Description

Matangi is one of the Mahavidyas, ten Tantric goddesses and a ferocious aspect of Devi, the Hindu Divine Mother. She is a form of Parvati and she governs speech, music, knowledge and the arts. Her worship is prescribed to acquire supernatural powers, especially gaining control over enemies, attracting people to oneself, acquiring mastery over the arts and gaining supreme knowledge.

Matangi is often associated with pollution, inauspiciousness and the periphery of Hindu society, which is embodied in her most popular form, known as Uchchhishta-Chandalini or Uchchhishta-Matangini. She is described as an outcast (Chandalini) and offered left-over or partially eaten food (Uchchhishta) with unwashed hands or food after eating, both of which are considered to be impure in classical Hinduism.

Matangi is represented as emerald green in colour. While Uchchhishta-Matangini carries a noose, sword, goad, and club, her other well-known form, Raja-Matangi, plays the veena and is often pictured with a parrot. Swami Charananandam, having siddhi for Raja Matangi, claims her to be kind and giver of all wishes when prayed upon with madhuk pushpa (sanskrit for mahua flowers) specially in present kalyuga. She is best prayed upon with dhyan describing her body colour akin to dark clouds, sitting on gem-studded throne, listening to the voice of parrot, attired in red clothes; in mild drunken state sitting on flower and seen playing veena is Matangi. One should pray to her using vakshyaman methodology, praying to Matang Rishi in the beginning, for best results.