Evidence of Powers of Yoginis

This presentation provides evidence of the power of the yoginis through ritual methods, literature review, and field research. 

Part 1: Powers of Yoginis in the Puranas

Puranic literature houses stories of yoginis. In this presentation, I will provide an analysis of a few of the stories and descriptions of yoginis.

1. Agni Purana: Listing of Names and locations. This text reveals the importance of strategic planning and positioning of women in sangha through astronomical and rose-point compass descriptions. Through these stories and ideas, yoginis today can understand how to form circles of strength and power in order to utilize the energies of others to support one another in their endeavors. 
2. Brahmananda Purana: Lalitha Sahasranamam. A stotram chanted by upper caste Hindu women (and other genders) (often in sangha), the yoginis have made their way into this text, wielding powers that permit the practitioners to break through each of the chakras and allow the shakti to reside in the Sahasrara. Each Chakra is presided over by a particular yogini–Dakini, Rakini, Lakini, Sakini, Hakini, Yakini– ultimately bestowing blessings upon the practitioners, to attain their own powerful states as women today. 
3. Skanda Purana: Kashi Khanda. Beyond the tantric powers which they showcase through shape-shifting and donning of full human forms to blend into Kashi’s campus, Yoginis are powerful women of the world. They are sent as diplomats: spies and ambassadors, entrusted with a job by the Tantric leader, Shiva, to coerce and convince the King of Kashi to relinquish his role and position to the Lord God.

Part 2: Power of Yoginis in Temples 

Yogini temples exist throughout India, with the most well-known ones in Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. In this presentation, I examine the uses of these temples today, and how the purposes reveal the peoples’ belief in the enormity of the power of yoginis. 

1. Local peoples often utilize yogini temples for their daily uses, performing ritual pujas of non-tantric tradition. I present the benefits of these rituals.
2. Temples are used as focal points for festivals. In the ancient city of Kashi, one of the most holy cities for Hindus, Jains, and others, stands a small Yogini Mandir, at the top of the Chausanthi Yogini Ghat. During the festival of Holi, devotees from around the city and country flock to this deity to propitiate the deities, Mahakali and Bhadrakali. This presentation will include photography from the event during 2024 (upcoming in late March).

Part 3: Power of Yoginis in Academic Literature

A thorough review of the literature on yoginis reveals several articles and discussions in books regarding the power of yoginis in providing blessings to local devotees. Devotees seek the blessings of yoginis for particular purposes, including personal health, family life, business and financial endeavors, and many other reasons. The stories available in the literature review show the power of yoginis to transform an individual’s life.

Part 4: Field Research and Personal Stories

In this presentation, I will provide my personal research in various yogini temples as a team, and independently. I have spent time in several temples: Hirapur, Ranipur Jhariyal, Bhedaghat, Mitaoli, and of course, Varanasi. Using interpreters and self-knowledge on local languages, I have conducted several impromptu interviews of local temple officials, including priests and trustees. This presentation will include my story telling of the powers of yoginis, how they treat(ed) me, and my relationship with them. 

Through these unique methods, the tantric qualities of yoginis seep into the non-tantric cultural communities across India, often without even knowing. These are the important methods for transmission and revelation, which can eventually lead to initiation into the traditions of the yoginis–an area that is still highly secretive and requires secret initiation. I have been invited to one of these myself, and chose not to enter and go deeper. In this presentation, I will discuss the events I attended and my decision to end the process.