Goddess Bagalamukhi

During the Puranic times, there was a cult of the divine mother, who according to early myths originated from the male gods, but in the female form. They then assumed independent personalities. Bagala or Bagalamukhi is one of these saptamatrikas and is the consort of Lord Shiva or Maharudra. She is identified with courage and the power of cruelty. Bagalamukhi means the crane-headed one. The crane is associated with deceit. Goddess Bagala punishes and controls the negative powers which tresspass the natural flow of speech. She controls our speech, knowledge and movement. She is capable of giving powers called (Siddhis) and fulfils all the wishes of her devotees. Bagalamukhi is worshipped for protection from and victory over the enemies, for victory in the legal matters, to acquire wealth, to be freed of debts and to attain the power of oratory. She is the presiding goddess who is desirous of destroying the demons. She has three eyes, a yellow complexion and and wears yellow apparels, ornaments, gems and garlands. The moon is her diadem, and she wears the yellow champaka blossoms. Yellow clothes, garlands made of turmeric and yellow flowers are used in her worship. She has her abode amidst the ocean of ambrosia, under a canopy decorated with diamonds and sits on a jewelled throne. There is a tale regarding her manifestation. In the 'Satyuga' period once the whole world was threatened by a terrific cyclone. Lord Vishnu being concerned about the safety of humanity went near the Haridra (reservoir) situated in Saurashtra, to please Goddess Bhagawati with his penance. Bagalamukhi appeared from the water, dressed in yellow and controlled the powerful current of the flood. There is another interesting legend associated with this goddess. A demon named Madan undertook austerities and attained the boon of vak siddhi, according to which anything he spoke came about. He abused this siddhi by killing people. Unable to endure his mischief, the gods worshipped Bagalamukhi. She stopped the demon's rampage by pulling out his tongue and stilling his speech. Before she could kill him, however, he asked to be worshipped with her, and she relented. That is why she is normally seen with one hand holding the tongue of an enemy and with the left hand spiking him. This signifies the exercise of her power over speech and her ability to freeze or paralyze.