Daśa Mahāvidyās- the ten tantric wisdom goddesses
a deep dive into the practices, philosophy and cosmology of śakta tantra
Daśa Mahā Vidyā means "Ten Great Wisdoms", depicted in Tantric tradition as a group of, to say the least, macabre goddesses. Some of them, such as Kālī and Tārā, are quite well known, others, like Bagalāmukhī and Mātaṇgī, are more obscured. But they all represent both stages of cosmic evolution and human spiritual development. Therefore, they can be called wisdom plateaus, cosmic forces as well as the faces of kuṇḍalinī. For those interested in understanding nondual Tantric philosophy, cosmology and the more esoteric aspects of the Śakta (goddess) tradition, this course offers an opportunity you don't want to miss! Through it you get access to:
* More than 12 hours of recorded video lectures (also available as audio recordings)
* In-depth philosophical teachings
* Initiated mantras
* Meditation practices
* Suggestions for sādhana
* Unique written material on the history and development of Tantra
* Unique written material on each individual Mahāvidyā/ wisdom goddess
The intention behind this course is not only to provide access to and interpret information that may otherwise be difficult to understand, but to assist real transformation and offer the knowledge that liberates.
This course is taught in English and was recorded live through zoom in the autumn of 2022.
Your Instructor
Tova Olsson is a scholar of religion, author and yoga teacher with over 20 years of experience in educating. She is appreciated for her deep knowledge, her ability to explain esoteric ideas and philosophical concepts in an accessible way, for her skillful storytelling and humorous approach. She holds a MA in Religious Studies and is currently working on her PhD, researching the construction of gender in contemporary Tantra in Europe. She is the author of numerous academic articles and the book Yoga and Tantra: history, philosophy and mythology.
Course Curriculum
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StartText Document: What is Tantra?
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StartText Document: Daśa Mahāvidyās- origin and meaning
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StartThe Tattva Chart (according to Kashmir Śaivism)
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StartOpening Mantras with Translation/Interpretation
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StartOpening lecture: Background of the Mahāvidyās (video) (81:17)
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StartOpening lecture: Background of the Mahāvidyās (audio)
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StartAt what pace should I study?
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StartText Document: Lalitā Tripura Sundarī & Bhuvaneśvarī
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StartMantra Document: Lalitā Tripura Sundarī & Bhuvaneśvarī
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StartLecture and meditation: Lalitā Tripura Sundarī (video) (89:20)
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StartLecture and meditation: Lalitā Tripura Sundarī (audio) (51:17)
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StartLecture and meditation: Bhuvaneśvarī (video) (51:17)
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StartLecture and meditation: Bhuvaneśvarī (audio)
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StartSuggestions for sādhana
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StartImage Lalitā Tripura Sundarī Mahāvidyā
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StartImage Bhuvaneśvarī Mahāvidyā
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to Saraswati Studies- where we celebrate the knowledge that liberates!