Bhuvaneshwri Mhavidya
Bhuvaneshvari's beauty is mentioned often. She is described as
having a radiant complexion and a beautiful face, framed with
flowing hair the color of black bees. Her eyes are broad, her lips
full and red, her nose delicate. Her firm breasts are smeared with
sandal paste and saffron. Her waist is thin, and her thighs,
buttocks, and navel are lovely. Her beautiful throat is decorated
with ornaments, and her arms are made for embracing. Indeed Shiva is
said to have produced a third eye to view her more thoroughly.
This
beauty and attractiveness may be understood as an affirmation of the
physical world. Tantric thought does not denigrate the world or
consider it illusory or delusory, as do some other abstract aspects
of Indian thought. This is made amply clear in the belief that the
physical world, the rhythms of creation, maintenance and
destruction, even the hankerings and sufferings of the human
condition is nothing but Bhuvaneshvari's play, her exhilarating,
joyous sport
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