Devi Chinnamasta is the sixth Dasha Mahavidya and is
misunderstood by many people due to heavy misinformation. Wikipedia article can
be found at : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhinnamasta
.
Most problems in the world created by man can generally be
linked to ahankaaram – ego ! One tries to prove his or her superiority over others either
in status of wealth, position in society, ranking in a corporate setting, etc,
etc. It is this desire to pump up one’s ego that causes problems. This egotism
does not always appear clearly and is many times subtle. Subtle ego is actually
more problematic than gross and apparent ego. Rishis and munis have stated
clearly that unless ego is kept contained, one cannot make spiritual progress.
Even apparently positive actions like charitable activities
need to be cleansed of ego and name recognition and need to be performed
without desire for pomp and praise. Devi Chinnamasta represents this cleansing
process of getting rid of ego; ego is connected to the head and hence the severing
of the head.
Another aspect of Devi Chinnamasta is the nurturing nature
and selfless sacrifice that one needs to perform for others. Legend has it that
the two assistants on either side of the Devi were hungry and begged the Divine
Mother for food at which point, the Devi severed Her own head to make sure that
the devotees are well nourished; this is depicted by the blood stream reaching
them; this is similar to the motherly instinct of all beings be it human or
animal to take care of those that depend upon you.
Once a devotee starts to worship Devi Chinnamasta, feelings
of helping those in distress start becoming stronger and one starts to really
work on subduing ego and pride.
I must give credit to Kishore, my brother-in-law for
providing me this stotram. It gives me joy to listen to it and hopefully you
will enjoy it too!
And now the audio: 4 minutes and 18 seconds long.
( Mobile devices: click download; then play.)
I have made a pdf copy of the shloka in Sanskrit and it can
be found below:
Om Shree Chinnamasta Devi Namo Namaha !
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