BHOPAL: Aeons ago, Lord Ram is believed to have invoked Goddess Baglamukhi for vanquishing the all-powerful Ravan. Now the same goddess, who is among the ‘Dus Mahavidyas’ (ten forms of the Goddess of Wisdom), is being propitiated by politicians with polls approaching in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
In Madhya Pradesh, the Baglamukhi temple in Agar-Malwa district and Maa Pitambara Peeth in Datia
district are resounding with ‘gupta anushthans’ (secret prayers) by priests for ensuring the victory of high-profile political ‘jajmans’ (clients).
“Both Goddesses Pitambara and Baglamukhi are the form of Devi Baglamukhi, the eighth among the ‘Dus Mahavidyas’. Offering special prayers, particularly in form of ‘jaaps ‘(chants) of the Baglamukhi Mantra, is believed to paralyse enemies, destroy them and ultimately lead to a devotee’s triumph,” says Lavlesh Mishra, a priest associated with the temple.
“Pitambara and Baglamukhi are the goddesses of ‘Raj Satta’ (political power) due to which most politicians often go for ‘jaap’ of Baglamukhi mantra by a group of five to seven priests.”
Another priest informs that more than three dozen politicians, who are eyeing tickets from BJP, Congress and even the BSP, are offering special prayers since last few weeks. Politicians from Gwalior-Chambal and Baghelkhand are particularly getting special mantra ‘jaaps’, he added. Interestingly, the temple trust chairman is Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who herself offered prayers on Guru Purnima.
Similar special prayers are underway at the Baglamukhi Temple in Nalkheda town of Agar-Malwa district. As per the temple management, special tantric prayers, particularly chanting of 1.25 lakh to 10 lakh Baglamukhi mantra, is being performed by groups of priests for their political clientele.
“Priests and tantriks from all across the country, including a famous tantric from Kamakhya Peeth, are performing ‘anushthans’ for their clients, who include a powerful woman politician from Rajasthan,” says a priest.
Recently, a BJP leader from Jhabua district, who is eyeing party ticket from Thandla, got special prayers performed. “These politicians are first having the ‘anushthan’ done for getting the nod of their parties. Once the nomination is secured, another set of ‘anushthan’ will be done for electoral win,” said a priest whose disciples will undertake prayers for two BJP politicians from Neemuch and Ratlam and a powerful Congress politician from Rajasthan.