The Essence of the Tantra of the Ten Mahavidyas

To the Readers

I present myself before the readers in accordance with the essential information required before beginning the worship of the Dash Mahavidya Ten Great Wisdom Goddesses. Many seekers, having benefited from the study and practice of the book titled Bagalamukhi Mahasadhana Great Practice of Bagalamukhi, repeatedly inspired me, stating that a book providing the combined preliminary worship and essential knowledge of all the Mahavidyas Great Wisdoms is necessary for society. With this objective in mind, this 'Dash Mahavidya Tantra Sara' Essence of the Ten Great Wisdom Tantras is in your hands.

In this regard, first, you should know that 1. Kali, 2. Tara, 3. Shodashi, and 4. Bhuvaneshwari are these four Mahavidyas. After this, 5. Bhairavi, 6. Chhinnamasta, 7. Dhumavati are these three Vidyas knowledge-forms/goddesses. Then, 8. Bagala, 9. Matangi, 10. Kamala are these three Siddha Vidyas perfected knowledge-forms.

Along with this, there is also an ancient tradition of dividing these ten Vidyas into two lineages:

1. Kalikula Lineage of Kali: Kali, Tara, Bhuvaneshwari, and Chhinnamasta.
2. Shrikula Lineage of Shri/Lakshmi: Shodashi, Bagala, Bhairavi, Kamala, Dhumavati, and Matangi.

Practitioners should proceed with the worship of only one lineage. While worshipping the Dash Mahavidya, it is also necessary to worship Shiva on their right side. The order of their names is as follows: