Home > Indian History > Indian Literature > Installation of Devata
Installation of Devata
Installation of Devata is chapter thirteen of Mahanirvana Tantra that speaks of the basis of an image that needs to be installed for worship.

Share this Article:

Installation of Devata has been described by Lord Shiva in this chapter of Mahanirvana Tantra. Goddess Parvati asks Lord Shiva initially as to how the form of Mahakali should be. Lord Shiva replies to this that in order to meet the needs of the worshippers Devi`s image should be formed according to her qualities and actions. He says that in al human beings there is an inherent form of Goddess Kali.

Those who have attained the knowledge of the ways of final liberation, the attribute less, formless and beneficent Kala Shakti they are endowed with black colour. Since she reviews the entire universe she needs three eyes in order to see the Moon, the Sun and fire. Since she consumes all existence, she chews all existing things with her fierce teeth. A mass of blood is considered to be her apparel. Since she is known to protect her worshippers from danger she directs them in the right path, one would always find her hands are lifted up to disperse fear and grant blessings.

Goddess Parvati also enquired of the merit the devotee gains if he makes an image of Devi according to her features. Parvati also asks about the injunctions to be followed while making an image. Lord Shiva says that there are types of men - those who act with, and without thinking about the fruits of action. One who does not think about the result attains final liberation. The man who sanctifies the image of a Deva goes to the region of Deva and enjoys something that is attainable.

He who installs an image of mud stays in such a region for ten thousand Kalpa. A worshipper who installs an image of wood stays in that region ten times that period. In the case if the devotee installs a stone image then the length of stay is ten times the latter period. In case of the sanctification of a metal image it is ten times the last-mentioned Kalpa.

A man who renovates a temple or decorates it shall live in the region of the Devas for one thousand crore years. A devotee who gives away a brick-built temple lives a hundred times that period and he who gives away a stone-built temple lives ten thousand times the last-mentioned period.

Again the man who builds a bridge or a causeway will not see Yama`s region but will happily reach abode of the Suras. A devotee who dedicates trees and gardens goes to the region of the Devas and lives in celestial houses surrounded by Kalpa trees. Those who give away ponds are washed of all sins and attain a blissful region of Lord Brahma reside there a hundred years. The man who dedicates the image of a Vahana for the pleasure of any Deva shall live continually in the region of such Deva. An excellent worshipper should present a great lion to the temple of Devi, a bull to the temple of Shangkara, and a Garuda to the temple of Keshava.

Whatever a man presents with faith and immense devotion in the name of God he will reach the region of such Deva and receive in turn a crore times the presents he made. Those who act without expecting reward attain nirvana and they are released from rebirth.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Indian Literature


Mythological Themes in Indian Literature
Mythological themes in Indian literature have been integral to every ancient and contemporary writer and their path to f
Literature under Delhi Sultanate
Literature during the period of Delhi Sultanate was produced not only in Persian and Sanskrit but also in other regional languages.
Epics in Tamil Literature
Epics in Tamil Literature refer to the Five Great Epics namely Cilappatikaram, Manimekalai, Valayapathi, Civaka Cintamani and Kundalakesi. There are also the Five Lesser Epics in Tamil Literature.
Literature During Gupta Age
It is during the Gupta Age literature in the form of poetry, epos and drama gained a colossal importance.
Post-Sangam Age in Tamil literature
Post-Sangam age in Tamil literature basically saw the tremendous rise of Hindu saintly literary treatises in two sects.
Epics in Sanskrit Literature
Epics in Sanskrit Literature are the store house of historical knowledge and the providers of knowledge about Indian philosophies and thought.
Literature of Aravidu Dynasty
Sanskrit and Telugu were the popular literary medium of communication during Aravidu dynasty.
Indian Literature in archaic Indian Language
Indian Literature, accredited as one of the antique literature of the world is the confluence of different beiefs .
Renaissance in Bengali Literature
Renaissance in Bengali literature was the first structured gestation of the modern trends in Bengali literature.
Renaissance in Indian Literature
Renaissance in Indian Literature has brought and culminated towards several significant changes in the overall writing styles and patterns. With the renaissance in Indian literature, readership has enlarged with a literary and education explosion.
Renaissance in Hindi Literature
The renaissance in Hindi literature crafted a whole fresh diction to the Hindi literary works with its poise and rhythm.
Indian Literature in Modern Age
Indian Literature in Modern Age is the literary insurgency that is marked by several idealistic revolutions and the effect of globalization, and socio-economic as well as cultural changes.
Playwrights in Tamil Literature
Playwrights in Tamil Literature such as Cankaratas Cuvamikal, Ilatcumana Pillai and Pammal Campanta Mudaliar have written several works for the development Tamil plays and drama.
Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore, a renowned poet, was honoured the Nobel Prize for Literature for the famous ‘Gitanjali’ and wrote the national anthem.