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https://www.indica.today/

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4. Dasha Mahavidyas-Part II:
Chinnamasta

5. Among the various Mahavidyas arguably
the most awe inspiring iconography is
that of Goddess Chinnamastā. She
appears either 5th or 6th in the list of
Mahavidyas depending on the
progression followed. Not only in Hindu
Tantra but Chinnamastā finds herself
ensconced in the pantheon of Tibetan
Tantric deities as Vajravairochani. Her
stunningly ferocious imagery naturally
invokes fear and trepidation, matched
only by the effects that her sadhana can
cause to a seeker.

6. ICONOGRAPHY
The typical iconography of the Goddess
depicts her in deep red color of a hibiscus
flower radiating the effulgence of a million
suns. Digambari, with a munda-mala (skull
garland) and a snake for her yagyapovita,
standing in the pratyAlIDha posture, she
has cut off her own head and holds it in one
of her hands. From her neck erupts three
streams of blood which is eagerly
consumed by her attendants on two sides,
ḍākinī and varini. The third stream goes into
her own severed head which she holds in
her left hand. Her other hand holds a
khadga, and oftentimes she has a blue-lotus
in her heart.

7. ANTIQUITY
Chinnamastā is also known as Vajra
Vairochani. Vairochana is related to sun or
fire, of a solar disposition. Vajra is not just a
thunderbolt but also something adamantine
or impenetrable. Vajravairochani is the force
of an adamantine, inexhaustible fire. This
etymology has led many sadhaka-scholars to
speculate that this Mahavidya is best
experienced when the Kundalini – which is
often equated with subtle fire – awakens with
a deadly force from the manipura chakra at
the solar plexus of the body. The most
commonly used mantra of Chinnamastā
refers to the goddess as vajravairochani.

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