Goddess Matangi is one of the Ten Mahavidyas. Matangi is a primary form of the all-powerful Goddess. The goddess is Siddha Vidya or Tantra personified, thus commanding occult power. On the mundane level, she is the daughter of the sage Matanga, who is said to have been the preceptor of Shabari of the Ramayana fame.
Legends of Origin of Goddess Matangi
The first myth associated with Matangi`s origin finds its mention in the Shakti-Samgama-Tantra. It is related to the appearance of Ucchista Matangini that is one of Matangini most common form. According to a legend, once Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi visited Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati where the former presented the later with food items. While eating few pieces dropped on the floor and from those leftovers a maiden arose who was endowed with good attributes. She asked from the gods for their leftover foods who offered the maiden their Prasad. Shiva then blessed the maiden and said that those who would repeat her mantras and worship her would be able to fruitfully carry out their work. From that moment the maiden came to be known as Uccista Matangini, the bestower of all boons.
The second myth associated with the origin of Matangini has been derived from the Pranatosini- Tantra. Once Parvati wished to visit her father`s home hence she asked for the consent of Lord Shiva. He granted her wish on the pretext that she would return soon. When Parvati did not return for some days Shiva disguised himself as an ornament maker and went to her house. There he sold shell ornaments to her and to test her faithfulness he asked her for lovemaking as his payment. Parvati became furious and was about to curse him but stopped when she realized about the identity of his husband. Ceiling about the knowledge she accepted his request but asked him to come later.
Later Parvati disguised herself as a huntress and approached to Shiva. She danced in front him and addressed herself as the daughter of Chandala. She told Shiva that she had come here to practice penance. Lord Shiva was so impressed with her that he even made love with her. While making love Shiva was himself turned into Chandala and realized that the Chandala was his wife Parvati. The goddess requested to Shiva that as they made love in the form of a Chandalini, this form would last forever and will be named as Uccista- Chandalini.
The third myth that relates the origin of Matangi has been derived from the Svatantra- Tantra. According to legend once Matanga assumed austerities to achieve the power to suppress all creatures. He practiced his asceticism for thousands of years. Finally goddess Tripura Sundari appeared and emitted rays from her eyes from which Goddess Kali emerged. Kali put on a greenish complexion and took the form of Raja-Matangini. With the help of the goddess Matanga fulfilled his desire to control all creatures.
