Highest Self Podcast® Episode 641

“How To Connect To Your Divine Feminine Through Ancient Tantra” with Chandresh Bhardwaj

Host: Sahara Rose
Guest: Chandresh Bhardwaj, 8th Gen Tantric Guru
Date: February 10, 2026

episode overview

In this deeply insightful episode, Sahara Rose and Chandresh Bhardwaj explore how the ancient tradition of Tantra offers a multidimensional, embodied path for women (and all people) to connect to their Divine Feminine. Moving beyond Western misconceptions about Tantra being centered purely on sexuality, Chandresh guides listeners through the rich landscape of Tantric goddesses—archetypes that mirror the myriad facets of the feminine: the wild, the devotional, the destructive, the creative, the sensual, and more.

Sahara’s signature candidness and Chandresh’s poetic yet grounded wisdom make this a transformative conversation suited to anyone seeking to understand themselves through the sacred feminine lens. They discuss practical ways to embody goddess archetypes, deconstruct patriarchal narratives, and find healing through both darkness (Kali) and light (Lalita). The episode weaves together Tantric philosophy, stories, personal anecdotes, and cross-cultural wisdom for a conversation as soulful as it is practical.

key discussion points & insights

1. Tantra vs. Hinduism: Setting the Context

• Tantra is described as a "science of self-awareness," and a "technology for transmuting all aspects of being—including the ‘dark’ and ‘impure’—into spiritual gold" (11:26).
  • Quote (Chandresh, 11:26): “Tantra says, come as you are. You’re angry, you’re violent, you’re greedy, you’re full of lust—you don’t need to stop, all that will be transmuted… let’s transmute what’s happening.”
• Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma) is framed as a broader "way of life" that became more structured and patriarchal over time, with more restrictive rituals and expectations (13:33).
• The difference: Tantra is direct, embodied, and inclusive; Hinduism trends toward ritualism and externalized worship.

2. Breaking Down Patriarchal Control and the Role of the Masculine

• The duo debunks the notion of the masculine as solely "penetrative"; the feminine craves containment: a safe space to soften, not more force (4:06–9:16).

  • Quote (Sahara, 04:06): “What we really desire as the feminine is a place that we can just relax, that we can soften, that we can be held, and that’s that energy of containment.”

• Chandresh uses the Kali-Shiva depiction (Kali dancing on Shiva’s chest) to illustrate masculine containment, presence, and non-egoic witnessing (04:55).

  • Quote (Chandresh, 04:55): “What Shiva was doing in that moment: I hold you, I hold space for you. You can dance, you can cry... I’m not going to judge you. But when Shiva does that without ego, imagine—the God of Gods chooses to be the soft container.”

• The feminine tests for safety; the masculine often misinterprets this as criticism, not a call for depth (07:34–09:16).

3. The Tantric Goddesses (Das Mahavidyas): Paths & Archetypes

An in-depth guiding tour through the main Tantric goddesses, how they represent inner feminine energies, and how to embody each in daily life.

Kali: The Dark Mother, Destroyer of Ego & Illusion (18:43–29:40)

• Energy: Transformation through darkness, letting go of illusions, surrender, death and rebirth.
• Sahara shares how Kali’s energy became real to her during divorce—"the abyss of darkness" leading to rebirth (21:14).
  • Quote (Sahara, 21:15): “When I was thrown into the abyss of darkness…I was like, oh Kali. And I noticed that the more I allowed myself to be in that abyss…the more magical my life would become.”
• Chandresh explains Kali is not to be feared—her destructive power is what clears the path for true growth (24:23–26:47).
  • Quote (Chandresh, 24:23): “Kali is that fluid energy… she becomes yours in any of your energy. That’s her generosity. The symbolism—with skulls, blood and everything—is: this is Maa Kali, and Maa Kali has permission to create you, but also to destroy what’s not serving you.”

Matangi: The Voice of the Voiceless, Raw Self-Expression (30:44–40:17)

• Energy: Radical authenticity, creative expression, speaking truth from the soul rather than intellectual mind.
• Matangi’s domain is reclaimed creativity—expression from those once silenced by caste, lineage, or trauma (31:36–35:22).
  • Quote (Chandresh, 31:28): “Matangi is the goddess… for those who are ready and willing to speak the rawness… she’ll always be the voice of the voiceless.”
• Meditation on Matangi can awaken channelled, beyond-the-mind creativity; Sahara credits her channeled writing and podcasting to this goddess (38:21).

Baglamukhi: The Pattern-Interruptor, Stopper of Negativity (41:35–44:03)

• Energy: Halts self-sabotage, stops negative influences, enforces energetic boundaries.
• Particularly potent for those embarking on new life stages—she interrupts internal and external sabotage (44:03).
  • Quote (Chandresh, 44:03): “Baglamukhi is invited when we want things to be stopped… negative self talk, self sabotage, someone else tries to sabotage this growth—you invite Baglamukhi: stop it right away.”

Chinnamasta: Egolessness, Radical Surrender (45:31–49:54)

• Energy: Cutting off the ego, surrendering individualized identity, embodied humility.
• Visualized as a headless goddess, Chinnamasta’s energy is invoked to transcend fear of what others think and avoid spiritual narcissism.
  • Quote (Chandresh, 46:02): “She symbolizes no ego… I’m not going to be influenced by my fear, by the ‘I, me, and myself’ narrative.”

Bhairavi: Divine Sexuality, Unapologetic Rawness & Playfulness (51:42–57:38)

• Energy: Fierce, playful sexuality; wild unapologetic feminine; sacred seduction and passionate embodiment.
• Not to be confused with lust: Bhairavi’s sexuality is rooted in love, passion, and wholehearted presence (52:12–56:33).
  • Quote (Chandresh, 53:26): “The job of Bhairavi was to seduce him. I’m going to seduce [Shiva], really invite him as a lover… When you experience something, experience it so deeply you forget something else exists.”
• Practical advice: Create sensual mystery in long-term relationships by first igniting your own self-attraction and embodied play (56:15).

Bhuvaneshwari: The Goddess of Earth, Nurturing & Ojas (57:40–60:12)

• Energy: Groundedness, nourishment, honoring the energy of place and land; wild beauty.
• Practice: When entering new spaces, honor the local energies (sacred smoke, flowers, gratitude), embody softness and “Ojas,” the Vedic radiance of health.

Kamakhya: The Yoni Goddess, Portal of Creation (60:12–65:43)

• Energy: Honoring the womb (yoni) as the portal between worlds, source of creativity and abundance, sacred feminine wholeness.
• Chandresh shares the importance of normalizing yoni language and honoring women’s source energy; this goddess integrates sexuality, sensuality, and creativity at their root (61:30–64:55).

Lalita Tripura Sundari: The Epitome of Tantric Beauty, Sensuality & Abundance (65:47–69:33)

• Energy: Divine beauty, spiritual and material abundance, sovereignty, attraction.
• Lalita must be invoked after Kali (transformation and honesty comes first) so what is beautiful grows from genuine soul-truth, not ego-addition (68:55).
  • Quote (Chandresh, 68:55): “If there is only suppression, you shouldn’t be jumping into Lalitha… Always begin with Kali, then tell Kali: send me Lalita.”

Dhumavati: The Widow Goddess, Detachment and Renunciation (71:22–74:03)

• Energy: Loss, true detachment, beyond-society, deep spiritual empowerment for those on the renunciate’s path.
• Dhumavati is not recommended for beginners—her energy is potent and reserved for those truly ready for radical spiritual isolation.

4. Integration: Dancing with the Goddesses

• The path isn’t linear—the hosts emphasize that one “dances” with several goddess energies at once, at various points in life (69:33–71:22).

• Sahara reflects on her own journey: Kali’s destruction led to Matangi’s voice, which now embodies Lalita’s abundance.

  • Quote (Sahara, 69:34): “And when we can show up with that level of humility, that's when we get the genuine beauty… when I fully surrendered, that actually led to the journey with the rest of them.”
  • Quote (Chandresh, 71:24): “You have to go through Kali, Matangi, Bhairavi. You have to meet your shadows. You cannot just jump to Lalita.”

• These goddesses aren’t historical figures but rather personifications of human archetypes and stages on the spiritual journey. Sahara notes the value in story and image—how they encode collective feminine wisdom (74:03–75:29).

notable quotes & memorable moments (with timestamps)

• “[In Tantra] the patriarchy melts in front of goddesses.”
  — Chandresh (00:00)
• “You can't get my Lolita if you can't handle my Kali.”
  — Sahara Rose (00:33, 76:35)
• “When Shiva does that with so much care and love… he chooses to be the soft container, soft enough to give her love, but also strong enough to contain her fierceness.”
  — Chandresh (04:55)
• “I thank the darkness every single day… every moment spent in deception is a moment I'm not spending in truth.”
  — Sahara Rose (21:15, 24:23)
• “She’ll always be the voice of the voiceless…bring courage, rawness, fierceness in those who have been suppressed.”
  — Chandresh (31:28, on Matangi)
• “Our attachment to permanence is killing our joy, our existence.”
  — Chandresh (29:40)
• “Nothing lasts forever except my swag. So I'd rather be extra than your regular ass.”
  — Sahara Rose (30:19)
• “If I'm not checked, we can get into Deluland… spiritual narcissism is real.”
  — Sahara Rose (48:13)
• “If Kali wants to be held and safe, then it’s normal for a modern woman to feel that… if Shiva could let go of his ego and surrender, a guy in Santa Monica has no excuse.”
  — Chandresh (76:05)

important segment timestamps

• 00:00 – Why patriarchy does not hold sway in Tantra; goddess introduction
• 04:06 – The feminine’s true desire: containment and safety
• 09:16 – The feminine testing for safety, longing for depth
• 11:26 – Difference between Tantra and Hinduism
• 18:43 – The Tantric goddesses: Kali’s central role
• 21:14 – Sahara’s personal “Kali initiation” (divorce and rebirth)
• 31:28 – Matangi: self-expression for the suppressed
• 44:03 – Baglamukhi as pattern-interrupter Goddess
• 46:02 – Chinnamasta: transcending ego, avoiding spiritual narcissism
• 53:26 – Bhairavi: embodied sexuality and passionate presence
• 57:40 – Bhuvaneshwari and honoring the earth’s energy
• 61:30 – Kamakhya: sacredness of yoni and creation
• 68:55 – Lalita Tripura Sundari: abundance emerging through truth, not ego
• 71:22 – Dhumavati: detachment, widow’s path, and renunciation
• 74:03 – Deities as archetypal personifications of consciousness
• 76:05 – Lasting feminine longing for safety and containment

conclusion & integration

The episode concludes by emphasizing the cyclical, nonlinear dance with goddess energies—and how these archetypes are beyond dogma, serving as mirrors, guides, and containers for growth. Sahara invites listeners to reflect on which goddess resonates most with their current chapter, and to use the stories as springboards for soulful conversation and personal embodiment.

• "You can't get my Lalita if you can't handle my Kali" (76:35) becomes the episode’s meme-worthy, mic-drop reminder: integrating the Divine Feminine means embracing the full spectrum, shadow and all.

Connect with Chandresh

• Instagram: @cbmeditates
• Podcast: The Leela Show
• Website: cbmeditates.com

For more goddess archetypes, feminine mysticism, and embodied wisdom, subscribe to the Highest Self Podcast and connect with Sahara Rose on Instagram @iamsahararose.

This summary was crafted to capture the vibrant, wisdom-filled spirit of Sahara and Chandresh’s conversation, with all key ideas, storytelling flavor, and practical insights intact for your ongoing sacred feminine journey.