Matangi

One among the ten Mahavidyas or Goddesses of Wisdom, Matangi is considered to be the Tantric form of Saraswati, with whom she shares many traits. Though both govern learning and speech, Saraswati represents the orthodox knowledge of the Brahmins while Matangi, the wild and ecstatic outcast, embodies the "extraordinary" beyond the boundaries of mainstream society, especially inner knowledge. She is thus widely worshiped by aspirants from all strata of Hindu society who seek occult abilities and mastery. Although Matangi is often associated with pollution, especially left-over or partially eaten food considered ritually impure in Hinduism, She herself is described as the leftover or residue, symbolizing the Divine Self that is left over after all things perish. In this book we briefly examine the theology, mythology, legends, lore, worship, and mantras associated with this generous, wild, and mercurial Goddess.