Ten Mahavidyas, Their Bhairavas, and Vishnu Avatars

It is said that this world is governed by Shakti. She performs various roles in the form of the ten Mahavidyas. Accompanying her are different forms of Shiva known as Bhairavas. Each Mahavidya has a different Bhairava. When Goddess Sati displayed her ten forms before Lord Shiva to prove her importance, these forms became known as the ten Mahavidyas. Worshippers honor these ten forms during the ten days of Gupt Navratri. Alongside each Mahavidya, a specific form of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu is also associated. These 10 Mahavidyas also control the Navagrahas (nine planets). Let’s explore the Bhairava and Vishnu avatars associated with each Mahavidya.

Ten Mahavidyas and Their Bhairavas

The ten Mahavidyas include Maa Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Baglamukhi, Matangi, and Kamala. During Gupt Navratri, devotees worship these forms in sequence. Each form holds unique significance and power.

By worshipping these Mahavidyas during Gupt Navratri, one can invoke their divine energies. Every Shakti Peeth established for the Goddess also has a Bhairava temple associated with it. Each Mahavidya corresponds to a specific Bhairava form. Below is a list of Mahavidyas and their Bhairavas:

Kali Mahavidya and Bhairava: Mahakal
Tara Mahavidya and Bhairava: Akshobhya
Shodashi Mahavidya and Bhairava: Kameshwar
Bhuvaneshwari Mahavidya and Bhairava: Sadashiva or Trayambak
Bhairavi Mahavidya and Bhairava: Dakshinamurti
Chhinnamasta Mahavidya and Bhairava: Kabandh
Dhumavati Mahavidya and Bhairava: None, as Lord Shiva cursed her to be a widow
Baglamukhi Mahavidya and Bhairava: Mrityunjay or Maharudra
Matangi Mahavidya and Bhairava: Matang or Ekvaktra
Kamala Mahavidya and Bhairava: Narayan or Vishnu

Ten Mahavidyas and Associated Planets

Each Mahavidya is linked to a planet. Here’s the list of planets associated with each Mahavidya:

Mahavidya Kali and Planet: Saturn (Shani)
Mahavidya Tara and Planet: Jupiter (Guru)
Mahavidya Shodashi and Planet: Mercury (Budh)
Mahavidya Bhuvaneshwari and Planet: Moon (Chandra)
Mahavidya Bhairavi and Planet: Jupiter (Brihaspati)
Mahavidya Chhinnamasta and Planet: Rahu
Mahavidya Dhumavati and Planet: Ketu
Mahavidya Baglamukhi and Planet: Mars (Mangal)
Mahavidya Matangi and Planet: Sun (Surya)
Mahavidya Kamala and Planet: Venus (Shukra)

If any planet is ill-positioned in your horoscope or if you wish to pacify a planetary influence, you can worship the corresponding Mahavidya. For example, worship Kali Mahavidya for Saturn, and Baglamukhi for Mars.

Ten Mahavidya and Rudra Avatars

The Mahavidyas are not only linked to Bhairava avatars but also to Rudra avatars of Lord Shiva. Each Mahavidya corresponds to a Rudra avatar. Here is the list:

Kali Mahavidya and Rudra Avatar: Mahakaleshwar
Tara Mahavidya and Rudra Avatar: Tarkeshwar
Shodashi Mahavidya and Rudra Avatar: Shodeshwar
Bhuvaneshwari Mahavidya and Rudra Avatar: Bhuvaneshwar
Bhairavi Mahavidya and Rudra Avatar: Bhairavnath
Chhinnamasta Mahavidya and Rudra Avatar: Damodeshwar
Dhumavati Mahavidya and Rudra Avatar: Dhoomeshwar
Baglamukhi Mahavidya and Rudra Avatar: Bagleshwar
Matangi Mahavidya and Rudra Avatar: Matangeshwar
Kamala Mahavidya and Rudra Avatar: Kamaleshwar

Each Rudra avatar is named in alignment with the corresponding Mahavidya. Among them, Mahakaleshwar is considered the principal Rudra avatar.

Ten Mahavidyas and Vishnu Avatars

Each Mahavidya is also associated with a specific Vishnu avatar. Since Lord Vishnu incarnated in ten forms, these correspond with the ten Mahavidyas. Below is the list:

Mahavidya Kali and Vishnu Avatar: Shri Krishna
Mahavidya Tara and Vishnu Avatar: Matsya
Mahavidya Shodashi and Vishnu Avatar: Parashuram
Mahavidya Bhuvaneshwari and Vishnu Avatar: Vaman
Mahavidya Bhairavi and Vishnu Avatar: Balaram
Mahavidya Chhinnamasta and Vishnu Avatar: Narasimha
Mahavidya Dhumavati and Vishnu Avatar: Varaha
Mahavidya Baglamukhi and Vishnu Avatar: Kurma
Mahavidya Matangi and Vishnu Avatar: Shri Ram
Mahavidya Kamala and Vishnu Avatar: Kalki

Among all, Shri Ram and Shri Krishna are the most significant avatars. Shri Ram corresponds with Matangi, and Shri Krishna with Kali. Lord Kalki will incarnate at the end of Kali Yuga and is associated with Kamala Mahavidya.