The divinatory system of India revolves around the Jyotish, which is related to (Vedic Astrology). In that system, the planets are seen as divinities and are often venerated in the temples of India. The term (Oracle) does not have a direct translation in (Sanskrit). The closest approximation would be the term Jyotish, which means both "light" and "the science of the movement (energy) of heavenly bodies."
In that sense, the Yoginis' Oracle brings the light of the (Yoginis), offering the knowledge of their energy and how to integrate that knowledge into one’s consciousness.
The medium for communicating with these divinities is through cards that are displayed in a particular pattern. The card containing the figure of Bhairava, which symbolizes the person asking the questions, is placed in the middle of a series of cards depicting Yoginis. The answers come from the Yoginis situated around this central image of Bhairava. The power of this configuration - Bhairava surrounded by the Yoginis – is seen and felt in the (Orissan temple of Ranipur Jharial)
The word Yogini in the context of the Yogini temples has no direct connection with the ascetics seen in paintings from 18th century India, the sorceresses in the legends, or the female practitioner of Yoga in the modern world. The concept of the Yoginis in ancient times seems to have appeared as a continuation of different groups of goddesses such as the (Matrikas). The most significant feature of the concept of the Yoginis is the idea of the unity of the group, which derives from the Sanskrit word (Yoga)(joining, union, combination, etc.) Thus, the Yoginis’ Oracle is the wisdom of the group. The Knowledge carried by the energy of this group of Goddesses is to empower the person who listens to them.
The various Yogini temples and sites contain different groups of Yoginis. For example, different iconographies of Yoginis are found in each of the temples of Hirapur, Ranipur Jharial, and (Bhedaghat) where the Yoginis are observed in situ. Nor are the same characteristics found among the groups of Yoginis located in museums around the world today. It appears that the particular attributes of the Yoginis depended on the needs of the different places and times when they were sculpted.
Ideas evolve, disappear and sometimes are reborn in a different eras and places. The Yoginis in their temples were originally venerated but over time they were avoided and subsequently forgotten. The Yoginis have resurfaced in the 21st century, stirring interest among scholars and persons from diverse horizons.
Both scholars of the history of religions and art history study the Yoginis’ codes (their iconography and ancient scripts) to draw out and explain their mystery. They elaborate accurate and even audacious theories in an attempt to satisfy the need to label abstract concepts and to understand structure, form and purpose. Some believe that life-inspiring wisdom, symbolism and answers can be found on the subtle level of intuition. In this context the Yoginis’ Oracle of the 21st century came to life in the form of divinatory cards. This oracle is a playful and teaching tool for obtaining insight into one’s daily life and for experiencing the wisdom of the power imbedded within us: The Energy of the Yoginis.
Stella Dupuis (researcher and novelist living in India), Nancy Dupuis (visual artist living in Brazil) and Gisèle Dupuis (a specialist in Ayurveda, (Ayurveda) living in Colombia) have brought to light the Yoginis’ ancient wisdom trough the Yoginis’ Oracle cards and guidebook.
Bibliography about the Yoginis:
edit- Dehejia, Vidya, (Vidya Dehejia) Yogini Cult and Temples, A Tantric Tradition, (Delhi, 1986)
- Dupuis, Stella, The Yogini Temples of India, In the Pursuit of a Mystery - Travel Notes - (Varanasi, 2008)
- Dupuis, Stella, In the Belly of the Fish, Matsyendranatha and the Chackra of the Yoginis. (Fiction)
- Kaimal, Padma, Scattered Goddesses, Travels with the Yoginis, (Ann Arbor, 2012)
- Keul, István, (ed.) Transformations and Transfer of Tantra in Asia and Beyond, (Berlin/Boston, 2012)
- Keul, István, (ed.), Yogini in South Asia, Interdisciplinary Approaches (New York, 2013)
- Mukhipadhyaya, Satkari; Dupuis, Stella, The Kaulajñananirnaya, The Esoteric Teachings of Matsyendrapada (Matsyendranatha) Sadguru of Yogini Kaula School in the Tantra Tradition (Delhi, 2012)