Santeri
| Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
Santeri (संतेरी) is an ancient Mother goddess of Nagavanshi origin in Maharashtra and Vidarbha regions.
Variants
Shantadurga (शांतादुर्गा) - Shantadurga (शांतादुर्गा) is the most popular form of the Hindu goddess Durga revered in Goa, India, as well some parts of Karnataka. She is a form of the ancient Mother goddess known as Santeri.[1] She is worshipped in almost all villages of Goa as an ant hill. This is seen in some temples dedicated to Shantadurga.[2]
Origins
The second chapter of the Sanskrit Nāgavya Mahātmya, Śāntādurgā prādurbhāvaḥ, is a part of Sahyādrikhaṇḍa which is the chapter of Skanda Purana gives detail about this.[3] Only the title of the chapter mentions the goddess Shantadurga and no where else is this epithet of the goddess mentioned. This section refers to a certain sage Śāntāmuni, a resident of Nagavya (modern Nagoa). The goddess appeared before Shantamuni and hence she's known as Shantadurga. Durga is portrayed in her ferocious nature in many of the places,yet the adjective Shanta (peaceful) is found in almost all Namavalis of Durga.In verses 16,19,34 of Sahyadrikhanda, the goddess is called Śāntādevi (Shanta-devi). The verse 18 of this section mentions about the disappearance of the goddess into an ant hill.[4] These ant hills symbolically represent goddess Shantadurga as well as goddess Santeri.
According to another lore,once there was a terrible war between the gods Shiva and Vishnu due to which the entire world was distressed. Hence the god Brahma prayed and implored Shakti (the Divine Mother) to intervene and stop the war. The Goddess held Shiva by one hand and Vishnu by the other hand and brought about reconciliation among them. This stopped the war and brought peace to the world. Such an idol of goddess is found in the inner sanctum of Shanta Durga Temple of Kavale.[5] The 17th-century Marathi Koṅkaṇa Mahātmya furnishes an exhaustive account of the conflict between the followers of the Vaisnavism (sect of Vishnu worshippers) and Shaivism (Shiva followers) in Goa. It is quite possible that,this lore of Shantadurga is symbolically represents these sectarian conflicts.[6]
Nagavanshi History
Dr Naval Viyogi[7] writes....Ancient Naga[8] culture has very deep roots in the cultural and religious life of the people of Maharashtra, which can be seen even today, from the intensive stud of their traditional gods and goddesses. The original symbol of Mātangi. is Valmiki (whiteant-hill): Renuka, Enammna and Mātangi are worshipped in the form of Valmiki at different places in south. Santeri is worshipped in the form Bambi or serpent dwelling. This Valmiki is Yoni or vulva of earth and the serpent, who lives in, is representative of manhood or Linga. The meaning of the word Renuka, in origin, is earth (Renu+ka = like Renu) that is why she is called "of Kori Bhumi" or "Kumari Bhumi". Santeri is also known by the synonymous name of "Bhumi-ka" in Gomantaka. Similarly local gods like Marugan, Subrahmani, Khandova, Jyotiva, Khalnath and Bheron, which are worshipped in the form of Valmiki, are considered to be Kshetra-pati or Kshetra-pala (protector or keeper) Nagas.
External links
References
- ↑ Mitragotri, Vithal Raghavendra (1999). A socio-cultural history of Goa from the Bhojas to the Vijayanagara. Panaji: Institute Menezes Braganza. p. 139,175–180.
- ↑ Gomes Pereira, Rui (1978). Goa: Hindu temples and deities(tranlslated from the original in Portuguese by Antonio Victor Couto). Pereira, 1978. pp. 1–231.
- ↑ Shastri, P. (1995) Introduction to the Puranas, New Delhi: Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, pp.118-20
- ↑ Gaitonde, V.D. (1972). Sahyadrikhanda (Skanda Purana), in Marathi Translated from Sanskrit. Mumbai: Katyayani Publications. pp. 254–257.
- ↑ Sinai Dhume, Anant Ramkrishna (2009). The Cultural History of Goa from 10000 B.C.-1352 A.D. (second ed.). Panaji: Broadway book centre. p. 103. ISBN 9788190571678.
- ↑ Mitragotri, Vithal Raghavendra (1999). A socio-cultural history of Goa from the Bhojas to the Vijayanagara. Panaji: Institute Menezes Braganza. p. 139,175–180.
- ↑ Nagas, The Ancient Rulers of India, Their Origins and History, 2002, pp. 29
- ↑ Dr. Dhere R. C. "Lajjagauri" P-65 cited by Kosare H. L. P-215