64 Yogini (Chausath Yogini): Ashta Siddhis, Matrikas, and Tantric Goddesses of Hinduism

The 64 Yogini (Chausath Yogini), the group of 64 cosmic energies, is the manifestation of Parashakti in Hinduism. They are the principal deities; eight divine, great, powerful females known as the Yoginis (Shakti) emerged from Goddess Kali (Durga).

These Yoginis, formed into fierce, powerful, and tantric grandmothers, came to be known as the Ashta Matrikas.

The Matrikas are the master practitioners or spiritual teachers of yoga and tantra in Hindu mythology. Each Matrika manifested herself into eight more Yoginis.

Eventually, they turned into 64 Tantric Yoginis as a result of manifestation. They are the goddess of individual powers and personas.

What Do the Matrikas Signify in Ancient Tantric Tradition?

Through in-depth research on the 64 Yoginis, also known as Chaunsath Yogini, I found that the eight Matrikas, or divine goddesses, have manifested themselves in this form. They are the eight mothers, or tattvas, of the manifested or material universe.

The eight directions in Hinduism are the Matrikas. They are the principal guides of every direction; the one set of four directions is known as the cardinal. And the other set of four directions is known as the intermediate points or (digbandahs).

The Ashta Devi are the cosmic powers of the Ashta Siddhis, also known as the yogic powers.

In yoga, they are the eight limbs of yoga (Astanga) or the mystic symbols (mudras).

The eight Matrikas, when formed into Chausath Yogini in a square, form a profound position in the Tantra. And thus called Tantric Yoginis.

What Are the Ashta Matrikas’ Names, and What Do They Signify?

Yoginis are the Grama Devi locals of ancient India and are called dakinis, yoginis, bhairavis, and shaktis.

However, in today’s Kali Yuga, no one knows what they do and what their names mean.

However, they formed 64 angels to take care of the people of ancient India and are known by different names.

Let’s understand what their names signify.

Dakini: It is a Sanskrit name that signifies a “sky dancer, a divine attendant, or a female messenger” with supernatural powers to take different forms using the tantras. Buddhist tradition refers to Dakini as witches, sorceresses, or ghouls.

However, with time and different scriptures, Dakini came to be known as Yogini.

64 Yogini: The divine potencies are the 64 body parts of the Supreme Goddess.

What Are the Ashta Siddhis or the Wisdom of the Matrikas in Indian Mythology?

The Ashta Matrikas, or the Yoginis, have magical powers. Here they are, also known as the Ashta Siddhis of Yoga:

1. Anima: The divine ability to become tiny and gain knowledge of how this world works.
2. Laghima: The ability to leave the body at will and the power to levitate.
3. Garima: The power to become heavier.
4. Mahima: The exceptional power to become very large and be able to see the whole solar system and the universe.
5. Ishteva: The ability or power to control the mind and body of all living beings.
6. Parakamya: Ability to have irresistible willpower and control the mind of others.
7. Vasitva: The devi who controls the five elements and their potential for creation and destruction.
8. Kamavasayita: The devi who fulfills desires and pleasures.

Why 64 Yogini, or the Chausath Yogini, known as the Great Ascetic?

The 64 Yoginis are called the Great Ascetics of the Shakti and are known as Maha Yoginis. They are mentioned in verses of the Lalitha Sahasranama and Vishnu Bhagavata Purana.

Kularnava Tantra is the sacred text that the worshippers of the Shakti chant verses from the Yogini Sahasranama and Kularnava Tantra.

And mentioned that they emerged from the universal energy, the Parashakti, the primal energy.

As a result, they came to be known as the 8 Matrikas, who turned into 64 Yoginis, the sacred Shaktis, or the Tantric Yoginis.

Apart from Hinduism, these angels are worshipped in Buddhism and Jainism.

It is believed that, in Kali Yuga, they take physical forms to give their devotees darshan, or they appear before people to fulfill their wishes.

64 Yogini: The Power of Union: Why Are They Worshiped in Tantric Practices?

The Chausath Yoginis are the tantric goddesses worshiped by the people who practice tantra. These goddesses are mentioned in ancient scriptures, including Skanda Purana, Brahmananda Purana, Kalika Purana, Agni Purana, Chandi Purana of Sarala Das, Brhndla Tantra, Brihad Nandikeswara Purana, Jnanarnava Tantra, Bata Avakasa of Balaram Das, etc.

They vanquish negativity and instill positivity in human power and are equally fierce, delicate, and calm.

The goddesses have supernatural power to influence humans, their thoughts, minds, speech, and actions.

They can cloud humans’ consciousness and give ultimate clarity in their thoughts.

Literatures like Kalhana’s Rajatarangini, Somadevasuri’s Yasastilaka, and Somadeva’s Kathasaritsagara narrate their powerful, legendary stories.

Names of Chausath Yogini, 64 Yoginis

The Matrikas, which form into 64 divine goddesses, have unique personalities and are worshiped in tantric practices.

They prevail over misfortunes, fade away negativities, and fear. These tantric devis are the bestower of knowledge, prosperity, peace, auspiciousness, and good progeny.

64 Yogini names you can chant in Tantric Vidya are

1. Divyayogini

2. Mahayogini

3. Siddhayogini

4. Gaṇeśvarī

5. Pratīkṣī

6. Ḍākinī

7. Kālī

8. Kālarātri

9. Niśācarī

10. Jhaṃkārī

11. Ūrdvavetālī

12. Kharparī

13. Bhūtayāminī

14. Ūrdhvakeśī

15. Virupākṣī

16. Śuṣkaṃgī

17. Māṃsabhojanī

18. Phetkārī

19. Vīrabhadrākṣī

20. Dhūmrākṣī

21. Kalahapriyā

22. Raktā

23. Ghoraraktākṣī

24. Piśacī

25. Bhayaṃkarī

26. Caurikā

27. Mārikā

28. Caṇḍī

29. Vārāhī

30. Muṇḍadhariṇī

31. Bhairavī

32. Cakriṇī

33. Krodhā

34. Durmukhī

35. Pretavāhinī

36. Kaṇṭakī

37. Dīrghalaṃbauṣṭhī

38. Mālinī

39. Mantrayoginī

40. Kālāgnī

41. Mohinī

42. Cakrī

43. Kapālī

44. Bhuvaneśvarī

45. Kuṇḍalākṣi

46. Juhī

47. Lakṣmī

48. Yamadūtī

49. Karālinī

50. Kauśikī

51. Bhakṣiṇī

52. Yakṣī

53. Kaumārī

54. Yantravahinī

55. Viśālā

56. Kāmukī

57. Vyāghrī

58. Yākṣini

59. Pretabhavanī

60. Dhūrjaṭā

61. Vikatā

62. Ghorā

63. Kapālā

64. Laṅgalī

Chausath Yogini: 64 Yogini Temple in India

Ancient India has developed three temples, Khajuraho, Ranipur, and Hirapur, dedicated to 64 Yogini, or Chausath Yogini, or Jogan. Each Yogini is different and has different Vahanas in standing, dancing, and seated postures.

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