ female messenger or attendant with supernatural abilities practicing various forms of secret tantras.
They are mentioned in the Skanda Purana variously as yoginis, dakinis, shaktis or bhairavis. The origin of the Yoginis has been recorded to be in small, rural villages, believed to be the Guardian Goddesses (Grama Devatas), of the isolated villages dotted throughout ancient India. Considered as a cult, consensus has it that the cult first appeared around the 6th to 7th Century, gaining popularity in the 9th Century till it reached its peak, in the 12th Century.Īccording to many scholars of the time, the foundations of Yogini veneration are outside the typical orthodox Brahmanical practices – tantric in nature with strong relations with rural and tribal traditions of the time. Applauded with magical and supernatural powers, yoginis are India’s tradition of women who have provided much curiosity and intrigue to those keen on the study of the Goddess and the Mahavidya.
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