Significance of Worshiping Pratyangira Devi

Who is Pratyangira Devi?

Maha Pratyangira Devi is a powerful goddess who supposedly destroyed Sarabheswara’s arrogance. Sarabheswara is a fierce form of Lord Siva. She is also called Narasimhika, “She who is the Ferocious Half Human Half Lion of Courage”. The Atharva Veda is also called AtharvAngirasa. Angirasa Veda refers to black magic or witchcraft. Probably the name Pratyangira comes from this. The goddess is also associated with Sri Cakra. She has the power to repel witchcraft. She protects devotees and shows them the right path. Devotees do Pratyangira sadhana to ward off black magic attacks and for prosperity. It has many benefits. Pratyangira is often shown with a dark complexion and fierce aspect – she has a lion’s face with red eyes and rides a lion. She is either fully nude or attired in black garments and wears a garland of human skulls. In her four hands, she holds a trident, a hand-drum, a snake in the form of a noose and a skull. She is associated with Bhairava and is also called Narasimhi. She has another form, Atharvana-Bhadra-Kali.

Story Behind Pratyangira Devi

Narasimha is a fierce form (half man, half lion) of Lord Vishnu/Narayana. He took this avatar to kill the demon, Hiranyakashipu, who was tormenting his ardent devotee, Prahlada. Prahlada was actually the demon’s own son. After killing the demon, Narasimha became very bloodthirsty and destructive as he had drunk the blood of the demon. As he did not calm down, many great sages prayed that he would return to his peaceful form. They asked Lord Shiva to take a special form- Sarabha (a bird-like creature which could devour lions and elephants) with two wings representing Shakti, to calm Narasimha. Lord Shiva prayed to the three Shakthis (Parvati, Lakshmi, Saraswati). With the help of their combined powers, he turned into Sarabha Pakshi or Lord Sarabeshwarar. One wing represented Shoolini and the other, Pratyangira. When Sarabha approached Narasimha, however, he became even more fierce and assumed a special form, Ashta Muhka Ganda Berundha Narasimha, with 8 heads. When Sarabheshwara’s and Shoolini’s efforts failed to control Ugra Narasimha, Pratyangira emerged from his wing, taking the female form of Narasimha and calmed him down. Pratyangira was 1000 times larger than Sarabeshwarar. Her head towered above the clouds and her feet extended into the underworld. She had 1000 faces of roaring lions, 2000 blood-shot and protruded eyes, 2000 hands with several weapons and 1000 blood- stained tongues sticking out from her mouth.

Significance of Pratyangira Devi worship

If the goddess’ mantra is used to cause harm to others for material benefit or take revenge, it affects the person performing such rites, negatively. In fact, many deities have both protective and destructive powers. The Pratyangira aspect of the Divine was shrouded in secrecy for many years. It was believed that only saints and Rishis had direct experience with this energy. It was felt that seeing Pratyangira in any form is an immense blessing.

One story goes that this goddess was revealed to two Rishis named Pratyangira and Angiras, during their deep meditation, long, long ago. Pratyangira Devi is very powerful and secretly protects her devotees. She exists within all living beings. The Siddha masters and great sages like Durvasa and Puli Paani Siddhar were her devotees. It is said that she came into being along with thunder and lightning. On seeing her, Narasimha realized the purpose of his incarnation and became calm immediately.

As in the case of Varahi Amman, most people feel scared to keep a picture of Prathyangira because she is believed to be a fierce form. The goddess is associated with Bhairavar and hence is called Bhairava Patni. She is regarded as the protector of the Universe.

Like Lord Shiva, Pratyangira Devi gives us self-realization. She is not someone who is associated with Death. Worshipping her protects us from all kinds of dosham, enemies, accidents, diseases, curses, spells, wrath, black magic and obstacles. On her body are 8 snakes and people with Sarpa Dosham who get nightmares involving snakes should worship Pratyangira for relief. Prathyangira devi brings respite for those with Rahu Dosham. Some devotees claim that sprinkling her kumkum all around the house or at the house entrance protects them and their house from evil spirits, snakes and other poisonous creatures.