Bagalamukhi
बगलामुखी • Bagalāmukhī
"The Crane-Faced One (Bagala/Valga = bridle/crane + Mukhi = faced); She who paralyzes"
Category & Classification
Iconography
Attributes & Weapons
- Gada (Club/Mace) (Right hand) - To strike and paralyze enemies
- Enemy's Tongue (Left hand pulling) - Silencing enemies; controlling speech
- Mudra of striking - Power to strike
Distinctive Features
- Entirely yellow - clothes, ornaments, throne
- Pulling the tongue of a demon/enemy
- Raising club to strike
- Seated on golden throne or corpse
- Three eyes
- Yellow lotus seat
- Yellow ornaments
Family & Relations
| Origin | Emerged to save the world from a powerful demon by paralyzing him |
Mythology & Stories
Emerged to save the world from a powerful demon by paralyzing him
Bagalamukhi represents the power to suddenly stop or reverse any force - enemies, diseases, court cases, black magic. She paralyzes opposition, silences critics, and grants victory. For spiritual seekers, she represents the power to stop the mind's fluctuations.
Origin from the Lake
A terrible storm threatened to destroy creation. From a lake (Haridra Sarovar) emerged the goddess Bagalamukhi, yellow as turmeric. She immediately stilled the storm by her power of stambhana (paralysis). Since then, she grants this power to devotees.
Source: Tantric tradition
Paralyzing Madan's Son
A demon named Madan had obtained a boon that whatever he said would come true. He misused this power, causing destruction. Bagalamukhi seized his tongue, preventing him from speaking, thus saving the worlds.
Source: Shakta tradition
Brahmastra Goddess
Bagalamukhi is considered the personification of the Brahmastra - the ultimate weapon. Her power can stop any force, any enemy, any weapon when properly invoked.
Source: Tantric interpretation
Worship & Mantras
Mantras
Hlreem
Om Hlreem Bagalamukhi Sarvadushtanam Vacham Mukham Padam Stambhaya Jivham Kilaya Buddhi Vinashaya Hlreem Om Svaha
Om Bagalamukhi Vidmahe Stambhinyai Dhimahi Tanno Devi Prachodayat
Om Hlreem Bagalamukhi Namah
Stotras & Hymns
Offerings
- Yellow flowers (especially mustard flowers)
- Turmeric
- Yellow cloth
- Yellow rice
- Yellow sweets (besan laddu)
Temples
Bagalamukhi Temple
Datia, Madhya Pradesh
Most famous temple; powerful siddha peetha
Bagalamukhi Temple
Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
Ancient and powerful
Bagalamukhi Temple
Nalkheda, MP
Major pilgrimage site
Bagalamukhi Temple
Patan (Lalitpur), Nepal
Important Nepalese temple
Associated Festivals
Astrological Connection
Symbolism & Philosophy
Cosmic Role: Power of sudden stoppage; paralysis of enemies; control of speech; victory
- Pulling tongue = controlling speech, the most powerful human faculty
- Yellow color = awakened intelligence (buddhi)
- Club striking = decisive action against negativity
- Paralysis of enemy = rendering opposition powerless
- Spiritually: stopping the mind's vrittis (fluctuations) is ultimate victory
Supreme goddess for victory over enemies (inner and outer); stopping negative forces
