In the rich and radiant tradition of Tantra, the Divine Feminine doesn’t wear a single face. She expresses herself in ten wildly different but intimately connected forms—each a portal to truth, each a teacher of wisdom. These are the Dasha Mahavidyas, the “Ten Great Wisdom Goddesses.”

Together, they represent a complete map of awakening, spanning the chaos and intensity of Kali to the sublime serenity of Kamala. Studying the Mahavidyas isn’t just an intellectual endeavor; it’s a transformational journey through creation, destruction, love, rage, surrender, clarity, and empowerment.

What Are the Mahavidyas?

The word Mahavidya comes from maha (great) and vidya (wisdom or knowledge). These goddesses arise out of a story in which Parvati (Shakti) confronts Shiva, insisting he acknowledge her full power. As he resists, she bursts into ten forms—each a different facet of feminine wisdom, from terrifying to tender.

These ten goddesses are:

1. Kali – the fierce mother of liberation and time

2. Tara – the savior and compassionate guide across the void

3. Tripura Sundari (Shodashi) – the goddess of beauty, bliss, and perfection

4. Bhuvaneshwari – the queen of space and cosmic order

5. Chinnamasta – the self-decapitated one, representing ego death and awakening

6. Bhairavi – the fierce force of transformation and discipline

7. Dhumavati – the widow goddess, embodying loss, detachment, and hidden wisdom

8. Bagalamukhi – the paralyzer of enemies, inner and outer

9. Matangi – the outcaste goddess of creativity, sound, and unconventional power

10. Kamala – the goddess of prosperity, grace, and grounded abundance

Each Mahavidya is more than a myth. She’s an initiation—a mirror into aspects of ourselves we might avoid or misunderstand. Some reveal our shadow, others our brilliance. Some strip away illusion, others remind us of the sacredness in the ordinary.

In yoga and spiritual practice, working with the Mahavidyas means:

• Developing emotional range and resilience

• Facing the shadow and integrating it

• Deepening your relationship with power, devotion, and truth

• Aligning your practice with deeper archetypal energies

• Awakening Shakti within

Walk the Path of the Mahavidyas With Us

The Dasha Mahavidyas don’t ask us to be perfect—they ask us to be whole. They remind us that the sacred is not just in light, but in shadow; not just in silence, but in sound; not just in peace, but in wild, untamed wisdom.

If you’re ready to embody these teachings in your life and leadership, join me for an advanced 300-hour yoga teacher training rooted in the path of Shakti. Each weekend, we’ll dive deep into the goddesses—through movement, mantra, storytelling, and ritual. You’ll emerge with a stronger voice, deeper wisdom, and a more integrated relationship with your own power.