Śārikā Śyāmalā is a melodic form of Rājā Śyāmalā in Sri Vidya tantra, embodying the goddess of music, arts, and cosmic sound as represented by the myna bird (śārikā), which symbolizes perfect speech mimicry and omniscience.
According to some traditions, Sarika Shyamala is worshipped on 7th day of Shyamala Navaratri in Magh Month.
Iconography and Attributes
She possesses a dark (śyāma) complexion akin to infinite space or pure consciousness, holding lotuses while listening intently to scriptures, music, and knowledge, adorned with a moon earring and immersed in divine pastimes. As the repository of all 64 kalās (arts), her dhyāna evokes a bridge-like stringed instrument, embodying creation’s sounds from subtle vibration to manifested melody.
Mantra Significance
Her maha mantra japa, seeded with vahni bīja raṁ and svāhā for oblations, invokes complete grace for excelling in arts, music, and knowledge, positioning her as a later extension in Śyāmalā Navarātri worship after forms like Laghu, Vāgvādinī, and Nakulī.
Worship Context
Invoked on the 7th day of Śyāmalā Navarātri (Magha month), her 33-syllable (trayastriṁśat akṣara) mantra from Mātaṅgī Tantram—oṁ aim̐ klīṁ sauḥ oṁ namo bhagavati śāṁ śārike sakala-kalā-kovide vidyāṁ bodhaya bodhaya svāhā—grants excellence in music, dance, sciences, logical deduction, and universal attraction through creative prowess.
Iconic Traits
Depicted with dark (śyāma) infinite-space complexion, lotus hands, moon earring, and rapt attention to scriptures, she bridges subtle sound to manifested art as the “cause and effect” of cosmic creativity.
Śārikā Śyāmalā governs advanced mastery over manifested speech (vaikharī vāk) in Sri Vidya tradition, embodying the myna bird’s flawless mimicry of sound, melody, and knowledge as the pinnacle of Rājā Śyāmalā’s hierarchy.
Speech Powers
Her 33-syllable mantra—oṁ aiṁ klīṁ sauḥ oṁ namo bhagavati śāṁ śārike sakala kalā kovide vidyāṁ bodhaya bodhaya svāhā—awakens “vidyāṁ bodhaya” (awaken knowledge), granting persuasive eloquence, logical deduction, and hypnotic reproduction of scriptures, music, or arguments. Invoked on Śyāmalā Navarātri’s 7th day, it perfects the speech progression: paśyantī (Laghu) → madhyamā (Vāgvādinī) → articulated (Nakuli) → melodic omniscience (Śārikā).
Symbolic Role
As the “repository of all 64 arts,” her practice infuses speech with creative bliss, enabling sādhakas to attract audiences, excel in debate, and intuitively grasp sciences through divine mimicry of cosmic sound (śabda brahman).