Er Rabinder Shekher
The word “Bagala” is derived from the word “Valga” (meaning – bridle or to rein in) which, became “Vagla” and then “Bagla”.Bagalamukhi is commonly known as Pitambari in North India, the goddess associated with yellow color or golden color. She sits on a golden throne that has pillars decorated with various jewels, and has three eyes, symbolising the fact that she can impart ultimate knowledge to the devotee.
Bagalamukhi is one of the ten forms of the Devi, symbolising potent female, primeval force.
The main temples dedicated to Bagalamukhi or Bagala Devi temples are located at Shri Bagalamukhee Shakthi Peetham, Shivampet, Narsapur, Telangana State ,Bagalamukhi Temple, Datia Madhya Pradesh, Bugiladhar, Ghuttu Uttarakhand, Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati, Assam, Baglamukhi temple of Lalitpur, Nepal and of Banghandi, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.
Balamukhi,another interpretation translates her name as “Kalyani”. In Kubjika Tantra. There is a reference to yet another interpretation of the meaning of the name ‘Bagala’. In the initial chapter of the text, there is a verse – ‘Bakare Baruni Devi Gakare Siddhida Smrita. Lakare Prithivi Chaiba Chaitanya Prakrirtita’ (‘Ba’, the first letter of the name – ‘Bagala’, means ‘Baruni’ or ‘She Who is filled with the intoxicating mood to vanquish the demon’. ‘Ga’, the second letter, means ‘She Who grants all kinds of divine powers or siddhis and successes to human beings’. ‘La’, the third letter, means ‘She Who is the foundation of all kinds of sustaining powers in the world like the earth and is Consciousness Herself’
Bagalamukhi is also called Pitambaradevi, Shatrubuddhivinashini and Brahmastra Roopini and she turns each thing into its opposite.Bagalamukhi sits in a golden throne in the midst of an ocean in an altar. Her complexion is yellow (golden). Clad in yellow clothes, she is adorned by a garland of yellow flowers and decked with yellow (golden) ornaments. She pulls the tongue of a demon by her left hand, while raising the right hand to strike him with a club. Another description says that she has four arms and a third eye. A yellow crescent moon adorns her forehead.Though generally depicted with a human head, the goddess is sometimes described to have a head of a crane and sometimes depicted riding a crane. Sometimes, she is described associated with other birds: having a duck-head or a nose of a parrot.
Legend:In the Satya Yuga , a great storm started destroying Creation. The god Vishnu was disturbed and performed austerities to appease the goddess Parvati on shore of Haridra Sarovar, the lake of turmeric. Pleased with Vishnu, the goddess appeared and brought forth her manifestation Bagalamukhi from the lake. Bagalamukhi calmed the storm, restoring order in the universe.
Another tale records that a demon named Madan acquired Vak-siddhi, by which whatever he said came true. He misused it to trouble humans and murder people. The gods beseeched Bagalamukhi. The goddess grabbed the demon’s tongue and immobilized his power. Madan requested the goddess that he be worshipped with her; the goddess granted him this boon, before slaying him.
Symbolism: Bagalamukhi is strongly associated with the yellow colour. She dresses in yellow clothes and ornaments. Various texts describe her affinity to the colour; yellow is an integral part of her worship rituals. Bagalamukhi is propitiated with yellow offerings by devotees dressed in yellow, seated on a yellow cloth. Yellow turmeric bead rosary are used in her japa of her names or mantra . The colour yellow is linked to the Sun, gold, the earth, grain and fire, signifying auspiciousness, bountifulness and purity. The yellow turmeric is associated with marriage. This is why goddess Bagalamukhi is also known as Pitambhara devi.
Bagalamukhi is praised as the giver of supernatural powers or magical powers (riddhis meaning good fortune, prosperity, wealth)
In ‘Bagalamukhistotratram’, a part of ‘Rudrayamala’ , there are hymns in praise of the powers of Bagalamukhi –
“Vadi Mukati Ran kati Kshitipatirvaishwanarah Sheetati Krodhi Samyati Durjanah Sujanati Khsipranugah Khanjati. Garvi Khanjati Sarvaviccha Jarati Tvanmantrinaamantritah Srinitye Baglamukhi Pratidinam Tubhyam Namah” (By the effect of Your Mantra good conversationalists become speechless; rich become beggars; devastating fire gets cooled. The anger of the angry person is removed; an evil minded person becomes good. The quick moving person becomes crippled. The conceit of the conceited person is reduced. Knowledgeable person nearly becomes a fool. Salutations to the compassionate Bagalamukhi!
Baglamukhi Temple of Bankhandi-Himachal: Maa Baglamukhi Temple is the most accient Siddha Peeth located in Bankhandi close to both Jawalamukhi Devi and Chintpurni Devi Temple.
Architecture: The temple also features a Havan Kund, a sacred fire pit, where it is believed that Lord Ram himself performed a havan (ritual fire offering) during his time. This adds to the temple’s spiritual significance, as it is said that the goddess Maa Bagalamukhi granted Lord Ram divine blessings and the powerful Brahmastra through this very ritual. The Havan Kund serves as a reminder of the temple’s deep connection to Lord Ram’s victory over the demon king Ravana, symbolising divine intervention and protection for all devotees who visit.
Mythological Significance:According to Hindu Puranas, Lord Rama, guided by the Lord Hanuman, worshipped Temple in Bankhandi, Kangra district to secure victory over the demon king Ravana. The goddess granted Lord Rama the Brahmastra, a celestial weapon of immense destructive force. This divine gift was instrumental in Lord Rama’s success, symbolising the victory of good over evil and demonstrating the divine support that Maa Baglamukhi Temple in Bankhandi, Kangra district provides to her devotees.
It is believed that worshipping Maa Baglamukhi Temple in Bankhandi, Kangra district enhances one’s power and diminishes enemies capabilities, rendering them helpless. This aspect of the goddess’s power underscores her role as a protector and a formidable force against adversities.
(The writer is Chartered Engineer, Professional Engineer)
Maa Baglamukhi-The female form of personification of the Mahavidyas
