Mata literally means “a thought”
or “an opinion.” Matangi is thus the Goddess power which has entered
into thought or the mind. She is the word as the embodiment of thought.
She also relates to the ear and our ability to listen, which is the origin
of true understanding that forms powerful thoughts. Matangi bestows
knowledge, talent and expertise. She is the Goddess of the spoken
word and of any outward articulation of inner knowledge, including all
forms of art, music and dance.
Matangi relates to Sarasvati,
the Goddess of wisdom and the consort of Lord Brahma, the creator of the
universe. Matangi, like Sarasvati, plays a Veena and rules over music
or audible sound in general, not just the spoken word. She is the
manifest form of song. Like Sarasvati she is symbolized by the rain
cloud and by the thunder, as well as by the rivers pouring into the sea.
She is the vibratory sound, Nada, that flows in the subtle channels, Nadis,
down through our entire body and mind.
However, Matangi and Sarasvati
are a little different. Matangi is the form of Sarasvati directed
towards inner knowledge. She is her dark, mystic, ecstatic or wild
form. Sarasvati is often a Goddess of only ordinary learning, art
and culture. Matangi rules over the extraordinary, which takes us
beyond the bounds of the conventional. Matangi is an outcast or artist
who goes against the norms of society, while Sarasvati represents
the knowledge and virtue of the Brahmin or learned class which never departs
from propriety. Matangi is that portion of Sarasvati which is allied
with the transforming energy of Kali.
The guru (spiritual teacher)
instructs us through the spoken word. Hence his vehicle among the
Goddess is Matangi. Matangi represents the teachings of the guru
and the tradition. She represents the continuity of spiritual instruction
in the world. By honoring her we also honor the guru. Those
seeking to teach others, particularly to communicate to the masses of people,
should seek the grace of Matangi.
According to the Upanishads
the essence of the human being is speech. What we express through
speech is the final product of all that we take into ourselves in life.
This ultimate residue and representation of who we are through speech is
Matangi. This, however, is not ordinary or casual speech, but the
deepest expression of our hearts.
The Divine Word has power, feeling,
and passion, which is not mere human emotion but Divine bliss. The
Divine Word is not merely a theoretical or practical statement but an effusion
of energy and delight. This joy is another aspect of Matangi.
Matangi is thus a wild, playful and ecstatic Goddess.
Matangi represents the ministerial
power of the Goddess. She is the counselor to Rajarajeshvari or Tripura
Sundari, the Supreme Queen of the universe. As such she is called
Mantrini and has power over all mantras, particularly in their vocalization
and articulation. She gives us the ability to communicate with all
the other Gods and Goddesses through the power of the mantra. In
fact she rules over all forms of knowledge, counseling and teaching.
Those seeking proficiency in these areas should honor Matangi.
Matangi is dark emerald green
in color, the color of deep knowledge and profound life-energy, which is
also the color of the planet Mercury that governs intelligence. She
plays the Veena, a stringed instrument like a sitar, which shows her musical
and vibratory power. She is beautiful and carries various weapons
with which to fascinate and subdue us. In this regard she has the
same ornaments and weapons as Sundari. She is often said to have
a parrot in her hands, which represents the powers of speech as inherent
in nature. She sits on a throne made of gems.
