/hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPO

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INTRODUCTION TO TANTRA SASTRA

BY

S IR JO H N W O O D R O F F E
i

*
F o u rth E d itio n

P U B L IS H E R S :

GANESH & CO. (M A D R A S ) P R IV A T E L T D .

1963
1st E d it i o n 1 9 1 3
2 n d E d it i o n 1 9 5 2
3 r d E d i t io n 1 9 5 6
4 th E d itio n 1 9 6 3

G . S . P re ss, M a d ra s.
 CONTENTS

M o u n t K a ila s a 1

S iv a a n d S a k t i 4
G una 18
T h e W o rld s (L o k a s ) 24
In h a b ita n ts o f th e W o rld s 26
V a rn a 31
.& £ r a m a 32
M a c r o c o s m a n d M ic r o c o s m 34
T he A ges 36
T h e S c rip tu re s o f th e A g e s 40
T he H um an B ody 42
i
T h e T h re e T e m p e ra m e n ts 58
. G u r u a n d S is y a 65
n I n i t i a t i o n : D ik s a 68
A b h ise k a 70
Sadhana 72
W o rsh ip 74
Y oga 123
S in a n d V irtu e — K a rm a 140
F o u r A im s o f B e i n g ( D h a r m a , A r t h a , K a m a , M o k s a ) 145
i
S id d h i 152
 T h is b o o k is t h e “ I n t r o d u c t i o n ” to T h e G r e a t

L ib e ra tio n (M a h a n irv a n a T a n tra ), fre q u e n tly

r e f e r r e d to i n S i r J o h n W o o d r o f f e ’s “ P r i n c i p l e s o f

T a n t r a ” a n d h i s o t h e r w o r k s .. . . A k e y to t h e f u l l e r

u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f a l l T a n t r ik l i t e r a t u r e .
[ JhgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJI

SRI Y A N TRA
 M O U N T K A IL A S A

Th e s c e n e o f t h e r e v e l a t i o n o f M a h a n i r v a n a - T a n t r a is l a i d in
H im a la y a , th e “ A b o d e o f S n o w , ” a h o ly l^ n d w e ig h te d w ith
th e tra d itio n s o f th e A ry a n ra c e . H e re in th e s e lo fty u p ­
la n d s , e n c irc le d w ith e v e rla stin g snow s, ro se th e g re at
m o u n ta in o f th e n o rth , th e S a p ta -K u la -P a rv a ta . H e n c e th e
r a c e i t s e l f c a m e , a n d t h e r e i t s e a r l y l e g e n d s h a v e t h e i r s e t­
tin g . T h e r e a r e s t i ll s h o w n a t B h i m u d i y a r t h e c a v e s w h e r e
t h e s o n s o f P a n < jh i a n d D r a u p a d i r e s t e d , a s d i d R a m a a n d PONMLKJIHG
h is f a i t h f u l w i f e a t t h e p o i n t w h e r e t h e K o s i j o i n s t h e S i t a
m th e g ro v e o f A s o k a tre e s. In th e s e m o u n ta in s M u n is a n d
R $ is l i v e d . H e re a ls o is th e K s e tra of S iv a M ahadeva,
h e re h is s p o u s e P a rv a tl, th e d a u g h te r o f th e M o u n ta in
K o n g , w a s b o m , a n d w h e r e M o t h e r G a n g e s a ls o h a s h e r
so u rc e. F r o m t i m e i m m e m o r i a l p i l g r im s h a v e t o i l e d t h r o u g h
t h e s e m o u n t a i n s to v i s i t t h e t h r e e g r e a t s h r i n e s a t G a n g o t r i /
K e d a r n a t h , 2 a n d B a d r i n a t h .3 A t K a n g ri, fu rth e r n o rth , th e
p i l g r im s m ake th e p a rik ra m a of M ount K a il a s a (K an g
R i n p o c h e ) , w h e r e S iv a is s a i d t o d w e l l . T h i s n o b l y t o w e r i n g

1. S o u rc e o f th e G a n g e s.

2. A m a th a a n d te m p le d e d ic a te d to S r i S a d a s iv a in c h a rg e o f th e S a iv a

a s c e tic s c a lle d J a n g a m a . T h e D e v a t a i s a l s o w o r s h ip p e d a t f o u r o t h e r p l a c e s
a lo n g th e H i m a la y a n c h a i n — T u n g n a th , R u d ra n a th , M a d h m a h e sw a r, and

K a lp e £ v a r. T h e s e a n d th e firs t-n a m e d fo rm th e " P a n c h k e d a r.”

3. A c e le b ra te d te m p le d e d ic a te d to a n i n c a r n a t i o n o f t h e D e v a V i$ n u ,

w h o fro m K u rm a c a la is s a id to h a v e d e s c e n d e d in h is K u r m a fo rm . A s to

B a d a rik a s e e M a h a b h a ra ta c . 9 2 A ra n y a -p a rv a n .
2 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

peak ris e s to th e n o rth -w e s t o f th e sa cre d M a n a s a ro w a r

L a k e (M a p h a m Y u m -ts o ) fro m a m id s t th e p u rp le ra n g e s o f
t h e l o w e r K a n g r i M o u n t a i n s . T h e p a r a d i s e o f S iv a is a s u m -
m e r l a n d o f b o t h l a s t i n g s u n s h in e a n d c o o l s h a d e , m u s i c a l
w ith th e s o n g o f b ird s a n d b rig h t w ith u n d y in g f lo w e r s .
T h e a ir, s c e n te d w ith th e s w e e t fra g ra n c e o f M a n d a ra c h a p ­
l e t s , r e s o u n d s w i t h t h e m u s i c a n d s o n g o f c e le s t ia l s i n g e r s
a n d p la y e rs . T h e M o u n t is G a n a - p a r v a t a , t h r o n g e d w i t h
t r a i n s o f S p i r i ts (d e v a y o n i), o f w h ic h th e o p e n in g c h a p te r
o f M a h a n ir v a n a - T a n t r a s p e a k s .

A n d in th e re g io n s b e y o n d ris e s M o u n t M e ru , c e n tre
o f th e w o rld -lo tu s . Its h e ig h ts , p e o p le d w ith s p irits , a re
hung w ith c lu ste rs of s ta rs as w ith w re a th s of M a la ti
f lo w e r s . In s h o r t , i t is w r i tt e n : 1 “ He w ho th in k s of
H im a c a la , th o u g h he s h o u ld n o t b e h o ld h im , is g re a te r
t h a n h e w h o p e r f o r m s a l l w o r s h i p in K a s i ( B e n a r e s ) . In a
h u n d r e d a g e s o f t h e D e v a s I c o u ld n o t t e l l t h e e o f t h e g l o r i e s
o f H im a c a la . A s t h e d e w is d r i e d u p b y t h e m o r n i n g svt& .9
s o a r e t h e s in s o f m a n k i n d b y t h e s i g h t o f H i m a c a l a .”

I t is n o t , h o w e v e r , n e c e s s a r y to g o to t h e H i m a l a y a s
K a ila S a to f in d S iv a . H e d w e lls w h e re so e v e r h is w o rs h ip ­
p e r s , v e r s e d in K u l a - t a t t v a , a b i d e ,2 a n d H is m y s t i c m o u n t
to be s o u g h t in t h e t h o u s a n d - p e t a l le d lo tu s 3 (s a h a s ra ra -
padm a) in th e b o d y o f e v e ry hum an jiv a , hence c a lle d
S i v a - s th a n a , t o w h i c h a ll, w h e r e s o e v e r s i t u a t e , m a y r e p a i r
w h e n t h e y h a v e l e a r n e d h o w to a c h ie v e t h e w a y t h i t h e r .

S i v a p r o m u l g a t e s H is t e a c h i n g i n t h e w o r l d b e l o w in
th e w o rk s know n as Y a m a la , D a m a ra , S i v a - S u t r a ,4 and
in th e T a n tra s w h ic h e x is t in th e fo rm o f d ia lo g u e s b e tw e e n

1. S k a n d a -P u ra n a .
2. K u la rn a v a -T a n tra (c h a p . ix ).

3. See T rip u ra s a ra , c ite d in B h a s k a r a r a y a ’s C o m m e n ta ry on L a lita -

sa h a sra n a m a , v e rse 17. G u ro h s th a n a m h i K a ila s a m as th e Y o g in l-T a n tra
(c h a p , i) sa y s.

4. O f w h ic h t h e 6 i v a - S u t r a - V i m a r s in i i s a C o m m e n ta ry .
 3PONMLKJIHGFE
M O U N T hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
K A IL A S A

th e D e v a ta a n d h is S a k ti, th e D e v i in H e r fo rm a s P a rv a tl.
A c c o rd in g to th e G a y a t r i - T a n t r a ,1 th e D eva G ane£a firs t
p re a ch e d th e T a n tra to th e D e v a y o n i o n M o u n t K a i la s a ,
a f t e r h e h a d h i m s e l f r e c e iv e d t h e m f r o m t h e m o u t h o f S iv a .

A fte r a d e s c rip tio n o f th e m o u n ta in , th e d ia lo g u e o p e n s

w i t h a q u e s t i o n f r o m P a r v a t l 2 i n a n s w e r to w h i c h a n d t h o s e
w h i c h s u c c e e d i t , S i v a u n f o l d s H is d o c t r i n e o n t h e s u b j e c t s
w i t h w h i c h M a h a - n i r v a n a - T a n t r a d e a ls .

1. C h a p te r X.

2 As th e D evi Is h e re th e s is h y a , th is T a n tra is in th e fo rm c a lle d

A gam a
 ]

Siv a hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
a n d sa k t i
THAT e t e r n a l i m m u t a b l e e x i s te n c e w h i c h tra n s c e n d s th e
tu riy a a n d a ll o th e r s ta te s in th e u n c o n d itio n e d A b s o lu te ,
th e s u p re m e B ra h m a n o r P a ra -b ra h m a n , w ith o u t P ra k rti
(n is k a la ) o r H e r a t t r ib u t e s (n ir-g u n a ), w h ic h , a s b e in g
th e in n e r s e lf a n d k n o w in g s u b je c t, c a n n e v e r b e th e o b je c t
o f c o g n itio n , a n d is to b e a p p r e h e n d e d o n l y t h r o u g h y o g a
b y t h e r e a li z a t i o n o f t h e S e l f ( a t m a - j n a n a ) , w h i c h I t is . F o r
a s i t is s a id , “ S p i r i t c a n a l o n e k n o w S p i r i t . ” B e in g b e y o n d
m in d , s p e e c h , a n d w i th o u t n a m e , t h e B r a h m a n w a s c a l l e d
“ T a t ,” “ T h a t ,” a n d t h e n “ T a t S a t ,” “ T h a t w h i c h i s .” PON
For
th e s u n , m o o n , a n d s ta rs , a n d a ll v is ib le th in g s , w h a t a re -
t h e y b u t a g lim p s e o f l i g h t c a u g h t f r o m “ T h a t” ( T a t) ?

B r a h m a n is b o t h n i s k a l a a n d s a k a l a . K a la i s P r a k j.r 'ti
The n is k a la -B ra h m a n or P a ra - b ra h m a n is th e T at
w hen th o u g h t o f a s w ith o u t P ra k rti (P ra k rte ra n y a ). 'h
is c a lle d s a k a la w h e n w i t h P r a k r t i. 1 A s th e s u b sta n c e
P r a k r t i is t h e t h r e e g u n a s I t is t h e n 6 a - g u n a , as in th e
p re v io u s s ta te I t w a s n ir-g u n a . T h o u g h i n t h e l a t t e r s t a te
I t is t h o u g h t o f a s w i th o u t S a k t i , y e t (m a k in g a c c o m m o ­
d a t i o n t o h u m a n s p e e c h ) i n I t p o t e n t i a ll y e x i s ts S a k t i , I t s
p o w e r a n d th e w h o le u n iv e rs e p ro d u c e d b y It. To say,
h o w e v e r, th a t th e S a k ti e x is ts in th e B ra h m a n is b u t a
fo rm o f s p e e c h , s i n c e I t a n d S a k t i a r e , i n f a c t, o n e , a n d
S a k t i is e t e r n a l ( A n a d i - r u p a ) .2 S h e is B r a h m a - r u p a a n d

1. S a r a d a - t i la k a (c h a p , i), a n d c h a p , i o f S a k ta n a n d a -ta ra n g in i (“W av es

o f B l is s fo r S a k ta s” ) , b o th T a n trik a w o rk s of g re a t a u th o rity .

2. P ra n a m y a p r a k r t im n ity a m p a ra m a tm a -s v a ru p in im (lo c . c it. S a k ta -

n a n d a -ta ra n g in i).
 5
S IV A hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
AND SAK TI

b o th v ig u n a (n ir-g u n a ) a n d s a - g u n a ; t h e C a it a n y a r u p i n i-
D e v I, w h o m a n ife sts a ll b h u ta . S h e is th e A n a n d a ru p in i-
D e v I , b y w h o m t h e B r a h m a n m a n i f e s t s I t s e l f ,1 a n d w h o , to
u s e th e w o rd s o f th e S a ra d a , p e rv a d e s th e u n iv e rs e a s d o e s
o il t h e s e s a m u m s e e d .

I n t h e b e g i n n in g t h e N i s k a l a - B r a h m a n a lo n e e x is te d .
In th e b e g in n in g th e re w a s th e O n e . I t w ille d a n d b e c a m e
m any. A h a m -b a h u -sy a m — “ m a y I b e m a n y . ” In such
m a n i f e s t a t i o n o f S a k t i t h e B r a h m a n is k n o w n a s t h e l o w e r
(a p ara ) o r m a n ife s te d B ra h m a n , w h o , a s, th e s u b je c t o f
w o r s h i p , is m e d i t a t e d u p o n w i t h a t t r i b u t e s . A n d , in fa c t,
to th e m in d a n d s e n s e o f th e e m b o d ie d s p irit (jiv a ) th e
B ra h m a n h a s b o d y a n d fo rm . I t is e m b o d i e d i n t h e f o r m s
o f a ll D e v a s a n d D e v is , a n d in th e w o rs h ip p e r h im s e lf.
Its fo rm is t h a t o f t h e u n i v e r s e , and of a ll th in g s and
b e in g s th e re in .

A s S ru ti sa y s : “ H e saw ” (S a a ik s a ta , aham bahu

syam p ra ja y e y a ). He th o u g h t to H im s e lf “ M ay I be
m any. ” “S a a ik s h a ta ” w as i t s e lf a m a n ife s ta tio n of
S a k ti, th e P a ra m a p u rv a -n irv a n a -S a k ti, or B rah m a n as
S a k t i .2 F ro m th e B ra h m a n , w ith S a k ti (P a ra £ a k ti-
m aya) is s u e d N ada (S iv a -S a k ti as th e “ W o rd ” or
“ S o u n d ” ) , a n d fro m N a d a , B in d u a p p e a re d . K a li c h a r a n a 3
in h is c o m m e n ta ry on th e S a tc a k ra -n iru p a n a says th a t
S iv a and N irv a n a - S a k ti bound by a m a y ik bond and
c o v e rin g , s h o u ld b e th o u g h t o f a s e x istin g in th e fo rm of
P a ra m B in d u .

The S a rad a 4 says : S a c c id a n a n d a - v ib h a v a t s a k a la t

p a ram e sv a ra t a s lc c h a k t i s t a t o nado, nadad b in d u -s a m u d -
bhavah. (“F ro m P a r a m e S v a r a v e s t e d w i t h t h e w e a l th o f

1. K u b jik a -T a n tra , 1 s t P a ta la .

2. S a t - c a k r a - n ir u p a n a . C o m m e n ta ry on v e rse 49, “S e rp e n t P o w e r” .
3. I b i d ., v e r s e 3 7 .

4. S a r a d a - ti l a k a (c h a p i).
6 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

S a c c id a n a n d a and w ith P ra k rti (s a k a la ) is s u e d S a k ti ;

fro m S a k ti c a m e N a d a a n d fro m N a d a w a s b o m B in d u ” ).
T h e s t a te o f s u b t l e b o d y w h i c h is k n o w n a s K a m a - k a l a is
th e m u la o f m a n tra . T h e te rm m u la -m a n tra tm ik a , w h e n
a p p lie d to th e D e v i, r e f e r s to th is s u b tle body o f H e rs
k n o w n a s t h e K a m a - k a l a .1 T h e T a n t r a a ls o s p e a k s o f t h r e e
B in d u s , n a m e ly , S iv a -m a y a , S a k t i- m a y a , and S iv a -S a k ti-
m a y a .2

T h e p a r a m - b i n d u is r e p r e s e n t e d a s a c ir c le , t h e c e n t r e
o f w h i c h is t h e b r a h m a - p a d a , o r p l a c e o f B r a h m a n , w h e r e ­
in a re P r a k r t i- P u r u s a , th e c irc u m fe re n c e of w h ic h is
e n c irc lin g m a y a .3 It is on th e c resc en t of n irv a n a -k a la
t h e s e v e n t e e n t h , w h i c h is a g a i n i n t h a t o f a m a - k a l a , t h e
s ix te e n th d ig it (re fe rre d to in th e te x t) o f th e m o o n -c irc le
( C a n d r a - m a n d a l a ) , w h i c h c i r c l e is s i t u a t e a b o v e t h e S u n -
C ir c le ( S u r y a - m a n d a l a ) , t h e G u r u a n d t h e h a m s a h , w h i c h
a re in th e p e ric a rp o f th e th o u s a n d -p e ta lle d lo tu s (s a h a s ra ra -
p a d m a ). N ext to th e B in d u is th e fie ry B o d h in I, or
N ib o d h ik a (v . p o s t). T h e B in d u , w ith th e N irv a n a -k a la ,
N ib o d h ik a , a n d A m a - k a l a , a r e s i t u a t e d i n t h e l i g h t n i n g - l i k e
in v e rte d tria n g le 4 k n o w n a s “ A , K a , T h a , ” a n d w h ic h 5s
s o c a lle d b e c a u s e a t i t s a p e x is A ; a t i t s r i g h t b a s e is K a ;
a n d a t its le ft b a s e T h a . I t is m a d e u p o f f o r t y - e i g h t l e t te r s
(m a trk a ): th e s i x te e n v o w e ls ru n n in g fro m A to Ka ;
s ix te e n c o n s o n a n ts o f th e k a v a rg a a n d o th e r g ro u p s ru n n in g
f r o m K a to T h a ; a n d t h e r e m a i n i n g s i x t e e n f r o m T h a t o A .

1. S e e B h a s k a r a r a y a ’s C o m m e n t a r y on th e L a lita s a h a s ra n a m a , v e rs e 3 6 .

• 2. P r a n a - to ? i n i , (p . 8 ).

3. M a y a b a n d h a n a c c h a d ita p ra k rtip u ru s a p a ra m b in d u h , C o m m e n ta ry to
v e rs e 4 9 o f th e S a t-c a k ra -n iru p a n a .

4. T h e D e v l-P u ra n a s a y s t h a t K u n d a l i n i is so c a lle d because She has

th e S rin g a ta k a o r tria n g le fo rm , th e th re e a n g le s b e in g th e ic c h a , jn a n a and

k r i y a - J § a k t is (se e a ls o Y o g i n l- h r i d a y a ) .
 6 1 V A hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
AND SAK TI 1

In s id e a re th e re m a in in g le tte rs ( m a tr k a ) , h a , la (s e c o n d ),
a n d k s a .1 A s th e s u b s ta n c e o f D e v i is m a trk a (m a trk a -
m a y i) th e tria n g le re p re s e n ts th e “ W o rd ” o f a ll th a t e x is ts .
T h e t r i a n g l e is i t s e l f e n c i r c l e d b y t h e C a n d r a - m a n d a l a . T h e
B i n d u i s s y m b o l ic a l l y d e s c r ib e d a s b e in g lik e a g ra in of
g ra m ( c a n a k a ) , w h i c h u n d e r i t s e n c i r c li n g s h e a t h c o n t a i n s
a d iv id e d seed. T h is P a ra m -b in d u is p ra k rti-P u ru s a ,
S i v a - S a k t i .2 It is know n as th e S a b d a -B ra h m a n (th e
S o u n d B r a h m a n ) , o r A p a r a - b r a h m a n .3 A p o la riz a tio n o f
th e tw o S iv a a n d S a k ti - T a ttv a s th e n ta k e s p la c e in P a ra -
s a k ti-m a y a . T h e D e v i b e c o m e s U n m u k h i. H e r fa c e tu rn s
to w a rd s S iv a . T h e re is an u n fo ld in g w h ic h b u rs ts th e
e n c irc lin g s h e ll o f M a y a , a n d c re a tio n th e n ta k e s p la c e b y
d iv is io n of S iv a and S a k ti o r o f “ H am ” and “ Sah. ”4
The S a rad a s a y s ': “ T h e D e v a ta -p a ra s a k ti-m a y a is a g a in
i t s e l f d i v i d e d , s u c h d i v i s io n s b e i n g k n o w n a s B i n d u , B i j a ,
a n d N a d a .5 B i n d u is o f t h e n a t u r e o f N a d a o f S i v a , a n d
o f S a k ti, a n d N a d a h a s b e e n s a id to b e th e re la tio n
th e s e tw o b y th o s e w h o a re v e rs e d in a ll th e A g a m a s . ” 6
S a rad a says th a t b e fo re th e b u rs tin g of th e s h e ll
• ^ .c lo s in g t h e B r a h m a - p a d a , w h i c h , t o g e t h e r w i t h i t s d e f in -
c irc u m fe re n c e , c o n s titu te s th e S a b d a -b ra h m a n , an

1. § a t-c a k ra -n iru p a n a .

2. $ a t-c a k ra -n iru p a n a , C o m m e n ta ry , v e rs e 49.

3. S a r a d a - t i la k a , (c h a p , i):

B h i d y a m a n a t p a r a d b i n d o r a v y a k t a tm a r a v o ’b h a v a t .

S a b d a -b ra h m e ti ta rn p ra h u h .

“F ro m th e u x o f o ld in g P a ra m b in d u a ro se an in d is tin c t s o u n d . T h is b in d u is

c a lle d th e S a b d a - b r a h m a n .”

4. S a t - c a k r a - n ir u p a n a , v e r s e 49.

5. T h a t is , t h e s e a r e t h r e e d iffe re n t a s p e c ts o f It.

6. C h a p te r I :

P a ra sa k tim a y a h s a k s a l trid h a sa u b h id y a te punah.

P in d u rn a d o b ija m iti ta s y a bhedah s a m l r it a h .

B i n d u b S i v a tm a k o b ija m S a k ti r n a d a s t a y o r m i t h a h .

Sam avayah s a m a k h y a ta h s a rv a g a -m a v isa ra d a ih .

8 in t r o d u c t io n hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDC
t o t an t r a sast r a
in d istin c t sound a ro se (a v y a k ta tm a -ra v o ’ b h a v a t). T h is
a v y a k t a n a d a is b o t h t h e f i r s t a n d t h e l a s t s t a t e o f N a d a ,
a c c o r d i n g a s i t is v i e w e d f r o m t h e s t a n d p o i n t o f e v o l u t i o n
o r in v o lu tio n . F o r N a d a , a s R a g h a v a -b h a tta 1 s a y s , e x is ts
in th re e s ta te s . In N a d a a re th e g u n a s (s a ttv a , ra ja s, a n d
ta m a s ), w h ic h fo rm th e s u b s ta n c e of P r a k r t i, w h ic h
w ith S iv a It is . W hen ta m o -g u n a p re d o m in a te s N ada
is m e r e l y a n i n d i s t in c t o r u n m a n i f e s t e d ( d h v a n y a t m a k o ’-
v y a k ta n a d a h 2) sound in th e n a tu re of d h v a n i. In th is
s t a t e , i n w h i c h i t is a p h a s e o f A v y a k t a - n a d a , i t is c a l l e d
N ib o d h ik a , o r B o d h in i. I t is N a d a w h e n r a j o - g u n a is in
t h e a s c e n d a n t , w h e n t h e r e is a s o u n d in w h ic h th e re is
s o m e th in g lik e a c o n n e c te d o r c o m b in e d d is p o s itio n o f th e
l e t t e r s .3 W hen th e s a ttv a -g u n a p re p o n d e ra te s N ada as­
s u m e s t h e f o r m o f B i n d u .4 T h e a c tio n o f ra ja s o n ta m a s
is to v e il. I t s o w n i n d e p e n d e n t a c t i o n e f f e c ts a n a r r a n g e ­
m e n t w h i c h is o n l y p e rfe c te d by th e e m e rg e n c e of PON
th e
e s s e n tia lly m a n ife s tin g s a t t v ik a - g u n a s e t in to p la y by a t,
N a d a , B i n d u , a n d N i b o d h i k a , a n d t h e S a k t i , o f w h i c h fc fo & y
a r e t h e s p e c ific m a n i f e s t a t i o n , a r e s a i d to b e i n t h e
of Sun, M oon, and F ire r e s p e c t i v e l y .5 Jnana (s p irite d
w is d o m 6 ) is s p o k e n o f a s f ir e a s i t b u r n s u p a l l a c t i o n s , & 2id
t h e t a m o - g u n a is a s s o c i a t e d w i t h it. F o r w h e n t h e e f f e ’fc
o f c a u s e a n d e f f e c t o f a c t i o n a r e r e a l l y k n o w n , t h e n a c tk r iA

1. S e e C o m m e n ta ry o n v e rs e 4 8 o f th e $ a t-e a k ra -n iru p a n a .

2. T a m o -g u n a d h ik y e n a k e v a l a - d h v a n y a t m a k o ’v y a k t a - n a d a h . A v y a k ta is
l i t . u n s p o k e n , h i d d e n , u n m a n i f e s t , e tc .

3. R a j a ’a d h i k y e n a k im c id v a rn a -b a d d h a -n y a s a tm a k a h .

4. S a ttv a d h ik y e n a b in d u ru p a h .

5. T a ta s c a n a d a - b in d u - n i b o d h ik a h a rk e n d u v a h n iru p a h ($ a t-c a k ra ,
v e rs e 4 9 n o te ). S e e a ls o th e S a r a d a (c h a p , i) , w h ic h s a y s te ( t h a t is , R a u d r i ,

J y e s th a , a n d V a rn a ) j n a n e c c h a k r i y a t m a n o v a h n l n d v a r k a - s v a r u p in a h .

6. Jnana is th a t k n o w le d g e w h ic h g iv e s lib e ra tio n . A ll o th e r know ­

le d g e is c a lle d v ijn a n a .
 A lV A A N D S A K T l 9 PONMLKJIHGF

ceases. I c h c h h a is t h e M oon. The m oon c o n ta in s th e

s ix te e n th d ig it, th e A m a -k a la w ith its n e c ta r, w h ic h n e i­
th e r in c re a s e s n o r d e c a y s , a n d Ic h c h h a o r w ill is t h e e t e r ­
n a l p re c u rs o r o f c re a tio n . K r i y a is l i k e S u n , f o r a s t h e
S u n b y its lig h t m a k e s a ll th in g s v is ib le , s o u n le s s th e r e
is a c t i o n a n d s t r iv i n g t h e r e c a n n o t b e r e a l i z a t i o n o r m a n i ­
fe s ta tio n . A s th e G ita s a y s: “ A s o n e S u n m a k e s m a n ife s t
a l l t h e l o k a .”

The S a b d a -B ra h m a n m a n ife sts Its e lf in a tria d

of e n e rg ie s — k n o w le d g e (jn a n a & a k ti), w ill (ic c h a -£ a k ti),
a n d a c tio n ( k r iy a - s a k ti), a s so c ia te d w ith th e th re e g u n a s
o f P ra k rti, ta m a s , s a t tv a , and ra ja s. F ro m th e P a ram
B in d u , w ho is b o th b in d v a tm a k a and k a l a t m a — i.e .,
S a k t i— i s s u e d R a u d r i , R u d r a and h is S a k ti, w h o s e fo rm s
a r e F i r e ( v a h n i ) , a n d w h o s e a c t i v i t y is k n o w l e d g e ( j n a n a ) ;
V a rn a a n d V is n u and h is S a k ti, w h o s e fo rm is t h e S u n
a n d w h o s e a c tiv ity is K riy a ( a c ti o n ) : and J y e sth a and
B r a h m a a n d h i s S a k t i , w h o s e f o r m is t h e M o o n , a n d w h o s e
A c tiv ity is d e s ire . The V a m a k e s v a ra -T a n tra says th a t
T d - p u r a is t h r e e f o l d , a s B r a h m a , V i s n u , a n d I s a ; a n d as
th .u e n e r g i e s d e s i r e , w i s d o m , a n d a c t i o n ;1 t h e e n e r g y o f w i l l
w h e n B r a h m a n w o u l d c r e a te ; t h e e n e r g y o f w i s d o m w hen
S h e r e m i n d s H im , s a y i n g “ L e t th is b e th u s ” ; a n d w h e n ,
th u s k n o w in g , He a c ts , She becom es th e e n e rg y of
a c tio n . The D evi is th u s I c c h a - s a k t i - j n a n a - s a k t i - k r iy a -
£ a k t i s v a r u p i n i2

P a r a - S i v a e x i s ts a s a s e p t e n a r y u n d e r t h e f o r m , f i r s t l y ,
of Sam bhu, w ho is t h e a s s o c i a t e o f t i m e (K a la -b a n d h u ).
F ro m H im is s u e s S a d a -S iv a , W h o p e rv a d e s a n d m a n ife s ts
a ll th in g s , a n d th e n com e Isa n a a n d th e tria d , R u d ra,
V is n u and B ra h m a , each w ith th e ir re s p e c tiv e S a k tis

1. S e e P r a n a -t o s i n i (p p . 8 , 9 ). G o ra k s h a S a n g h ita a n d B h u ta -s h u d d h i-
T a n tr a . S e e a ls o Y o g in l-T a n tr a , P a r t I , c h a p . x .

2. L a lita , v e rs e 130 (se e B h a s k a ra r a y a ’s C o m m e n ta r y ).

2
10 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

( w i t h o u t w h o m t h e y a v a i l n o t h i n g 1 ) s e p a r a t e l y a n d p a r t i­
c u la rly a s so c ia te d w ith th e g u n a s , ta m a s , s a ttv a a n d ra ja s.
O f t h e s e D e v a s , - th e l a s t t r i a d , to g e th e r w ith I£ a n a and
S a d a - £ iv a , a r e t h e f iv e S i v a s w h o a r e c o l l e c t i v e l y k n o w n
a s t h e M a h a - p r e t a , w h o s e b i j a is “ H s a u h .” O f th e M a h a -
p r e t a , i t is s a i d t h a t t h e l a s t f o u r f o r m t h e s u p p o r t a n d t h e
f i f th t h e s e a t , o f t h e b e d o n w h i c h t h e D e v i is u n i t e d w i t h
’

P a ra m a -s iv a , in th e ro o m of c in ta m a n i s t o n e ;2 on th e
je w e lle d is la n d c la d w ith c lu m p s o f k a d a m b a a n d h e a v e n ly
!
t r e e s s e t i n t h e o c e a n o f A m b r o s i a .3

S i v a is v a r i o u s l y a d d r e s s e d i n t h i s w o r k a s S a m b h u ,
S a d a - § iv a , S a m k a ra , M a h e s v a r a , e tc ., nam es w h ic h in d i­
c a te p a rtic u la r s ta te s, q u a litie s and m a n ife s ta tio n s of
th e O n e in its d e s c e n t to w a rd s th e m a n y ; fo r th e re a re
m any R u d ra s. Thus S a d a - S iv a in d ic a te s th e p re d o m i­
i
n a n c e o f t h e s a t tv a - g u n a . H is n a m e s a r e m a n y , 1 ,0 0 8 b e if tg
g iv e n in th e s ix ty -n in th c h a p te r o f th e S iv a -P u ra n a
in th e s e v e n te e n th c h a p te r o f th e A n u s a sa n a -P a rv a n o f fe e
M a h a b h a r a t a .4
i
S a k ti is b o th m a y a , th a t by w h ic h th e B rah m a
c r e a t i n g t h e u n i v e r s e is a b l e to m a k e I t s e l f a p p e a r t o bz.

1. A nd so th e K u b jik a -T a n tra (c h a p , i) say s: “N ot B ra h m a , V i$ $ u ,

R u d r a c r e a t e , m a i n t a in , o r d e s t r o y ; b u t B r a h m i, V a i s h n a v i , R u d r a n i . T h e ir

h u s b a n d s a r e b u t a s d e a d b o d i e s .”

2. T h e “ s to n e w h ic h g ra n ts a ll d e s ire s ” is d e s c rib e d in th e R u d ra y fim a la

a n d B r a h m a n d a - P u r ik n a . I t i s t h e p l a c e o f o r i g in o f a l l t h o s e M a n t r a s w h i c h

b e s to w a ll d e s ire d o b je c ts ( c i n ti t a ) .

3. See A n a n d a la h a ri of S a m k a ra c h a ry a , (v e rse 8 ), and R u d ra y a m a la .

A c c o rd in g to th e B a h u ru p a s ta k a a n d B h a ira v a y a m a la , th e b e d i s & iv a , t h e

p i l l o w M a h e s a n a , t h e m a t t i n g S a d a s iv a , a n d t h e f o u r s u p p o r t s B r a h m a , H a r i ,

R u d ra , and Isa h a . H ence D evi is c a lle d P a n c h a -p re ta -m a n c a d h is a y in i

(v e rse 1 7 4 , L a l i ta s a h a s r a n a m a ) .

4. See a ls o th e A g n i, P a d m a , B h a v i$ y o tta ra , V a ra h a , K u rm a , V am ana

P u ra n a s, and in p a rtic u la r, th e L in g a and th e K a s ik h a n d a of th e Skanda

P u ra n a.
 4 lV A hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
AND & AKTI 11

d i f f e r e n t f r o m w h a t I t r e a l l y i s ,1 a n d m u l a - p r a k r t i , o r t h e
u n m a n ife ste d (a v y a k ta ) s t a t e o f t h a t w h i c h , w h e n m a n i­
f e s t, is t h e u n i v e r s e o f n a m e a n d f o r m . I t is t h e p r i m a r y
s o -c a lle d “ m a t e r i a l c a u s e ,” c o n s is t i n g o f th e e q u ip o is e of
th e tria d of guna o r “ q u a litie s” w h ic h a re s a ttv a (th a t
w h ic h m a n ife s ts ) r a ja s ( th a t w h ic h a c ts ), ta m a s ( th a t w h ic h
v e ils and p ro d u c e s in e rtia ). The th re e gunas re p re sen t
N a t u r e a s t h e r e v e l a ti o n o f s p irit, N a tu re a s th e p a s s a g e
o f d e s c e n t fro m s p irit to m a tte r, o r o f a s c e n t fro m m a tte r
to s p i r i t a n d N a t u r e as th e d en se v e il of s p i r i t .2 The
D evi is th u s g u n a - n i d h i3 (tre a s u re -h o u s e of g u n a” ).
M u l a - p r a k r t i is t h e w o m b in to w h ic h B ra h m a n c a s ts th e
se e d fro m w h ic h a l l t h i n g s a r e b o r n .4 The w om b th rills
to t h e m o v e m e n t o f t h e e s s e n t i a l ly a c t i v e r a j o - g u n a . The
e q u il i b r i u m o f th e tria d is d e s t r o y e d and th e g u n a , n o w
in v a rie d c o m b i n a t io n s , e v o l v e u n d e r t h e i l l u m i n a t i o n of
S iv a (c it), th e u n iv e rs e w h ic h is ru le d by M a h e sv a ra
and M a h e sv a ri. The d u a l p r i n c ip l e s o f S iv a and S a k ti,
w h ic h a re in s u c h d u a l fo rm , th e p ro d u c t o f th e p o la rity
m a n ife s te d in P a ra sa k ti-m a y a , p e rv a d e th e w h o le u n iv e rse
and a re p r e s e n t in m an in th e S v a y a m b h u -L in g a of
th e m u la d h a ra and th e D e v i K u n d a lin I, w h o , in se rp e n t
to rm , e n c irc le s it. The S a b d a -B ra h m a n assum es in th e
b o d y o f m a n th e fo rm o f th e D e v i K u n d a lin I, a n d a s s u c h
is i n a l l p r a n i (b re a th in g c re a tu re s ) a n d in th e s h a p e o f
l e t te r s a p p e a r s in p r o s e a n d v e r s e . K u n d a l a m e a n s c o ile d .

1. T h e D ev i P u ra n a (c h a p , x iv ), s p e a k in g o f th is p o w e r o f th e S u p re m e ,

say s: " T h a t w h ic h is o f v a rio u s c a u s e a n d e ffe c t; th e g iv e r o f u n th o u g h t- o f

f r u it w h ic h in th is w o rld s e e m s lik e m a g ic o r a d re a m ; th a t is c a lle d m a y a ” ;

V ic itra -k a ry a k a ra n a c in tita p h a la p ra d a

S v a p n e n d r a j a l a v a l lo k e m aya te n a p r a k i r t it a .

2. S ee p o st su b voc, "G u n a”.

3. L a l it a - s a h a s r a - n a m a , (v e rse 1 2 1 ). F o r th o u g h th e g u n a s a r e s p e c i f i­

c a lly th re e th e y have e n d le s s m o d ific a tio n s .

4. B h a g a v a d - g l ta , (c h a p . x iv ).
12 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

H e n c e K u n d a lin i, w h o s e fo rm is t h a t o f a c o ile d s e r p e n t ,
m e a n s t h a t w h i c h is c o ile d . S h e is t h e l u m i n o u s v i t a l
e n e r g y ( j i v a - s a k t i ) w h i c h m a n i f e s t s a s p r a n a , S h e s le e p s
i n t h e m u l a d h a r a a n d h a s t h r e e a n d a h a l f c o ils c o r r e s ­
p o n d in g in n u m b e r w ith th e th re e a n d a h a lf b in d u s o f
w h ic h th e K u b jik a -T a n tra s p e a k s . W h e n a f t e r c lo s in g t h e
e a r s t h e s o u n d o f H e r h i s s i n g is n o t h e a r d d e a t h a p p r o a c h e s .

F ro m th e firs t a v y a k ta c re a tio n is s u e d th e second

m a h a t , w i t h i t s t h r e e g u n a s d i s ti n c t ly m a n i f e s t e d . T hence
s p ru n g th e th ird c re a tio n a h a m k a ra ( s e l f h o o d ) , w h i c h is
o f th re e fo ld fo rm — v a ik a rik a , o r p u re s a ttv ik a a h a m k a ra ;
th e ta ija sa , or ra ja s ik a a h a m k a ra ; and th e ta m a sik a
o r b h u ta d ik a a h a m k a ra . T h e l a t te r is t h e o r i g i n o f th e
s u b tle e s s e n c e s (ta n -m a tra ) o f t h e T a t t v a s , e t h e r , a i r , f ir e
w a te r, e a rth , a s s o c ia te d w ith sound, to u c h , s ig h t, ta ste ,
a n d s m e ll, a n d w i t h t h e c o l o u r s — p u r e t r a n s p a r e n c y , S y a m a ,
r e d , w h i t e , a n d y e llo w . T h e r e is s o m e d i f f e r e n c e i n th e
s c h o o ls a s to t h a t w h i c h e a c h o f t h e t h r e e f o r m s p r o d u c e s
but fro m such th re e fo ld fo rm of A h a m k ara is s u e th e
In d riy a ( “ s e n s e s ” ) , a n d t h e D e v a s D ik , V a t a , A r k a , P r a -
c e ta s , V a h n i , In d ra , U p e n d ra , M itra , and th e A s h v ir ts .
T h e v a i k a r i k a , t a i j a s a , a n d b h u t a d i k a a r e t h e f o u r t h , f if th ,
a n d s ix th c re a tio n s , w h ic h a re k n o w n a s p ra k rita , o r a p p e r­
t a i n in g t o P r a k r t i . T h e re s t, w h ic h a re p ro d u c ts o f th e s e ,
s u c h a s th e v e g e ta b le w o rld w ith its u p w a rd life c u rre n t,
a n im a ls w ith h o riz o n ta l life c u rre n t a n d b h u ta , p r e ta a n d
t h e lik e , w h o s e lif e c u r r e n t t e n d s d o w n w a r d , c o n s t it u t e t h e
v a ik rta c re a tio n , th e tw o b e in g know n as th e k a u m a ra
c re a tio n .

T h e G o d d e s s ( D e v i ) is t h e g r e a t S a k t i . S h e is M a y a
f o r o f H e r t h e m a y a w h i c h p r o d u c e s t h e s a m s a r a is . As
L o r d o f m a y a S h e is M a h a m a y a .1 D e v i is a - v i d y a ( n e s c i e n c e )

1 . M a h a m a y a w ith o u t m a y a is n ir-g n n a ; and w ith m aya S a -g u n a ;

S h a k t a n a n d a t a r a n g i n i . C h a p . i.
 £ IV A hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
AN D SAK T1 13

because She b in d s and v id y a (k n o w le d g e ) b e c a u s e She

l i b e r a t e s a n d d e s t r o y s t h e s a m s a r a .1 S h e i s P r a k r t i ,2 a n d
a s e x i s t i n g b e f o r e c r e a t i o n is t h e A d y a ( p r i m o r d i a l ) S a k t i .
D evi is th e v a c a k a -£ a k ti, th e m a n ife s ta tio n of C it in
P ra k rti, a n d th e v a c h y a -£ a k ti, or C it its e lf. The A tm a
s h o u ld b e c o n te m p la te d a s D e v i .3 S a k ti o r D e v i is th u s
th e B ra h m a n re v e a le d in Its m o th e r a s p e c t (S ri-m a ta )4 a s
C re a trix a n d N o u rish e r o f th e w o rld s . K a li s a y s o f H e rse lf
in Y o g in i-T a n tra 5 : “ S a c c id a n a n d a -ru p a h a m b ra h m a i-
vaham s p h u r a t - p r a b h a m .” S o t h e D e v i i s d e s c r ib e d w i t h
a ttrib u te s b o th o f th e q u a lifie d 6 B ra h m a n ' a n d (s in c e th a t
B r a h m a n i s b u t t h e m a n i f e s t a ti o n o f t h e A b s o l u t e ) S h e is
a ls o a d d r e s s e d w i t h e p i t h e t s , w h i c h d e n o t e t h e u n c o n d i t i o n ­
e d B r a h m a n .7 S h e is th e g re a t M o th e r (A m b ik a ) sp ru n g
f r o m t h e s a c r i f i c i a l h e a r th o f t h e f i r e o f t h e G r a n d c o n s c i o u s ­
n e s s ( c it); d e c k e d w ith th e S u n a n d M o o n ; L a lita , “ S h e w h o
p l a y s ” ; w h o s e p l a y is w o r l d - p l a y ; w h o s e e y e s p l a y in g l i k e
n :;h i n t h e b e a u t e o u s w a te r s o f h e r D i v i n e f a c e , o p e n a n d
w ith th e a p p e a ra n c e a n d d is a p p e a ra n c e o f c o u n tle ss
w o rld s n o w illu m in a te d b y h e r lig h t, n o w w ra p p e d in h e r
: c~rvi b le d a r k n e s s .8

T h e D e v i , a s P a r a - b r a h m a n , is b e y o n d a ll fo rm and
T h e fo rm s o f th e M o th e r of th e U n iv e rs e a re

1. 6 a k ta n a n d a -ta ra n g in i, (c h a p . i).

2. B ra h m a -v a iv a rta . P u ra n a (c h a p . i). P ra k ritik h a n d a , N a ra d ly a -

P u ra n a .

3. S e e c h a p , ii, o f D e v l - b h a g a v a t a .

4. D e v i i s w o r s h ip p e d o n a c c o u n t o f H e r s o f t h e a r t: ( k o m a la n t a h k a r a -

n a m ). S a k ta n a n d a - t a r a n g i n i (c h a p . iii).
5. P a r t I , C h a p te r X .

6. Such as M ukunda an aspect of V is h n u , L a lita -s a h a s ra -n a m a ,

v e rse 838.

7. I b i d ., v e r s e 1 5 3 , a n d C o m m e n ta t o r ’s n o t e t o C h a p te r I I w h e r e D e v i is

a d d re s s e d a s S u p re m e L ig h t ( p a r a m - j y o t ih ) , S u p r e m e A b o d e (p a ra m d h a m a ),

S u p rem e o f S u p re m e ( p a r a tp a r a ) .

8. See th e L a lita -s a h a s ra -n a m a ,
14 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA £ASTRA

th r e e fo ld . T h e re is firs t th e S u p re m e (p a ra ) fo rm , of
1 “ n o n e k n o w .” T h e re
w h ic h , as th e V is n u -y a m a la say s,
is next her s u b tle (su k sm a ) fo rm , w h ic h c o n s is ts of
m a n tra . B u t a s t h e m i n d c a n n o t e a s ily s e t t l e i t s e l f u p o n
t h a t w h i c h is f o r m l e s s ,2 S h e a p p ea rs as th e s u b je c t of
c o n te m p la tio n in H e r th ird , o r g ro s s ( s th u la ) , o r p h y s ic a l
fo rm , w ith h a n d s and fe et a n d th e lik e a s c e le b ra te d in
th e D e v i-s to tra o f th e P u ra n a s a n d T a n tra s. D e v i, w h o
a s P r a k r t i is th e s o u rc e of B ra h m a , V is n u , and M ahe-
S v a r a ,3 h a s b o t h m a l e and fe m a le f o r m s .4 B ut it is in
H e r f e m a le f o r m s t h a t s h e is c h ie f ly c o n te m p la te d . For
th o u g h e x is tin g in a l l t h i n g s , in a p e c u lia r s e n se fe m a le
!
b e in g s a r e p a r t s o f H e r .5 T h e G re a t M o th e r, w h o e x is ts
in t h e f o r m o f a l l T a n tra s a n d a ll Y a n t r a s ,6 is , as th e
L a lita says, th e “ u n s u llie d tre a s u re -h o u s e of b e a u ty ” ;
t h e S a p p h ir e D e v i,7 w h o s e s l e n d e r w a is t ,8 b e n d i n g b e n e a t h

1. M a ta s tv a t-p a ra m -ru p a m ta n n a ja n a ti kashchana (se e chap. 5*3. of

S a k t a n a n d a - t a r a n g in i ) .

2. A m u rta u c it-s th rio na s y a t ta to m u rttim v ic in ta y e t (ib id , c h a p as

w a s e x p la in e d to H im a v a t b y D e v i in th e K u rm a P u rin a ).

3. I b i d ., a n d a s s u c h is c a l l e d T r i p u r a ( s e e B h a s k a r a r a y a ’s C o m m e r - i a r y
on L a l it a , v e rse 1 2 5 ).

4. I b i d ., c h a p , i i i , w h i c h a l s o s a y s t h a t t h e r e is n o e u n u c h f o r m o f C o d .

5. So in th e C handi (M a rk a n d e y a -P u ra n a ) it is s a id :

V id y a h s a m a s ta s ta v a d e v l b h e d a h

S t r iy a h s a m a s ta h s a k a la ja g a ts u .

See a u t h o r ’s “H ym ns to th e G o d d ess”. The T a n t r ik a m o re th a n a ll m en,

re c o g n is e s th e d iv in ity of w om an, as w as o b se rv e d c e n tu rie s past b y th e
A u t h o r o f t h e D a b i s ta n . T h e L i n g a - P u r a n a a l s o a f t e r d e s c r i b i n g A r u n d h a t i,
A nasuya, an d S h a c h i t o b e e a c h t h e m a n i f e s ta t i o n o f D e v i , c o n c l u d e s : “ A ll
t h i n g s i n d i c a t e d b y w o r d s i n t h e f e m i n in e g e n d e r a r e m a n i f e s t a t i o n s o f D e v i .”
S i m i l a r ly t h e B r a h m a - v a i v a r t a P u r a n a .

6. S a rv a -ta n tra -ru p a ; S a r v a - y a n t r a tm i k a (se e L a l it a , v e rse s 2 0 5 -6 ).

7. P a d m a-p u ra n a says: “ V is h n u ever w o rs h ip s th e S a p p h ire D e v i” .

8. A p i v a r a - s t a n a - t a t in g ta n u rim a d h y a m (B h u v a n e s h v a risto tra ). “ ta n u -

m a d h v a ( L a l i ta , v e r s e 7 9 ) K ris o d a ri (A d y a k a lis v a ru p a s to tra , M a h a -n irv a n a -
T a n tr a , s e v e n t h U l la s a ) .
 £ IV A A N D & A K T 1 1 5 PONMLKJIHGFE

th e b u rd e n of th e rip e fru it of her b r e a s t s ,1 s w e ll s

in to je w e lle d h ip s h e a v y 2 w ith th e p ro m is e of in fin ite
m a t e r n i t i e s .3

A s t h e M a h a d e v i 4 S h e e x i s ts i n a l l f o r m s a s S a r a s v a t i ,
L a k s m i, G a y a tri, D u rg a , T rip u ra -s u n d a rl, A n n a p u rn a , a n d
a l l t h e D e v is w h o a r e a v a t a r a s o f t h e B r a h m a n .5

D e v i, a s S a t l , U m a , P a r v a t i , a n d G a u r i , i s s p o u s e o f
S iv a . It w as a s S a tl p rio r to D a k s a ’s s a c rific e (d a k sa -
y a jn a ) th a t th e D evi m a n ife s te d H e rs e lf to S iv a 6 in
th e te n c e le b ra te d fo rm s know n as th e d a £ a -m a h a v id y a
re fe rre d to in th e t e x t — - K a li, B a g a la , C h in n a -m a s ta ,
B h u v a n e s v a ri, M a ta n g in i, S h o d a si, D h u m a v a t i, T rip u ra -
s u n d a ri, T a ra , and B h a ira v i. W hen, at th e D a k sa y a jn a
S h e y ie ld e d u p h e r life in s h a m e a n d s o rro w a t th e tr e a t­
m ent a c c o rd e d by her fa th e r to H er H usband, S iv a
to o k aw ay th e body, and, ever b e a rin g it w ith H im ,
re m a in e d w h o ll y d is tra u g h t and spent w ith g rie f. To
s a v e th e w o rld fro m t h e f o r c e s o f e v il w h i c h a ro se a n d

1. P in a -s ta n a d y e in K a r p u r a d i s t o tr a , p i n o n n a t a - p a y o d h a r a m in D u rg a -
d h y an a o f D ev i P u ra n a : V a k s h o j a - k u m b h a n ta r i i n A n n a p u m a s t a v a , a p i v a r a -
f & n a - ta t i m in B h u v a n e s h v a r i s to t r a ; w h ic h w e ig h t h e r lim b s , h u c h a - b h a r a -
n t m it a n g i m in S a r a s v a ti - d h y a n a ; a n n a p r a d a n a - n i r a t a n g - s ta n a - b h a r a - n a m -
ra iii in A i m a - p u m a s ta v a .

2. S o it is s a id in th e te n th s lo k a o f th e K a r p u r a k h y a s ta v a — s a m a n ta d S
p in a s ta n a ja g h a n a d h rik y a u v a n a v a ti. S h a rh k a ra c h a ry a , in h is T rip u ra -su n -
d a r i - s to t r a speaks of H er n i ta m b a ( n i t a m b a - j i ta - b h u d h a r a m ) as e x c e l li n g
th e m o u n ta in in g re a tn e s s .

3. T h e p h y s i c a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f t h e D e v i i n H e r s w e l li n g b r e a s t s a n d
h ip s a re e m b le m a tic o f H e r g re a t M o th e rh o o d fo r S h e is S h r l m a t a (se e as
t o H e r l i ta n i e s . “ H y m n s t o t h e G o d d e s s” , b y A . a n d E . A v a lo n ).

4. S h e w h o s e b o d y is , a s t h e D e v i P u r a n a s a y s , i m m e a s u r a b le .

5. 6 a k ta n a n d a -ta ra n g in l (c h a p . iii).

6. In o rd e r to d is p la y H e r p o w e r to H e r h u s b a n d , w h o h a d n o t g ra n te d ,
S t h e r re q u e s t, H is p e r m i s s io n th a t sh e m ig h t a tte n d at D a k $ a ’s s a c rific e .
See m y e d itio n o f th e “ T a n tra — ta ttv a ” , (P rin c ip le s o f T a n tra ) and fo r an
account of th e d a s a - m a h a v id y a — t h e i r y a n tra and m a n tra — th e dasa-
m a h a v id y a - u p a s a n a - r a h a s y a o f P r a s a n n a K u m a r a S h a s t r i .
16 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

g re w w ith th e w i t h d r a w a l o f H is D i v i n e c o n tro l, V is n u
w ith H is d is c u s (c a k ra ) c u t th e d e a d b o d y o f S a ti, w h ic h
S iv a b o re , in to fifty -o n e 1 fra g m e n ts, w h ic h fe ll to e a rth
a t th e p la c e s th e re a fte r know n as th e fifty -o n e m aha-
p ith a -sth a n a (re fe rre d to i n t h e t e x t ) , w h e r e D e v i, w i t h ;
H e r B h a i r a v a , is w o r s h i p p e d u n d e r v a r i o u s n a m e s .

B e s id e s t h e f o r m s o f t h e D e v i i n t h e B r a h m a n d a , t h e r e
is H e r s u b t l e f o r m c a l l e d K u n d a l i n i i n t h e b o d y ( p i n d a n d a ) .
T h e s e a re b u t s o m e o n ly o f H e r e n d le s s fo rm s . S h e is
seen as one and as m any, a s it w ere , but one m oon
re fle c te d in c o u n tle s s w a t e r .2 She e x i s ts , to o , in a ll
a n im a ls a n d in o rg a n ic th in g s , th e u n iv e rs e w ith a ll its
b e a u t i e s is , a s t h e D e v i- P u r a n a says but a p a rt of H e r.
A ll t h i s d i v e r s it y o f f o r m is b u t t h e i n f i n i t e m a n i f e s t a t i o n
o f th e f lo w e r in g b e a u t y o f th e O ne S u p re m e L i f e ,3 a
d o c t r i n e w h i c h i s n o w h e r e e ls e t a u g h t w i t h g r e a te r w e & H th
o f i l l u s t r a ti o n th a n in th e S a k ta -S a s tra s , and T a n triis.
T h e g r e a t B h a r g a i n t h e b r i g h t S u n a n d a l l d e v a t a s , s ji- d
in d e e d , a l l lif e a n d b e in g , a r e w o n d e r f u l , a n d a r e w o r s h i p ­
f u l b u t o n ly a s H e r m a n i f e s t a t i o n s . A n d h e w h o w o rsk v p s
t h e m o t h e r w i s e is , i n t h e w o r d s o f t h e g r e a t D e v i- b h a g a v & te a , 4
“ lik e u n to a m a n w h o , w ith th e lig h t o f a c le a r la m p in H s
h a n d s , y e t f a l l s i n t o s o m e w a t e r l e s s a n d t e r r i b l e w e l l.” The
h i g h e s t w o r s h i p f o r w h i c h t h e s a d h a k a i s q u a l i f ie d (a d h i-
k a ri) o n ly a f t e r e x t e r n a l w o r s h i p 5 a n d t h a t i n t e r n a l f o r m

1. T h e n u m b e r is v a rio u s ly g iv e n as 50, 51, and 52.

2. B ra h m a -v in d u U p a n is h a d , 1 2 .

3. S e e th e T h ird C h a p te r o f th e S a k ta n a n d a -ta ra n g in I, w h e re it is s a id :

“ T h e P a ra -b ra h m a n , D e v i, 6 iv a , a n d a ll o th e r D e v a a n d D e v i a r e b u t o n e ,

a n d h e w h o th in k s th e m d iffe re n t fro m o n e a n o t h e r g o e s t o H e l l .’’.

4. H y m n t o J a g a d - a m b i k a i n C h a p te r X I X .

6. S u ta - s a n g h it a , i.5 .3 , w h i c h d i v i d e s s u c h w o r s h i p i n t o V e d i c a n d T a n t r i k
(se e B h a sk a ra ra y a”s C o m m e n ta ry on L a l it a , v e rse 4 3 ).
 S IV A A N D S A K T l 1 7 PONMLKJIHGF

k n o w n a s s a d h a r a ,1 is d e s c r ib e d a s n i r a d h a r a . T h e re in P u re
In te llig e n c e is th e S u p re m e S a k ti w h o is w o rs h ip p e d as
th e v e ry S e lf, th e W itn e s s fre ed o f th e g la m o u r o f th e
m a n ifo ld U n iv e rse . B y o n e ’s ow n d ire c t e x p e rie n c e of
M a h e s v a ri a s th e S e lf S h e is w ith re v e re n c e m ade th e
2
o b j e c t o f t h a t w o r s h i p w h i c h l e a d s to l i b e r a t i o n .

1 * I n w h i c h D e v i i s w o r s h ip p e d i n t h e f o r m m a d e u p o f s a c r e d s y l l a b l e s
a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i n s tr u c t io n s o f t h e G u r u .
2. S e e I n t r o d u c t i o n t o A u t h o r ’s “ H y m n s t o t h e G o d d e s s .”
3
 GUNA

IT c a n n o t b e s a id th a t c u rre n t e x p la n a tio n s g iv e a c le a r
u n d e rs ta n d in g o f th is s u b je c t. Y e t s u c h is n e c e s s a r y , b o t h
a s a f f o r d in g o n e o f t h e c h i e f k e y s to I n d i a n P h i l o s o p h y a n d
to t h e p r i n c i p l e s w h i c h g o v e r n S a d h a n a . T h e te rm guna
is g e n e r a l l y t r a n s l a t e d “ q u a l i t y ,” a w o rd w h ic h is o n ly
a c c e p te d f o r d e f a u l t o f a b e t t e r . F o r it m u s t n o t b e o v e r­
lo o k e d t h a t t h e t h r e e gunas (S a ttv a , ra ja s, a n d ta m a s )
w h ic h a re o f P r a k r ti c o n s titu te H e r v e ry s u b s ta n c e . T h is
b e in g s o , a ll N a tu re w h ic h is s u e s fro m H er, th e M a h a -
k a r a n a - s v a r u p a , is c a lle d t r i - g u n a t m a k a , a n d is c o m p o s e d
o f th e s a m e guna in d iffe re n t s ta te s o f re la tio n to one
a n o th e r. PONML
T h e fu n c tio n s o f s a ttv a , ra ja s, a n d ta m a s a re t o
r e v e a l, to m a k e a c t i v e , a n d to s u p p r e s s r e s p e c t iv e l y . R a ja s
is t h e d y n a m ic , a s s a t t v a a n d t a m a s a r e s t a t ic p r i n c i p le s .
T h a t is to s a y , s a ttv a a n d ta m a s c a n n e ith e r re v e al nor
s u p p r e s s w i t h o u t b e i n g f i r s t r e n d e r e d a c t iv e b y r a j a s . T h e s e
g u n a s w o rk b y m u tu a l s u p p re s sio n .

T h e u n re v e a le d P ra k rti ( a v y a k t a - p r a k r ti ) o r D e v i is
t h e s t a t e o f s t a b l e e q u i l ib r i u m o f t h e s e t h r e e g u n a s . W hen
t h i s s t a t e is d i s t u r b e d t h e m a n i f e s t e d u n i v e r s e a p p e a r s , in
e v e r y o b j e c t o f w h i c h o n e o r o t h e r o f t h e t h r e e g u n a s is i n
th e a s c e n d a n t. T h u s in D e v a s a s in th o s e w h o a p p ro a c h
th e d iv y a s ta te , s a ttv a p re d o m in a te s , a n d ra ja s a n d ta m a s
a re v e ry m u c h re d u c ed . T h a t is , t h e i r i n d e p e n d e n t m a n i ­
fe s ta tio n is re d u ce d . T h ey a re in one s e n s e s till th e re ,
f o r w h e r e r a j a s is n o t i n d e p e n d e n t l y a c t iv e i t is o p e r a t i n g
o n s a t t v a to s u p p re s s ta m a s , w h ic h a p p e ars o r d is a p p e a rs
iPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA

G U N A hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGF
19

to th e e x te n t to w h ic h it is , o r is n o t, s u b je c t to s u p p re s s io n
by th e r e v e a l in g p rin c ip le . In th e o r d in a r y hum an jiv a
c o n s id e re d as a c la s s , ta m a s is le s s re d u ce d th a n in th e
c a se o f th e D e v a , b u t v e ry m u c h re d u c e d w h e n c o m p a ris o n
i s m a d e w i th t h e a n i m a l j i v a . R a ja s h a s g r e a t i n d e p e n d e n t
a c t iv i ty , and s a t tv a is a lso c o n sid e ra b ly a c t iv e . In th e
a n i m a l c r e a t io n s a tt v a h a s c o n s id e r a b l y l e s s a c t i v i t y . R a ja s
has le s s in d e p e n d e n t a c t i v it y th a n in m an, but is m uch
m o r e a c t iv e t h a n i n t h e v e g e t a b l e w o r l d . T a m a s is g r e a tly
le s s p re p o n d e ra n t th a n in th e la tte r. In th e v e g e ta b l e
k in g d o m ta m a s is m o r e p r e p o n d e r a n t th a n in th e case of
a n im a ls a n d b o t h r a ja s a n d s a t tv a l e s s s o . In th e in o rg a n ic
c r e a t io n r a j a s m a k e s t a m a s a c t i v e t o s u p p r e s s b o t h s a tt v a
a n d i t s o w n i n d e p e n d e n t a c ti v it y . I t w ill th u s b e s e e n th a t
th e “u p w a rd ” o r re v e a lin g m o v e m en t fro m th e p r e d o m i­
n a n c e o f ta m a s to t h a t o f s a t tv a re p re se n ts th e s p i r it u a l
p r o g r e s s o f t h e j l v a tm a .

A g a in , a s b e tw e e n each m e m b e r o f th e s e c la s se s o n e
or: o t h e r o f t h e t h r e e g u n a s m a y b e m o r e o r l e s s i n t h e
a 'i o - 'm d a n t .

T h u s , i n o n e m a n a s c o m p a r e d w i th a n o t h e r , t h e s a tt v a
g-iz& gi m a y p re d o m in a te , in w h ic h c a se h is te m p e ra m e n t
is s a tt v ik , o r, as th e T a n tra c a lls it, d iv y a b h a v a . In
a n o th e r th e ra jo g u n a m ay p re v a il, and in th e th ird th e
ta m o g u n a , in w h ic h c a s e th e i n d i v id u a l is d e s c rib e d as
r a j a s ik , o r ta m a s ik , o r, to u s e T a n trik p h ra s e o lo g y , he is
s a id to b e lo n g to v ira b h a v a , o r is a p asu re sp e c tiv e ly .
A g a in th e v e g e ta b le c r e a t io n is o b v io u s ly le s s t a m a s ik
a n d m o r e r a ja s i k a n d s a t tv i k t h a n t h e m i n e r a l , a n d even
a m o n g s t th e se la st th e re m a y b e p o s sib ly s o m e w h ic h a re
l e s s t a m a s ik t h a n o t h e r s .

E t y m o l o g i c a l ly , s a t tv a i s d e r iv e d f r o m “ s a t , ” t h a t w h i c h
is e t e r n a ll y e x is te n t. The e t e r n a ll y e x i s te n t i s a lso C h it,
p u r e I n t e l l ig e n c e o r S p i r i t, and ananda or B l is s . In a
20 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
TO TAN TRASASTRA

se co n d a ry sense, sat is a ls o u s e d to d e n o te th e “good”.

A nd c o m m o n ly (th o u g h such use o b s c u re s th e o rig in a l
m e a n i n g ) , t h e w o r d s a t tv a g u n a is r e n d e r e d “ g o o d q u a l i t y .”
I t is , h o w e v e r , “ g o o d ” i n t h e s e n s e t h a t i t is p r o d u c t i v e
o f g o o d a n d h a p p in e s s . I n s u c h a c a s e , h o w e v e r , s t r e s s is
la id r a t h e r o n a n e c e s s a r y q u a l i t y o r e f f e c t ( i n t h e e t h i c a l
s e n s e ) o f ‘s a t* t h a n u p o n i t s o r i g i n a l m e a n i n g . In th e p ri­
m a r y s e n s e s a t is t h a t w h i c h r e v e a l s . N a t u r e is a r e v e l a ti o n
o f s p irit (s a t). W h e r e N a t u r e is s u c h a r e v e l a ti o n o f s p i r i t
th e re it m a n ife s ts a s s a ttv a g u n a . I t is t h e s h i n i n g f o r t h
fro m u n d e r th e v e il o f th e h id d e n s p iritu a l s u b s ta n c e ( s a t).
A n d t h a t q u a l it y i n t h i n g s w h i c h r e v e a l s t h i s is s a t tv a g u n a .
S o o f a p r e g n a n t w o m a n i t is s a i d t h a t s h e is a n t a h s a t t v a ,
o r in s tin c t w ith s a ttv a ; s h e in w h o m s a ttv a a s jiv a (w h o se
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c g u n a is s a t t v a ) is l i v i n g in a h i d d e n s t a t e .

B u t N a t u r e n o t o n l y r e v e a l s , b u t is a ls o a d e n s e c o v e r ­
in g o r v e il o f s p i r i t , a t t i m e s s o d e n s e t h a t t h e i g n o r a n t f a i l
to d i s c e r n t h e s p i r i t w h i c h i t v e ils . W h e r e N a t u r e is a v e i l
o f s p irit th e re it a p p e a rs in its q u a lity o f ta m o g u n a .

I n t h i s c a s e t h e t a m o g u n a is c u r r e n t l y s p o k e n o f a s
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f i n e r t i a , b e c a u s e t h a t is t h e e f f e c t o f t h e
n a t u r e w h i c h v e ils . T h is q u a lity , a g a in , w h e n tra n s la te d
i n t o t h e m o r a l s p h e r e , b e c o m e s i g n o r a n c e , s l o t h , e tc .

I n a t h i r d s e n s e n a t u r e is a b r i d g e b e t w e e n s p i r i t w h i c h
r e v e a l s a n d m a t te r w h i c h v e ils . W h e r e N a t u r e is a b r i d g e
o f d e s c e n t f r o m s p i r i t to m a t t e r , o r o f a s c e n t f r o m m a t t e r
to s p i r i t t h e r e i t m a n i f e s t s i t s e l f a s r a j o g u n a . T h i s is g e n e ­
ra lly r e f e r r e d to a s th e q u a lity o f a c tiv ity , a n d w hen
t r a n s f e r r e d to t h e s p h e r e o f f e e lin g i t s h o w s i t s e l f a s p a s ­
s io n . E a c h th in g in n a tu re th e n c o n ta in s th a t in w h ic h
s p i r i t is m a n i f e s t e d o r r e f l e c t e d a s i n a m i r r o r o r s a t t v a -
g u n a ; th a t b y w h ic h s p i r i t is c o v e r e d , a s it w e re , b y a
v e il o f d a rk n e ss or ta m o g u n a , and th a t w h ic h is th e
 GUNA 2 1 PONMLKJIH

v e h ic le fo r th e d e s c e n t i n t o m a t t e r o r t h e r e t u r n t o s p i r it

o r ra jo g u n a . T h u s s a tt v a i s t h e l i g h t o f N a t u r e , a s t a m a s
is its s h a d e . R a ja s is , a s i t w e r e , a b l e n d e d t i n t o s c i ll a t­

i n g b e t w e e n e a c h o f t h e e x t r e m e s c o n s t i t u te d b y t h e o t h e r

gunas.

T h e o b je c t o f T a n trik s a d h a n a is to b rin g out and

m ake p re p o n d e ra n t th e s a tt v a guna by th e a id of r a ja s ,
w h ic h o p e r a te s to m a k e th e fo rm er guna a c ti v e . The
s u b tle body ( l in g a £ a r lr a ) of th e jiv a tm a c o m p ris e s in it
b u d d h i, a h a n g k a ra , m a n a s, a n d th e te n s e n se s . T h i s s u b tl e
b o d y c re a te s fo r its e lf g ro s s b o d ie s s u ite d to th e s p iritu a l
s ta te o f th e jiv a tm a . U nder th e i n f lu e n c e of p ra ra b d h a
k a rm a , buddhi becom es ta m a s ik , r a ja s i k , or s a tt v i k . In
th e firs t case th e jiv a tm a assu m es i n a n i m a te b o d ie s ; in
th e second, a c tiv e p a s sio n a te b o d ie s ; a n d in th e th ird ,
s a ttv ik b o d ie s o f v a r y in g d e g re e s o f s p iritu a l e x c e lle n c e ,
ra n g in g fro m m an to th e D eva. The g ro ss body is a lso
tr ig u n a tm a k a . T h is body conveys im p re s sio n s to th e
jlv U tm a th r o u g h th e s u b tle b o d y a n d th e b u d d h i in p a r ti­
c u la r. W h e n s a t tv a i s m a d e a c t iv e i m p r e s s i o n s o f h a p p i­
n e ss re su lt, and w hen r a ja s or ta m a s a re a c tiv e th e im ­
p re ss io n s a re th o s e of so rro w and d e lu s io n . T h e se im ­
p r e s s i o n s a r e t h e r e s u l t o f t h e p r e d o m in a n c e o f t h e s e r e s ­
p e c ti v e g u n a s . The a c t io n of ra ja s on s a t tv a p ro d u c e s
h a p p in e s s , a s i t s o w n i n d e p e n d e n t a c t iv i t y o r o p e r a t i o n o n
ta m a s p ro d u c e s s o rro w and d e lu sio n r e s p e c ti v e ly . W h e re
s a t tv a o r h a p p i n e s s i s p r e d o m i n a n t , t h e r e s o r r o w a n d d e l u ­
s io n a r e s u p p re ss e d . W h e r e r a ja s o r s o r r o w i s p r e d o m i n a n t ,
t h e r e h a p p in e s s a n d d e l u s io n a r e s u p p r e s s e d . A n d w h e re
t a m a s o r d e l u s i o n p r e d o m i n a te s t h e r e , a s i n t h e c a s e o f t h e
i n o r g a n i c w o r l d , b o t h h a p p in e s s a n d s o r r o w a r e s u p p r e s s e d .
A ll o b je c ts s h a re th e se th r e e s ta te s in d iffe re n t p ro p o rtio n s .
T h e r e is , h o w e v e r a lw a y s in th e jiv a tm a a n a d m ix tu r e o f
22 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
T O T A N T R A ’S A S T R A

s o rro w w ith h a p p in e s s , d u e to th e o p e ra tio n o f ra ja s. For

h a p p i n e s s , w h i c h is t h e f r u i t o f r i g h t e o u s a c t s d o n e t o a t t a i n
h a p p i n e s s , i s a f t e r a l l o n l y a v i k a r a . T h e n a t u r a l s t a te o f
t l i e j i v a t m a — t h a t is , t h e s t a t e o f i t s o w n t r u e n a t u r e — is
t h a t b l i s s ( a n a n d a ) w h i c h a r i s e s f r o m t h e p u r e k n o w le d g e
o f t h e S e lf , in w h i c h b o t h h a p p i n e s s a n d s o r r o w a r e e q u a l l y
o b j e c ts o f in d if f e r e n c e . T h e w o rld ly e n jo y m e n t o f a p e rs o n
i n v o l v e s p a i n to s e lf o r o t h e r s . T h i s is t h e r e s u l t o f t h e
p u rs u it o f h a p p in e s s , w h e th e r b y rig h te o u s o r u n rig h te o u s
a c ts . A s s p i r i t u a l p r o g r e s s is m a d e , t h e g r o s s b o d y b e ­
c o m e s m o re a n d m o re re fin e d . I n i n a n i m a t e b o d ie s , k a r m a
o p e ra te s to th e p r o d u c ti o n of p u re d e l u s io n . On th e
e x h a u s io n o f such k a rm a, th e j i v a tm a assum es a n im a te
b o d ie s f o r t h e o p e r a t i o n o f s u c h f o r m s o f k a r m a a s l e a d
to s o r r o w a n d h a p p in e s s m ix e d w ith d e l u s io n . In th e
v e g e t a b l e w o r ld , s a t t v a is b u t l i t t le a c t i v e , w i t h a c o r r e s ­
p o n d in g la c k o f d is c rim in a tio n , fo r d is c rim in a tio n is th e
e ffe c t o f s a ttv a in b u d d h i, a n d fro m d is c rim in a tio n a ris e s
t h e r e c o g n it i o n o f p l e a s u r e , a n d p a i n , c o n c e p t i o n s o f r i g h t
and w ro n g , o f th e tra n s ito ry and i n t r a n s i t o r y , a n t? , so
f o r t h , w h i c h a r e t h e f r u i t o f a h i g h d e g r e e o f d i s c r im i n a t i o n ,
o r o f a c t iv i t y o f s a t t v a . I n th e lo w e r a n im a l, s a ttv a in
b u d d h i i s n o t s u f f ic ie n tly a c t i v e to l e a d t o a n y d e g r e e o f
d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e s e c o n c e p tio n s . In m a n , h o w e v e r, th e
s a t t v a i n b u d d h i is c o n s i d e r a b l y a c t i v e , a n d i n c o n s e q u e n c e
t h e s e c o n c e p tio n s a r e n a t u r a l i n h im . F o r th is re a so n th e
h u m a n b i r t h is , f o r s p i r i t u a l p u r p o s e s , s o i m p o r t a n t . A ll
m e n , h o w e v e r, a re n o t c a p a b le o f fo rm in g s u c h c o n c e p tio n s
in an e q u a l d e g re e . T h e d e g re e o f a c tiv ity in an in d i­
v i d u a l’s b u d d h i d e p e n d s o n h i s p r a r a b d h a k a r m a . H ow ­
e v e r b a d s u c h k a r m a m a y b e i n a n y p a r t ic u l a r c a s e , t h e
i n d i v id u a l is y e t g if te d w i t h t h a t a m o u n t1 o f d i s c r i m i n a t i o n

1. C o r r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e t h e o lo g i c a l d o c t r i n e o f “ s u f f ic ie n c y o f g ra c e ”.
 23
G U N A hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFED

w h ic h , if p ro p e rly a ro u s e d a n d a id e d , w ill e n a b le h im to
b e t te r h i s s p i r i t u a l c o n d i t i o n b y i n d u c i n g t h e r a j o g u n a i n
h i m to g i v e m o r e a n d m o r e a c t i v i t y to t h e s a t t v a g u n a i n h i s
b u d d h i.

O n t h i s a c c o u n t p r o p e r g u i d a n c e a n d s p i r it u a l d i r e c t i o n
a re n e c essary . A g o o d g u ru , b y re a s o n o f h is o w n n a tu re
and s p i r it u a l a tta in m e n t and d i s i n te r e s t e d w is d o m , w ill
b o t h m a r k o u t f o r t h e s i s y a t h e p a t h w h i c h is p r o p e r f o r
h i m , a n d a i d h i m t o f o llo w i t b y t h e i n f u s i o n o f t h e t e j a s
w h i c h is i n t h e G u r u h im s e lf . W h i l s t s a d h a n a is , a s s t a t e d ,
a p r o c e s s f o r t h e s t i m u la t io n o f t h e s a t t v a g u n a , i t is e v i d e n t
t h a t o n e f o r m o f i t is n o t s u i t a b l e to a ll. I t m u s t b e a d a p te d
to th e * s p i r it u a l c o n d i t i o n o f t h e s is y a , o th e rw ise it w ill
c a u s e in ju ry in s te a d o f g o o d . T h e r e f o r e i t is t h a t t h e a d o p ­
tio n o f c e rta in fo rm s o f s a d h a n a b y p e rs o n s w h o a re n o t
c o m p e te n t (a d h ik a ri), m ay n o t o n ly b e fru itle s s of any
g o o d r e s u l t, b u t m a y e v e n l e a d t o e v ils w h i c h s a d h a n a a s
a g e n e r a l p r i n c i p le is d e s i g n e d to p r e v e n t . T h e r e f o r e a ls o
is i t s a i d t h a t i t is b e t t e r t o f o llo w o n e ’s o w n d h a r m a t h a n
th a t, h o w e v e r e x a lte d it b e , o f a n o th e r.
 THE W ORLDS (L O K A S )

Th is e a r th , w h i c h is t h e o b j e c t o f t h e p h y s i c a l s e n s e s a n d
o f th e k n o w le d g e b a s e d t h e r e o n , is b u t o n e o f f o u r t e e n
w o r l d s o r r e g i o n s p l a c e d “ a b o v e ” a n d “ b e lo w ” i t , o f w h i c h
(a s th e s u tra s a y s1) k n o w le d g e m a y b e o b ta in e d b y m e d ita ­
tio n o n th e s o la r “ n e rv e ” (n a d l) s u s u m n a in th e m e ru -
danda. O n th is n a d l s ix o f th e u p p e r w o rld s a r e th re a d e d ,
th e s e v e n th a n d h ig h e s t o v e rh a n g in g it in th e S a h a s c a ra -
P a d m a , t h e t h o u s a n d - p e t a l l e d lo tu s . T h e s p h e re o f e a rth
( B h u r l o k a ) , w i t h i t s c o n t i n e n ts , t h e i r m o u n t a i n s a n d r i v e r s ,
a n d w ith its o c e a n s , is th e s e v e n th o r lo w e s t o f th e u p p e r
w o r ld s . B e n e a t h i t a r e t h e H e lls a n d N e t h e r W o r ld s , i h e
n a m e s o f w h ic h a re g iv e n b e lo w . A b o v e th e te rre s tria l
s p h e r e is B h u v a r lo k a , o r t h e a t m o s p h e r i c s p h e r e k n o w n a s
t h e a n t a r ik s a , e x t e n d i n g “fro m t h e e a r t h t o t h e s u n ,” i n
w h ic h th e S id d h a s a n d o th e r c e le s tia l b e in g s (d e v a y o n i) o f
t h e u p p e r a i r d w e ll. “F ro m th e sun to th e p o le s ta r”
(d h ru v a ) is s v a rlo k a , or th e h e a v e n ly sp h e re . H eaven
( s v a r g a ) is t h a t w h i c h d e l i g h t s t h e m i n d , a s h e l l ( n a r a k a )
is t h a t w h i c h g iv e s i t p a i n .2 I n t h e f o r m e r is t h e a b o d e o f
t h e D e v a a n d t h e b le s t.

1. B h u v a n a jn a n a m sG ry y e s a m y a m a t, P a t a n j a li Y o g a -S u tra (c h a p , iii,
2 6 ). A n a c c o u n t o f t h e l o k a s i s g i v e n i n V y a s a ’s C o m m e n t a r y o n t h e s u t r a ,
in th e V l^ n u -P u ra n a (B k . II, c h a p s, v -v ii): a n d in th e B h a g a v a ta , V a y u , a n d
o th e r P u ra n a s .

2 . V i$ n u -P u ra n a (B k . II-, c h a p . v i) . V irtu e is h e a v e n a n d v ic e is h e ll,

i b i d , N a r a k a m i n a ti = k l e s a m p r a p a y a t i , o r g i v i n g p a i n .
 TH E W O R LD S (L O K A S) 2 5 PONMLKJIHGFE

T h e s e th re e s p h e re s a re th e re g io n o f th e c o n s e q u e n c e s
o f w o rk , a n d a re te rm e d tra n sito ry a s c o m p a re d w ith th e
t h r e e h i g h e s t s p h e r e s , a n d t h e f o u r t h , w h i c h is o f a m i x e d
c h a ra c te r. W h e n t h e j i v a h a s r e c e iv e d h i s r e w a r d h e is
re b o rn a g a in o n e a rth . F o r i t is n o t g o o d a c t i o n , b u t t h e
k n o w le d g e o f th e A tm a w h ic h p ro c u re s L ib e ra tio n (m o k s a ).
A b o v e S v a rlo k a is M a h a rlo k a , and above it th e th re e
a s c e n d in g re g io n s k n o w n a s th e ja n a lo k a , ta p o lo k a , and
s a t y a lo k a , e a c h in h a b ite d by v a rio u s fo rm s of c e le s tia l
in te llig e n c e o f h ig h e r a n d h ig h e r d e g re e . B e lo w t h e e a r t h
( B h u h ) a n d a b o v e 1 t h e n e t h e r w o r l d s a r e t h e H e lls (c o m ­
m e n c i n g w i t h A v i c h i ) , a n d o f w h i c h , a c c o r d i n g to p o p u l a r
th e o lo g y , th e re a re t h i r t y - f o u r ,2 th o u g h i t is e ls e w h e re
s a id 3 th e re a re aS m any h e lls as th e re a re o ffe n ce s fo r
w h ic h p a rtic u la r p u n is h m e n ts a re m e te d o u t. O f th e s e , s ix
a re k n o w n a s th e g re a t h e lls . H in d u is m , h o w e v e r, e v e n
w h f ia p o p u l a r , k n o w s n o t h i n g o f a h e l l o f e t e r n a l t o r m e n t .
T o i t n o t h i n g is e t e r n a l b u t t h e B r a h m a n . Is s u in g fro m th e
H & L fe t h e j i v a is a g a i n r e b o r n to m a k e i t s f u t u r e . B e lo w
t h v H e l l s a r e t h e s e v e n n e t h e r w o r ld s , S u t a l a , V i t a l a , T a l a -
ta k r .. M a h a t a l a , R a s a t a l a , A t a l a , a n d P a t a l a , w h e r e , a c c o r d ­
in g th e P u ra n a s, d w e ll th e N aga se rp en t d iv in itie s ,
b r - iU M a t w i t h je w e ls , a n d w h e r e , to o , t h e l o v e l y d a u g h t e r s
o i t\& D a i t y a s a n d D a n a v a s w a n d e r , f a s c i n a t i n g e v e n t h e
m o s t a u s te r e . Y et b e lo w P a t a l a is th e fo rm of V is n u
p ro c e e d in g fro m th e d a rk q u a lity (ta m o g u n a h ), k n o w n a s
t h e S e s a s e r p e n t o r A n a n ta b e a r i n g t h e e n t i r e w o r l d a s a
d i a d e m , a t t e n d e d b y h i s S a k t i V a r u n i ,4 h i s o w n e m b o d i e d
ra d ia n c e .

1. G a n a b h e d a o f V a h n i- P u r a n f l.
2. D e v i- P u r a n a .
3. V i§ n u - P u r a n a .
4. N o t “ t h e G o d d e s s o f W in e ,” a s W ils o n ( V i? n u P r .) h a s it.

4
 IN H A B IT A N T S O F T H E W O R L D S

Th e w o rld s a re in h a b ite d by c o u n tle s s g ra d e s o f b e in g s ,

ra n g in g fro m th e h ig h e s t D e v a s (o f w h o m th e re a re m a n y
c la s s e s a n d d e g r e e s ) to t h e l o w e s t a n i m a l lif e . T h e s c a l e o f
b e in g s r u n s fro m th e s h in in g m a n ife sta tio n s to s p irit o f
t h o s e i n w h i c h i t is s o v e i l e d t h a t i t w o u ld s e e m a l m o s t to
h a v e d i s a p p e a r e d i n i t s m a t e r ia l c o v e r in g . T h e re is b u t o n e
L ig h t, one S p irit, w h o se m a n ife sta tio n s a re m any. A
f la m e e n c lo s e d i n a c l e a r g la s s lo s e s b u t l i t tl e o f i t s b r i l l i a n c y .
I f w e s u b s t i t u t e f o r t h e g la s s , p a p e r , o r s o m e o t h e r m o r e
o p a q u e y e t t r a n s p a r e n t s u b s t a n c e , t h e l i g h t is d i m m e r . A
c o v e r in g o f m e t a l m a y b e so dense as to e x c lu d e PON
iso m
s ig h t th e ra y s o f lig h t w h ic h y e t b u m s w ith in w H fc a a n
e q u a l b r i l li a n c y . As a fa c t, a ll such v e ilin g fo rm s a re
m aya. T h e y a r e n o n e t h e le s s t r u e f o r t h o s e w h o M v v* i n
a n d a re th e m s e lv e s p a rt of th e m a y ik w o rld . D eva, or
“ h e a v e n ly a n d s h in in g o n e * * — f o r s p i r i t is l i g h t a n d s e lf­
m a n i f e s t a t io n — is a p p l i c a b l e t o t h o s e d e s c e n d i n g y e t h i g h
m a n i f e s t a t i o n s o f t h e B r a h m a n , s u c h a s t h e s e v e n S iv a s ,
in c lu d in g th e T rin ity (trim u rti), B rah m a , V is n u , and
R u d ra. D e v i a g a in , is t h e title of th e S u p re m e M o th e r
H e r s e l f , a n d is a g a in a p p l i e d to t h e m a n i f o l d f o r m s a s s u m ­
e d b y t h e o n e o n ly M a y a , s u c h a s K a l i , S a r a s v a t i , L a k s m i ,
G a u ri, G a y a tri, S a m d h y a , a n d o th e rs . I n t h e s e n s e a ls o in
w h i c h i t is s a i d ,1 “ V e r i l y , i n t h e b e g i n n i n g t h e r e w a s t h e
B ra h m a n . It c re a te d th e D e v a s ,” th e la tte r te rm a ls o

1. B j- h a d a r a p y a k a U p . ( ix , 2 -3 -2 ).
 27PONMLKJIHGFE
IN H A B IT A N T S hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
OF THE W O RLDS

i n c l u d e s l o f t y i n t e l l ig e n c e s b e l o n g i n g to t h e c r e a t e d w o r l d
in te rm e d ia te b e tw e e n Is v a ra (H im se lf a P u ru s a ) a n d m a n ,
w h o i n t h e p e r s o n o f t h e B r a h m a n a is k n o w n a s E a r t h - d e v a
( b h u d e v a ) .1 T h e s e s p i r it s a re o f v a ry in g d e g re e s. For
th e re a re n o b re a k s in th e c re a tio n w h ic h re p re s e n ts a n
a p p a ren t descent of th e B ra h m a n in g ra d u a lly lo w e re d
fo rm s. T h ro u g h o u t th e s e fo rm s p la y th e d iv in e c u rre n ts o f
p r a v r tt i a n d n i v r t t i , t h e l a t t e r d r a w i n g to I t s e l f t h a t w h i c h
t h e f o r m e r h a s s e n t f o r t h .2

D e v a , jiv a a n d ja d a (in o rg a n ic m a tte r) a re , in th e ir

r e a l, a s o p p o s e d t o t h e i r p h e n o m e n a l a n d i l l u s o r y b e i n g , t h e
o n e B ra h m a n , w h ic h a p p e a rs th u s to b e o th e r th a n Its e lf
t h r o u g h i t s c o n n e c ti o n w i t h t h e u p a d h i o r l i m i t i n g c o n d i­
tio n s w ith w h ic h ig n o ra n c e (a v id y a ) in v e s ts it. T h e refo re
a ll b e in g s w h ic h a re th e o b je c t o f w o rs h ip a re e a c h o f th e m
b u t th e B ra h m a n s e e n th ro u g h th e v e il o f a v id y a . Though
th e w o rs h ip p e rs o f D e v a s m a y n o t k n o w it, th e ir w o rs h ip
is i n r e a l i t y t h e w o r s h i p o f t h e B r a h m a n , a n d h e n c e t h e
M a h a n i r v a n a - T a n t r a s a y s 3 t h a t , “ a s a l l s t r e a m s f lo w t o t h e
c c :> ? n , s o t h e w o r s h i p g iv e n to a n y D e v a is r e c e iv e d b y t h e
E to & iim a n .” O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h o s e w h o , k n o w in g t h i s ,
w & f f s h ip t h e D e v a s , d o s o a s m a n i f e s t a t i o n s o f t h e B r a h m a n ,

2. In lik e m a n n e r, th e p rie s t of th e C h u rc h on e a rth is c a lle d by

M a la c h i (ii. 7) “ a n g e l ” ’, w h ic h is as P s e u d o - D io n y s i u s A r e o p a g it a e says:

“ F r o m h i s a n n o u n c e m e n t o f t h e t r u t h a n d f r o m h i s d e s i r e a n d o f f ic e o f p u r i ­

f y i n g , i l lu m i n a t in g , a n d p e r f e c t i n g t h o s e c o m m it t e d t o h i s c h a r g e ” ; t h e b r a h -

m a n ic a l o f f ic e , i n fa c t, w hen p ro p e rly u n d e rs to o d and g iv e n e f f e c t to .

2. T h e h i e r a r c h i e s h a v e a l s o t h e i r r e a s o n a n d u s e s i n C h r is t i a n t h e o l o g y :

“ T o t u s c o n a t u s o m n i u m s p i r i tu u m e s t r e f e r e e D e u m . D e u s in p rim is p o te n te r
a s s i m il a t quod v ic in a sunt e i; a s s im ila ta d e in c e p s a s s im ila n t. Ita p e rg it

d e riv a tio d e ita tis a b o rd in e in o rd in e m e t a b h i e r a r c h ia i n h i e r a r c h i a m et a

m e lio rib u s c re a tu ris in d e t e r io r e s p ro c a p a c it a t e c u ju s q u e in d e ific a tio n e m

o m n i u m .” ( “ C o l e t u s d e C c e l e s t i H i e r a r c h i a D i o n y s i i A r e o p a g i ta e , ” c h a p . i i i ) .

3. C h a p te r IT , v e rse 50, a com m on s ta te m e n t w h ic h a p p e a rs in th e

B h a g a v a d g ita and e ls e w h e re .
28 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
TO TA N TR A SA STR A

a n d th u s w o rs h ip I t m e d ia te ly . T h e s u n , th e m o s t g lo rio u s
s y m b o l i n t h e p h y s i c a l w o r l d , is t h e m a y i k v e s t u r e o f H e r
w h o is “ c l o t h e d w i t h t h e s u n .* ’

In th e lo w e r ra n k s o f th e c e le s tia l h ie ra rc h y a re th e
D e v a y o n is , s o m e o f w h o m a re m e n tio n e d in th e o p e n in g
v e rs e s o f th e firs t c h a p te r o f th e te x t. T h e D ev as a re o f
t w o c la s s e s : “u n b o rn ” ( a j a ta ) — t h a t is , t h o s e w h i c h h a v e
n o t , a n d t h o s e w h i c h h a v e ( s a d h y a ) e v o lv e d f r o m h u m a n i ty
a s in th e c a se o f K in g N a h u § a , w h o b e c a m e In d ra . O p p o se d
to t h e d i v n e h o s t s a r e t h e A s u r a , D a n a v a , D a i t y a , R a k § a s a ,
w h o , w ith o th e r s p irits , re p re s e n t th e ta m a s ik o r d e m o n ic
e le m e n t in c re a tio n . A ll D e v a s , fro m th e h ig h e s t d o w n ­
w a r d s , a r e s u b o r d i n a t e to b o t h t i m e a n d k a r m a . S o i t is
s a id , “ S a l u t a t i o n to K a rm a, o v e r w h ic h not even V id h i
(B ra h m a ) p re v a ils” (N a m a sta t k a rm m a b h y o v id b ira p i
na yebhyah p r a b h a v a ti ) } The r e n d e r in g of th e te rm
“ D e v a ” a s “ G o d ” 2 h a s l e d t o a m i s a p p r e h e n s io n o f I f e d u
th o u g h t. T h e u s e o f th e te rm “ a n g e l” m a y a l s o m u s h e d ,
f o r t h o u g h t h e w o r l d o f D e v a s h a s i n s o m e r e s p e c t s ii& a-
lo g y to t h e a n g e lic c h o i r s ,3 th e C h ris tia n c o n c e p t k :ii of

1* A nd a g a in :

Ye s a m a s ta j a g a ts r j t is t h i ti s a m h a r a k a rin a h

T e ’p i k a l e § u l l y a n t e k a l o h i b a l a v a t t a r a h .

(E v e n a ll th o s e w h o a re th e cause of th e c r e a t io n , m a i n t e n a n c e , a n d d es­
t r u c t io n o f t h e w o rld d is a p p e a r in tim e because tim e is m o re s tro n g th a n
th e y ).

2. Though, a ls o , as C o le tu s says (“D e C o e le s ta D io n y s ii H ie ra rc h ia ” ,

c h a p . x ii. 8 ) th e A n g e ls h a v e b e e n c a lle d “ G o d s” ; “ Q u o d a u te m a n g e li D ii
v o c a n tu r te s ta tu r illu d g e n e s e o s d ic tu m Jacob a v iro l u c t a t o r e ,” e tc .

3. P a r ti c u l a r ly , a s I h a v e e l s e w h e r e s h o w n , w i t h s u c h c o n c e p t i o n o f t h e
c e l e s t i a l h i e a r a r c h i e s a s i s p r e s e n t e d b y t h e w o r k o f t h e P s e u d o — D i o n y s iu s
o n t h a t s u b j e c t w r i t te n u n d e r t h e i n f l u e n c e o f E a s t e r n t h o u g h t ( S t e p h e n B a r
S u d a i li a n d o t h e r s ) . A s t o t h e C h r i s ti a n d o c t r i n e o n t h e A n g e l s , s e e S u a r e z ’
“ D e A n g e l i s .” T h e p a t r i s t i c d o c t r i n e i s s u m m a r i s e d b y P e t a v i u s “ D e A n g e l i s ,”
D o g m t o m ., m . T h e c a b a lis tic n a m e s o f th e n in e o rd e rs a s g iv e n b y A rc h a n -
g e l u s a t p . 7 2 8 o f h i s “ I n t e r p r e t a ti o n e s i n a r t is C a b a li s t ic e s c r i p t o r e s ” < 1 5 8 7 ).
 IN H A B IT A N T S O F T H E W O R L D S 2 9 PONMLKJIHGF

t h e s e B e i n g s , t h e i r o r i g i n a n d f u n c t i o n s , d o e s n o t i n c lu d e ,
b u t in fa c t e x c lu d e s , o th e r id e a s c o n n o te d b y th e S a n s k rit
te rm .

T h e p i t r s , o r “ F a t h e r s ,” a r e a c r e a t i o n ( a c c o r d i n g to
s o m e ) s e p a ra te fro m th e p re d e c e s so rs o f h u m a n ity , a n d a re ,
a c c o rd in g to o th e rs , th e lu n a r a n c e s try w h o a r e a d d re s s e d
in p ra y e r w ith th e D e v a s. F ro m B r a h m a , w h o is k n o w n
a s th e “ G ra n d fa th e r” P ita M a h a o f th e h u m a n ra c e , is s u e d
M a r lc h i , A tri, a n d o th e rs , h is “ m e n ta l so n s” : th e A g n i-
s v a tta h , S aum saya, H a v is m a n ta h , U sm apah, and o th e r
c la s s e s o f P itrs , n u m b e rin g , a c c o rd in g to th e M a rk a n d e y a -
P u ra n a , th irty -o n e . T a r p a n a m , o r o b l a t i o n , is d a i ly o f f e r e d
to th e s e p itrs . T h e t e r m is a ls o a p p l i e d t o t h e h u m a n a n c e s ­
t o r s o f t h e w o r s h i p p e r g e n e r a l ly u p t o t h e s e v e n t h g e n e ­
r a t i o n to w h o m i n S r a d d h a ( t h e o b s e q u i a l r i t e s ) p i n d a a n d
w a te r a re o ffe re d w ith th e m a n tra “ s v a d h a ” .

T h e R s is a r e s e e rs w h o k n o w , a n d b y th e ir k n o w le d g e
: a r e th e m a k e rs o f S a s tra a n d “ s e e ” a ll m a n tra s . T h e w o rd
c o m e s fro m th e ro o t r s ;1 R s a ti - p r a p n o t i s a r v a m m a n tra m
j n a n e n a p a S y a ti s a n g s a r a p a r a n g v a , e t c . T h e seven g re a t
R s is o r s a p t a r s i s o f t h e f i r s t m a n v a n t a r a a r e M a r i c i , A t r i,
! A n g i r a s , P u l a h a , K r a t u , P u l a s ty a , a n d V a s is ^ h a . In o th e r
I m a n v a n ta ra s th e re a re o th e r s a p ta rsis . In th e p re s e n t m a n ­
v a n ta ra th e s e v e n a re K a s y a p a , A tri, V a s is th a , V is v a m itra ,
l
G a u t a m a , J a m a d a g n i, B h a r a d v a j a . T o th e R s is th e V e d a s
w e re re v e a le d . V y a s a ta u g h t th e R g v e d a s o re v e a le d to
P a i l a , t h e Y a ju r v e d a t o V a i s a m p a y a n a , t h e S a m a v e d a to
J a im i n i , A t h a r v a v e d a t o S u m a n t u , a n d I t i h a s a a n d P u r a n a
to S u ta . T h e th re e c h ie f c la s s e s o f R s is a re th e B ra h -
m a rs i, b o m o f th e m in d o f B ra h m a , th e D e v a rs i o f lo w e r
ra n k , a n d R a ja rsi o r K in g s w h o b e c a m e R s is th ro u g h th e ir
k n o w l e d g e a n d a u s t e r i t i e s , s u c h a s J a n a k a , R t u p u r n a , e tc .

1* 6 a b d a k a lp a d ru m a . S u b voc.
30 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
T O T A N T R A -S A S T R A

T h e S ru ta rs i a re m a k ers of S a s tra s , as S u s ru ta . The

K a n d a rsi a re o f th e K a rm a k a n d a , s u c h a s J a im in i.

T h e M u n i , w h o m a y b e a R s i, is a s a g e . M u n i is so
c a l le d on account of h is m ananam (m a n a n a t m u n iru -
c y a te ). M ananam is th a t th o u g h t, in v e s tig a tio n , and
d is c u ss io n w h ic h m a rk s th e in d e p e n d e n t th in k in g m in d .
F i r s t t h e r e is S r a v a n a m , l i s t e n i n g ; t h e n M a n a n a m , w h i c h
is t h e t h i n k i n g o r u n d e r s t a n d i n g , d i s c u s s io n u p o n , a n d t e s t­
i n g o f w h a t is h e a r d a s o p p o s e d t o t h e m e r e a c c e p t a n c e o n
t r u s t o f t h e l o w e r i n t e ll i g e n c e . T h e s e t w o a r e f o llo w e d b y
N i d i d h y a s a n a m , w h i c h is a t t e n t i o n a n d p ro fo u n d m e d ita ­
t i o n o n t h e c o n c lu s io n s ( s i d d h a n t a ) d r a w n f r o m w h a t is s o
h e a rd a n d re aso n e d u p o n . A s t h e M a h a b h a r a ta s a y s , “ T h e
V e d a s d if f e r , a n d s o d o t h e S m r t i s . N o o n e is a m u n i w h o
h a s n o in d e p e n d e n t o p in io n o f h is o w n (n a sa u m u n iry a s y a
m a t a m n a b h i n n a m ) .”

T h e h u m a n b e i n g is c a l l e d j i v a 1— t h a t is , t h e e m b o d i e d
A t m a p o s s e s s e d b y e g o is m a n d o f t h e n o t i o n t h a t i t d i r e c t s
t h e p u r y a s t a k a , n a m e ly , t h e f iv e o r g a n s o f a c t i o n ( k a r m e n -
d r i y a ) , t h e f iv e o r g a n s o f p e r c e p t i o n ( j n a n e n d r i y a ) , t h e f o u r ­
f o ld a n t a h k a r a n a o r m e n ta l s e lf ( M a n a s , B u d d h i , A h & n i-
k a r a , C i t ta ) , t h e f iv e v i t a l a i r s ( P r a n a ) , t h e f iv e e l e m e n t s ,
K a m a ( d e s ir e ) , K a rm a (a c tio n a n d its r e s u lts ), a n d A v id y a
(illu sio n ). W hen th e s e fa ls e n o tio n s a re d e s tro y e d , th e
e m b o d i m e n t is d e s t r o y e d , a n d t h e w e a r e r o f t h e m a y i k g a r ­
m ent a tta in s n irv a n a . W hen th e jiv a is a b so rb e d in
B r a h m a n , t h e r e is n o l o n g e r a n y j i v a r e m a i n i n g a s s u c h .

1. T h a t i s s p e c i a ll y s o a s a l l e m b o d im e n t s , w h e t h e r h u m a n o r n o t , o f t h e
P a ra m a tm a a r e jiv a .
 VARNA

Or d in a r il y t h e r e a r e f o u r c h i e f d i v i s io n s o r c a s t e s ( v a r n a )
o f H i n d u s o c i e t y — v iz .: B ra h m a n a (p rie s th o o d ; te a c h in g );
K s a t tr i y a ( w a rr io r ) ; V a isy a (m e rc h a n t); S u d ra (s e rv ile )
- s a i d to h a v e s p rin g re s p e c tiv e ly fro m th e m o u th , a rm ,
th ig h , a n d fo o t o f B ra h m a . A m a n o f t h e f i r s t t h r e e c la s s e s
b e c o m e s o n i n v e s t it u r e , d u r i n g t h e u p a n a y a n a c e r e m o n y o f
th e s a c re d th re a d , tw ic e -b o rn (d v ija ). I t is s a i d t h a t b y
b ir tf e i o n e is S u d r a , b y s a m s k a r a ( u p a n a y a n a ) d v i j a ( t w i c e -
I b v v i:rt) ; b y s t u d y o f t h e V e d a s o n e a t t a i n s t h e s t a t e o f a
v > /r/t- a ; a n d t h a t h e w h o h a s k n o w l e d g e o f t h e B r a h m a n is a
B ra h m a n a .1 The p re s e n t T a n tra , h o w e v e r, speaks of a
o r h y b r i d c la s s ( s a m a n y a ) , r e s u l t i n g f r o m i n t e r m i x t u r e
b w e e n t h e o t h e r s . I t is a p e c u l ia r i ty o f T a n t r a t h a t i t s
v r _ s h ip is l a r g e l y fre e o f V a id ik e x c lu s iv e n e s s , w h e th e r
on c a s te , sex or o th e rw is e . As th e G a u ta m iy a -
T a n t r a s a y s , “ T h e T a n t r a is f o r a l l m e n , o f w h a t e v e r c a s te ,
a n d fo r a ll w o m e n ” (S a rv a v a rn a d h ik a ra S c a n a rin a m y o g y a
ev a c a ).

1. J a n m a n a j a y a te S u d ra h

S a ih s k a ra d d v ija u c y a te

V e d a -p a th a t b h a v e t v ip ra h
B ra h m a jn a n a ti b ra h m a n a h .
 ASRAM A

Th e f o u r s ta g e s , c o n d itio n s , o r p e rio d s in th e life of a

B r a h m a n a a r e : F i r s t, t h a t o f t h e c h a s t e s t u d e n t , o r b r a h m a -
c a rl; s e c o n d , th e p e rio d o f s e c u la r life a s a m a rrie d h o u s e ­
h o ld e r o r g rh a sth a ; th ird , th a t o f th e re c lu s e , or vana-
p ra s th a , w hen th e re is r e t ir e m e n t f r o m th e w o rld ; and
la s tly , t h a t o f t h e b e g g a r , o r b h i k s u , w h o b e g s h i s s i n g l e
d a ily m e a l, and m e d ita te s upon th e S u p re m e S p irit to
w h ic h he is about to re tu rn . For th e K s a ttriy a th e re
a r e t h e f i r s t t h r e e A s r a m a s ; f o r t h e V a i s y a , t h e f i r s t tw o ;
and fo r th e S u d ra , th e g rh a s th a A sra m a o n l y .1 T h is
T a n t r a 2 s t a t e s t h a t in t h e K a li age th e re a re o n ly tw o
A sram a s. The second g a rh a sth y a and th e la s t b h ik $ u k a
o r a v a d h u ta . N e i t h e r t h e c o n d i t i o n s o f lif e , n o r t h e c h a ­
r a c t e r , c a p a c ity , a n d p o w e r s o f t h e p e o p l e o f t h i s a g e a llo w
o f th e firs t a n d th ird . The tw o a S ra m a s p re s c rib e d fo r
K a li a g e a r e o p e n to a l l c a s t e s i n d i s c r i m i n a te l y .3

T h e re a re , it is now c o m m o n ly s a id , tw o m a in
d iv is io n s of a v a d h u ta — n a m e ly , S a iv a v a d h u ta and
B ra h m a v a d h u ta — o f e a c h o f w h ic h th e re a re , a g a in , th re e
d iv is io n s .4 Of th e firs t c la s s th e d iv is io n s a re firs tly

1. Y o g a Y a jn a v a lk y a (c h a p . i).
2. C h a p te r V III, v e rse 8.
3. PONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Ib id ., v e r s e 1 2 .
4. M a h a n irv a n a T a n tra d e a ls w ith th e a v a d h u ta (th o s e w h o h a v e re lin ­
q u i s h e d t h e w o r l d i n C h a p te r X T V , v e r s e 1 4 2 , e t- s e q . T h e B h a ira v a d a m a ra
c la s s e s th e a v a d h u ta in to ( 1 ) K u l a v a d h u ta , ( 2 ) S a i v a v a d h u t a , (3 ) B ra h m a v a -
d h u ta j a n d (4 ) H a m s a v a d h u ta , fo llo w in g in th e m a in , d is tin c tio n s m a d e in
th is T a n tra .
 33PONMLKJIHG
A S R A M A hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJI

S a iv a v a d h u ta , w ho is a p u rn a (im p e rfe c t). Though an

a s c e t ic , h e is a ls o a h o u s e h o l d e r a n d l i k e S iv a . H e n c e h is
nam e. T h e s e c o n d is t h e w a n d e r i n g s t a g e o f t h e S a i v a ( o r
t h e p a r i v r a j a k a ) , w h o h a s n o w l e f t t h e w o r ld , a n d p a s s e s h is
t i m e d o in g p u j a , j a p a , e tc ., v i s i t in g t h e t i r t h a a n d p i t h a , o r
p la c e s o f p ilg rim a g e . In th is s ta g e , w h ic h th o u g h h ig h e r,
is s t i ll i m p e r f e c t , t h e a v a d h u t a is c o m p e t e n t f o r o r d i n a r y
s a d h a n a w ith a s a k ti. T h e t h i r d is t h e p e r f e c t s t a g e o f a
S a iv a . W e a rin g o n ly th e k a u p in a ,1 h e re n o u n c e s a ll th in g s
a n d a l l r i t e s , t h o u g h w i t h i n c e r t a i n l i m it s h e m a y p r a c t i s e
som e yoga, and is p e rm itte d to m eet th e re q u est of a
w om an w ho m a k e s i t o f h i m .2 O f th e se c o n d c la s s t h e
t h r e e d i v i s io n s a r e , f i r s t l y , t h e B r a h m a v a d h u t a , w h o , l i k e
t h e S a i v a v a d h u t a , is i m p e r f e c t ( a p u r n a ) a n d h o u s e h o ld e r.
H e is n o t p e r m i t t e d , h o w e v e r , to h a v e a S a i v a S a k t i , a n d
is re s tric te d to a v ly a sa k ti. The second c la s s B ra h m a -
p a r i v r § j a k a is s i m i l a r to t h e S a i v a o f t h e s a m e c la s s e x c e p t
t h a t o r d i n a r i l y h e is n o t p e r m i tt e d to h a v e a n y t h i n g t o d o
w ith a n y w o m a n , th o u g h h e m a y , u n d e r th e g u id a n c e o f
h is G u ru , p ra c tise y o g a a c c o m p a n ie d b y S a k ti. T h e th ird
o r h i g h e s t c la s s — H a m s a v a d h u t a — is s i m i l a r to th e th ird
S a iv a d e g re e , e x c e p t th a t h e m u s t u n d e r n o c irc u m s ta n c e s
te n c h a w o m a n o r m e ta ls , n o r m a y h e p ra c tis e a n y rite s o r
k e e p a n y o b se rv a n c e s.

1. The e x ig u o u s lo in c lo th of a s c e tic s c o v e rin g o n ly th e g e n ita ls . See

th e K a u p m a p a n c a k a m o f S a m k a ra c a ry a , w h e re th e K a u p ln a v a n is d e s c rib e d

as th e fo rtu n a te one liv in g on th e h a n d fu l of ric e got by b e g g in g ; ever

p o n d e rin g u p o n th e w o rd s o f th e V e d a n ta , w h o s e s e n s e s a re in re p o s e , w h o
e v e r e n jo y s th e B ra h m a n in th e th o u g h t A h a m b ra h m a s m i.

2. T h is is n o t, h o w e v e r, as som e m ay suppose, a p e c u lia rly “T a n trik ”

p r e c e p t , f o r i t i s s a i d i n S r u ti " t a lp a g a t a m n a p a r i h a r e t” (s h e w h o c o m e s to
your bed is n o t to be re fu se d ), fo r th e ru le of c h a s tity w h ic h is b in d in g

on h im y ie ld s to such an advance on th e p a rt o f w om an. S a rh k a ra c a ry a

says th a t ta lp a g a ta m is s a m a g a m a rth in im , a d d in g th a t th is is th e d o c trin e
of R ?i V am adeva.

5
 M ACRO CO SM hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
AN D M ICRO CO SM

Th e u n iv e rse c o n s is ts of a M a h ab ra h m a n d a, or g ra n d
K osm os, and of n u m e ro u s B rh a tb ra h m a n d a , or m a c ro ­
c o s m s e v o lv e d f r o m it. A s is s a i d b y t h e N i r v a n a - T a n t r a ,
a l l w h i c h is i n t h e f i r s t is i n t h e s e c o n d . In th e la tte r a re
h e a v e n l y b o d ie s a n d b e in g s , w h i c h a r e m ic r o c o s m s r e j e c t­
in g o n a m in o r s c a le th e g re a te r w o rld s w h ic h e v o lv e th e m .
“ A s a b o v e , s o b e lo w ” . T h i s m y s t i c a l m a x i m o f t h e 'W e s t
is s t a t e d in t h e V i& v a s a r a - T a n tr a a s f o llo w s : “ W h a t is
h e r e is e l s e w h e r e ; w h a t is n o t h e r e is n o w h e r e ” ( y a d 'jv S s ti
ta d a n y a tra y a n n e h a s ti n a ta tk v a c it). T h e m a c ro c o s m has
its m e ru , or v e rte b ra l c o lu m n , e x te n d in g fro m to p to
b o tto m . T h e re a re fo u rte e n re g io n s d e s c e n d in g & om
S a ty a lo k a , th e h ig h e s t. T h e s e a re th e s e v e n u p p e r a n d th e
s e v e n n e t h e r w o r l d s ( v i d e PONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
a n te ). T h e m e r u o f t h e h u m a n
b o d y is t h e s p i n a l c o lu m n , a n d w i t h i n i t a r e t h e c a k r a s ,
i n w h i c h t h e w o r l d s a r e s a i d t o d w e ll. In th e w o rd s o f th e
S a k ta ta n a n d a -T a ra n g in i, th e y a re p in d a m a d h y e s th ita .
S a ty a h a s b e e n s a id to b e in th e s a h a sra ra , a n d T a p a h ,
J a n a h , M a h a h , S v a h , B h u v a h , B h u h in th e a jn a , v i^ u d d h i,
a n a h a ta , m a n ip u ra , s v a d h is th a n a , a n d m u la d h a ra lo tu s e s
r e s p e c t iv e l y . B e lo w m u l a d h a r a a n d i n t h e j o i n t s , s id e s ,
a n u s , a n d o rg a n s o f g e n e ra tio n a re th e n e th e r w o rld s. The
b o n e s n e a r t h e s p i n a l c o l u m n a r e t h e k u l a - p a r v a t a .1 Such

1 . T h e s e v e n m a in c h a in s o f m o u n ta in s I n B h a ra ta (se e V i^ u -P u rS ^ a ,
B k . I I, c h a p . iii) .
 35PONMLKJIHGFE
M A C R O C O S M hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
A N D M IC R O C O S M

a re th e c o rre s p o n d e n c e s a s to e a rth . T hen a s to w a te r.

T h e n a d is a re th e riv e rs . T h e s e v e n s u b s ta n c e s o f th e b o d y
( d h a tu ) 1 a r e t h e s e v e n i s l a n d s . S w e a t, te a rs, a n d th e lik e
a re th e oceans. F ire e x ists in th e m u la d h a ra , s u s u m n a ,
n a v e l, a n d e l s e w h e r e .2 As th e w o rld s a re s u p p o rte d by
t h e p r a n a a n d o t h e r v a y u s ( “ a i r s ” ) , s o is t h e b o d y s u p p o r t e d
b y th e te n v a y u s, p ra n a , e tc . T h e re is th e sam e aka& a
( e t h e r ) i n b o t h .3 T h e w i t n e s s w i t h in is t h e p u r u s a w i t h ­
o u t , f o r t h e p e r s o n a l s o u l o f t h e m i c r o c o s m c o r r e s p o n d s to
t h e c o s m ic s o u l (h ira n y a g a rb h a ) in th e m a c ro c o s m .

1. S k in , b lo o d , m u s c le , te n d o n , b o n e , fa t, s e m e n .

2 . T h e k a m a g n i i n m u l a d h a r a , b a d a l a i n t h e b o n e s ; i n s u $ u m n a , t h e f ir e
o f lig h tn in g , a n d in th e n a v e l e a r th ly fire .

3 . A s to d is trib u tio n of e le m e n ts in th e c a k ra s, see chap, iv , B h u ta -

a u d d h i-T a n tra .
 THE AGES

Th e p assag e o f tim e w ith in a m a h a-y u g a in flu e n c e s fo r

th e w o rse m an and th e w o rld in w h ic h he liv e s . T h is
p a s s a g e is m a r k e d b y t h e f o u r a g e s ( y u g a ) , c a l le d S a t y a ,
T re ta , D v a p ara , and K a li-y u g a , th e la s t b e in g th a t in
w h ic h i t is g e n e ra lly supposed th e w o rld now is . The
yuga1 is a fra c tio n of a k a lp a , or day of B ra h m a of
4 ,3 2 0 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 y e a r s . T h e k a l p a is d i v i d e d in to fo u rte e n
m a n v a n ta ra s , w h ic h a re a g a in s u b d iv id e d in to s e v e n ty -o n e
m a h a y u g a ; t h e l e n g t h o f e a c h o f w h i c h is 4 ,3 2 0 ,0 0 0 h u m a n
y e a r s . T h e m a h a - y u g a ( g r e a t a g e ) is i t s e l f c o m p o s e d o f f o u r
PONMLK
y u g a s ( a g e s ) — ( a ) S a t y a , ( b ) T r e t a , ( c ) D v a p a r a (d ) K a li.
O f f ic ia l s c ie n c e t e a c h e s t h a t m a n a p p e a r e d o n t h e e a r t h i n
a n i m p e r f e c t s t a t e , f r o m w h i c h h e h a s s in c e b e e n g r a d u a ll y ,
th o u g h c o n t i n u a ll y , r a i s in g h im s e lf . Such te a c h in g is ,
h o w e v e r , i n c o n f lic t w i t h t h e t r a d i t i o n s o f a l l p e o p le s — J e w ,
B a b y l o n i a n , E g y p t i a n , H i n d u , G r e e k , R o m a n , a n d C h r i s ti a n
— w h ic h s p e a k o f a n a g e w h e n m a n w a s b o th in n o c e n t a n d
happy. F r o m t h i s s t a t e o f p r i m a l p e r f e c ti o n h e f e ll, c o n t i­
n u i n g h i s d e s c e n t u n t i l s u c h t i m e a s t h e g r e a t A v a ta r a s ,
C h r i s t a n d o t h e r s , d e s c e n d e d to s a v e h i s r a c e a n d e n a b l e i t
to r e g a i n t h e r i g h t e o u s p a t h . T h e G a r d e n o f E d e n is t h e
e m b le m o f t h e p a r a d i s i a c a l b o d y o f m a n . T h e re m a n w as
o n e w ith N a tu re . H e w a s h im s e lf p a ra d is e , a p riv ile g e d
e n c l o s u r e i n a g a r d e n o f d e l i g h t2 — g a n b e E d e n . E t e ru d itu s

1. See B e n tl e y , “ H in d u A s tro n o m y ” (1 8 2 8 ), p. 10.

2. G e n e s is ii. 8 : P a ra d is e is c o m m o n ly c o n fu se d w ith E den, but th e

tw o a r e d iffe re n t. P a ra d is e is in E d e n -
 37PONMLKJIHGFED
T H E hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
AGES

e s t M o y s e o m n i s a p i e n t i a / E g y p t io r u m . T h e S a ty a Y u g a
is , a c c o r d i n g t o H i n d u b e lie f , t h e G o l d e n A g e o f r i g h t e o u s ­
n e s s , fre e o f s in , m a rk e d b y lo n g e v ity , p h y s ic a l s tre n g th ,
b e a u ty , a n d s ta tu re . “ T h e re w e re g ia n ts in th o s e d a y s ”
w h o se m o ra l, m e n ta l, a n d p h y s ic a l s tre n g th e n a b le d th e m
to u n d e rg o lo n g b ra h m a c a ry a (c o n tin e n c e ) and ta p a s
( a u s t e r it i e s ) . L o n g e v i t y p e r m i tt e d l e n g th y s p i r it u a l e x e r ­
c is e s . L ife th e n depended on th e m a rro w , a n d la s te d a
l a k h o f y e a r s ’1 m e n d y i n g w h e n t h e y w ille d . T h e ir s ta tu re
w a s 2 1 c u b its .

To th is age b e lo n g th e A v a ta ra s or in c a rn a tio n s of
V is n u , M a ts y a , K u rm a , V a ra h a , N r-s im h a , a n d V a m a n a , Its
d u r a t i o n is c o m p u t e d to b e 4 ,8 0 0 D i v i n e y e a r s , w h i c h , w h e n
m u ltip lie d b y 3 6 0 (a y e a r o f th e D e v a s b e in g e q u a l to 3 6 0
h u m a n y e a r s ) a r e t h e e q u i v a l e n t o f 1 ,7 2 8 ,0 0 0 o f t h e y e a r s
o f s m n . (b ) T h e se c o n d a g e , o r T re ta (th re e -fo u rth ) Y u g a ,
is S fe & t in w h ic h rig h te o u s n e s s (d h a rm a ) d e c rea sed by
o n e - 'if c tu r th . The d u ra tio n w as 3 ,6 0 0 D iv in e y e ars, or
1 ,2 M « .0 0 0 h u m a n y e a r s . L o n g e v ity , s tre n g th , a n d s ta tu re
d e ;'i~ * s e d . L i f e w a s i n t h e b o n e , a n d l a s t e d 1 0 ,0 0 0 y e a r s .
M ;v rj s ta tu r e w a s 1 4 c u b its . O f s in th e re a p p e a re d o n e -
q u /ia r , a n d o f v irtu e th e re re m a in e d th re e -q u a rte rs . M en
w c - 3 s till a tta c h e d to p io u s a n d c h a rita b le a c ts , p e n a n c e s,
s a c r if ic e , a n d p i l g r i m a g e , o f w h i c h t h e c h i e f w a s t h a t to
N a im iS a ra n y a . In th is p e rio d a p p e a red th e a v a ta ra s o f
V is n u a s P a ra s u ra m a a n d R a m a , (c ) T h e th ird , o r D v a p a ra
(o n e -h a lf) y u g a , is t h a t i n w h i c h r i g h t e o u s n e s s d e c r e a s e d
b y o n e - h a l f , a n d t h e d u r a t i o n w a s 2 ,4 0 0 D i v i n e , o r 8 6 4 ,0 0 0
h u m a n y e a r s . A f u r t h e r d e c r e a s e i n l o n g e v i ty a n d s t r e n g t h ,
a n d in c re a se o f w e a k n e ss a n d d is e a se m a rk th is a g e . L ife
w h i c h l a s te d 1 ,0 0 0 y e a r s w a s c e n t r e d i n t h e b lo o d . S ta tu re

1. C f . t h e B i b l i c a l a c c o u n t o f t h e l o n g - l i v e d p a t r i a r c h s , M e t h u s e la h a n d

o th e rs : and fo r m o re fa v o u ra b le m odem e s tim a te of th e “ P r im i t iv e s , ” see

M . A . L e b l o n d , “ L ’I d e a l d u d l x n e u v l e m e s i e c l e ,” a n d E l i e R e c l u s ’ c e l e b r a t e d
w o r k o n t h e P r i m it i v e s (1 8 8 8 ).
38 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
T O T A N T R A -& A S T R A

w a s 7 c u b its . S in a n d v irtu e w e re o f e q u a l fo rc e . M en
b e c a m e re s tle s s , a n d th o u g h e a g e r to a c q u ire k n o w le d g e ,
w e r e d e c e i tf u l , a n d f o l l o w e d b o t h g o o d a n d e v il p u r s u i t s .
The p rin c ip a l p la c e of p ilg rim a g e w as K u ru k s e tra . To
th is age b e lo n g s (a c c o rd in g to V yasa, A n u s tu b h a c a ry a
and J a y a -d e v a ) th e a v a ta ra o f V is n u a s B a la -ra m a , th e
e l d e r b r o t h e r o f K r s n a , w h o , a c c o r d i n g to o t h e r a c c o u n t s ,
t a k e s h i s p la c e . In th e s a m d h y a , o r in te rv e n in g p e rio d
o f 1 ,0 0 0 y e a r s b e t w e e n t h i s a n d t h e n e x t y u g a t h e T a n t r a
w a s re v e a le d , a s it w ill b e re v e a le d a t th e d a w n o f e v e ry
K a li- y u g a . '( d ) ' K a l i- y u g a i s t h e a l l e g e d p r e s e n t a g e , in
w h i c h r i g h t e o u s n e s s e x i s t s t o t h e e x t e n t o f o n e - f o u r t h o n ly ,
t h e d u r a t i o n o f w h i c h is 1 ,2 0 0 D i v i n e , o r 4 3 2 ,0 0 0 h u m a n
y e a rs. A c c o r d in g to som e, th is age com m enced in
3 1 2 0 B .C . o n t h e d a t e o f V i s n u ’s r e t u r n to h e a v e n a f t e r t h e
e i g h t h i n c a r n a t io n . T h is is th e p e rio d w h ic h , a c c o rd in g to
t h e P u r a n a s a n d T a n t r a s , is c h a r a c t e r iz e d b y t h e p r e v a & ttf e e
o f v ic io u s n e s s , w e a k n e s s , d is e a s e , a n d t h e g e n e r a l d e d is a e
o f a ll t h a t is g o o d . H u m a n lif e , w h i c h l a s t s a t m o s t 1 2 0 ,
o r, a s s o m e s a y . 1 0 0 , y e a rs , is d e p e n d e n t o n fo o d . S te S a s r e
is Z l/z c u b i t s . T h e c h i e f p i l g r i m a g e is n o w t o t h e G a n g & s .
In th is a g e h a s a p p e a re d th e B u d d h a A v a ta ra . T h e la s t,
o r K a l k i A v a ta r a , t h e D e s t r o y e r o f s in . h a s y e t t o c o m e . It
is H e w h o w ill d e s tro y in iq u ity and re s to re th e age of
rig h te o u s n e s s . T h e K a lk i - P u r a n a s p e a k s o f H i m as one
w h o s e b o d y is b l u e l i k e t h a t o f t h e r a i n - c h a r g e d c lo u d , w h o
w ith s w o rd in h a n d rid e s, a s d o e s th e rid e r o f th e A p o ­
c a ly p s e , a w h i t e h o r s e s w i f t a s t h e w i n d , t h e C h e r i s h e r o f
t h e p e o p le , D e s t r o y e r o f t h e r a c e o f t h e K a l i - y u g a , t h e s o u r c e
o f t r u e r e lig io n . A n d J a y a d e v a , i n h i s O d e to t h e I n c a r ­
n a tio n s , a d d re s se s H im th u s : F o r th e d e s tru c tio n o f a ll
t h e i m p u r e t h o u d r a w e s t t h y s c i m i t a r l i k e a b l a z i n g c o m e t.
0 how tre m e n d o u s ! O h, K eSava, a s su m in g th e b o d y of
 THE AG ES 3 9 PONMLKJIHGFE

K a lk i; B e v ic to rio u s , O H a ri, L o rd o f th e U n iv e rs e !” W ith

th e s a ty a -y u g a a n e w m a h a -y u g a w ill c o m m e n c e a n d th e
a g e s w ill c o n tin u e to re v o lv e w ith th e ir ris in g a n d d e s c e n d ­
in g r a c e s u n t i l t h e c lo s e o f t h e k a l p a o r d a y o f B r a h m a .
T hen a n ig h t o f d is s o lu tio n (p ra la y a ) o f e q u a l d u ra tio n
f o llo w s , th e L o rd re p o s in g in y o g a -n id ra (y o g a s le e p in
p ra la y a ) o n th e S e rp e n t S e s a , th e E n d le s s O n e , till d a y ­
b re a k , w h e n th e u n iv e rs e is c re a te d anew and th e n e x t
k a l p a f o llo w s .
 T H E S C R IP T U R E S O F T H E A G E S

Ea c h o f th e s e A g e s h a s its a p p ro p ria te S a stra o r S c rip tu re ,

d e s ig n e d to m e e t t h e c h a r a c te r i s t i c s a n d n e e d s o f t h e m e n
w h o l i v e i n t h e m .1 T h e H in d u S a s tra s a re c la s s e d in to :
( 1 ) S r u t i , w h i c h c o m m o n ly i n c l u d e s t h e f o u r V e d a s (R ik ,
Y a ju h , S a m a , A th a rv a ) and t h e U p a n is a d s , t h e d o c t r m e
of w h ic h is p h ilo s o p h ic a lly exposed in th e V e d a rs fa -
D a rs a n a . ( 2 ) S m r t i , s u c h a s t h e D h a r m a S a s tr a o f M & jiU .
a n d o t h e r w o r k s o n f a m i ly a n d s o c ia l d u t y p r e s c r i b i n g PONM
faw
p ra v rtti-d h a rm a , as th e U p a n is a d s had re v e a le d Jtafc*
n iv rtti-d h a rm a . (3 ) T h e P u r a n a s ,2 o f w h i c h , a c c o r d i n g
th e B r a h m a - v a i v a r ta P u ra n a, th e re w e re o rig in a lly
la k h s , and of w h ic h e i g h te e n a re now re g a rd e d as th is
p r i n c i p a l. (4 ) T h e T a n tra .

F o r e a c h o f t h e s e a g e s a s u i t a b l e § a s t r a is g iv e n . The
V e d a is t h e r o o t o f a l l S a s t r a s (m u la -s a stra ). A ll o th e rs
a re b a s e d o n it. T h e T a n t r a is s p o k e n o f a s a f if th V e d a .
K u l l u k a - B h a t ta , th e c e le b ra te d c o m m e n ta to r on M anu,
says th a t S ru ti is of tw o k in d s , V a id i k and T a n trik
( v a i d ik l - t a n t r i k l c a iv a d v i-v id h a £ ru tih -k lrtita ). The

1. O f th e s u b je c t m a tte r o f th is p a ra g ra p h s e e m y In tro d u c tio n to “ T h e

P r in c i p l e s o f T a n tr a ” ( T a n t r a - t a t t v a ) , w h e r e i t i s d e a l t w i t h i n g r e a t e r d e t a i l .

2. T hese a re re fe rre d to as s a m h ita (c o lle c tio n ), w h ic h te rm in c lu d e s

am ongst o th e r th in g s D h a rm a -S a stra , S m r t i, 6 r u t i j iv i k a , P u ra n a s, U pa-

p u ra n a s , Itih a s a ( h i s t o r y ) , t h e b o o k s o f V a s i s th a , V a lm ik T , a n d o th e rs . See

6 a b d a - r a l n a v a li , a n d B r a h m a v a i v a r t t a P u r a n a , J n a n a - K a n d a , c h a p , c x x x i i .
 T H E S C R IP T U R E S O F T H E A G E S 4 1 PONMLKJIHGFE

v a rio u s S a stra s , h o w e v e r, a re d iffe re n t p re se n tm e n ts of

S ru ti a p p ro p ria te to th e h u m a n ity o f th e a g e fo r w h ic h th e y
a re g iv e n . T h u s t h e T a n t r a is t h a t p r e s e n t m e n t o f £ r u t i
w h i c h is m o d e l le d a s r e g a r d s i t s r i t u a l t o m e e t t h e c h a r a c ­
te ris tic s a n d i n f i r m i ti e s o f th e K a li-y u g a . A s m ep have
n o lo n g e r th e c a p a c ity , lo n g e v ity , a n d m o ra l s tre n g th n e c e s ­
s a ry fo r th e a p p lic a tio n o f th e V a id ik a K a rm a -k a n ^ a , th e
T a n t r a p r e s c r i b e s a s p e c ia l s a d h a n a , o r m e a n s o r p r a c t i c e
o f i t s o w n , f o r t h e a t t a i n m e n t o f t h a t w h i c h is t h e u l t i m a t e
and com m on end of a ll S a s tra s. The K u la rn a v a -T a n tra
s a y s1 th a t in th e S a ty a o r K rta a g e th e S a s tra is S r u t i
(in th e s e n se o f th e V e d a a n d U p a n is a d s ); in T re ta -y u g a ,
S m r t i ( i n t h e s e n s e o f t h e D h a r m a - S a s t r a a n d S r u t i - j iv i k a ,
e t c .) ; i n t h e D v a p a r a Y u g a , t h e P u r a n a ; a n d i n t h e l a s t o r
K a l i - y u g a , t h e T a n t r a , w h i c h s h o u l d n o w b e f o llo w e d b y a l l
o rth o d o x H in d u w o rs h ip p e rs . The M a h a n irv a n a 2 and
o th e r T a n tra s a n d T a n trik w o rk s 3 la y d o w n th e s a m e ru le .
T h e T a n t r a is a ls o s a i d t o c o n t a i n t h e v e r y c o r e o f t h e V e d a
t o w h i c h , i t is d e s c r i b e d to b e a r t h e r e l a t i o n o f t h e P a r a -
r a a t m a t o t h e J i v a tm a . I n a s i m i l a r w a y , K u l a c a r a is t h e
c e n tra l in fo rm in g life o f th e g ro s s b o d y c a lle d v e d a c a ra ,
e a c h o f t h e a c a r a w h i c h f o llo w i t u p t o k a u l a c a r a , b e in g
m o re a n d m o re s u b tle s h e a th s .

1. K rte s ru ty u k ta a c a ra s tre ta y a m s m rtT -s a m b h a v a b , D v a p a re tu p u ra -

n o k ta m k a la u a g a m a k e v a la m .

2. C h a p te r I , v e r s e 2 3 e t s e q .

3. S o th e T a ra -p ra d lp a (c h a p , i) s a y s th a t in th e K a li-y u g a th e T a n trik a
a n d n o t th e V a id ik a -D h a rm a is to be fo llo w e d (se e as to th e S a s tra s , m y
In tro d u c tio n to “ P r i n c ip l e s o f T a n t r a ” ) .
6
 THE HUM AN BODY

Th e hum an b o d y is B r a h m a - p u r a , t h e c ity of B ra h m a n .
Is v a ra H im s e lf e n te rs in to th e u n iv e rs e a s jiv a . W h e re­
fo re th e m a h a -v a k y a “ T h a t th o u a r t” m e a n s th a t th e e g o
( w h i c h is r e g a r d e d a s j i v a o n ly f r o m t h e s t a n d p o i n t o f a n
u p a d h i1 ) is B r a h m a n .

T H E F IV E S H E A T H S

In th e b o d y th e re a re f iv e k o £ a s o r s h e a th s — a n n a -
m aya, p ra n a -m a y a , m a n o -m ay a , v ijn a n a -m a y a , ananda-
m a y a , o r th e p h y s ic a l a n d v i t a l b o d ie s , t h e tw o m e n ta l
b o d ie s , a n d t h e b o d y o f b lis s .2 I n t h e f i r s t t h e L o r d is s e lf -
c o n s c io u s a s b e i n g d a r k o r f a i r , s h o r t o r t a l l , o ld o r y o u t h ­
f u l. I n t h e v i t a l b o d y H e f e e ls a liv e , h u n g r y , a n d t h i r s t y .
I n t h e m e n t a l b o d ie s H e t h i n k s a n d u n d e r s t a n d s . A n d in
t h e b o d y o f B lis s H e r e s i d e s i n h a p p i n e s s . T h u s g a rm e n te d
w ith th e f iv e g a rm e n ts, th e L o rd , th o u g h a ll-p e rv a d in g ,
a p p e a r s a s t h o u g h H e w e r e l i m i t e d b y t h e m .3

1. A n a p p a r e n t l y c o n d i t i o n i n g l i m it a t i o n o f t h e A b s o l u t e .

2. A c c o rd in g to “ T h e o s o p h ic ” te a c h in g , th e first tw o s h e a th s a re ap­
p a re n tly th e p h y s ic a l b o d y in its d e n s e (A n n a -m a y a ) and e th e ric (P ra n a -
m aya) fo rm s. M a n o -m a y a re p re s e n ts th e a s tra l (K a m a) a n d lo w e r m e n ta l
body; V i jn a n a - m a y a th e h ig h e r m e n ta l o r (th e o s o p h ic a l) causal body, an d
th e h ig h e s t th e A tm ik b o d y .
3. M a n a s o l la s a of S u re s v a ra c a ry a , C o m m e n ta ry on th ird s lo k a of th e
D a k s i n a - m u r tl - s t o t r a .
 THE H U M AN BO D Y 4 3 PONMLKJIHGFED

A N N A -M A Y A K O S A

I n t h e m a t e r i a l b o d y , w h i c h i s c a l le d th e “ s h e a th o f
fo o d ” (a n n a -m a y a k o s a ), re ig n th e e le m e n ts e a rth , w a te r,
a n d f ir e , w h i c h a r e t h o s e p r e s i d i n g i n t h e l o w e r C a k r a s ,
t h e M u l a d h a r a , S v a d h i s t h a n a , a n d M a n i- p u r a c e n t r e s . The
t w o f o r m e r p r o d u c e f o o d a n d d r i n k , w h i c h is a s s im i l a t e d
b y th e fire o f d ig e s tio n , a n d c o n v e rte d in to th e b o d y of
fo o d . The in d riy a s a re b o th th e fa c u lty and o rg a n s of
sense. T h e re a re in th is body th e m a te ria l o rg a n s, as
d is tin g u is h e d fro m t h e f a c u l ty o f s e n s e .

In th e g ro s s b o d y (s a rlra -k o s a ) th e re a re s ix e x te rn a l
k o s a s — v i z ., h a i r , b lo o d , f l e s h ,1 w h i c h c o m e f r o m t h e m o th e j* ,
a n d b o n e , m u s c le , m a rro w , fro m th e fa th e r.

T h e o rg a n s o f se n se ( i n d r i y a ) a r e o f t w o k i n d s — v iz .:
j;:& ? .e n d r iy a s o r o r g a n s o f s e n s a t i o n , t h r o u g h w h i c h k n o w -
h j& 0 j o f t h e e x t e r n a l w o r l d is o b t a i n e d (e a r, s k in , eyes,
tc r ig w e , n o s e ) ; a n d k a r m e n d r i y a o r o r g a n s o f a c t i o n , m o u t h ,
a v r -a s , le g s , a n u s , p e n is , t h e f u n c t i o n s o f w h i c h a r e s p e e c h ,
h v ' i i n g , w a l k i n g , e x c r e ti o n , a n d p r o c r e a t i o n .

P R A N A -M A Y A KOSA

T h e s e c o n d s h e a t h is t h e p r a n a - m a y a - k o s a , o r s h e a t h
of “ b re a th ” (p ra n a), w h ic h m a n ife sts its e lf in a ir and
e th e r, th e p re sid in g e le m e n ts in th e A n a h a ta a n d V is u d d h a -
c a k ras.

T h e re a re te n v a y u s (a irs ), o r in n e r v ita l fo rc e s , o f
w h i c h t h e f i r s t f iv e 2 a r e t h e p r i n c i p a l— n a m e l y , t h e s a p p h i r e
p ra n a ; a p a n a th e c o lo u r o f a n e v e n in g c lo u d ; th e s ilv e r
v y a n a , u d a n a , t h e c o l o u r o f f ir e ; a n d t h e m i l k y s a m a n a .3

1. T h e P ra p a n c a -s a ra (c h a p , ii) g iv e s s h u k la (se m e n ) in s te a d o f m a m s a
(fle s h ).

2. S e e S a ra d a tila k a . T h e m in o r v a y u s a re n a g a , k u rm a , k rk a ra , d e v a -
d a t t a , d h a n a r h j a y a , p r o d u c i n g h i c c u p , c l o s i n g a n d o p e n in g e y e s , a s s i s ta n c e to
d i g e s t i o n , y a w n i n g , a n d d i s t e n s io n , “ w h i c h l e a v e s n o t e v e n t h e c o r p s e .”
44 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA 3ASTRA

T h e s e a re a ll a s p e c ts o f th e a c tio n o f th e o n e P ra n a -d e v a ta .
K u n < J a lin I is t h e M o t h e r o f p r a n a , w h i c h S h e , t h e M u l a -
P ra k rti, illu m in e d b y th e lig h t o f th e S u p re m e A tm a g e n e ­
ra te s . P r a n a is v a y u , o r t h e u n i v e r s a l f o r c e o f a c t i v i ty ,
d i v i d e d o n e n t e r i n g e a c h i n d i v i d u a l i n t o f iv e - f o ld f u n c t i o n .
S p e c if ic a lly c o n s id e re d , p ra n a is in s p ira tio n , w h ic h w ith
e x p i r a t i o n is f r o m a n d to a d i s t a n c e o f e i g h t a n d t w e l v e
i n c h e s r e s p e c t iv e l y . U d a n a is t h e a s c e n d in g v a y u . A pana
is t h e d o w n w a r d v a y u , e x p e ll i n g w i n d , e x c r e m e n t , u r i n e ,
an d sem en. T h e s a m a n a , o r c o lle c tiv e v a y u , k in d le s th e
b o d ily f ir e , “ c o n d u c t i n g e q u a l l y t h e f o o d , e t c ., t h r o u g h o u t
t h e b o d y .” V y a n a is t h e s e p a r a t e v a y u , e f f e c tin g d i v i s i o n
a n d d if f u s io n . T h e s e fo rc e s c a u s e re s p ira tio n , e x c re tio n ,
d ig e s tio n , c i r c u l a t i o n .

M A N O -M A Y A , V IJN A N A - A N D A N A N D A -M A Y A K O S A S

T h e n e x t t w o s h e a t h s a r e t h e m a n o - m a y a a n d v ija & n ia
kosas. T h e s e c o n s t i t u t e t h e a n t a h - k a r a n a , w h i c h is f c s a e *
f o ld — n a m e l y , t h e m i n d i n i t s t w o - f o l d a s p e c t o f B u d d h i o s a d
m a n a s , s e lf - h o o d ( a h a m k a r a ) , a n d c h i t t a .1 T h e f u n c ti o n $> £
th e firs t is d o u b t, s a m k a lp a -v ik a lp a tm a k a , ( u n c e r ta in ^
c e rta in ty ); o f th e se c o n d , d e te rm in a tio n (n is c a y a -k a rn i);
o f th e th ird (e g o ity ), c o n s c io u s n e s s (a b h im a n a ). M anas
a u t o m a t i c a l ly r e g i s t e r s t h e f a c t s w h i c h t h e s e n s e s p e r c e i v e .
B u d d h i, on a tte n d in g to such re g is tra tio n , d is c rim in a te s ,
d e t e r m i n e s , a n d c o g n iz e s t h e o b j e c t r e g i s te r e d , w h i c h is s e t
over and a g a i n s t t h e s u b j e c t i v e s e lf b y A h a m k ara . The
f u n c t i o n o f c h i t t a is c o n t e m p l a t io n ( c h i n t a ) , t h e f a c u l ty 2
w h e re b y th e m in d in its w id e s t s e n s e ra is e s fo r its e lf th e

1 . A c c o rd in g to S a m k h y a , c h itta is in c lu d e d in b u d d h i. T h e a b o v e is
th e V e d a n tic c la s s if ic a tio n .
2 . T h e m o s t im p o r ta n t f r o m th e p o in t o f v ie w o f w o r s h ip o n account
o f m a n tr a - s m a ra n a , d e v a ta -s m a r a n a , e tc .
 THE H UM AN BO DY 4 5 PONMLKJIHGFE

s u b j e c t o f i t s t h o u g h t a n d d w e l ls t h e r e o n . F o r w h i ls t b u d -
d h i h a s b u t t h r e e m o m e n t s i n w h i c h i t is b o m , e x i s ts , a n d
d ie s , c h i t t a e n d u r e s .

T h e a n t a h - k a r a n a is m a s t e r o f t h e t e n s e n s e s , w h i c h
a r e t h e o u t e r d o o r s t h r o u g h w h i c h i t lo o k s f o r t h u p o n t h e
e x te rn a l w o rld . T h e f a c u l t i e s , a s o p p o s e d to t h e o r g a n s o r
in s tru m e n ts o f s e n s e , re s id e h e re . T h e c e n tre s o f th e p o w e rs
in h e re n t in th e la s t tw o s h e a th s a re in th e A jn a C a k ra a n d
th e re g io n a b o v e th is a n d b e lo w th e s a h a s ra ra lo tu s . In th e
l a t te r t h e A t m a o f t h e l a s t s h e a t h o f b lis s r e s i d e s . The phy­
s i c a l o r g r o s s b o d y is c a l l e d s t h u la - s a r i r a . T h e s u b tle b o d y
( s u k s m a - s a r i r a a ls o c a l l e d l i n g a & a r ir a a n d k a r a n a - s a r l r a )
c o m p rise s th e te n in d riy a s , m a n a s, a h a m k a ra , b u d d h i, a n d
t h e f iv e f u n c t io n s o f p r a n a . T h i s s u b t l e b o d y c o n t a i n s in
its e lf th e c a u s e o f re b irth in to th e g ro s s b o d y w h e n th e p e rio d
o f re in c a rn a tio n a rriv e s.

T h e a tm a , b y its a s so c ia tio n w ith th e u p a d h is, h a s th re e

s ta te s of c o n s c io u s n e s s — n a m e l y , th e ja g ra t, or w a k in g
s ta te , w h e n th ro u g h th e s e n s e o rg a n s a re p e rc e iv e d o b je c ts
cd s e n s e t h r o u g h t h e o p e r a t i o n o f m a n a s a n d b u d d h i . It
i s e x p l a i n e d i n t h e I s v a r a - p r a t y a - b h i j n a a s f o llo w s — “ t h e
w a k i n g s t a t e d e a r to a l l is t h e s o u r c e o f e x t e r n a l a c t i o n
th ro u g h th e a c tiv ity o f th e s e n s e s .” The J iv a is c a lle d
j a g a r i— t h a t is , h e w h o t a k e s u p o n h i m s e l f t h e g r o s s b o d y
c a lle d V is v a . The second is svapna, th e d re a m s t a te ,
w h e n t h e s e n s e o r g a n s b e i n g w i t h d r a w n , A t m a is c o n s c io u s
o f m e n t a l im a g e s g e n e r a t e d b y t h e i m p r e s s i o n s o f j a g r a t
e x p e rie n c e . H e re m a n a s c e a s e s to re co rd fre sh s e n s e im ­
p re s sio n s , a n d it a n d b u d d h i w o rk on th a t w h ic h m a n a s
h a s re g is te re d in th e w a k in g s ta te . T h e e x p la n a t i o n of
t h i s s t a t e is a ls o g i v e n i n t h e w o r k l a s t c ite d . “ T h e s ta te
o f s v a p n a is t h e o b j e c t i f i c a t i o n o f v i s i o n s p e r c e i v e d i n t h e
m i n d , d u e to t h e p e r c e p t i o n o f i d e a s t h e r e l a t e n t .” J iv a
i n t h e s t a t e o f s v a p n a is t e r m e d t a i j a s a . I t s i n d i v id u a li t y
46 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

is m e r g e d i n t h e s u b t l e b o d y . H i r a n y a - g a r b h a is t h e c o lle c ­
t i v e f o r m o f t h e s e j i v a s , a s V a i £ v a n a r a is s u c h f o r m o f t h e
jiv a in th e w a k in g s ta te . T h e t h i r d s t a t e is t h a t o f s u £ u p t i ,
o r d r e a m l e s s s le e p , w h e n m a n a s i t s e l f is w i t h d r a w n , a n d
b u d d h i, d o m in a te d b y ta m a s , p re s e rv e s o n ly th e n o tio n :
“ H a p p i l y I s l e p t ; I w a s n o t c o n s c io u s o f a n y t h i n g ” (P a ta n -
j a l a - y o g a - s u t r a ). In th e m a c ro c o sm th e u p a d h i o f th e s e
s t a t e s a r e a ls o c a l l e d V i r a t , H i r a n y a g a r b h a , a n d A v y a k t a .
T h e d e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e s t a t e o f s le e p is g i v e n i n t h e S i v a - s u t r a
a s t h a t i n w h i c h t h e r e is i n c a p a c it y o f d i s c r i m i n a t i o n o r i l l u ­
s io n . B y th e s a y in g c ite d fro m th e P a ta n ja la -s u tra th re e
m o d if ic a tio n s o f a v i d y a a r e i n d i c a t e d — v iz ., i g n o r a n c e , e g o ­
is m , a n d h a p p i n e s s . S o u n d s l e e p is t h a t i n w h i c h t h e s e t h r e e
e x is t. T h e p e r s o n i n t h a t s t a t e is t e r m e d p r a j n a , h i s i n d i v i d u ­
a l i t y b e in g m e r g e d i n th e c a u s a l b o d y (k a ran a ). Sl m *
i n t h e s le e p in g s t a t e t h e p r a j n a b e c o m e s B r a h m a n , h e is n o
l o n g e r j i v a a s b e f o r e ; b u t t h e j i v a is t h e n n o t t h e s u p r e s * ®
one (P a ra m a tm a ), because th e s ta te is a s so c ia te d v rj» 'ia
a v id y a . H e n c e , b e c a u s e th e v e h ic le in th e jiv a in th e s lo p ­
in g s t a t e is K a r a n a , t h e v e h i c l e o f t h e j i v a i n t h e f o u r t h
is d e c la r e d to be m a h a -k ara n a . Isv ara is th e c o lle c th c *
f o r m o f t h e p r a j n a jiv a .

B e y o n d s u $ u p ti i s t h e t u r i y a , a n d b e y o n d t u r i y a t h e
t r a n s c e n d e n t f if th s t a t e w i t h o u t n a m e . In th e fo u rth s ta te
s u d d h a - v i d y a i s r e q u i r e d , a n d t h i s is t h e o n l y r e a l i s t i c o n e
fo r th e y o g i w h ic h h e a tta in s th ro u g h s a m a d h i-y o g a . J iv a
i n t u r i y a is m e r g e d i n t h e g r e a t c a u s a l b o d y ( m a h a - k a r a n a ) .
T h e fifth s ta te a ris e s fro m firm n e s s in th e fo u rth . H e w ho
is i n t h i s s t a t e b e c o m e s e q u a l t o S i v a , o r , m o r e s t r i c t l y t e n d s
to a c lo s e e q u a l i t y ; f o r i t is o n ly b e y o n d t h a t , t h a t “ t h e
s p o t l e s s o n e a t t a i n s t h e h i g h e s t e q u a l i t y ,” w h i c h is u n i t y .
H e n c e e v e n i n t h e f o u r t h a n d f if th s t a t e s t h e r e is a n a b s e n c e
o f f u l l p e r f e c t io n w h i c h c o n s t i tu t e s t h e S u p r e m e . B h a s k a r a -
 THE H U M AN BO D Y 4 7 PONMLKJIHG

ra y a , in h is C o m m e n ta ry o n th e L a lita , w h e n p o in tin g o u t
t h a t t h e T a n t r i k t h e o r y a d d s t h e f o u r t h a n d f i f t h s t a t e s to
t h e f i r s t t h r e e a d o p te d b y t h e f o l l o w e r s o f t h e U p a n is a d s ,
s a y s t h a t t h e l a t te r s t a t e s a r e n o t s e p a r a t e l y e n u m e r a t e d b y
t h e m o w i n g to t h e a b s e n c e i n t h o s e t w o s t a t e s o f t h e f u l l
p e r f e c t i o n o f J i v a o r o f S iv a .

NADI

I t is s a i d 1 t h a t t h e r e a r e 3 % c ro re s o f n a d is in th e
h u m a n b o d y , o f w h ic h s o m e a re g ro s s a n d s o m e a re s u b tle .
N a d i m e a n s a n e rv e o r a rte ry in th e o rd in a ry s e n s e ; b u t a ll
th e n a d is o f w h ic h th e b o o k s o n Y o g a 2 s p e a k a re n o t o f th is
p h y s ic a l c h a ra c te r, b u t a r e s u b tle c h a n n e ls o f e n e rg y . Of
th e s e n a d is , th e p rin c ip a l a re fo u rte e n ; a n d o f th e s e fo u r­
te e n , id a , p in g a la a n d s u s u m n a a re th e c h ie f; a n d , a g a in , o f
th e s e th re e , s u s u m n a is th e g re a te s t, a n d to it a ll o th e rs
a .? e s u b o r d i n a t e . S u s u m n a is i n t h e h o l l o w o f t h e m e r u i n
t h e c e r e b r o - s p i n a l a x i s .3 I t e x te n d s fro m th e M u la d h a ra
lo tu s , th e T a ttv ik e a r th c e n tre ,4 to th e c e reb ra l re g io n .
S u s u m n a is i n t h e f o r m o f F i r e (v a h n i-s v a ru p a ), a n d h a s
w ith in it th e v a jrin i-n a d i in th e fo rm o f th e s u n (su ry a -
s v a ru p a ). W ith in t h e l a t t e r is th e p a le n e c ta r-d ro p p in g

1. N a d l-v ijn a n a (c h a p , i, v e rs e s 4 a n d 5 ).

2. S a t-c h a k ra -n iru p a n a ( c o m m e n ta r y o n v e r s e 1 ) , q u o t i n g f r o m B h u ta -
s u d d h i - T a n t r a , s p e a k s o f 7 2 0 0 0 n a d i s ( s e e a l s o N i r u t t a r a - T a n t r a , P r a n a - to s i n l ,
p . 3 5 ), a n d th e S iv a -s a m h ita ( 2 , 1 3 ) o f t h r e e l a c s a n d 5 0 ,0 0 0

3. I t h a s b e e n th o u g h t, o n th e a u th o rity o f th e T a n tra -c u d a -m a n i, th a t
s u s u m n a is o u ts id e m e ru ; b u t th is is n o t s o , a s th e A u th o r o f th e $ a t- c a k r a -
n iru p a n a p o in ts o u t (v e rse 2 ). Id a a n d P in g a la a re o u ts id e th e m e ru ; th e
q u o t e d p a s s a g e i n N i g a m a - t a tt v a - s a r a r e f e r r i n g t o s u s u m n a , v a j r a a n d c h i t r i n l.

4. T h e T a ttv a s o f “ e a r t h ,” “ w a t e r ,” “ fire ,” “ a i r ,” and “ e t h e r ,” a re not

to b e id e n tifie d w ith th e s o -c a lle d p o p u la r “ e le m e n ts” o f th o s e n a m e s .
48 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

c itra or c itr in x n a d i, w h ic h is a ls o c a lle d B ra h m a -n a d i,

in th e fo rm of th e m oon (c a n d ra -s v a ru p a ). S usum na
is th u s trig u n a . The v a rio u s lo tu s e s in th e d iffe re n t
C a k r a s o f t h e b o d y ( v i d e p o st) a r e a l l s u s p e n d e d f r o m t h e
c itra -n a d i, th e c ak ra s b e in g d e s c rib e d as k n o ts in th e
n a d i, w h ic h is a s th in a s th e th o u s a n d th p a r t o f h a ir. O u t­
s id e t h e m e r u a n d o n e a c h s id e o f s u s u m n a a r e t h e n a d i s
id a a n d p in g a la . I d a is o n t h e l e f t s id e , a n d c o ilin g r o u n d
s u s u m n a , h a s its e x it in th e le ft n o s t r il . P in g a la is on
th e rig h t, a n d , s i m i la r y c o ilin g , e n te rs th e rig h t n o s t r il .
T h e s u s u m n a , in te rla c in g id a and p in g a la and th e a jn a -
c a k ra ro u n d w h ic h th e y p a s s, th u s fo rm a re p re s e n ta tio n
o f th e c a d u c e u s o f M e rc u ry . I d a is o f a p a l e c o l o u r , is
m o o n - lik e ( c a n d r a - s v a r u p a ) , a n d c o n t a i n s n e c t a r . P i n g a la
is re d , and is s u n -lik e (su ry a -sv aru p a ), c o n ta in in g
“ v e n o m ,’* th e f lu id of m o r t a l it y . T hese th re e “ r i v e r s ,”
w h i c h a r e u n i t e d a t t h e a j n a - c a k r a , f lo w s e p a r a t e l y f r o m
t h a t p o in t, a n d fo r th is re a so n th e a jn a -c a k ra is c a lle d
m u k ta triv e n i. T h e m u l a d h a r a is c a l l e d Y u k t a ( u n i t e d .) ,
t r i - v e n i , s in c e i t is t h e m e e tin g -p la c e of th e th re e n& dxs
w h i c h a r e a ls o c a lle d G a n g a ( I d a ) , Y a m u n a ( P i n g a l a ) , a n d
S a ra s v a ti (s u s u m n a ), a fte r th e th re e s a c re d riv e rs o f In d ia .
T h e o p e n in g a t t h e e n d o f t h e s u s u m n a i n t h e m u l a d h a r a
is c a lle d b r a h m a - d v a r a , w h i c h is c lo s e d b y t h e c o ils o f t h e
s le e p in g D e v i K u n d a l i n i .

CAKKAS

T h e r e a r e s i x c a k r a s , o r d y n a m ic T a t t v i k c e n t r e s , in
th e b o d y — v iz * ., t h e m u l a d h a r a , s v a d h i s t h a n a , m a n i - p u r a ,
a n a h a t a , v i s u d d h a , a n d a j n a — w h i c h a r e d e s c r ib e d i n t h e
f o llo w in g n o te s . O v e r a l l t h e s e is th e th o u s a n d -p e ta lle d
lo tu s (sa h asra ra-p a d m a ).
 T H E hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
H U M AN BO D Y 49

M ULADHARA

M u l a d h a r a 1 is a t r i a n g u la r s p a c e i n t h e m i d m o s t p o r ­
tio n o f th e b o d y , w ith th e a p e x tu rn e d d o w n w a rd s lik e a
y o u n g g i r l ’s y o n i. I t is d e s c rib e d a s a re d lo tu s o f fo u r
p e ta ls , s itu a te b e tw e e n th e b a s e o f th e s e x u a l o rg a n and
th e a n u s . “ E a rth ” e v o lv e d fro m “ w a te r” is th e T a tt v a
o f th e c a k ra . On th e fo u r p e ta ls a re th e fo u r g o ld e n
v a rn a s— “ v a m ” (4 ), “sam ” ( s r) , “ § a m ” (« 5 ), an d “sam ”
(4 ). 2 In th e fo u r p e ta ls p o in te d to w a rd s th e fo u r d ire c tio n s
:
( I 6 a n a , e t c .) a r e t h e f o u r f o r m s o f b lis s — y o g a n a n d a ( y o g a
b lis s ), p a ra m a n a n d a (s u p re m e b lis s), s a h a ja n a n d a (n a tu ra l
b lis s ), a n d v ira n a n d a (v lra b lis s ). In th e c e n tre o f th is lo tu s
is S v a y a m b h u - l i n g a , r u d d y b r o w n , l i k e t h e c o l o u r o f a y o u n g
le a f. C i tr i n i - n a d i is f i g u r e d a s a t u b e , a n d t h e o p e n i n g a t
its : S lid a t t h e b a s e o f t h e l i n g a is c a l l e d t h e d o o r o f B r a h m a n
(In n h m a -d v a ra ), th ro u g h w h i c h t h e D e v i a s c e n d s .3 The
lo • ! lin g a a n d b ra h m a -d v a ra , h a n g d o w n w a rd s . T he D evi
K > ;!a lin i, m o re s u b tle th a n th e fib re o f th e lo tu s , and
lu m in o u s a s lig h tn in g , lie s a s le e p c o ile d lik e a se rp e n t
a r .'jn a s d t h e lin g a , a n d c lo s e s w i t h H e r b o d y th e d o o r o f
B : iih m a n . T h e D e v i h a s fo rm s in th e b ra h m a n d a . H er
s u b t l e s t f o r m i n t h e p i n d a n d a , o r b o d y , is c a l l e d K u n d a l i n i ,
a f o r m o f P r a k r t i p e r v a d i n g , s u p p o r t i n g , a n d e x p r e s s e d in

1. M u la , th e ro o t; a d h a ra , s u p p o rt; fo r th e m u la d h a ra is th e ro o t of

S u s u m n a a n d th a t o n w h ic h K u n d a lin i re s ts.

2. It need h a rd ly be s a id t h a t i t i9 n o t supposed th a t th e re a re any

a c tu a l lo tu s e s or le tte rs e n g ra v e d th e re o n . T hese and o th e r te rm s a re

e m p lo y e d to re p re se n t re a litie s of yoga e x p e rie n c e . Thus th e lo tu s is a

p l e x u s o f n a d l s , t h e d i s p o s i t i o n o f t h e l a t t e r a t t h e p a r t i c u la r c a k r a i n q u e s ­

t i o n d e t e r m i n in g th e n u m b e r o f th e p e ta ls .

3. H ence She is c a lle d in th e L a lita -s a h a s ra -n a m a (v e rse 106) M u la -

d h a ra m -b u ja ru d h a .

7
50 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

t h e f o r m o f . t h e w h o l e u n i v e r s e ; “ t h e G l i t te r i n g D a n c e r ” ( a s
t h e S a r a d a t i l a k a c a lls H e r ) “ i n t h e l o t u s - li k e h e a d o f t h e
y o g i.” W h e n a w a k e n e d , i t is S h e w h o g iv e s b i r t h t o t h e w o r l d
m a d e o f m a n tra .1 A re d fie ry tria n g le s u rro u n d s s v a y a m -
b h u - l i n g a , a n d w i t h i n t h e t r i a n g l e is t h e r e d K a n d a r p a - v a y u ,
o r a i r , o f K a m a , a f o r m o f t h e a p a n a v a y u , f o r h e r e is t h e
s e a t o f c r e a t iv e d e s i r e . O u t s i d e t h e t r i a n g l e is a y e llo w
sq u a re , c a lle d th e p r th iv i- ( e a r th ) - m a n d a la , to w h ic h is
a tta c h e d th e “ e ig h t th u n d e rs ” (a s ta -v a jra ). H e r e is t h e
b ija “ la m ” (h ), a n d w ith it p rth iv i o n th e b a c k o f a n
e l e p h a n t. H e r e a ls o a r e B r a h m a a n d S a v i t r l ,2 a n d t h e r e d
f o u r - h a n d e d S a k t i D a k i n i .3

S V A D H IS T H A N A

S v a d h i s t h a n a is a s i x - p e t a l l e d l o t u s a t t h e b a s e o f # i e
s e x u a l o rg a n , a b o v e m u la d h a ra a n d b e lo w th e n a v e l E fcs
p e r i c a r p is r e d , a n d i t s p e t a l s a r e l i k e l i g h t n i n g , “Wa»”
e v o lv e d f r o m “ f i r e ” is t h e T a t t v a o f t h i s c a k r a . T h e v a rm as
on th e p e ta ls a re “bam ” (* ), “bham ”
“yam ” ($ n , “ra m ” ( t) , a n d “ la m ” (a ), I n th e . s ix
p e ta ls a r e a ls o th e v rttis (s ta te s, q u a litie s, f u n c ti o n s or
in c lin a tio n s )— n a m e ly , p ra S ra y a (c re d u lity ), a - v i& v a s a
( s u s p ic io n , m i s t r u s t ) , a v a j n a ( d i s d a in ) , m u r c h c h a (d e lu ­
s io n , o r , a s s o m e s a y , d i s i n c l i n a t io n ) , s a r v a - n a £ a ( f a l s e k n o w ­
l e d g e ) ,4 a n d k r u r a t a ( p i t i le s s n e s s ) . W ith in a s e m ic irc u la r

1. S e e P r a n a - t o s in i , p . 4 5 .

2. T h e D e v i is S a v i t r l a s w i f e o f t h e C r e a t o r , w h o is c a l l e d S a v i ta b e c a u s e
H e c re a te s b e in g s .

3. W h o , a c c o rd in g to th e S a m m o h a n a -T a n tra (c h a p , ii) , a c ts a s k e e p e r
o f th e d o o r.

4. L i t. “ d e s t r u c t io n o f e v e r y t h i n g ," w h ic h f a l s e k n o w l e d g e l e a d s to .
IhgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA

THE H UM AN BO DY 5 1 PONMLKJIHGFED

s p a c e in th e p e ric a rp a r e th e D e v a ta , th e d a rk b lu e M a h a -
v is n u , M a h a la k s m I, a n d S a r a s w a tl . In f r o n t is t h e b l u e
fo u r-h a n d e d R a k in i S a k ti, a n d th e b lja o f V a ru n a , L o rd o f
w a te r o r “ v a m ” l« r). I n s i d e t h e b i j a t h e r e is t h e r e g i o n o f
V a r u n a , o f t h e s h a p e o f a n h a l f - m o o n , a n d i n i t is V a r u n a
h im s e lf s e a te d o n a w h ite a llig a to r (m a k a ra ).

M A N I-P tfR A

M a n i- p u r a - c a k r a 1 i s a t e n - p e t a l l e d g o l d e n l o t u s , s i t u a t e
a b o v e th e la s t in th e re g io n o f th e n a v e l. “ F i r e ” e v o lv e d
f r o m “ a i r ” is t h e T a t t v a o f t h e c a k r a . T h e te n p e ta ls a re
o f t h e c o l o u r s o f a c lo u d , a n d o n t h e m a r e t h e b l u e v a r n a s —
(* ), “d h a rh ” (i), “n am ” tf), “ ta rn ” ( a ) ., “ t h a m ”
(v i), “dam (^ ), “dham ” (v j), “nam ” (3 )» “pam ”
ii)* “pham ” (< £ ), — and th e te n v rttis (v id e a n te ),
m c m e ly , la jja (sh a m e ), p is u n a ta (fic k le n e s s ), Irsa
(je a lo u s y ), trs n a (d e s ire ), s u s u p ti ( l a z i n e s s ) ,2 v i^ a d a
(sa d n ess), kasaya (d u lln e s s ), m oha (ig n o ra n c e ), g h rn a
(a v e rsio n , d is g u st), b h a y a (fe ar). W i t h i n t h e p e r i c a r p is
th v * b l j a i ( “ ra m ” ) , a n d a tria n g u la r fig u re (m a n d a la ) o f
A g n i, L o r d o f F i r e , to e a c h s i d e o f w h i c h f i g u r e a r e a t t a c h e d
t h r e e a u s p i c i o u s s ig n s o r s v a s t i k a s . A g n i, re d , fo u r-h a n d e d ,
a n d s e a t e d o n a r a m , i s w i t h in t h e f ig u r e . In fro n t o f h im
a re R u d ra a n d h is S a k ti B h a d ra -k a li. R u d ra is o f th e
c o l o u r o f v e r m i l i o n , a n d is o ld . H is b o d y is s m e a r e d w i t h
ashes. H e h a s th re e e y e s a n d tw o hands. W ith one of
t h e s e h e m a k e s t h e s i g n w h i c h g r a n t s b o o n s a n d b le s s in g s ,

1. S o - c a lle d , i t is s a id b y s o m e , b e c a u s e d u r in g s a m a y a w o r s h ip th e D e v i
is (p u ra) w ith gem s (m a m ): s e e B h a s k a r a - r a y a ’s C o m m e n ta r y o n L a l it a -
sa h asra-n a m a, v e rses 37 a n d 38. B y o th e r s it is s o c a lle d b e c a u s e ( d u e to
t h e p r e s e n c e o f A re ) i t is lik e a g e m .

2. D e e p ly s o , w ith c o m p le te d is in c lin a tio n to a c tio n ^ a b s e n c e o f a ll e n e rg y

52 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

a n d w i t h t h e o t h e r t h a t w h i c h d is p e ls f e a r . N e a r h im is
t h e f o u r - a r m e d L a k i n i - S a k t i o f t h e c o l o u r o f m o l t e n g o ld
( ta p ta - k a n c a n a ) , w e a rin g y e llo w ra im e n ts a n d o rn a m e n ts.
H e r m i n d is m addened w ith p a s s io n (m a d a -m a tta -c itta ).
A b o v e th e lo tu s is th e a b o d e a n d re g io n o f S u ry a . The
s o la r re g io n d rin k s th e n e c ta r w h ic h d ro p s fro m th e re g io n
o f th e M o o n .

ANAHATA

A n a h a ta -c a k ra is a deep re d lo tu s o f tw e lv e p e ta ls,
s i tu a t e a b o v e t h e l a s t a n d i n t h e r e g i o n o f t h e h e a r t , w h i c h
is to b e d i s t in g u i s h e d f r o m t h e h e a r t - l o t u s f a c i n g u p w a r d s
o f e ig h t p e ta ls, s p o k e n o f in th e te x t, w h e re th e p a tro n f f e ty
(Is ta -d e v a ta ) is m e d ita te d upon. “ A ir” e v o lv e d hm
“ e t h e r ” is t h e T a t t v a o f t h e f o r m e r l o t u s . O n t h e tw ^ is r e
p e ta ls a re th e v e rm ilio n v a rn a s — “ K a m ” («p ). “ K h a m rv
“G am ” (« 0 , “G ham ” (* r), “ngam ” (* ), “cam ”
“C ham ” (# . “Jam ” (* , “Jham ” (* ), nam ” (* ), “7 W
(£ ), “T ham ” (3 1 , and th e tw e lv e v rttis (v id e a n t i .) —
n a m e ly , a £ a (h o p e ), c h in ta (c a re , a n x ie ty ), c e s ta (e n ­
d e a v o u r) , m a m a ta (s e n se o f m in e n e s s) d a m b h a (a rro g a n c e
or h y p o c ris y ), v ik a la ta (la n g o u r), a h a m k a ra (c o n c e it),
v iv e k a ( d i s c r i m i n a ti o n ) , lo la ta (c o v e to u sn e s s), k a p a ta t a
(d u p lic ity ) v ita rk a ( i n d e c i s io n ) , a n u ta p a (re g re t). A
tria n g u la r m a n d a la w ith in th e p e ric a rp o f th is lo tu s o f th e
l u s t r e o f l i g h t n i n g is k n o w n a s t h e T r i - k o n a S a k t i . W ith in
th is m a n d a la is a re d b a n a -lin g a , c a lle d N a ra y a n a or
H i r a n y a g a r b h a , a n d n e a r i t I § v a r a a n d H is S a k t i B h u v a n e S -
v a ri. I s v a r a , w h o is t h e O v e r l o r d o f t h e f i r s t t h r e e c a k r a s
is of th e c o lo u r of m o lte n g o ld , and w ith H is tw o

1. R e s u ltin g in a tta c h m e n t.
 THE H U M AN BO D Y 5 3 PONMLKJIHGFE

h a n d s g ra n ts b le s sin g s a n d d is p e ls fe a r. N e a r h im is t h e
th re e -e y e d K a k in i-S a k ti, lu s tro u s as lig h tn in g , w ith fo u r
hands h o ld in g th e noose and d rin k in g -c u p , and m a k in g
th e s ig n o f b le s sin g , a n d th a t w h ic h d is p e ls fe a r. S h e w e a rs
a g a rla n d o f h u m a n b o n e s . S h e is e x c i t e d , a n d h e r h e a r t
is s o f t e n e d w i t h w i n e . H e r e , a ls o , a r e s e v e r a l o t h e r S a k ti s ,
s u c h a s K a l a - r a t r i , a s a ls o t h e b i j a o f a i r ( v a y u ) o r “ y a m ”
(*. In s id e th e lo tu s is a s ix -c o rn e re d s m o k e -c o lo u re d
m a n < J a la , a n d t h e c i r c u l a r r e g i o n o f s m o k e - c o l o u r e d V a y u ,
w ho is s e a te d on a b la c k a n te lo p e . H e re , to o , is th e
e m b o d ie d a tm a (jiv a tm a ), lik e th e ta p e rin g f la m e of a
la m p .

V IS U D D H A

V i£ u d d h a -c a k ra o r B h a ra tis th a n a , abode o f th e D evi

o f s p e e c h , is a b o v e t h e l a s t a n d a t t h e l o w e r e n d o f t h e
t h r o a t ( k a n t h a - m u la ) . T h e T a t t v a o f t h i s c a k r a is “ e t h e r ” .
T h e l o t u s is o f a s m o k y c o lo u r , o r t h e c o l o u r o f f i r e s e e n
th ro u g h sm o k e . I t h a s s ix te e n p e ta ls , w h ic h c a rry th e re d
v o w e ls — “ a m ” (a r), “am ” , (3 rr), “ im ” ( t) , “ im ”
“um ” (t), “um ” (3 J), “ rm ” (* £ ), “rm ” “ lm ”
(« > , “ lm ” (5 £ ), "em ” (tj), “ a im ” (< 0 “om ” (e ff),
“aum ” (a ff> , “am ” (3 ? ), “ah” (a rO ; th e seven m u s ic a l
n o te s (n is a d a , rsa b h a , g a n d h a ra , s a d ja , m adhyam a
d h a iv a ia and p an cam a): “venom ” (in th e e ig h th p e ta l);
th e b ija s “hum ”, “ p h a t” , “ v a u s a t” . “ v a s a t” , “svadha”,
“svaha”, “n am ah”, and in th e s ix te e n th p e ta l n e c ta r
(a m rta ). In th e p e ric a rp is a tria n g u la r re g io n , w ith in
w h ic h is th e a n d r o g y n e S iv a , k n o w n a s A rd h a n a ris v a ra .
T h e r e a ls o a r e t h e r e g i o n s o f t h e f u l l m o o n a n d e t h e r , w i t h
its b ija “ham ” (£ )• The a k a s a -m a n d a la is tra n s p a re n t
and ro u n d in shape. A k asa h i m s e l f is h e r e d re sse d in
w h ite , and m o u n te d on a w h ite e le p h a n t. He has fo u r
54 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

h a n d s , w h ic h h o ld th e n o o s e 1 (p a s a ), th e e le p h a n t-h o o k 2
(a n k u S a ), a n d w ith th e o th e r h e m a k e s th e m u d ra s w h ic h
g ra n t b le s s in g a n d d is p e ls fe a r. S i v a is w h i t e , w i t h f iv e
f a c e s , t h r e e e y e s , t e n a r m s , a n d is d r e s s e d i n t i g e r s k i n s .
N e a r H im is th e w h ite S a k ti S a k in i, d re ssed in y e llo w
ra im e n ts , h o ld in g in H e r fo u r h a n d s th e b o w , th e a rro w ,
th e n o o se , a n d th e h o o k .

A b o v e t h e c a k r a , a t t h e r o o t o f t h e p a l a t e ( t a l u m u la )
is a c o n c e a le d c a k r a , c a l l e d L a l a n a a n d , i n s o m e T a n t r a s ,
K a la -c a k ra . I t is a r e d l o t u s w i t h t w e lv e p e t a l s , b e a r i n g
t h e f o llo w in g v r t t i s : — s r a d d h a (fa ith ), s a n to sh a (c o n te n t­
m e n t), a p a ra d h a (se n se o f e rro r), d a m a (s e lf-c o m m a n d ),
m an a3 (a n g er), sneha ( a f f e c t i o n ) ,4 s o k a (so rro w , g rie f),
kheda (d e je c tio n ), £ u d d h a ta ( p u r i ty ) , a r a t i ( d e t a c h m e n t ) ,
sa m b h ra m a ( a g i ta t i o n ) , 5 U r m i ( a p p e ti t e , d e s i r e ) .

A JN A

A j n a - c a k r a is a ls o c a l l e d p a r a m a - k u l a a n d m u k t a - t r i -
v e n i, s in c e i t is f r o m h e r e t h a t t h e t h r e e n a d i s — I d a , P ir s g a la
a n d s u s u m n a — g o th e ir s e p a ra te w a y s. I t is a t w o - p e t a f f e d
lo tu s , s i t u a t e b e tw e e n th e tw o e y e b ro w s. In th is c a k ra
t h e r e is n o g r o s s T a t t v a , b u t s u b t l e T a t tv a m i n d is h e r e .
H a k a r a r d h a , o r h a l f t h e l e t t e r H a , is a ls o t h e r e . O n i t s p e t a l s
a re th e re d v a rn a s “ h a m ” a n d “ k s a m ” .

1. T h e D e v i h e rs e lf h o ld s th e n o o s e o f d e s ire . D e s ire is th e v a s a n a fo rm
a n d th e n o o s e is th e g ro s s fo rm (s e e n e x t n o te ).

2. T h e V a m a k e s v a r a - T a n tr a s a y s : “ T h e n o o s e a n d th e e le p h a n t-h o o k o f
H e r a re s p o k e n o f a s d e s ire a n d a n g e r. B u t th e Y o g i n l - h r d a y a i. 5 3 says:
“T h e noose is ic h c h a s a k ti, th e goad jn a n a -s a k ti, a n d th e bow and a rro w s
k r i y a - s a k t i .”

3. G e n e ra lly a p p lie d to th e c a s e o f a n g e r b e tw e e n tw o p e rs o n s w h o a re
a tta c h e d to o n e a n o th e r, a s in th e c a s e o f m a n a n d w ife .

4. T o w a rd s th o s e y o u n g e r o r lo w e r th a n o n e s e lf.

5. T h ro u g h re s p e c t.
 THE H U M AN BO D Y 5 5 PONMLKJIHGFED

I n t h e p e r i c a r p is c o n c e a l e d t h e b i j a “ o m ” . I n t h e tw o
p e t a l s a n d t h e p e r i c a r p t h e r e a r e t h e t h r e e g u n a s — s a t tv a ,
ra ja s a n d ta m a s . W ith in th e tria n g u la r m a n ^ a la in th e
p e r i c a r p t h e r e is t h e l u s t r o u s ( t e j o - m a y a ) l i n g a i n th e
fo rm o f th e p ra n a v a ( p r a n a v a k r t i ) , w h i c h is c a l l e d I t a r a .
P a ra -S iv a in th e fo rm of ham sa (h a m sa-ru p a ) is a ls o
th e re w ith h is S a k t i— S i d d h a - K a l i. In th e th re e c o r­
n e rs o f th e tria n g le a re B ra h m a , V isn u , a n d M a h e sv a ra , re s ­
p e c t iv e l y . I n t h i s c a k r a t h e r e is t h e w h i t e H a k i n i - S a k t i ,
w ith s ix h e a d s a n d fo u r h a n d s , in w h ic h a re jn a n a -m u d ra ,1
a s k u ll, a d ru m (d a m a ru ), a n d a ro s a ry .

SA H ASRA RA PADM A

A bove th e a jn a -c a k ra th e re is a n o th e r se cre t c a k ra
c e lla d m a n a s -c a k ra . I t is a l o t u s o f s i x p e t a l s , o n w h i c h
a re & a b d a -jn a n a , s p a rS a -jn a n a , ru p a -jn a n a , a g h ra n o p a la -
b d J ic l, r a s o p a b h o g a , a n d s v a p n a , o r t h e f a c u lt i e s o f h e a r i n g ,
t o n r i ^ s i g h t , s m e l l , t a s te , a n d s le e p , o r t h e a b s e n c e o f th e s e .
A b rv e th is , a g a in , th e re is a n o th e r se cre t c a k ra, c a lle d
S o iS .f e - c * a k r a . I t is a l o t u s o f s i x t e e n p e t a l s , w h i c h a r e a ls o
c a lj-fc d s i x t e e n K a l a s .2 T h e s e K a la s a r e c a l l e d k r p a ( m e r c y ) ,
m r& ia (g e n tle n e s s ), d h a iry a (p a tie n c e , c o m p o s u re ), v a i-
ra g v a (d isp a ss io n ), d h rti (c o n s ta n c y ), sam pat (p ro s­
p e r i t y ) ,3 h a s y a (c h e e rfu ln e s s), ro m a n c a (ra p tu re , th rill),
v in a y a (se n se of p ro p rie ty , h u m ility ), dhyana (m e d ita ­
tio n ), s u s th ira ta (q u ie titu d e , re s tfu ln e s s ), g a m b h iry a (g ra­
v i t y ) ,4 u d y a m a (e n te rp rise , e ffo rt), a k s o b h a (e m o tio n le ss ­
n e s s ),5 a u d a ry a (m a g n a n im ity ), and e k a g ra ta (c o n c en ­
tra tio n ) .

1. T h e g e s tu r e in w h ic h th e f ir s t fin g e r is u p lifte d a n d th e o th e r s c lo s e d .

2. K a la — a p a r t, a ls o a d ig it o f th e m o o n .

3. T h a t is , s p i r i tu a l p r o s p e r i t y .

4. O f d e m e a n o u r e v i d e n c in g a g r a v e n a t u r e .

5. T h e S t a t e o f b e i n g u n d i s t u r b e d b y o n e ’s e m o t io n s .
56PONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

A b o v e t h i s l a s t c a k r a is “ t h e h o u s e w i t h o u t s u p p o r t ”
(n ira la m b a -p u ri) , w h e re y o g is see th e ra d ia n t 16v a ra.
A b o v e t h i s is t h e p r a n a v a s h i n i n g l i k e a f l a m e a n d a b o v e
p ra n a v a th e w h ite c re s c e n t N a d a , a n d a b o v e th is la s t th e
p o in t B in d u . T h e r e is t h e n a w h i t e l o t u s o f t w e l v e p e t a l s
w ith its h e a d u p w a rd s, a n d ' o v e r th is lo tu s th e re is t h e
o c e a n o f n e c ta r ( s u d h a - s a g a r a ) , t h e i s l a n d o f g e m s ( m a n i -
d v ip a ), th e a lta r o f g e m s ( m a n i - p l th a ) , t h e f o r k e d l i g h t ­
n in g -lik e lin e s a , k a , th a , a n d th e re in N a d a a n d B in d u . On
N a d a a n d B i n d u , a s a n a l t a r , t h e r e is t h e P a r a m a h a m s a ,
a n d th e la tte r s e rv e s a s a n a lta r fo r th e fe e t o f th e G u ru ;
th e re th e G u ru o f a ll s h o u ld b e m e d ita te d . T h e b o d y o f th e
H a m s a o n w h i c h t h e f e e t o f t h e G u r u r e s t is j n a n a - m a y a ,
t h e w in g s A g a m a a n d N ig a m a , t h e tw o f e e t S i v a a n d S a k tx ,
th e b e a k P ra n a v a , th e e y e s a n d th ro a t K a m a -K a la .

C lo s e to th e th o u s a n d -p e ta lle d lo tu s is t h e s ix te & s tfd h

d i g i t o f t h e m o o n , w h i c h is c a lle d a m a k a l a , w h i c h is p tiir e
r e d a n d l u s t r o u s l i k e l i g h t n i n g , a s f in e a s a f i b r e o f<
lo tu s , h a n g i n g d o w n w a r d s , r e c e p t a c l e o f t h e l u n a r
In i t is t h e c r e s c e n t n i r v a n a - k a l a , l u m i n o u s a s th e
a n d f in e r t h a n t h e t h o u s a n d t h p a r t o f a h a i r . T h i s is t h e
I s t a - d e v a t a o f a ll. N e a r n i r v a n a - k a l a is p a r a m a - n ir v a n a -
S a k ti, in f in ite ly s u b tle , lu s tro u s as th e Sun, c re a trix of
t a t tv a - j n a n a . A b o v e it a re B in d u a n d V is a rg a -S a k ti, ro o t
a n d a b o d e o f a l l b lis s .

S a h a srara -p a d m a— o r th o u s a n d -p e ta lle d lo tu s of a ll
c o lo u rs— hangs w ith its h e a d d o w n w a rd s fro m th e b ra h m a -
r a n d h r a a b o v e a ll th e c a k ra s . T h i s is t h e r e g i o n o f th e
firs t c a u s e (B ra h m a -lo k a ), th e c a u s e o f th e s ix p re c e d in g
c a u se s. I t is t h e g r e a t S u n b o t h c o s m ic a lly a n d i n d i v i d u ­
a lly , in w h o se e f f u lg e n c e P a ra m a -S iv a and A d y a -S a k ti
r e s id e . The pow er is th e v a c a k a -S a k ti or saguna
b ra h m a n , h o ld in g p o te n tia lly w ith in its e lf , th e gunas,
 THE HUM AN BODY 5 7 PONMLKJIHGFE

p o w e rs, a n d p la n e s . P a ra m a -S iv a is i n t h e f o r m of th e
G re a t E th e r (p a ra m a k a sa -ru p l), th e S u p re m e S p irit (p a ra -
m a tm a ), th e S u n o f th e d a rk n e s s o f ig n o ra n c e . In each
o f th e p e ta ls o f th e lo tu s a re p la c e d a ll th e le tte rs o f th e
a l p h a b e t ; a n d w h a t e v e r t h e r e is i n t h e l o w e r c a k r a o r i n
th e u n iv e rs e (b ra h m a n d a ) e x is ts h e re in p o te n tia l s ta te
(a v y a k ta -b h a v a ). S a iv a s c a ll th is p la c e S iv a -sth a n a ,
V a isn a v a s , P a ra m a -p u ru $ a , S a k ta s , D e v i- s t h a n a , th e
S a m k h y a -s a g e s P ra k rti-p u ru s a -sth a n a . O th e rs c a ll it by
o th e r nam es, such as H a ri-h a ra -sth a n a , S a k ti - s t h a n a ,
P a ra m a -B ra h m a , P a ra m a -h a m sa , P a r a m a - jy o t i h , K u la -
s th a n a , a n d P a ra m a -S iv a -A k u la . B u t w h a te v e r th e n a m e ,
a ll s p e a k o f th e s a m e .

8
 TH E TH REE TEM PERAM ENTS

Th e T a n tra s speak of th re e te m p e ra m e n ts, d is p o s itio n s,

c h a ra c te rs ( b h a v a ) , o r c la s s e s o f m e n — n a m e ly , t h e p a & u -
bhava (a n im a l), v lra -b h a v a (h e ro ic ), and d iv y a -b h a v a
(d e v a -lik e o r d iv in e ). T h e s e d iv is io n s a r e b a s e d o n v a r i o u s
m o d if ic a tio n s o f t h e g u n a s ( v . PONMLKJIHGFED
a n te ) a s t h e y m a n i f e s t in
m an (jiv a ). I t h a s b e e n p o in te d o u t1 th a t th e a n a lo g o u s
G n o s tic c la s s if ic a tio n of m en as m a te ria l, p s y c h ic a l and
s p i r i tu a l , c o r r e s p o n d to t h e t h r e e g u n a s o f t h e S a m k h y a -
d a r& a n a. In th e pa£u th e r a jo - g u n a o p e ra te s c h ie f ly on
ta m a s , p ro d u c in g such d a rk c h a ra c te ris tic s as e rro r
( b h r a n ti) , d ro w sin e s s (ta n d ra ), a n d s lo th (a la sy a ). I t is
h o w e v e r , a n e r r o r to s u p p o s e t h a t t h e p a £ u is a s s u c h a
b a d m a n ; o n t h e c o n t r a r y , a j i v a o f t h i s c la s s m a y p r o v e
s u p e r i o r to a jiv a of th e n e x t. If th e fo rm e r, w ho is
g re a tly b o u n d b y m a tte r, la c k s e n lig h te n m e n t, th e la tte r
m a y a b u s e t h e g r e a te r f r e e d o m he has w on. T h e re a re
a ls o n u m e r o u s k i n d s o f p a £ u , s o m e m o r e s o m e l e s s t a m a s i k
th a n o th e rs . S o m e th e re a re a t th e lo w e s t e n d o f th e
s c a le , w h ic h m a rk s th e firs t advance upon th e h ig h e r
fo rm s of a n im a l lif e . O th e rs a p p ro a c h and g ra d u a lly
m e r g e i n t o t h e v i r a c la s s . T h e te rm p a £ u c o m e s fro m th e
r o o t p a s , “ to b in d ” . T h e p a s u is , i n fa c t th e m a n w h o
is b o u n d b y t h e b o n d s (p a £ a ), o f w h ic h th e K u la rn a v a -
T a n t r a e n u m e r a t e s e i g h t— n a m e l y , p i t y (d a y a ), ig n o ra n c e
a n d d e lu sio n (m o h a ), fe a r ( b h a y a ) , s h a m e ( la jja ), d is g u s t

1 . R ic h a r d G a r b e , “ P h ilo s o p h y o f A n c ie n t I n d ia ,” p . 4 8 , a s a ls o b e f o re
h im , B a u r .
 THE TH REE TEM PERAM ENTS 5 9 PONMLKJIHGF

(g h rn a ), fa m ily ( k u la ) , c u s to m (s ila ), a n d c a ste (v a rn a ).

O th e r e n u m e ra tio n s a re g iv e n of th e a f f lic tio n s w h ic h ,
a c c o rd in g to s o m e , a r e s ix ty -tw o , b u t a ll s u c h la rg e r d iv i­
i
s io n s a r e m e r e l y e l a b o r a ti o n s o f t h e s i m p l e r e n u m e r a t i o n s .
T h e p a S u is a ls o t h e w o r l d l y m a n , i n i g n o r a n c e a n d b o n d a g e ,
i
a s o p p o s e d t o t h e y o g i, a n d t h e t a t tv a - jn a n i. T h re e d iv is io n s
I
o f p a s u a r e a ls o s p o k e n o f— n a m e ly , s a k a la , w h o a re b o u n d
by th e th re e pasas, c a lle d anu (w a n t of k n o w le d g e or
e r r o n e o u s k n o w l e d g e o f t h e s e lf ) , b h e d a ( t h e d i v i s i o n a ls o
in d u c e d b y m a y a o f th e o n e s e lf in to m a n y ) , a n d k a rm a
(a c tio n a n d its p r o d u c t) . T h e s e a re th e th re e im p u ritie s
(m a la ) c a lle d a n a v a -m a la , m a y a -m a la , and K a r m a - m a la .
‘

( P ra ta y a k a la a re th o s e bound by th e firs t and la s t, and

V ijn a n a -k e v a la a re th o s e b o u n d b y a n a v a -m a la o n ly . He
w h o fre e s h im s e lf o f th e re m a in in g im p u rity o f a n u b e c o m e s

> S iv a H im s e lf. T h e D e v i b e a r s t h e p a s a , a n d is t h e c a u s e o f
t h e m , b u t S h e to o , is p a s u p a s a - v i m o c i n i ,1 L ib e ra trix o f th e
I p a s u fro m h is b o n d a g e .
i
i

W h a t h a s b e e n s t a t e d g iv e s t h e r o o t n o t i o n o f t h e t e r m
pasu. M e n o f t h i s c la s s a r e a ls o d e s c r i b e d i n T a n t r a b y
e x te rio r tra its , w h ic h a re m a n ife s ta tio n s of th e in te rio r
d i s p o s i ti o n . So th e K u b j ik a - T a n t r a 2 s a y s : “T hose w ho
b e l o n g to p a £ u - b h a v a a r e s i m p l y p a s u s . A pa£u does not
to u c h a y a n tra , n o r m a k e ja p a o f m a n tra a t n ig h t. H e e n te r­
t a i n s d o u b t a b o u t s a c r if ic e s a n d T a n t r a ; r e g a r d s a m a n t r a a s
i b e i n g m e r e l y l e t te r s o n ly .3 H e l a c k s f a i th i n t h e g u r u , a n d
t h i n k s t h a t t h e i m a g e is b u t a b lo c k o f s t o n e . H e d i s t i n g u i s h e s
o n e d e v a f r o m a n o t h e r ,4 a n d w o r s h i p s w i t h o u t f le s h a n d f is h .

1. L a l it a - s a h a s r a - n a m a (v e rse 7 8 ).

i 2. C h a p te r V II.

| 3. I n s t e a d o f b e i n g D e v a ta . S i m il a r l y t h e N i t y a - T a n tr a ( s e e P r a n a to ? i n i ,
647 et se q ).
; 4. N o t re c o g n iz in g th a t a ll a re b u t p lu ra l m a n ife s ta tio n s o f th e O n e .
I
!
J
60 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA & ASTRA

H e i s a l w a y s b a t h i n g , o w i n g to h i s i g n o r a n c e ,1 a n d t a l k s ill
o f o t h e r s .2 S u c h a n o n e is c a l l e d p a £ u , a n d h e is t h e w o r s t
k i n d o f m a n .” 3 S i m i la r l y t h e N i t y a - T a n t r a 4 d e s c r i b e s t h e
pa& u as— “H e w h o d o e s n o t w o rs h ip a t n ig h t n o r in th e
e v e n i n g , n o r i n t h e l a t t e r p a r t o f t h e d a y ;5 w h o a v o i d s s e x u a l
i n t e r c o u r s e , e x c e p t o n t h e f i f th d a y a f t e r t h e a p p e a r a n c e o f
th e c o u rses6 ( r t u k a la m v in a d e v i v a m a n a m p a riv a rja y e t);
w h o d o e s n o t e a t m e a t , e tc ., e v e n o n t h e f iv e a u s p i c i o u s d a y s
(p a rv a n a)” ; in s h o rt, th o s e w ho, f o llo w in g V ed a c h ara ,
V a i s n a v a c a r a , a n d S a i v a c a r a , a r e b o u n d b y t h e V a id l k r u l e s
w h ic h g o v e rn a ll p a £ u s.

In th e c a s e o f v lra -b h a v a , ra ja s m o re la rg e ly w o rk s o n
s a t t v a , y e t a ls o l a r g e l y (th o u g h in le s s e n in g d e g re e s , u n til
t h e h i g h e s t s t a g e o f d i v y a - b h a v a is r e a c h e d ) w o rk s in d e ­
p e n d e n t l y t o w a r d s t h e p r o d u c ti o n o f a c t s i n w h i c h s o r r o w
i n h e r e s . T h e r e a r e s e v e r a l c la s s e s o f v i r a .

T h e t h i r d , o r h i g h e s t , c la s s o f m a n is h e o f t h e d i v y a -
bhava ( o f w h i c h , a g a in , t h e r e a r e s e v e r a l d e g r e e s — s o m e
b u t a s ta g e in a d v a n c e o f th e h ig h e s t fo rm o f v ira -b h a v a ,
o t h e r s c o m p le t e l y r e a li z i n g t h e d e v a - n a t u r e ) , i n w h i c h r a j a s
o p e r a t e s o n s a t tv a - g u n a to t h e c o n f i r m e d p r e p o n d e r a n c e o f
th e la tte r.

1. T hat is , he o n ly th in k s of e x te rn a l and c e re m o n ia l p u rity , not of

i n t e r n a l p u r i t y o f m i n d , e tc .

2. T h a t is , d e c r y i n g a s s e c t a r i a n - m in d e d V a i s n a v a s d o , a l l o t h e r f o r m s o f
w o rs h ip th a n th e ir ow n, a c o m m o n fa u lt o f th e pasu th e w o rld o v e r. In
fa c t, th e P ic c h ila -T a n tra (c h a p . X X ) s a y s th a t th e V a i^ n a v a m u s t w o rs h ip
P a ra m e s v a ra lik e a p a s u .

3. A ll th e T a n tra s d e s c rib e th e pasu as th e lo w e s t fo rm of th e th re e

te m p e ra m e n ts . N ity a -T a n tra , a n d chap, x o f P ic c h ila T a n tra , w h e re p a iu -
b h a v a is d e s c rib e d .

4. S e e P r a n a - t o s in l , p . 5 4 7 .

5. A s T a n t r ik a v i r a d o .

6. T a k in g th e ir u s u a l d u ra tio n to b e fo u r d a y s . T h i s i s a V a i d i k i n ju n c ­
tio n , a s to w h ic h s e e p o s t. T h e V ira a n d d iv y a a re n o t s o b o u n d to m a ith u n a
o n t h e f i f t h d a y o n l y ; t h a t is a s t o m a i t h u n a a s a p a r t o f v i r a c a r a .
 TH E TH REE TEM PERAM ENTS 6 1 PONMLKJIHGFED

T h e N i t y a - T a n t r a 1 s a y s t h a t o f t h e b h a v a t h e d i v y a is
t h e b e s t , t h e v i r a t h e n e x t b e s t, a n d t h e p a s u t h e l o w e s t ;
a n d th a t d e v a ta -b h a v a m ust be aw akened th ro u g h v lra -
bhava. T h e P i c c h il a - T a n t r a 2 s a y s t h a t t h e o n l y d i f f e r e n c e
b e t w e e n t h e v i r a a n d d i v y a m e n is t h a t t h e f o r m e r a r e v e r y
u d d h a t a , b y w h i c h is p r o b a b l y m e a n t e x c i t a b l e , t h r o u g h t h e
g re a te r p re v a le n c e o f th e in d e p e n d e n t w o rk in g o f th e ra jo -
g u n a in th e m th a n in th e c a lm e r s a ttv ik te m p e ra m e n t. I t is
o b v io u s th a t s u c h s ta te m e n ts m u s t n o t b e r e a d w ith le g a l
a c cu ra c y . T h e r e m a y b e , i n f a c t, a c o n s i d e r a b l e d i f f e r e n c e
b e t w e e n a l o w t y p e o f v i r a a n d t h e h i g h e s t t y p e o f d iv y a ,
th o u g h it s e e m s to b e tr u e th a t th is q u a lity o f u d d h a ta w h ic h
is r e f e r r e d to i s t h e c a u s e o f s u c h d i f f e r e n c e s , w h e t h e r g r e a t
o r s m a ll.

T h e - K u b j ik a - T a n t r a 3 d e s c r i b e s t h e m a r k s o f t h e d i v y a
as he “ w h o d a i ly d o e s a b l u t io n s , s a m d h y a ; a n d w e a r in g
c le a r : £ > o ih , t h e t r p u n d a r a m a r k i n a s h e s o r r e d s a n d a l , a n d
o m a s iv ^ r i- 'is o f ru d ra k sa -b e ad s, p e rfo rm s ja p a and a rc a n a.
H e g i e e s c h a r i t y d a i l y a ls o . H is fa ith is s tro n g in V e d a ,
S a s tro , # u ru , a n d D e v a . H e w o r s h ip s t h e P i t r i a n d D e v a ,
p e r f e i L 'i s a l l t h e d a i l y r i t e s . H e h a s a g re a t k n o w le d g e o f
ro a n tru , H e a v o id s a ll fo o d , e x c e p t th a t w h ic h h is g u ru
o f f e r s h i m , a n d a l l c r u e lt y a n d o t h e r b a d a c t i o n s , r e g a r d i n g
b o th frie n d a n d fo e a s o n e a n d th e s a m e . H e h im s e lf e v e r
s p e a k s th e tr u th , a n d a v o id s th e c o m p a n y o f th o s e w h o d e ­
c ry th e D e v a ta . H e w o r s h ip s t h r i c e d a i l y , a n d m e d i t a t e s
u p o n h is g u r u d a ily , a n d , a s a B h a ira v a , w o rsh ip s P a ra m e £ -
v a ri w ith d iv y a -b h a v a . A l l D e v a s h e r e g a r d s a s b e n e f i c i a l .4
H e b o w s d o w n a t t h e f e e t o f w o m e n r e g a r d in g t h e m a s h is

1. L o c . c it.

2. C h a p te r X a n d s o a ls o U t p a t t i - T a n t r a (c h a p . lx iv ). S e e P r a n a to s in I,
p . 5 7 0 , w h e r e a ls o b h a v a is d e s c rib e d a s th e d h a r m a o f t h e m a n a s .

3. C h a p te r VII.
4. H e w o rs h ip s a ll D e v a s , d r a w in g no d is tin c tio n s . F o r in s ta n c e , an
o r th o d o x , u p - c o u n t r y H in d u w h o is a w o rs h ip p e r o f R a m a c a n n o t e v e n b e a r
62 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA 6ASTRA

g u ru 1 (s trln a m p a d a -ta la m d rs tv a g u ru -v a d b h a v a y e t s a d a ).
H e w o r s h i p s t h e D e v i a t n i g h t ,2 a n d m a k e s j a p a a t n i g h t
w i t h h i s m o u t h f u l l o f p a n ,3 a n d m a k e s o b e i s a n c e to t h e k u l a
v r k s a .4 H e o f f e r s e v e r y t h i n g to t h e S u p r e m e D e v i. H e re­
g a rd s th is u n iv e rse as p e rv ad e d by s trl (s a k ti), and as
D e v a ta . S iv a is i n a l l m e n , a n d t h e w h o l e b r a h m a n d a is
p e rv a d e d b y S iv a -S a k ti. H e e v e r s triv e s fo r th e a tta in m e n t
a n d m a in te n a n c e o f d e v a ta -b h a v a , and is h im s e lf of th e
n a tu re o f a D e v a ta .

H e re , a g a in , th e T a n tra o n ly s e e k s to g iv e a g e n e ral
p i c t u r e , t h e d e t a i l s o f w h i c h a r e n o t a p p l i c a b l e to a l l m e n
o f th e d iv y a -b h a v a c la s s . T h e p assag e show s th a t it, o r
p o r t i o n s o f i t , r e f e r to th e ritu a l d iv y a , fo r s o m e o f th e
p r a c ti c e s t h e r e r e f e r r e d to w o u l d n o t b e p e r f o r m e d b y t h e
a v a d h u ta , w h o is a b o v e a ll ritu a l a c ts , th o u g h he w o u ld
a ls o s h a r e ( p o s s i b l y i n i n t e n s e r d e g r e e ) t h e b e l i e f s o f d i v y a
m e n o f a l l c la s s e s — t h a t h e a n d a l l e ls e a r e b u t m a n i f e s t a ­
tio n s o f th e u n iv e rse -p e rv a d in g S u p re m e S a k ti.

A c c o r d in g to t h e t e m p e r a m e n t o f t h e s a d h a k a , s o is t b e
fo rm o f w o rsh ip a n d s a d h a n a . I n f a c t , t h e s p e c if ic w o r s h i p
a n d s a d h a n a o f t h e o t h e r c la s s e s is s t r i c t l y p r o h i b i t e d b y t h e
T a n tra to th e p a s u .

to h e a r th e n a m e o f K rs n a , th o u g h b o th R a m a a n d K r$ n a a re e a c h a v a ta ra
o f th e s a m e V is n u , w h o is a g a i n h i m s e lf b u t a p a r t i a l m a n i f e s t a t i o n o f t h e
g re a t S a k ti.

1. H e is e v e n s trl-k h a n d a -p a h k a ja -ru h ira -b h u § lta h , fo r h e is u n a ffe c te d

b y th e p a s a o f g h rn a o r la jja .

2. V a id ik w o rs h ip is b y d a y .

3. T h a t is , a f t e r e a t i n g , p a n b e i n g t a k e n a f t e r m e a l s .

4. An e s o te ric te rm , as to w h ic h see T a n tra b h id h a n a . S i m il a r l y (in

N i t y a - T a n tr a ) , h e d o e s o b e i s a n c e t o t h e k u l a s tr x , w h o i s v e r s e d i n T a n t r a a n d
m a n t r a , w h e t h e r s h e h a s b e e n b r o u g h t b y a d u t l , is p u m s c h a l i , o r v e s y a , a n d
w h e t h e r y o u t h f u l o r o ld .
 TH E TH REE TEM PERAM EN TS 6 3 PONMLKJIHGFE

I t is s a id in th is T a n tr a 1 a n d e ls e w h e re 2 th a t, in th e
K a li-y u g a , d iv y a and pasu d i s p o s i t io n s can s c a rc e ly be
fo u n d . I t m a y b e t h o u g h t d i f f i c u l t a t f i r s t s i g h t to r e c o n c i l e
t h i s ( s o f a r a s t h e p a S u is c o n c e r n e d ) w i t h o t h e r s t a te m e n t s
a s t o t h e n a t u r e o f t h e s e r e s p e c t i v e c la s s e s . T h e te rm p a £ u ,
i n t h e s e a n d s i m i la r p a s s a g e s , w o u l d a p p e a r to b e u s e d i n a
g o o d s e n s e 3 a s r e f e r r i n g t o a m a n w h o t h o u g h t a m a s ic , y e t
p e r f o r m s h i s f u n c t i o n s w i t h t h a t o b e d i e n c e to n a t u r e w h i c h
is s h o w n b y t h e s t i l l m o r e t a m a s i c a n i m a l c r e a t i o n f r e e f r o m
t h e d i s t u r b i n g i n f l u e n c e s o f r a j a s , w h i c h , if i t m a y b e t h e
s o u r c e o f g o o d , m a y a ls o b e , w h e n o p e r a t i n g i n d e p e n d e n t l y ,
t h e s o u r c e o f e v il.4

T h e C o m m e n ta to r e x p la in s th e p a s sa g e c ite d fro m th e
T a n t r a a s m e a n i n g t h a t t h e c o n d i t i o n s a n d c h a r a c te r o f t h e
K a li-y u g a a r e n o t s u c h a s to b e p ro d u c tiv e o f p a £ u -b h a v a
(a p p a re n tly in th e s e n se s ta te d ) , o r to a llo w o f its a c a ra
( t h a t is , V a i d ik a c a r a ) . N o o n e , h e s a y s , c a n , fu lly p e rfo rm
th e v c - d a c a ra , v a is n a v a c a ra , and s a iv a c a ra rite s , w ith o u t
w h ic h th e V a id ik , P a u ra n ik m a n tra , a n d y a jn a a re fru itle s s.
N o one now goes th ro u g h th e b ra h m a c a ry a a S ram a , or
a d e p ts a f t e r t h e f i f t i e t h y e a r t h a t c a l l e d v a n a p r a s th a . T hose
w h o m th e V e d a d o e s n o t c o n tro l c a n n o t e x p e c t th e fru it o f
V a id i k o b s e r v a n c e s . O n t h e c o n t r a r y , m e n h a v e t a k e n to
d r i n k , a s s o c i a t e w i t h t h e lo w , a n d a r e f a l l e n ; a s a r e a ls o
th o s e m e n w h o a s so c ia te w ith th e m . T h e re c a n th e re fo re
b e n o p u re p a£ u . U n d e r th e s e c irc u m s ta n c e s th e d u tie s
p re s c rib e d by th e V e d a s w h ic h a re a p p ro p ria te fo r th e

1. C h a p te r I , v e r s e 2 4 .
2. S e e S y a m a r c a n a - c a n d r ik a , c i t e d i n H a r a - t a tt v a - d i d h it i , p . 3 4 8 .

3. S o v e rs e 5 4 s p e a k s o f th e p a s u a s o n e w h o s h o u ld h im s e lf p ro c u re th e

le a v e s , fru its , a n d w a te r fo r w o rs h ip , a n d n o t lo o k a t a S u d ra , o r e v e n th in k

of a w om an.

4. F o r t h i s r e a s o n i t is p o s s i b l e , i n c e r t a i n c a s e s , t h a t a p a s u m a y a t t a i n

s id d h i th ro u g h th e T a n tra q u ic k e r th a n a v lra c a n .
64 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDC
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

p a 6 u b e in g in c a p a b le o f p e rfo rm a n c e , S iv a fo r th e lib e ra ­
tio n o f m e n o f t h e K a li A g e has p ro c la im e d th e A g a m a .
N o w , t h e r e is n o o t h e r w a y .” T h e e x p l a n a t i o n t h u s g iv e n ,
t h e r e f o r e , a p p e a r s to a m o u n t to t h i s . T h e p u re ty p e o f p a § u
fo r w h o m v e d a c h ara w as d e s ig n e d does not e x ist. For
o t h e r s w h o t h o u g h p a s u a r e n o t p u r e l y s o , t h e T a n t r a is
t h e g o v e r n i n g S a s tr a . T h i s h o w e v e r , d o e s n o t m e a n t h a t a ll
a re n o w c o m p e te n t fo r v ira c a ra .

I t is to b e n o t e d , h o w e v e r , t h a t t h e P r a n a - t o s i n i 1 c ite s
a p a s s a g e p u r p o r t i n g to c o m e f r o m t h e M a h a n i r v a n a - T a n t r a ,
w h i c h is a p p a r e n t l y i n d i r e c t o p p o s i t i o n t o t h e f o r e g o in g :

D iv y a -v ira -m a y o b h a v a h k a la u n a s ti k a d a -c a n a .

K e v a la m p a £ u -b h a v e n a m a n tra -sid d h irb h a v e n rn a m .

“ I n t h e K a li A g e t h e r e i s n o d i v y a o r v i r a b h a v a . It L?
o n ly b y t h e p a s u - b h a v a t h a t m e n m a y o b t a i n m a n t r a - s i d d h i ,v

T h is m a t t e r o f t h e b h a v a p r e v a l e n t i n t h e K a l i - y u g a h s ts
b e e n t h e s u b j e c t o f c o n s i d e r a b l e d i s c u s s i o n a n d d i f f e r e n c e c*-':
o p in io n , a n d is o n ly t o u c h e d u p o n h e r e . 2

1. P p . 5 7 0 -5 7 1 .

2. T h e s u b j e c t i s a d i f f i c u lt o n e , a n d I h a v e g i v e n t h e a b o v e - m e n t i o n e d

a c c o u n t w i t h c o n s i d e r a b l e d if f id e n c e a s t o i t s c o m p l e te a c c u r a c y .
 G U R U A N D 6 IS Y A

Th e G u ru is th e r e l ig i o u s te a c h e r and s p i r it u a l g u i d e to
w h o se d ire c tio n o rth o d o x H in d u s o f a ll d iv is io n s o f w o r­
s h ip p e rs s u b m it th e m s e lv e s . T h e r e is i n re a lity b u t o n e
G u ru . T h e o r d i n a r y h u m a n G u r u is b u t t h e m a n i f e s t a t i o n
o n th e p h e n o m e n a l p la n e o f th e A d i-n a th a M a h a -k a la , th e
S u p r e m e G u r u a b i d i n g i n K a i l a s a .1 H e i t is w h o e n t e r s i n t o
a n d s p e a k s w i t h t h e v o ic e o f t h e e a r t h l y G u r u a t t h e t i m e
of g iv in g m a n tra .2 G u ru is th e ro o t (m u la ) of d ik s a
(in itia tio n ). D i k s a is t h e r o o t o f m a n t r a . M a n t r a is t h e
ro o t o f D e v a ta ; and D e v a ta is th e ro o t of s id d h i. The
M u n d a - m a l a - T a n t r a s a y s t h a t m a n t r a is b o r n o f G u r u a n d
D e v a t a o f m a n t r a , s o t h a t t h e G u r u o c c u p i e s t h e p o s itio n
o f a g ra n d fa th e r to th e Is ta -d e v a ta .

li is th e G u ru w h o in itia te s a n d h e lp s , a n d th e re la tio n ­
s h i p b e t w e e n h i m a n d t h e d is c ip le ( & is y a ) c o n tin u e s u n til
t h e a t t a i n m e n t o f m o n i s t ic s i d d h i . M a n u say s: “ O f h im
w h o g iv e s n a t u r a l b i r t h a n d o f h i m w h o g iv e s k n o w l e d g e o f
t h e V e d a , t h e g i v e r o f s a c r e d k n o w l e d g e is t h e m o r e v e n e r ­
a b le fa th e r. S in c e s e c o n d o r d iv in e b irth i n s u r e s l i f e to
t h e t w i c e - b o r n i n t h i s w o r l d a n d t h e n e x t .” T h e S a s tr a
is , i n d e e d , f u l l o f t h e g r e a t n e s s o f G u r u .3 T h e g u r u is n o t

1. G u ru s th a n a m h i k a ila s a m ( Y o g i n l - T a n tr a , c h a p . i ) .

2. M a n tra -p ra d a n a -k a le h i m anuse n a g a - n a n d i n i,
A d h is th a n a m b h a v e t t a t r a m a h a k a la s y a s a m k a r i ,
A ta s tu g u ru ta d e v i m a n u re n a tra s a m s a y a h ( i b id ) .

3. S e e c h a p , i o f t h e T a n t r a - s a r a , w h i c h a l s o d e a l s w i t h t h e q u a l it i e s o f
th e G u ru ; th e r e l a t io n s h ip b e tw e e n h im and th e d i s c ip l e , q u a l it i e s of th e
d is c ip le a n d s o fo rth .

9
 66 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

to b e t h o u g h t o f as a m e re m an . T h e r e is n o d i f f e r e n c e
b e tw e e n G u ru , m a n tra , a n d D e v a . G u r u is f a t h e r , m o t h e r ,
a n d B ra h m a n . G u r u , i t is s a i d , c a n s a v e f r o m t h e w r a t h
o f S iv a b u t n o n e c a n s a v e f r o m t h e w r a th o f t h e G u r u .
A t t a c h e d to t h i s g r e a tn e s s t h e r e is , h o w e v e r , r e s p o n s i b i l i t y ;
f o r t h e s i n s o f t h e d is c ip le r e c o i l u p o n h im .

T h re e lin e s o f G u ru s a re w o rs h ip p e d ; h e a v e n ly (d iv -
y a n g a ), s id d h a (s id d h a n g a ), and hum an (m a n av a n g a )}
T h e K u l a - g u r u s a r e f o u r i n n u m b e r , v iz .: t h e G u r u , P a r a m a -
g u r u , P a r a p a r a - g u r u , P a r a m e s t i- g u r u ; e a c h o f t h e s e b e i n g
th e g u ru o f th e p re c e d in g o n e . A c c o r d i n g to t h e T a n t r a ,
a w o m a n w ith th e n e c e s s a ry q u a lific a tio n s m a y b e a g u ru ,
a n d g iv e i n i t i a t i o n .2 G ood q u a litie s a re re q u ire d in th e
d is c ip le ,3 a n d a c c o r d in g to t h e S a r a - s a m g r a h a a g u r u s h o u l d
e x a m i n e a n d t e s t t h e i n t e n d i n g d is c ip le f o r a y e a r .4 The
q u a lif ic a tio n s o f a g o o d d is c ip le a r e s t a t e d t o b e g o o d b i r t h ,
p u rity o f s o u l (s u d d h a tm a ), a n d c a p a c i ty f o r e n j o y m e n t ,
c o m b in e d w ith d e s ire fo r lib e ra tio n (p u ru sa rth a -p a ra y a -
n a h ) .5 T h o s e w h o a re le w d (k a m u k a ), a d u lte ro u s (p a ra-
d a ra tu ra ), c o n sta n tly a d d ic te d to s in (sa d a p a p a -k riy a ),
i g n o r a n t , s l o t h f u l a n d d e v o id o f r e l i g io n , s h o u l d b e r e j e c t e d .6

T h e p e r f e c t s a d h a k a w h o is e n t i t le d to t h e k n o w l e d g e
o f a l l £ a s t r a s is h e w h o is p u r e - m i n d e d , w h o s e s e n s e s a r e
c o n tro lle d (jite n d riy a h ), w ho is ever engaged in d o in g
good to a l l b e in g s , fre e fro m fa ls e n o tio n s o f d u a lis m ,
a t t a c h e d to t h e s p e a k in g o f , t a k i n g s h e l t e r w i t h a n d liv in g

1. S e e C h a p te r V I , “ T h e G r e a t L i b e r a t i o n .1’

2. S e e p o st.

3. T a n tra s a ra (c h a p . i).

4. S e e T a n tra s a ra ( c h a p , i ) a n d P r a n a - to s i n I , p . 1 0 8 , M a t s y a - s u k t a M a h a -
ta n tra , (c h a p , x iii).

5. M a ts y a -s u k ta T a n tra (c h a p , x iii), P ra n a -to § in a , 1 0 8 .

6. M a h a ru d ra -y a m a la , 1 . K h a n d a (c h a p , x v ), 2 . K h a n d a (c h a p . ii).
 67PONMLKJIHGFE
G U R U hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
A N D S IS Y A

i n t h e s u p r e m e u n i t y o f t h e B r a h m a n .1 S o lo n g a s S a k t i is
n o t f u l l y c o m m u n i c a t e d ( s e e n e x t p a g e ) to t h e s i s y a ’s b o d y
f r o m t h a t o f t h e g u r u , s o l o n g t h e c o n v e n t io n a l r e l a t i o n o f
g u r u a n d S is y a e x i s t s . A m a n is s i s y a o n l y s o lo n g a s h e is
sadhaka. W h e n , h o w e v e r , s i d d h i is a t t a i n e d , b o t h G u r u a n d
& i$ y a a r e a b o v e t h i s d u a l i s m . W ith th e a tta in m e n t o f p u re
m o n i s m , n a t u r a l l y t h i s r e l a t io n , a s a l l o t h e r s , d i s a p p e a r s .

1. G a n d h a r v a - T a n tr a (c h a p . ii).
 IN IT IA T IO N : D lK S A

In it ia t io n 1 is t h e g i v i n g o f m a n t r a b y t h e g u r u . A t th e
tim e o f in itia tio n th e g u ru m u s t firs t e s ta b lis h th e life o f th e
g u r u i n h i s o w n b o d y ; t h a t is t h e v i t a l f o r c e ( p r a n a - £ a k t i )
o f th e S u p re m e G u ru w hose a b o d e is in th e th o u s a n d "
p e t a l l e d lo tu s . A s a n i m a g e is t h e i n s t r u m e n t ( y a n t r a ) i n
w h ic h d iv in ity (d e v a tv a ) in h e re s , so a ls o is th e body or
g u ru . T h e d a y p r i o r t h e r e t o t h e g u r u s h o u ld , a c c o r d i n g t o
T a n tra , s e a t th e in te n d in g c a n d id a te o n a m at o f ku& a*
g ra ss. H e th e n m a k e s ja p a o f a “ s le e p m a n tra ” (s u p ta »
m a n t r a ) i n h i s e a r , a n d t i e s h i s c r o w n lo c k . T h e d is c ip le *
w ho s h o u ld h a v e fa s te d and o b s e rv e d sexual c o n tin e n c e
r e p e a t s t h e m a n t r a t h r i c e , p r o s t r a te s h i m s e lf a t t h e f e e t o ff
t h e g u r u , a n d t h e n r e t i r e s to r e s t . I n i t i a t i o n , w h i c h f o llo w s ,
g iv e s s p i r i t u a l k n o w l e d g e a n d d e s t r o y s s in . A s o n e la m p k»
l i t a t t h e f la m e o f a n o t h e r , s o t h e d i v i n e S a k ti, c o n s is t i n g o f
m a n t r a , is c o m m u n i c a t e d f r o m t h e g u r u ’s b o d y t o t h a t o f
t h e § i s y a . W i t h o u t d ik s a , j a p a o f t h e m a n t r a , p u j a , a n d o t h e r
r i t u a l a c t s , a r e s a i d t o b e u s e le s s . C e r t a i n m a n t r a s a r e a ls o
s a id to b e f o r b i d d e n t o s u d r a s a n d w o m e n . A n o te , h o w ­
e v e r, in th e firs t C h a la k sa ra -S u tra to th e L a lita 2 w o u ld ,
h o w e v e r, s h o w th a t e v e n th e s u d ra s a re n o t d e b a rre d th e

1. A s t o w h o m a y i n i ti a t e s e e T a n t r a s a r a , c h a p . i.

2. F irst C h a la k $ a ra -S u tra . T h is is a n in d e x to th e S a h a s ra -n a m a , lik e

th e S a rv a n u k ra m a n ik a to th e V eda. T h e re a re th re e sv a ra s in la u k ik a -
v y a k a ra n a — v iz , u d a tta , th e h ig h a c c e n t, a n u d a t ta , its o p p o s ite or th e lo w

a c c e n t a n d , s v a rita , w h ic h P a n in i s a y s is th e c o m b in a tio n (s a m a h rta ) o f b o th .

P ra c a y a is V a id ik (c h a n d a sa ).
 IN IT IA T IO N : hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGF
D lK S A 69

use even of th e P ran a v a , as is g e n e r a ll y a s se rte d . For

a c c o rd in g to th e K a lik a -P u r a n a ( w h e n d e a l in g w i th s v a ra
o r t o n e ) , w h i ls t t h e u d a t ta , a n u d a t t a , a n d p r a c a y a a r e a p ­
p ro p ria te to th e firs t o f th e s e c a ste s, th e s v a ra , c a lle d a u k a ra ,
w i t h a n u s v a r a a n d n a d a , i s a p p r o p r ia t e t o £ u d r a , w h o m a y
u s e th e P ra n a v a , e ith e r a t th e b e g in in g o r e n d o f m a n tra ,
b u t n o t, a s th e d v ija m ay, at b o th p la c e s . The m a n tra
c h o s e n f o r i n i t i a t i o n s h o u l d . b e s u i ta b l e ( a n u k u l a ) . W h e th e r
a m a n tr a i s s v a - k u l a o r a -k tila to th e p e rso n a b o u t to b e
i n it i a t e d i s a s c e r t a i n e d b y t h e k u l a - c a k r a , t h e z o d ia c a l c i r ­
c l e c a ll e d r a S i c a k r a a n d o th e r c a k ra w h ic h m ay be fo u n d
d e s c rib e d in th e T a n tra s a ra . I n i t ia t i o n by a w om an is
e ffic a c io u s; th a t by a m o th e r is e i g h t- f o l d s o .1 C e rta in
s p e c ia l fo rm s of i n i t i a t io n , c a lle d a b h is e k a , a re d e s c rib e d
in th e n e x t n o te .

1. T a n tra sa ra , lo c c it
 A B H IS E K A

Ab h is e k a 1 is o f e i g h t k i n d s , a n d th e fo rm s of a b h is e k a
w h ic h f o llo w th e firs t a t la te r s ta g e s, m a rk g re a te r a n d
g re a te r d e g ree s of in itia tio n . The firs t £ a k ta b h i$ e k a is
g iv e n o n e n t r a n c e i n t o t h e p a t h o f s a d h a n a . I t is s o c a l l e d
b e c a u s e t h e g u r u t h e n r e v e a l s to t h e & is y a t h e p r e l i m i n a r y
m y s te rie s o f s a k ti-ta ttv a . B y i t t h e S is y a is c l e a n s e d o f a E
s i n f u l o r e v il s a k ti o r p r o c li v i t i e s , a n d a c q u i r e s a w o n d e r e d
n e w £ a k ti.2 T h e n e x t , p u r n a b h i s e k a is g i v e n i n t h e s ta ^ f t
b e y o n d d a k s i n a c a r a , w h e n t h e d is c ip le h a s q u a l i f i e d h i m s e i i
b y p u r a s c a r a n a a n d o t h e r p r a c t i c e s to r e c e i v e it. H e r e th u s
r e a l w o r k o f s a d h a n a b e g in s . A s a n a , y a m a , e tc ., s t r e n g t h e n
t h e d is c ip le 's d e t e r m i n a t i o n (p ra tijn a ) to p e rs e v e re a lo n g
th e h ig h e r s ta g e s o f s a d h a n a . T h e t h i r d is t h e d if f ic u lt s ta g *
c o m m e n c e d b y k r a m a - d i k s a b h i s e k a , i n w h i c h i t is s a i d t h e
g r e a t V a s i s t h a b e c a m e i n v o l v e d , a n d i n w h i c h t h e B s i V is -
v a m it r a a c q u i r e d b r a h m a j h a n a a n d s o b e c a m e a B r a h m a n a .
T h e s a c r e d t h r e a d is n o w w o r n r o u n d t h e n e c k l i k e a g a r ­
l a n d . T h e 6 is y a , t h e n u n d e r g o i n g v a r i o u s o r d e a l s ( p a r l k s a ) ,
re c e iv e s s a m ra jy a b h ise k a a n d m a h a s a m ra jy a b h is e k a , a n d a t
l e n g t h a r r i v e s a t t h e m o s t d if f ic u lt o f a l l s t a g e s i n t r o d u c e d
b y y o g a -d ik s a b h is e k a . I n t h e p r e v i o u s s ta g e s t h e s a d h a k a
has p e rfo rm e d th e p a n c a n g a -p u ra S c a ra n a , and, w ith th e

1. S p r in k l i n g , a n o in tin g , in a u g u ra tin g , c o n s e c r a t io n as of a k in g or
d i s c i p le .

2. O f t h e s a k t a b h is e k a t w o f o r m s a r e a l s o m e n t i o n e d — r a j a a n d y o g i ( s e e
P r a n a t o s i n I , 2 5 4 ; V a m a k e s v a r a T a n t r a , c h a p . 1 ; N i r u tt a r a - T a n t r a , (c h a p . v ii).
A s t o w h a t f o l l o w s , s e e T a n t r a r a h a s y a , c i t e d p o st. PONMLKJIHGFEDCB
 ABH 1SEKA 7 1 PONMLKJIHGF

a s s ista n c e o f h is g u ru (w ith w hom he m ust c o n s t a n tl y

re s id e , a n d w h o s e in s tru c tio n s h e m u s t re c e iv e d ir e c t), h e
d o e s t h e p a n c a n g a - y o g a — t h a t is , t h e l a s t f iv e l i m b s o f t h e
a s ta n g a . H e is t h e r e a f t e r q u a l i f i e d f o r p u r n a d l k s a b h i s e k a ,
a n d , f o l l o w in g th a t, m a h a -p u rn a -d ik s a b h is e k a , s o m e tim e s
c a lle d v ira ja -g ra h a n a b h is e k a . On th e a tta in m e n t of
p e rfe c tio n in th is la s t g ra d e , th e sadhaka p e rfo rm s
h is o w n fu n e ra l rite s ( s r a d d h a ) , m a k e s p u r n a h u ti w ith h is
s a c r e d t h r e a d a n d c r o w n lo c k . T h e re la tio n o f g u ru a n d
s is y a n o w c e a s e s . F ro m th is p o in t h e a s c e n d s b y h im s e lf
u n t i l h e r e a li z e s t h e g r e a t s a y i n g , S o ’h a m (“I am H e” ).
A t t h i s s t a g e , w h i c h t h e T a n t r a c a lls j i v a n - m u k t a ( l i b e r a t e d
w h i l s t y e t l i v i n g ) h e is c a l l e d p a r a m a - h a m s a .
 SADHANA

Sa d h a n a is t h a t w h ic h p ro d u ce s s id d h i PONMLKJIHGFED
(q .v . ) . I t is
t h e m e a n s , o r p r a c ti c e , b y w h i c h t h e d e s ir e d e n d m a y b e
a t t a i n e d , a n d c o n s is ts i n t h e e x e r c i s e a n d t r a i n i n g o f t h e
b o d y a n d p s y c h ic f a c u lt i e s , u p o n t h e g r a d u a l p e r f e c t i o n o f
w h ic h s id d h i f o llo w s ; t h e n a tu re and d e g re e of w h ic h ,
a g a in , d e p e n d s u p o n t h e p r o g r e s s m a d e t o w a r d s t h e r e a l­
iz a tio n o f th e a tm a , w h o se v e ilin g v e s tu re th e body is .
T h e m e a n s e m p lo y e d a r e v a r i o u s , s u c h a s w o r s h i p (p u ja ),
e x t e r io r or m e n t a l; s a s tric le a rn in g ; a u s t e r it i e s (ta p a s );
th e p a n c a -ta ttv a , m a n tra , a n d so fo rth . S a d h a n a ta k e s o n
a s p e c ia l c h a r a c t e r , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e e n d s o u g h t . T hus,
s a d h a n a f o r b r a h m a - j n a n a , w h i c h c o n s i s t s i n t h e a c q u is i ­
tio n o f in te rn a l c o n tro l (sa m a) o v e r b u d d h i, m a n a s , a n d
a h a m k a ra ; e x te rn a l c o n tro l (d a m a ) o v e r th e te n in d riy a s ,
d is c rim in a tio n b e tw e e n th e tra n s ito ry a n d th e e x te rn a l, a n d
re n u n c ia tio n b o th o f th e w o rld and heaven ( s v a r g a ) , is
o b v io u s ly d iffe re n t fro m th a t p re s c rib e d fo r, s a y , th e p u r ­
p o s e s o f t h e l o w e r m a g ic . T h e s a d h a k a a n d s a d h ik a a re
re s p e c tiv e ly th e m a n and w om an w ho p e rfo rm sadhana.
T h e y a re , a c c o rd in g to th e ir p h y s ic a l, m e n ta l, a n d m o ra l
q u a litie s, d iv id e d in to f o u r c la s s e s — m r d u , m a d h y a , a d h i -
m a tra k a , and t h e h i g h e s t a d h i m a tr a m a , w h o is q u a lifie d
(a d h ik a ri) fo r a ll fo rm s of yoga. In a s im ila r w ay th e
K a u la d i v i s i o n o f w o r s h i p p e r s a r e d i v i d e d i n t o t h e p r a k r t i ,
or com m on K a u la f o llo w in g v lra c a ra , a d d ic te d to ritu a l
p r a c ti c e , a n d s a d h a n a , w ith p a n c a -ta ttv a ; th e m a d h y a m a -
 73PONMLKJIHGFE
S A D H A N A hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGF

k a u lik a , or m id d lin g K a u la , a c c o m p lis h in g th e sam e

s a d h a n a , b u t w ith a m in d m o re tu rn e d to w a rd s m e d ita tio n ,
k n o w le d g e , a n d s a m a d h i; a n d t h e h i g h e s t t y p e o f K a u la
( k a u l i k o t t a m a ) , w h o , h a v i n g s u r p a s s e d a l l r i t u a l i s m m e d i­
t a t e s u p o n t h e U n i v e r s a l S e lf .

10
 W O R S H IP

Th e r e a re fo u r d iffe re n t fo rm s o f w o rsh ip c o rre sp o n d in g

w ith fo u r s ta te s (b h a v a ). The re a liz a tio n th a t th e
jiv a tm a and p a ra m a tm a a re one, th a t e v e ry th in g is
B r a h m a n , a n d t h a t n o t h i n g b u t t h e B r a h m a n e x i s ts , is t h e
h ig h e s t s ta te o r b ra h m a-b h a v a . C o n s ta n t m e d ita tio n by
t h e y o g a p r o c e s s u p o n t h e D e v a t a i n t h e h e a r t is t h e l o w e r
and m id d le m o s t (d h y a n a -b h a v a), ja p a ( q .v .) and s ta v a
( h y m n s a n d p r a y e r ) is s t i l l l o w e r , a n d t h e l o w e s t o f a ll is
m e re e x te rn a l w o rsh ip (p u ja ) PONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
(q .v .) • P u j a - b h a v a is t h a t
w h ic h a r i s e s o u t o f t h e d u a l i s t i c n o t i o n s o f w o r s h i p p e r
w o rs h ip p e d ; th e s e rv a n t a n d th e L o rd . T h i s d u a l i s m e x i& 'i#
in g r e a t e r o r le s s d e g r e e i n a l l s t a te s e x c e p t t h e h ig h e r* ..
B u t f o r h im w h o , h a v i n g r e a l i z e d t h e a d v a i t a - t a t t v a , k n o w s
t h a t a l l is B r a h m a n , t h e r e is n e i t h e r w o r s h i p p e r n o r w o r ­
s h ip p e d , n e i t h e r y o g a n o r p u j a , n o r d h a r a n a , d h y a n a , s t a v a ,
ja p a , v ra ta , o r o th e r ritu a l o r p ro c e ss o f s a d h a n a .

I n e x t e r n a l w o r s h ip t h e r e is w o r s h i p e i t h e r o f a n i m a g e
( p r a t i m a ) , o r o f a y a n t r a ( q .u .) , w h i c h t a k e s i t s p la c e . T h e
s a d h a k a s h o u ld firs t w o rsh ip in w a rd ly th e m e n ta l im a g e
o f th e fo rm a s s u m e d b y t h e D e v i, a n d t h e n b y t h e lif e -
g iv in g ( p r a n a - p r a t i s th a ) c e re m o n y in fu se th e im a g e w ith
H e r lif e b y t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n to i t o f t h e l i g h t a n d e n e r g y
( t e j a s ) o f t h e B r a h m a n w h i c h is w i t h in h i m to t h e i m a g e
w i t h o u t, f r o m w h i c h t h e r e b u r s t s t h e l u s t r e o f H e r w h o s e
s u b s ta n c e is c o n s c io u s n e s s its e lf (c a ita n y a -m a y i). She

1. S e e “ P r i n c ip l e s o f T a n t r a , ” 2 n d E d i t io n , p . 1 0 8 4 .
 W O R S H IP 7 5 PONMLKJIHGFE

e x i s t s a s S a k t i i n s t o n e o r m e t a l , o r e l s e w h e r e , b u t is t h e r e
v e ile d a n d s e e m in g ly in e rt. C a it a n y a (c o n s c io u s n e ss ) is
a ro u sed by th e w o rsh ip p e r th ro u g h th e p ra n a -p ra tisth a
m a n tra .

R i t e s ( k a r m a ) a r e o f tw o k i n d s . K a r m a is e i t h e r n i t y a
o r n a im ittik a . T h e f i r s t is b o t h d a i l y a n d o b l i g a t o r y , a n d is
d o n e b e c a u s e so o rd a in e d . S u c h a r e t h e s a n d h y a ( v . p o st),
w h i c h i n t h e c a s e o f S u d r a s is i n t h e T a n t r i k f o r m ; a n d d a ily
p u j a ( v . p o st) o f t h e I s t a - a n d K u l a - D e v a t a (v . p o s t); a n d
fo r B rah m a n a s th e p a n c a -m a h a -y a jn a (v. p o st). T h e
s e c o n d o r c o n d i t i o n a l k a r m a is o c c a s i o n a l a n d v o lu n ta ry ,
and is k a m y a w hen done to g a in som e p a rtic u la r end,
s u c h a s y a jn a fo r a p a rtic u la r o b je c t; ta p a s w ith th e s a m e
e n d ( f o r c e r t a i n f o r m s o f t a p a s a r e a ls o n i t y a ) ; a n d v r a t a
(v. p o s t),

T h e f t i i d r a is p r e c l u d e d f r o m t h e p e r f o r m a n c e o f V a i d i k
rite s, o r th e re a d in g o f V e d a s, o r th e re c ita l o f th e V a id ik
m a n tra . H is w o r s h i p is p r a c t i c a l ly l i m i te d t o t h a t o f t h e
I s ta - D e v & ta a n d t h e B a n a - l in g a - p u j a , w i t h T a n t r ik a n d P a u -
r a n i k m a n t r a a n d s u c h v r a t a s a s c o n s is t i n penance and
c h a rity . I n o t h e r c a s e s t h e v r a t a is p e r f o r m e d t h r o u g h a
B ra h m & n a . The T a n tra m akes no c a s te d i s ti n c ti o n s as
re g a rd s w o rsh ip . A ll m a y re a d th e T a n tra s, p e rfo rm th e
T a n t r i k w o r s h i p , s u c h a s t h e s a n d h y a ( v . p o st)} a n d r e c i t e
t h e T a n t r i k m a n t r a , s u c h a s t h e T a n t r i k G a y a t r i . A ll c a s te s ,
a n d e v e n th e lo w e s t c a n d a la , m a y b e a m e m b e r o f a c a k ra ,
o r T a n trik c irc le o f w o rsh ip . In th e c a k ra a ll its m e m b e rs
p a rta k e o f fo o d a n d d rin k to g e th e r a n d a re d e e m e d to b e
g r e a te r t h a n B r a h m a n a s ; t h o u g h u p o n t h e b r e a k - u p o f t h e
c a k r a t h e o r d i n a r y c a s te a n d s o c ia l r e l a t io n s a r e r e - e s t a ­
b lis h e d . A ll a re c o m p e te n t fo r th e s p e c ia l T a n trik w o rs h ip ,
fo r, in th e w o rd s o f th e G a u ta m i y a - T a n tr a , th e T a n tra -
S a s t r a is f o r a l l c a s t e s a n d f o r a l l w o m e n .1 T h e la tte r a re

1. S a r v a -v a r n a d h ik a r a s y e h a n a r in a m y o g y a e v a c a (c h a p . i).
76 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA & ASTRA

a ls o e x c l u d e d u n d e r t h e p r e s e n t V a i d i k s y s t e m , t h o u g h i t
is s a id b y S a n k h a D h a rm a -s a s tra -k a ra th a t th e w ife m a y ,
w ith th e c o n s e n t o f h e r h u s b a n d , fa s t, ta k e v o w s , p e rfo rm
h o m a a n d v r a t a ,1 e tc . A c c o rd in g to th e T a n tra , a w o m a n
m a y n o t o n ly re c e iv e m a n tra , b u t m a y , a s a G u ru , in itia te
a n d g iv e i t * S h e is w o r s h i p f u l a s G u r u , a n d a s w i f e o f
G u r i i .3 T h e D e v i is H e r s e l f G u r u o f a l l S a s tr a s 4 a n d w o m e n ,
a s , i n d e e d , a l l f e m a l e s w h o a r e H e r e m b o d i m e n ts a r e , i n a
p e c u l i a r s e n s e , H e r e a r t h ly r e p r e s e n t a t iv e s .

FORM S O F A CA RA

T h e re a re s e v e n , o r, a s s o m e s a y , n in e , d iv is io n s o f
w o rsh ip p e rs . T h e e x t r a d i v i s i o n s a r e b r a c k e t e d i n t h e f a l­
lo w in g q u o t a ti o n . T h e K u l a r n a v a - T a n t r a m e n t i o n s s e v e ::,
w h i c h a r e g iv e n i n t h e i r o r d e r o f s u p e r i o r i t y , t h e f i r s t b e k i g
t h e lo w e s t: V e d a c a ra , V a is n a v a o a ra , S a iv a c a ra , D aksm a*
c a ra , V a m a c a ra , S id d h a n ta c a ra , ( A g h o r a c a r a ,5 Y o g a c a r & j.,
a n d K a u l a c a r a , t h e h i g h e s t o f a l l.6 T h e a c a ra is th e w ^ y ,
c u s t o m a n d p r a c t ic e o f a p a r t i c u l a r c l a s s o f s a d h a k a s . T h -& y

1. I t h a s b e e n s a id th a t n e ith e r a v irg in (k u m a rl), a p re g n a n t w o m a n

( g a r b h i n l ) , n o r a w o m a n d u r i n g h e r p e r i o d , c a n p e r f o r m v j- a ta .

2. R u d ra -y a m a la , 2 K h a n d a (c h a p , ii); 1 K h a n d a (c h a p , x v .) , w h e re th e
q u a lific a tio n s a re s ta te d .

3. I b i d ., 1 K h a n d a ( c h a p , i ) ; M a t r k a - b h e d a - T a n t r a ( c h a p , v i i i) ; A n n a d a -
k a l p a T a n t r a c i t e d i n P r a n a - to ^ i n i , p . 6 8 . A s th e Y o g in l-T a n tra s a y s , g u ru -
p a tn l m a h e s a n i g u ru re v a (c h . p . i).

4. K a n k a l a - m a l in l - T a n tr a (c h a p . ii).

5. T h is is g e n e ra lly re g a rd e d a s a d is tin c t s e c t th o u g h th e a u th o r b e lo w
c i t e d s a y s i t is , i n f a c t , n o t s o . A g h o r a m e a n s , i t i s s a i d , o n e w h o i s l i b e r a te d
fro m th e te rrib le (g h o ra ) s a m s a ra , b u t in any c a s e , m a n y w o rs h ip p e rs fo r
w a n t o f i n s t r u c ti o n b y a s i d d h a - g u r u h a v e d e g e n e r a t e d i n t o m e r e e a t e r s o f
c o rp ses.

6. C h a p te r II. A s h o r t d e s c r i p ti o n ( o f l i t tl e a i d ) is g iv e n in th e V is v a -
s a ra -T a n tra (c h a p . x x iv ). See a ls o H a ra -ta ttv a -d id h iti, fo u rth e d itio n ,
p p . 339, e t seq.
 77PONMLKJIHGFE
W O R S H IP hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFE

a r e n o t , a s s o m e t i m e s s u p p o s e d , d i f f e r e n t s e c ts , b u t s t a g e s
th ro u g h w h ic h th e w o rs h ip p e r in th is o r o th e r b irth s h a s
to p a s s b e f o r e h e r e a c h e s t h e s u p r e m e s t a g e o f t h e K a u la .
V e d a c a ra , w h ic h c o n s is ts in th e d a ily p ra c tic e o f th e V a id ik
rite s , is th e g ro ss body (s th u la -d e h a ), w h ic h c o m p ris e s
w ith in it a ll o th e r a c a ra s , w h ic h a re , a s it w e re , its s u b tle
b o d ie s ( s u k s m a - d e h a ) o f v a r i o u s d e g r e e s . T h e w o r s h i p is
la rg e ly o f a n e x te rn a l a n d ritu a l c h a ra c te r, th e o b je c t o f
w h i c h i s to s t r e n g t h e n d h a r m a . T h i s is t h e p a t h o f a c t i o n
(k riy a -m a rg a ). In th e s e c o n d s ta g e th e w o rs h ip p e r p a ss e s
f r o m b l i n d f a i th to a n u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e s u p r e m e p r o ­
te c tin g e n e rg y o f th e B ra h m a n , to w a rd s w h ic h h e h a s th e
fe e lin g s o f d e v o tio n . T h i s is t h e p a t h o f d e v o t i o n ( b h a k ti -
m a rg a ), a n d th e a im a t th is s ta g e is th e u n io n o f it a n d
fa ith p re v io u sly a c q u ire d . W ith a n in c re a s in g d e te rm in a ­
t i o n to p r o t e c t d h a r m a a n d d e s t r o y a d h a r m a , t h e s a d h a k a
p a s s e s i n t o S a i v a c a r a , t h e w a r r io r ( k s a tr i y a ) s t a g e , w h e r e in
to lo v e a n d m e rc y a re a d d e d s tre n u o u s s triv in g and th e
c u l t i v a ti o n of p o w e r. T h e re is u n io n of fa ith , devo­
tio n (b h a k ti), and in w a rd d e t e r m in a t i o n (a n ta r-la k sa ).
E n tra n c e is m ade upon th e p a th of k n o w le d g e (jn a n a -
m a rg a), F o l l o w i n g t h i s is D a k s i n a c a r a , w h i c h in T a n tra
does not m ean “ rig h t-h a n d w o rs h ip ” , b u t “ fa v o u ra b le ” —
t h a t is , t h a t a c a r a w h i c h is f a v o u r a b l e t o t h e a c c o m p li s h ­
m e n t o f t h e h i g h e r s a d h a n a , a n d w h e r e o f t h e D e v i is t h e
D a k s in a -K a lik a . T h is s ta g e com m ences w hen th e w o r­
s h i p p e r c a n m a k e d h y a n a a n d d h a r a n a o f t h e t h r e e f o l d s a k ti
o f t h e B r a h m a n ( k r i y a , ic c h a , j n a n a ) , a n d u n d e r s t a n d s t h e
m u tu a l c o n n e c tio n (sa m a n v a y a ) o f th e th re e g u n a s u n til
h e r e c e iv e s p u r n a b h i s e k a ( q .v .) . A t th is s ta g e th e s a d h a k a

1 . S e e a s to th is a n d f o llo w in g th e S a n a t a n a -s a d h a n a - t a t t v a , o r T a n t r a -
r a h a s y a o f S a c c h id a n a n d a S v a m i.
78 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDC
TO TAN TRA £ASTRA

is S a k t a , a n d q u a l i f i e d f o r t h e w o r s h i p o f t h e t h r e e f o l d s a k t i
o f B ra h m a , V isn u , M a h e s v a ra . H e is f u l l y i n i t i a t e d i n t h e
G a y a tri-m a n tra , a n d w o rs h ip s th e D e v i G a y a tri, th e D a k -
s i n a - K a l i k a , o r A d y a £ > a k ti— t h e u n i o n o f t h e t h r e e S a k ti s .
T h is is t h e s t a g e o f i n d i v i d u a l i s t i c B r a h m a n a t t v a , a n d i t s
a i m is t h e u n i o n o f f a i t h , d e v o t i o n , a n d d e t e r m i n a t i o n , w i t h
a k n o w le d g e o f th e th re e fo ld e n e rg ie s. A fte r th is a c h a n g e
o f g re a t im p o rta n c e o c c u rs, m a rk in g , a s it d o e s , th e e n try
u p o n th e p a th o f re tu rn (n iv rtti). T h is i t is w h i c h h a s l e d
s o m e t o d i v i d e t h e a c a r a i n t o t h e tw o b r o a d d i v i s i o n s o f
D a k s in a c a ra (in c lu d in g th e firs t fo u r) a n d V a m a c a ra , (in -
lu d in g th e la s t th r e e ) , it b e in g s a id th a t m e n a r e b o rn in to
D a k s in a c a r a , b u t a r e r e c e i v e d b y i n i t i a t i o n i n t o V a m a c a r a .
T h e la tte r te rm d o e s n o t m e a n , a s is v u l g a r l y s u p p o s e d ,
“ le ft-h a n d w o rs h ip ” b u t w o rs h ip in w h ic h w o m a n (v a m a)
e n t e r s , t h a t is l a t a - s a d h a n a . I n t h i s a c a r a t h e r e is a ls o w o r s h i p
o f t h e V a m a - D e v i. V a m a is h e r e “ a d v e r s e ,” i n t h a t t h e s t a g e
is a d v e r s e to p r a v r t t i , w h i c h g o v e r n e d i n v a r y i n g d e g r e e s
t h e p r e c e d i n g a c a r a , a n d e n t r y is h e r e m a d e u p o n t h e p a t h
o f n i v r t t i , o r r e t u r n to t h e s o u r c e w h e n c e t h e w o r l d s p r u n g .
U p to t h e f o u r t h s t a g e t h e s a d h a k a f o llo w e d p r a v r t t i m a r g s u
th e o u tg o in g p a th w h ic h le d fro m th e s o u rc e , th e p a th
o f w o r l d l y e n j o y m e n t , a l b e it c u r b e d b y d h a r m a . A t firs t
u n c o n s c io u s ly , and la te r c o n s c io u s ly , sadhana sought to
in d u c e n iv rtti, w h ic h , h o w e v e r, c a n o n ly fu lly a p p e a r a fte r
t h e e x h a u s ti o n o f t h e f o r c e s o f t h e o u t w a r d c u rre n t. In
V a m a c a ra , h o w e v er, th e sadhaka com m ences to d ire c tly
d e s tro y p ra v rtti, a n d w ith th e h e lp o f th e G u ru (w h o se
h e l p t h r o u g h o u t is i n t h i s n e c e s s a r y ) 1 t o c u l t i v a t e n i v r t ti .
T h e m e t h o d a t t h i s s t a g e is t o u s e t h e f o r c e o f p r a v r tt i i n

1. I t i s c o m p a r a t i v e ly e a s y t o l a y d o w n r u l e s f o r t h e p r a v r t t i - m a r g a , b u t

n o t h i n g c a n b e a c h i e v e d i n V a m a c a r a w i t h o u t t h e G u r u ’s h e l p .
 W O R S H IP 7 9 PONMLKJIHGFE

s u c h a w a y a s to r e n d e r th e n ) s e lf-d e s tru c tiv e . T h e p a s s io n s

w h i c h b i n d m a y b e s o e m p l o y e d a s to a c t a s f o r c e s w h e r e b y
p a r t ic u l a r l i f e o f w h i c h t h e y a r e t h e s t r o n g e s t m a n i f e s t a t i o n
i s r a i s e d to t h e u n i v e r s a l lif e . P a ss io n , w h ic h h a s h ith e rto
r u n d o w n w a rd s a n d o u tw a rd s to w a ste , is d ire c te d in w a rd s
a n d u p w a r d s , a n d t r a n s f o r m e d to p o w e r . B u t i t is n o t o n ly
t h e l o w e r p h y s ic a l d e s i r e s o f e a t i n g , d r i n k i n g , a n d s e x u a l
in te rc o u rs e w h ic h m u s t b e s u b ju g a te d . T he sadhaka m ust
a t th is s ta g e c o m m e n c e to c u t o ff a ll th e e ig h t b o n d s (p a £ a )
w h ic h m a rk th e p a £ u w h ic h th e K u la rn a v a -T a n tra e n u m e ­
ra te s as p ity (d a y a ), ig n o ra n c e (m o h a ), sham e ( l a j ja ) ,
fa m ily ( k u la ) , c u s to m ( & ila ) , a n d c a s te ( v a r n a ) .1 W hen
S r i - K r s n a s t o le t h e c l o t h e s o f t h e b a t h in g G o p is , a n d m a d e
th e m a p p ro a c h h im n a k e d , h e re m o v e d th e a rtific ia l c o v e r­
in g s w h ic h a r e im p o s e d o n m a n in th e s a m s a ra . T h e G o p is
w e r e e i g h t, a s a re th e b o n d s (p a £ a ), a n d th e e rro rs by
w h i c h thv: j i v a is m i s l e d a r e t h e c l o t h e s w h i c h S r i K r s n a
s to le . T V s e d o f t h e s e , t h e j i v a is l i b e r a t e d f r o m a l l b o n d s
a risin g fro m h is d e s ir e s , fa m ily , and s o c ie ty . He th e n
re a c h e j n k e s ta g e o f S iv a (£ iv a tv a ). I t is t h e a i m o f V a m a -
c a ra to lib e ra te fro m th e b o n d s w h ic h b in d m en to th e
s a m s S r s , a n d t o q u a l if y t h e s a d h a k a f o r t h e h i g h e s t g r a d e s
o f s a d h a n a in w h ic h th e s a ttv ik a g u n a p re d o m in a te s . To
t h e t r u l y s a t t v i k t h e r e is n e i t h e r a t t a c h m e n t n o r f e a r n o r
d i s g u s t . T h a t w h i c h h a s b e e n c o m m e n c e d i n t h e s e s t a g e s is
b y d e g r e e s c o m p l e t e d i n t h o s e w h i c h f o llo w — v iz .: S i d d h a n -
ta c a ra , a n d a c c o rd in g to s o m e , A g h o ra c a ra a n d Y o g a c a ra .
T h e s a d h a k a b e c o m e s m o re a n d m o re fre e d fro m th e d a rk ­
n e s s o f t h e s a m s a r a , a n d is a t t a c h e d to n o t h i n g , h a t e s n o t h ­
in g , a n d is a s h a m e d o f n o t h in g , h a v i n g f r e e d h i m s e l f o f t h e

1. T h e r e a r e v a r i o u s e n u m e r a t i o n s o f t h e “ a f f lic tio n s ” (p a sa ) w h ic h a re ,

h o w e v e r m e re ly e la b o ra tio n s o f th e s m a lle r d iv is io n s . T h u s , a c c o rd in g to th e

D e v i-B h a g a v a ta , M oha is ig n o ra n c e or b e w ild e rm e n t, and M a h a -m o h a is

d e s ire o f w o rld ly p le a s u re s .
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TO TAN TRA SASTRA

a r t i f i c i a l b o n d s o f f a m i l y , c a s t e , a n d s o c ie ty . T he sadhaka
b eco m es, lik e , S iv a h im s e lf, a d w e lle r in th e c re m a tio n
g ro u n d (sm a sa n a). H e l e a r n s to r e a c h t h e u p p e r h e i g h t s
o f s a d h a n a a n d t h e m y s t e r ie s o f y o g a . H e le a rn s th e m o v e ­
m e n t s o f t h e d i f f e r e n t v a y u s i n t h e m ic r o c o s m , t h e k s u d r a -
b ra h m a n d a , th e re g u la tio n o f w h ic h c o n tro ls th e in c lin a ­
t i o n s a n d p r o p e n s i ti e s (v ritti). H e l e a r n s a ls o t h e t r u t h s
w h ic h c o n c e rn th e m a cro c o sm (b ra h m an d a ). H e re a ls o
th e G u ru te a c h e s h im th e in n e r c o re o f V e d a c a ra . In itia ­
tio n by y o g a -d ik s a fu lly q u a l i f ie s h i m fo r y o g a ca ra . On
a t t a i n m e n t o f p e r f e c t i o n i n a s ta r ig a - y o g a , h e is f it t o e n t e r
th e h ig e s t s ta g e o f K a u la c a ra .

K a u l a - d h a r m a is in no w ise s e c ta r i a n , b u t, on th e
c o n t r a r y , is t h e h e a r t o f a l l s e c ts . T h i s is t h e t r u e m e a n ­
in g o f th e p h ra s e w h ic h , lik e m a n y a n o th e r to u c h in g s h e
T a n t r a , is m i s u n d e r s t o o d , a n d u s e d to f ix t h e k a u l a w ^ .th
h y p o c ris y — a n ta h -s a k ta h , b a h ih - S a iv a h , subhayam v& k-
n a v a m a ta h , n a n a -ru p a d h a ra h k a u la h v ic a ra n ti m a h i t a 'e ;
( o u t w a r d ly S a iv a s ; in g a t h e r i n g s ,1 V a isn a v a s ; at h e a ri,
S a k ta s; u n d e r v a rio u s fo rm s th e K a u la s w a n d e r o n e a rth } .
A K a u la is o n e w h o h a s p a s s e d t h r o u g h t h e s e a n d o t h e r
s ta g e s , w h i c h h a v e a s t h e i r o w n i n m o s t d o c t r i n e ( w h e t h e r
th e s e w o rsh ip p e rs k n o w it o r n o t) th a t o f K a u la c a ra . I t is
i n d i f f e r e n t w h a t t h e K a u l a ’s a p p a r e n t s e c t m a y b e . The
f o r m is n o t h i n g a n d e v e r y t h i n g . I t is n o t h i n g i n t h e s e n s e
t h a t i t h a s n o p o w e r t o n a r r o w t h e K a u la ’s o w n i n n e r l i f e ;
i t is e v e r y th i n g i n t h e s e n s e t h a t k n o w l e d g e m a y i n f u s e i t s
a p p a re n t lim ita tio n s w ith a n u n iv e rs a l m e a n in g . S o u n d e r­
s to o d , f o r m is n e v e r a b o n d . T h e V is v a -sa ra T a n tra s a y s2
o f t h e K a u la t h a t “ f o r h i m t h e r e is n e i t h e r r u l e o f t i m e n o r
p la c e . H is a c t i o n s a r e u n a f f e c t e d e i t h e r b y t h e p h a s e s o f

1. The v a is n a v a s a re w o n t to g a th e r to g e th e r fo r w o rs h ip s in g in g th e
p ra is e o f H a ri, e tc .

2. C h a p te r X X I V .
 W O R S H IP hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFE
81

th e m o o n o r th e p o s itio n o f th e s ta rs. T h e K a u la r o a m s
th e e a rth in d iffe rin g fo rm s . A t t i m e s a d h e r in g to s o c ia l
ru le s ( s i s ta ) , he at o th e rs a p p e a rs, a c c o rd in g to th e ir
s t a n d a r d , t o b e f a l l e n ( b h r a s ta ) . A t tim e s , a g a in , h e s e e m s
to b e a s u n e a r t h l y a s a g h o s t (b h u ta o r p is a c a ). T o h im
n o d i f f e r e n c e is t h e r e b e t w e e n m u d a n d s a n d a l p a s t e , h i s
s o n a n d a n e n e m y , h o m e a n d th e c re m a tio n g ro u n d .”

At th is s ta g e th e sadhaka a tta in s to B ra h m a -jn a n a ,

w h i c h is t h e t r u e g n o s i s i n i t s p e r f e c t f o r m . O n re c e iv in g
m a h a p u r n a - d lk s a h e p e r f o r m s h i s o w n f u n e r a l r i t e s a n d is
d e a d to t h e s a m s a r a . S e a t e d a l o n e i n s o m e q u i e t p la c e , h e
r e m a in s in c o n s ta n t s a m a d h i, and a tta in s its n irv ik a lp a
fo rm . T h e g r e a t M o t h e r , t h e S u p r e m e P r a k r t i M a h a s a k t i,
d w e lls in t h e h e a r t o f t h e s a d h a k a , w h i c h is n o w t h e c r e m a ­
tio n g ro u n d w h e r e in a ll p a s s i o n s h a v e b e e n b u rn t aw ay .
H e b e c o m e s a P a r a m a - h a m s a , w h o is l i b e r a t e d w h i ls t y e t
liv in g (jiv a n -m u k ta ).

It m u s t n o t, h o w e v e r, b e s u p p o s e d th a t e a c h o f th e s e
s t a g e s m u s t n e c e s s a r i l y b e p a s s e d t h r o u g h b y e a c h j i v a in
a s i n g l e lif e . O n th e c o n tra ry , th e y a re o rd in a rily tra v e rs­
e d in th e c o u rs e o f a m u ltitu d e o f b irth s . T h e w e a v in g o f
t h e s p i r i t u a l g a r m e n t is r e c o m m e n c e d w h e r e , i n a p r e v i o u s
b irth , it w as d ro p p e d on d e a th . In th e p re se n t lif e a
sadhaka m ay com m ence at any s ta g e . If he is bom
i n t o K a u l a c a r a , a n d s o is a K a u l a i n i t s f u l l e s t s e n s e , i t is
b e c a u s e i n p r e v i o u s b i r t h s h e h a s b y s a d h a n a , i n t h e p r e l i­
m in a ry s ta g e s, w o n h is e n tra n c e in to it. K n o w le d g e o f
S a k t i is , a s t h e N i r u t t a r a - T a n t r a s a y s , a c q u i r e d a f t e r m a n y
b i r t h s ; a n d , a c c o r d i n g to t h e M a h a n i r v a n a - T a n t r a , i t is b y
m e r i t a c q u i r e d i n p r e v i o u s b i r t h s t h a t t h e m i n d is i n c l i n e d
to K a u l a c a r a .

M ANTRA

S a b d a , o r s o u n d , w h ic h is o f th e B ra h m a n , a n d a s s u c h
th e cause of th e B ra h m an d a , is th e m a n ife s ta tio n of

n
82 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

th e C it-sa k ti its e lf. T h e V iS v a -s a ra -T a n tra s a y s1 th a t th e

P a r a - b r a h m a n , a s S a b d a - b r a h m a n , w h o s e s u b s t a n c e is a l l
m a n t r a , e x i s ts i n th e body of th e jiv a tm a . It is e ith e r
u n l e t t e r e d ( d h v a n i ) o r l e t te r e d ( v a r n a ) . T h e f o r m e r , w h i c h
p r o d u c e s t h e l a t t e r , is t h e s u b t l e a s p e c t o f t h e j i v a ’s v i t a l
£ a k ti. As th e P ra p an c a-sa ra s ta te s , th e b ra h m an d a is
p e r v a d e d b y s a k t i, c o n s i s ti n g o f d h v a n i, a ls o c a l le d n a d a ,
p ra n a , a n d th e lik e . T h e m a n ife s ta tio n o f th e g ro s s fo rm
(s th u la ) o f § a b d a is n o t p o s s i b l e u n l e s s § a b d a e x i s t s i n a
s u b tle (su k sm a) fo rm . M a n tra s a re a ll a s p e c ts of th e
B ra h m an and m a n ife sta tio n s of K u la k u n tja lim P h ilo s o ­
p h i c a ll y S a b d a is t h e g u n a o f a k a s a , o r e t h e r e a l s p a c e . It
is n o t , h o w e v e r , p r o d u c e d b y a k a s a , b u t m a n i f e s t s i n it.
S a b d a is i t s e l f t h e B r a h m a n . In th e s a m e w a y , h o w e v er*
a s in o u te r s p a c e , w a v e s o f s o u n d a re p ro d u c e d b y m o v e ­
m e n t s o f a i r ( v a y u ) ; s o i n t h e s p a c e w i t h i n t h e j i v a ’s b o * iy
w a v e s o f s o u n d a r e p r o d u c e d a c c o r d i n g to t h e m o v e m e x /&
o f th e v ita l a ir (p ra n a -v a y u ) a n d th e p ro c e ss o f in h a la tio n
a n d e x h a la tio n . S a b d a f i r s t a p p e a r s a t t h e m u l a d h a r a , a w .* !
t h a t w h i c h is k n o w n t o u s a s s u c h is , i n f a c t, t h e & & k U
w h ic h g iv e s life to th e jiv a . She it is w ho, in
m u l a d h a r a , is t h e c a u s e o f t h e s w e e t i n d i s t i n c t a n d m u r ­
m u r i n g d h v a n i, w h i c h s o u n d s l i k e t h e h u m m i n g o f a b l a c k
bee.

The e x tre m e ly s u b tle aspect of sound w h ic h firs t

a p p e a r s i n t h e M u l a d h a r a is c a lle d p a r a ; le s s s u b t l e w h e n
i t h a s r e a c h e d t h e h e a r t , i t is k n o w n a s p a S y a n ti. W hen
c o n n e c t e d w i t h b u d d h i i t b e c o m e s m o r e g r o s s , a n d is c a lle d
m adhyam a. L a s tly , in its fu lly g ro s s fo rm , it is s u e s fro m
th e m o u th as v a ik h a ri. As K u l a - k u n d a li m , w hose sub­
s t a n c e is a ll v a rn a and dhvani is but th e m a n ife sta ­
tio n o f, and H e rse lf th e P a ra m a tm a ; so th e s u b s ta n c e

1. C h a p te r I I.
 83PONMLKJIHGFE
W O R S H IP hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFED

o f a l l m a n t r a is c it, n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e i r e x t e r n a l m a n i­
fe s ta tio n , a s s o u n d , le tte rs , o r w o rd s ; in f a c t, t h e l e t t e r s
o f th e a lp h a b e t, w h ic h a re k n o w n a s a k s a ra , a re n o th in g
b u t th e y a n tra o f th e a k s a ra , o r im p e rish a b le B ra h m a n .
T h i s , h o w e v e r , is o n l y r e a l i z e d b y t h e s a d h a k a w h e n h i s
S a k ti, g e n e r a t e d by s a d h a n a , is u n i t e d w ith th e m a n tra -
s a k ti .

I t is t h e s t h u l a o r g r o s s f o r m o f K u l a k u n d a li n i , a p p e a r ­
in g i n d i f f e r e n t a s p e c t s a s d i f f e r e n t D e v a t a s , w h i c h is t h e
p re sid in g D e v a ta (a d h isth a tri) of a ll m a n tra , th o u g h it
is t h e s u b t l e o r s u k s m a f o r m a t w h i c h a l l s a d h a k a s a im .
W hen th e m a n t r a s a k t i is a w a k e n e d by th e sadhana th e
p r e s id i n g D e v a t a a p p e a r s , a n d w h e n p e r f e c t m a n t r a - s i d d h i
is a c q u i r e d , t h e D e v a ta , w h o i s s a c c i d a n a n d a , is r e v e a l e d .
T h e re la tio n s o f v a rn a , n a d a , b in d u , v o w e l a n d c o n s o n a n t
in a m a n tra , in d ic a te th e a p p e a ra n c e o f D e v a ta in d iffe re n t
fo rm s. C e r ta i n v i b h u t i s , o r a s p e c t s , o f t h e D e v a t a a r e i n ­
h e re n t in c e rta in v a rn a s , b u t p e rfe c t S a k ti d o e s n o t a p p e a r
in a n y b u t a w h o le m a n tra . A n y w o rd o r le tte r o f th e
m a n tra c a n n o t b e a m a n tra . O n ly th a t m a n tra in w h ic h
th e p la y fu l D e v a ta has re v e a le d any of H er p a r t ic u l a r
a s p e c ts c a n r e v e a l t h a t a s p e c t , a n d is t h e r e f o r e c a l l e d t h e
in d iv id u a l m a n tra o f th a t o n e o f H e r p a r t i c u la r a s p e c t s .
T h e fo rm o f a p a rtic u la r D e v a ta , th e re fo re , a p p e a rs o u t o f
th e p a r tic u la r m a n tra o f w h ic h th a t D e v a ta , is th e a d h is -
th a tri-D e v a ta .

A m a n t r a is c o m p o s e d o f c e r t a i n l e t te r s a r r a n g e d in
d e f i n it e s e q u e n c e o f s o u n d s o f w h i c h th e le tte rs a re th e
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s ig n s . T o p r o d u c e t h e d e s i g n e d e f f e c t m a n t r a
m u s t b e in to n e d in th e p ro p e r w ay, a c c o rd in g to sv a ra
( r h y t h m ) , a n d v a r n a ( s o u n d ) .1 T h e i r t e x t u a l s o u r c e is to

1 . F o r t h o s e r e a s o n s a m a n t r a , w h e n t r a n s la t e d , c e a s e s t o b e s u c h , a n d
b e c o m e s a m e re s e n te n c e .
84 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA §ASTRA

be fo u n d in V eda, P u ra n a , and T a n tra . The l a t te r is

e s s e n tia lly th e m a n tra -s a s tra , and so it is s a id of th e
e m b o d i e d s a s t r a , t h a t T a n t r a , w h i c h c o n s i s t s o f m a n t r a , is
th e p a ra m a tm a , th e V edas a re th e j i v a tm a , D a rs a n a
(s y ste m s o f p h ilo s o p h y ) a re th e s e n se s , Puranas a re th e
b o d y , a n d S m r t i s a r e t h e lim b s . T a n t r a is t h u s t h e s a k t i o f
c o n s c io u s n e s s , c o n s i s ti n g o f m a n t r a . A m a n t r a is n o t t h e
s a m e t h i n g a s p r a y e r o r s e l f - d e d i c a ti o n (a tm a -n iv e d a n a ).
P r a y e r is c o n v e y e d i n w h a t w o r d s t h e w o r s h i p p e r c h o o s e s ,
a n d b e a rs its m e a n in g o n its fa c e . I t is o n l y i g n o r a n c e o f
6 a s t r ik p rin c ip le s w h ic h supposes th a t m a n tra is m e re ly
th e n a m e fo r th e w o rd s in w h ic h o n e e x p re ss e s w h a t o n e
h a s to s a y to t h e D i v i n i t y . If it w e re , th e s a d h a k a m ig h t
c h o o s e h is o w n la n g u a g e w ith o u t re c o u rs e to th e e te rn a l
a n d d e te rm in e d s o u n d s o f S a stra .

A m a n tra m a y , o r m a y n o t, c o n v e y on its fa ce its

m e a n in g . B ija (se ed ) m a n t r a , s u c h a s A im , K l i m , H r lr h ,
h a v e n o m e a n i n g , a c c o r d i n g to t h e o r d i n a r y u s e o f l a n g u ­
age. T h e i n i t ia t e , h o w e v e r , k n o w s t h a t t h e i r m e a n i n g is
th e o w n fo rm (sv a -ru p a ) o f t h e p a r t ic u l a r D e v a t a , w h o s e
m a n tra th e y a re , a n d th a t th e y a re th e d h v a n i w h ic h m a k e s
a ll le tte rs s o u n d a n d w h ic h e x is ts in a ll w h ic h w e s a y o r
h e a r. E v e r y m a n t r a is , t h e n , a f o r m (ru p a ) o f th e B ra h ­
m an. Though, th e re fo re , m a n ife stin g in th e fo rm and
s o u n d o f t h e l e t te r s o f t h e a l p h a b e t , S a s t r a s a y s t h a t t h e y
g o t o H e ll w h o t h i n k t h a t t h e G u r u is b u t a s t o n e , a n d t h e
m a n tra b u t le tte rs o f th e a lp h a b e t.

F ro m m a n a n a , o r th in k in g , a ris e s th e re a l u n d e rs ta n d ­
in g of th e m o n is tic tru th , th a t th e s u b sta n c e of th e
B ra h m a n a n d th e b ra h m a n d a a re o n e a n d th e s a m e . M an-
o f m a n tra c o m e s fro m th e firs t s y lla b le o f m a n a n a , a n d -tra
f r o m t r a n a , o r l i b e r a ti o n f r o m t h e b o n d a g e o f t h e s a m s a r a
o r p h e n o m e n a l w o rld . B y t h e c o m b i n a ti o n o f m a n - a n d
- t r a , t h a t is c a l l e d m a n t r a w h i c h c a lls f o r t h (a m a n tra n a ),
 W O R S H IP hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFED
35

t h e c a t u r - v a r g a ( v id e p o st) , o r f o u r a i m s o f s e n t ie n t b e i n g .1
W h i ls t , t h e r e f o r e , m e r e p r a y e r o f t e n e n d s in n o th in g b u t
p h y s i c a l s o u n d , m a n t r a is a p o t e n t c o m p e l l i n g f o r c e , a w o r d
o f p o w e r ( t h e f r u i t o f w h i c h is m a n t r a - s i d d h i ) , a n d is t h u s
e f f e c tiv e to p ro d u c e c a tu rv a rg a , a d v a itic p e rc e p tio n ,
a n d m u k ti. T h u s i t i s s a i d t h a t s i a d h i is t h e c e r t a i n r e s u l t
o f ja p a ( q .v .) .

B y M a n tr a t h e s o u g h t f o r ( s a d h y a ) D e v a i;a is a t t a i n e d
a n d c o m p e lle d . B y s id d h i in m a n tr a is o p e n e d th e v is io n
o f t h e t h r e e w o r ld s . T h o u g h t h e p u r p o s e o f w o r s h i p ( p u j a ) ,
re a d in g (p a th a ), h y m n ( s t a v a ) , s a c r if ic e (h o m a ), d h y an a,
d h a ra n a , a n d sa m ad h i ( v id e p o st)t a n d t h a t o f t h e d i k s a -
m a n t r a a r e t h e s a m e , y e t t h e l a t t e r is f a r m o r e p o w e r f u l ,
a n d th is fo r th e re a s o n th a t, in th e firs t, th e s a d h a k a ’s
s a d h a r .o ^ a k t i o n l y o p e r a t e s , w h i ls t i n t h e c a s e o f m a n t r a
th a t s v r A ^ a n a - s a k ti w o rk s, in c o n j u n c ti o n w ith m a n tra -
S a k ti w & tc h h a s t h e r e v e l a ti o n a n d f o r c e o f f ir e , a n d t h a n
w h ic h n o th in g is m o re p o w e rfu l. The s p e c ia l m a n tra
w h i c h is r e c e i v e d a t i n i t i a t io n (d ik s a ) is t h e b i j a o r s e e d
m a n t r a . " o w n i n t h e f ie ld o f t h e s a d h a k a ’s h e a r t , a n d t h e
T a n trir: > a m d h y a , n y a s a , p u ja a n d th e lik e a re th e s te m
and benches upon w h ic h hym ns o f p ra is e (s tu ti) and
p ra y e r a n d h o m ag e (v a n d a n a) a r e t h e l e a v e s a n d f lo w e r ,
a n d t h e k a v a c a , c o n s i s ti n g o f m a n t r a , t h e f r u i t.

M a n tra s a re s o la r (s a u ra ) a n d lu n a r ( s a u m y a ) , a n d a re
m a s c u l i n e , f e m i n in e , o r n e u t e r , T h e s o la r a re m a sc u lin e
a n d lu n a r fe m in in e . T h e m a s c u lin e a n d n e u te r fo rm s a re
c a lle d m a n tra . T h e f e m i n in e m a n t r a i s k n o w n a s v id y a .
T h e n e u te r m a n tra , s u c h a s th e P a u ra n ik -m a n tra , e n d in g
w i t h n a m a h , a r e s a i d to l a c k t h e f o r c e a n d v i t a l i ty o f t h e
o t h e r s . T h e m a s c u l i n e a n d f e m i n in e m a n t r a s e n d d i f f e r e n t l y .

1. S e e “ G a r l a n d o f L e t te r s ” a n d c h a p t e r o n M a n t r a - ta t t v a i n ‘T h e P r i n ­
c ip le s c f T a n tra ” .
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TO TAN TRA SASTRA

T h u s, H um , P h a t, a re m a s c u lin e te rm in a tio n s , and

“ t h a m ” , s v a h a , a r e f e m i n in e o n e s .1

T h e N i t y a - T a n t r a g iv e s v a r i o u s n a m e s t o m a n t r a , a c ­
c o rd in g to t h e n u m b e r o f t h e i r s y l l a b l e s , a o n e - s y l l a b l e d
m a n tra b e in g c a lle d p in d a , a th re e -s y lla b le d o n e k a r ta ri, a
m a n t r a w i t h f o u r t o n i n e s y l l a b le s b i j a , w i t h t e n t o t w e n t y
s y l l a b l e s m a n t r a , a n d m a n t r a w i t h m o r e t h a n t w e n t y s y l la ­
b le s m a l a . C o m m o n ly , h o w e v e r , t h e t e r m b i j a is a p p l i e d
to m o n o s y l l a b i c m a n t r a . T h e T a n trik m a n tra s c a lle d b ija
(s e e d ) a re so n a m e d b e c a u s e th e y a re th e s e e d o f th e fru it,
w h i c h is s i d d h i , a n d b e c a u s e t h e y a r e t h e v e r y q u i n t e s s e n c e
o f m a n tra . T h e y a r e s h o rt, u n e ty m o lo g ic a l v o c a b le s , s u c h
as H r im , S rim , K rirh , A im , P h a t, e tc ., w h ic h w ill be
fo u n d th ro u g h o u t th e t e x t .2 E ach D e v a ta has H is or
H e r b i j a .3 T h e p r i m a r y m a n t r a o f a D e v a t a is k n o w n a s
th e ro o t m a n tra (m u la -m a n tra ). I t is a ls o s a i d t h a t t h e
w o rd m u la d e n o te s th e s u b tle b o d y o f th e D e v a ta c a lk d
K a m a -k a la . T h e u t t e r a n c e o f a m a n t r a w i th o u t k n o w l ^ i g e
o f i t s m e a n i n g o r o f t h e m a n t r a m e t h o d is a m e r e m o v e ­
m e n t o f th e lip s a n d n o th in g m o re . T h e m a n tr a s ie v e s.
T h e r e a r e v a r i o u s p r o c e s s e s p r e l i m i n a r y to , a n d i n v o l v e d
in , i t s rig h t u tte ra n c e , w h ic h p ro ce sse s a g a in c o n s is t of
m a n tra , s u c h a s , fo r p u rific a tio n o f th e m o u th (m u k h a-
£ o d h a n a ) ,4 p u r i f i c a t i o n o f t h e t o n g u e (jih v a -£ o d h a n a )5 a n d

1. See S a r a d a - t il a k a (c h a p , ii); N a ra d a -p a n c a -ra tra (c h a p , v ii), th e

P ray o g a sa ra a n d P ra n a -to $ in I, (p . 7 0 ). If it b e a sk e d w h y f o r m le s s t h i n g s

o f m in d a re g iv e n s e x , th e a n s w e r is fo r th e sake o f th e re q u ire m e n ts o f
th e w o rs h ip p e r.

2 . S e e a ls o th e m a n tr a p o rtio n o f th e A th a rv a -V e d a to w h ic h th e T a n tra
s ta n d s in c lo s e re la tio n .

3. K rirh (K a li), H rim (M a y a ), R a m (A g n I), E m ( Y o n i ) , e tc .

4. S e e C h a p te r X , S a r a d a - T i l a k a , J a p a o f p r a n a v a o r t h e m a n t r a v a r i e s

w i t h t h e D e v a t a — e .g ., O m H s a u fo r B h a ira v a .

5. S e v e n j a p a s o f o n e - l e t te r e d b i ja t r i p l ic a t e d ,, p r a n a v a t r i p l ic a t e d , t h e n

o n e - l e tt e r e d b ija trip lic a te d .

 W O R S H IP 87hgfedcbaZYXWV

of th e m a n tra ( a £ a u c a - b h a r i g a ) ,x k u llu k a ,2 n i r v a n a ,3
s e t u ,4 n i d h r a - b h a n g a , a w a k e n in g of m a n t r a ,5 m a n t r a - c a i t-
a n y a , o r g iv in g o f life o r v ita lity to th e m a n tra .6 M an-
t r a r t h a b h a v a n a , f o r m i n g o f m e n t a l i m a g e o f t h e D i v i n i t y .7
T h e r e a r e a ls o t e n s a m s k a r a s o f t h e m a n t r a .8 D l p a n i is
seven ja p a s of th e b ija , p re c ed e d and fo llo w e d by o ra .
W h e re h rim is e m p l o y e d i n s t e a d o f O m i t is p r a n a - y o g a .
Y o n i - m u d r a is m e d i t a ti o n o n t h e G u r u i n t h e h e a d a n d o n
th e Is ta -d e v a ta in th e h e a rt, a n d th e n on th e Y o n i-ru p a
B h a g a v a ti fro m th e h e a d to th e m u la d h a ra , a n d fro m th e
m u l a d h a r a to t h e h e a d , m a k i n g j a p a o f t h e y o n i b i j a ( e m )
t e n t i m e s .9 T h e m a n t r a i t s e l f is D e v a ta . T h e w o rsh ip p e r
aw akens and v ita liz e s it by c it- £ a k ti, p u ttin g aw ay a ll
t h o u g h t o f t h e l e t te r , p i e r c in g t h e s i x C a k r a s , a n d c o n t e m ­
p l a t i n g t h e s p o t l e s s O n e .1 0 T h e £ a k t i o f t h e m a n t r a is t h e
v a c a k a -s a k ti, or th e m eans by w h ic h th e v a c y a -sa k ti
o r o b je c t o f t h e m a n t r a is a t t a i n e d . T h e m a n t r a liv e s b y
th e e n e rg y o f th e fo rm e r. T h e s a g u n a - S a k t i is a w a k e n e d

1. J a p a o f m u l a - m a n tr a p r e c e d e d a n d fo llo w e d b y p ra n a v a . A s to th e
‘b i r t h ” a n d “ d e a t h ” d e f i l e m e n t s o f a m a n t r a , s e e T a n t r a s a r a 7 5 , e t seq .

2. S ee S a ra d a ( l o c . c i t .) . T h u s K u llu k a (w h ic h is d o n e o v e r th e h e a d )
o f K u lik e is M a y a ( s e e P u r a s c a r a n a - B o d h in l , p . 4 8 , a n d T a n t r a s a r a ) .

3. J a p a o f M u la - a n d M a t r k i i- b l j a i n t h e M a n i p u r a .

4. G e n e ra lly th e m a h a m a n tra Om o r M a y a -b lja H rim , b u t a ls o v a rie s .

T h u s S e tu o f K a li is h e r o w n b ija ( k r lm ) , o f T a ra , K u ra c a , e tc .

5. J a p a o f th e M a n tra in p re c e d e d a n d fo llo w e d b y im s e v e n tim e s .

6. J a y a o f M u la -m a n tra in M a n ip u ra p re c e d e d a n d fo llo w e d b y M a trk a -

b lja . M e d i t a t in g o n t h e m u l a - m a n t r a i n t h e s a l i a s r a r a , a n a h a t a , m u l a - d h a r a ,
w ith H u m , a n d a g a in in S a h a s ra ra . T h e m u la is th e p rin c ip a l m a n tra , s u c h
a s th e p a n c a d a s i.

7. L i t., t h i n k i n g o f m e a n i n g o f m a n t r a o r t h i n k i n g o f t h e m a t r k a i n t h e
m a n tra w h i c h c o n s t i tu t e th e D e v a ta fro m fo o t to h e a d .

8. See T a n tra s a ra , p . 9 0 .

9. S e e P u ro h ita -d a rp a n a m .

10. K u b jik a -T a n tra (c h a p . v ).

88 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA £ASTRA

b y s a d h a n a a n d w o r s h ip p e d , a n d s h e i t is w h o o p e n s t h e
p o rta ls w h e reb y th e v a c y a -s a k ti is re a ch e d . Thus th e
M o th e r in H e r s a g u n a fo rm is t h e p r e s i d i n g d e i ty (a d h is -
th a tri-D e v a ta ) of th e G a y a tri-m a n tra . As th e n irg u n a
( f o r m l e s s ) O n e , S h e is i t s v a c y a - S a k ti. B o th a re in re a lity
one and th e sam e; but th e jiv a , by th e la w s of h is
n a tu r e a n d its th re e g u n a s , m u s t firs t m e d ita te o n th e g ro s s
(s th u la ) fo rm 1 b e fo re h e c a n re a liz e th e s u b tle (su k sm a )
f o r m , w h i c h is h i s l i b e r a t o r .

T h e m a n t r a o f a D e v a t a is t h e D e v a t a . T h e rh y th m i­
c a l v i b r a t io n s o f its s o u n d s n o t m e re ly re g u la te th e un­
s te a d y v ib ra tio n s o f th e s h e a th s o f th e w o rs h ip p e r, th u s
tra n s fo rm in g h im , b u t fro m it a ris e s th e fo rm o f th e D e v a ta
w h ic h it is .2 M a n tra -s id d h i is th e a b i l i ty to m ake a
m a n t r a e f f ic a c io u s a n d to g a t h e r i t s f r u i t 3 i n w h i c h c a s e tL -.*
m a n t r a is c a l l e d m a n t r a - s i d d h a . M a n t r a s a r e c la s s if ie d
s id d h a , s a d h y a , s u s i d d h a , a n d a ri, a c c o rd in g a s th e y
f r i e n d s , s e r v e r s , s u p p o r t e r s , o r d e s t r o y e r s — a m a t t e r w h k .k
is d e t e r m i n e d fo r each sadhaka by m eans of c a k ra c a l­
c u la tio n s .

T H E G A Y A T R I-M A N T R A

T h e G a y a t r l is t h e m o s t s a c r e d o f a l l V a i d i k m a n t r a s .
I n i t t h e V e d a l i e s e m b o d ie d a s i n i t s s e e d . It ru n s: Om

1. T h e s e fo rm s a re n o t m e re ly th e c re a tu re s o f th e im a g in a tio n o f th e
w o rs h ip p e r, a s s o m e “ m o d e rn ist” H in d u s s u p p o s e , b u t, a c c o rd in g to o rth o d o x
n o t i o n s , t h e f o r m s i n w h i c h t h e D e i ty , i n f a c t , a p p e a r s t o t h e w o r s h i p p e r .

2. 6 rn u devT p ra v a k $ y a m i b ija n a m d e v a - r u p a ta m .
M a n tro c c a ra n a m a tre n a , d e v a -ru p a m p ra ja y a te .
— ( B r h a d - g a n d h a r v a - T a n t r a , c h a p , v .)

3. Y am Y am p ra rth a y a te k a m a m

T am t a m a p n o ti n i s c i t a m .

(W h a te v e r th e s a d h a k a d e s ire s th a t h e s u re ly o b ta in s )
— P ra n a -to s in T , 619.
 W O R S H IP 8 9 PONMLKJIHGFE

b h u r-b h u v ah -sv ah : t a t s a v i tu r v a r e n y a m b h a rg o devasya

d h lm a h i d h iy o y o n a h p ra c o d a y a t. O m . “ L e t u s c o n te m ­
p la te th e w o n d ro u s s p irit o f th e D iv in e C re a to r (S a v itr) o f
th e e a rth ly , a tm o s p h e ric , and c e le s tia l sp h e re s. M ay He
d i r e c t o u r m i n d s , t h a t is , ‘t o w a r d s ' t h e a t t a i n m e n t o f d h a r m a ,
a r t h a , k a m a , a n d m o k s a , O m .”

The G a y a tri-V y a k a ra n a of Y o g a - Y a jn a v a lk y a th u s
e x p la in s th e fo llo w in g w o rd s: T a t , t h a t .1 The w o rd yat
(w h ic h ) is u n d e r s t o o d .2 S a v i t u h is t h e p o s s e s s i v e c a s e o f
S a v i t r d e r iv e d f r o m t h e r o o t s u , “ to b r i n g f o r t h .” S a v itr
is , t h e r e f o r e , t h e B r i n g e r - f o r t h o f a l l t h a t e x i s ts . The Sun
( S u r y a ) is t h e c a u s e o f a l l t h a t e x i s t s , a n d o f t h e s t a t e i n
w h ic h th e y e x is t. B rin g in g fo rth a n d c re a tin g a ll th in g s ,
i t is c a l le d S a v itr. The B h a v isy a -P u ra n a says S u ry a is
th e v is ib le D e v a ta . H e is t h e E y e o f t h e w o r l d a n d th e
M a k e r o f th e d a y . T h e r e is n o o t h e r D e v a t a e t e r n a l l i k e
u n t o H im . T h is u n iv e rs e h a s e m a n a te d fro m a n d w ill b e
a g a in a b s o r b e d i n t o , H im . T i m e is o f a n d i n H im . The
p la n e ts , s ta rs , th e V asus, R u d ra s, V a y u , A g n i, and th e
re st a re but p a rts of H im . By B h a rg ah is m eant th e
i A d ity a -d e v a ta , d w e llin g in th e re g io n o f th e S u n (su ry a -
m a n d a la ) i n a l l H is m i g h t a n d g l o r y . H e is to t h e S u n
w h a t o u r s p irit (a tm a ) is to o u r b o d y . T h o u g h H e is in
th e re g io n o f th e s u n in th e o u te r o r m a te ria l s p h e re H e
a ls o d w e l ls i n o u r i n n e r s e lv e s . H e is t h e l i g h t o f t h e l i g h t
i n t h e s o l a r c i r c le , a n d is t h e l i g h t o f t h e l i v e s o f a l l b e in g s .
A s H e is i n t h e o u t e r e t h e r , s o a ls o is H e i n t h e e t h e r e a l
re g io n o f th e h e a rt. I n t h e o u t e r e t h e r H e is S u r y a , a n d
i n t h e i n n e r e t h e r H e is t h e w o n d e r f u l L i g h t w h i c h is t h e

1. T at is a p p a r e n t ly h e re tre a te d as in th e o b je c tiv e case a g re e in g ,

w ith v a re n y a m , e t c ., but o th e rs h o ld in g th a t th e v y a h rti (B h u r-b h u v a h -

svah) fo rm p a rt o f a n d s h o u ld b e lin k e d w ith , th e r e s t o f th e G a y a tri tre a t

t a t a s p a r t o f a g e n i t iv e c o m p o u n d c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e p re v io u s v y a h rti, in

w h ic h c a s e it is te s h a m .

2. I t m a y , h o w e v e r, b e s a id th a t y a t is th e re in Y o n a h .

12
 90 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

S m o k e le s s F ire . In s h o rt, th a t B e in g w h o m th e s a d h a k a
r e a l iz e s i n th e re g io n o f h is h e a r t is t h e A d i t y a in th e
h e a v e n ly firm a m e n t. T h e t w o a r e o n e . T h e w o r d is d e r i v e d
in tw o w ay s: (1 ) fro m th e ro o t b h rij, “ rip e n , m a tu re ,
d e s tro y , re v e a l, s h in e /' In th is d e riv a tio n S u ry a is He
w h o m a tu re s a n d tra n s fo rm s a ll th in g s . H e H im s e lf s h in e s
a n d r e v e a l s a l l t h i n g s b y H is l i g h t . A n d i t is H e w h o a t
t h e f in a l D i s s o l u t i o n ( p r a l a y a ) w i l l i n H is i m a g e o f d e s t r u c ­
tiv e F ire (k a la g n i) , d e s tro y a ll th in g s . (2 ) F ro m b h a = d iv id ­
in g a ll th in g s in to d iffe re n t c la s s e s ; r a = c o l o u r ; fo r He
p ro d u c e s th e c o lo u r o f a ll c re a te d o b je c ts; g a , c o n s ta n tly
g o in g a n d r e t u r n i n g . T h e s u n d iv id e s a ll th in g s , p ro d u c e s
t h e d i f f e r e n t c o l o u r s o f a l l t h i n g s , a n d is c o n s t a n t l y g o in g
a n d re tu rn in g . A s th e B ra h m a n a -s a rv a s v a sa y s: “T he
B h a r g a h is t h e A t m a o f a l l t h a t e x i s t s , w h e t h e r m o v i n g o r
:
m o tio n le s s , i n t h e t h r e e l o k a s ( B h u r - b h u v a h - s v a h ) . T h e re

' is n o t h i n g w h i c h e x i s t s a p a r t f r o m i t ."

D e v a s y a is t h e g e n i t i v e o f D e v a , a g r e e i n g w i t h S a v it u h .
D e v a is t h e r a d i a n t a n d p l a y f u l ( l i l a m a y a ) o n e , S u ry a , is
i n c o n s t a n t p l a y w i t h c r e a ti o n ( s r s ti) , e x is te n c e (s th iti),
a n d d e s t r u c t i o n ( p r a l a y a ) , a n d b y H i s r a d ia n c e p l e a s e s a l l.
(L ila , as a p p lie d to th e B ra h m a n , is th e e q u iv a le n t o f
m a y a .) V a re n y a m = v a ra n iy a , or a d o ra b le . He s h o u ld
b e m e d ita te d u p o n a n d a d o re d th a t w e m a y b e re lie v e d o f
th e m is e ry o f b irth a n d d e a th . T hose w ho fe a r re b irth ,
w h o d e s ire fre ed o m fro m d e a th and l i b e r a ti o n and w ho
s triv e to e s c a p e th e th re e k in d s o f p a in ( ta p a -tr a y a ), w h ic h
a re a d h y a tm ik a , a d h id a iv ik a , a n d a d h ib h a u tik a , m e d ita te
u p o n a n d a d o re th e B h a rg a , w h o , d w e llin g in th e re g io n o f
th e S im , is H i m s e l f t h e th re e re g io n s c a lle d B h u r-lo k a ,
B h u v a r-lo k a , a n d S v a r-lo k a . D h im a h i= d h y a y e m a , fro m th e
r o o t d h y a i. W e m e d ita te u p o n , o r le t u s m e d ita te u p o n .

P ra c o d a y a t = m a y H e d ire c t. T h e G a y a tri d o e s n o t
s o e x p r e s s l y s t a t e , b u t i t is u n d e r s t o o d t h a t s u c h d i r e c t io n
:
 W O R S H IP 9 1 PONMLKJIHGFED

is a lo n g th e c a tu r-v a rg a , or fo u r-fo ld p a th , w h ic h is
d h a rm a, a rth a , kam a, and m oksa (p ie ty , w e a lth , d e s ire
a n d i t s f u l f i l m e n t , a n d l i b e r a t i o n , v id e p o st). T h e B h a rg ah
is e v e r d i r e c t i n g o u r i n n e r f a c u lt i e s (b u d d h i-v rtti) a lo n g
th e s e p a th s .

T h e a b o v e i s t h e V a i d i k G a y a t r i , w h i c h , a c c o r d i n g to
th e V a id ik s y ste m , none b u t th e tw ic e -b o m m ay u tte r.
To th e S u d ra w h e th e r m an or w om an, and to w om en
of a ll o th e r c a ste s it is fo rb id d e n . The T a n tra , w h ic h
h a s G a y a t r i - M a n t r a o f i t s o w n , s h o w s n o s u c h e x c lu s i v e ­
n ess; M a h a n irv a n a -T a n tra , C h a p te r III, v e rses 1 0 9 -1 1 1 ,
g iv e s t h e B r a h m a - g a y a t r l f o r v / o r s h i p p e r s o f t h e B r a h m a n :
“ P a ra m e s v a ra y a v id m a h e ; p a ra -ta ttv a y a d h im a h i; ta n no
B ra h m a p ra c o d a y a t” (M a y w e know th e su p re m e L o rd ,
L e t u s c o n t e m p l a te t h e S u p r e m e e s s e n c e . A n d m a y th a t
B ra h m s- d i r e c t u s ) .1

YANTHA

T 5 ;is w o r d i n i t s m o s t g e n e r a l s e n s e m e a n s a n i n s t r u ­
m e n t , o ir - h a t b y w h i c h a n y t h i n g is a c c o m p l i s h e d . In w o r­
s h i p i t d t h a t b y w h i c h t h e m i n d is f ix e d o n i t s o b j e c t . The
Y o g im -T a n tra s a y s th a t th e D e v i s h o u ld be w o rsh ip p e d
e i t h e r i n p r a t i m a ( i m a g e ) , m a n d a l a ,2 o r y a n t r a 3 A t a c e r­
t a i n s t a g e o f s p i r it u a l p r o g r e s s t h e s a d h a k a i s q u a l i f i e d t o
w o r s h ip y a n t r a . T h e s id d h a -y o g i in in w a rd w o rs h ip (a n -
t a r - p u j a ) c o m m e n c e s w i t h t h e w o r s h i p o f y a n t r a w h i c h is
t h e s i g n ( s a m k e t a ) o f b r a h m a - v i j n a n a a s t h e m a n t r a is t h e

1. “T h e G r e a t L i b e r a t io n ” .

2. A f i g u r e f r e q u e n t ly d r a w n o r m a d e w i t h v a r i o u s c o l o u r s . T h e d iffe r­

ence b e tw e e n a m a n d a la and a y a n tra is th a t th e fo rm e r is used in th e

e a s e o f a n y D e v a ta , w h e r e a s , a y a n t r a i s a p p r o p r i a t e t o a s p e c i f ic D e v a t a o n l y .

3. O r w h e re th e s e a re n o t a v a ila b le th e n in o th e r s u b s ta n c e s , s u c h as
w a te r, th e flo w e rs a p a ra jila , ja b a , k a ra v lra , d ro n a , e tc . ( K a u l a v a l iy a - T a n t r a ) .
92 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFED
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

s a m k e ta o f th e D e v a ta . I t i s a ls o s a i d t h a t y a n t r a is s o
c a lle d b e c a u s e it s u b d u e s (n iy a n tra n a ) lu s t, a n g e r, a n d th e
o t h e r s i n s o f j i v a a n d t h e s u f f e r i n g s c a u s e d t h e r e b y .1

T h e y a n t r a is a d i a g r a m e n g r a v e d o r d r a w n o n m e t a l ,
p a p e r, o r o t h e r s u b s t a n c e s ,2 w h i c h is w o rs h ip p e d in th e
s a m e m a n n e r a s a n i m a g e ( p r a ti m a ) . A s d iffe re n t m a n tra s
a r e p r e s c r ib e d f o r d i f f e r e n t w o r s h i p s , s o a r e d i f f e r e n t y a n -
tra s. T h e y a n t r a s a r e t h e r e f o r e o f v a r i o u s d e s ig n s , a c c o r d ­
in g to t h e o b j e c t o f w o r s h i p .3 T h e c o v e r o f th is w o rk s h o w s
a G a y a t r i y a n t r a b e l o n g i n g to t h e a u t h o r . In th e c e n tre
tria n g le a re e n g ra v e d in th e m id d le th e w o rd s, S ri S ri
G a y a tri s v a -p ra sa d a s id d h im k u ru (“ S ri S ri G a y a tri
D e v i: g ra n t m e su c c e ss” ), a n d a t e a c h in n e r c o m e r th e re
a r e t h e b ija s , H r i m a n d H r a h . I n t h e s p a c e s f o r m e d b y t h e
i n t e r s e c t i o n s o f t h e o u t e r o v o id c ir c le s is t h e b i j a “ H r i m ” .
T h e o u ts id e c irc u la r b a n d c o n ta in s th e b ija “ T h a ” w h ilc h
in d ic a te s “ S v a h a ” , c o m m o n ly e m p lo y e d to te rm in a te th e
f e m i n i n e m a n t r a o r v id y a . The e ig h t lo tu s p e ta ls w fe fc h
s p rin g fro m th e b a n d a re in s c rib e d w ith th e b ija , “ H rim ,
Im , H ra h ” . T h e o u t e r m o s t b a n d c o n t a i n s a l l t h e m a ty k & s ,
o r l e t t e r s o f t h e a l p h a b e t , f r o m a k a r a t o k s a .4 T h e w k « ;le
is e n c lo s e d in t h e w a y c o m m o n to a l l y a n t r a s b y a b h u p & r a ,
b y w h ic h , a s i t w e r e , t h e y a n t r a is e n c lo s e d f r o m t h e o u t e r
w o r l d .5 T h e y a n tra w h e n in s c rib e d w ith m a n tra , se rv e s
(s o fa r a s th e s e a re c o n c e rn e d ) th e p u rp o se o f a m n e m o n ic

1. “ P r i n c ip l e s o f T a n tra ” , ( S a d h a r a n a - u p a s a n a - l a t tv a ) .

2. T h u s th e m a g ic a l tre a tis e s s p e a k o f y a n tr a d e s ig n e d o n le o p a rd s ’ a n d

d o n k ey s’ s k in , h u m a n bones, e tc .

3. A c o n s id e r a b le num ber a re fig u re d in th e T a n tra sa ra .

4. In th is and o th e r m e ta l y a n tra s no fig u re s of D e v a ta a re show n.

T h e s e n o t u n c o m m o n ly a p p e a r in y a n tra s d ra w n o r p rin te d o n p a p e r, su c h

as th e e i g h t B h a ir a v a S a k ti, e tc .

5. In p a in te d y a n tr a s e rp e n ts a re c o m m o n ly s h o w n c ra w lin g o u ts id e th e

b h u -p u ra .
 W O R S H IP 9 3 PONMLKJIHGFE

c h a r t o f t h e m a n t r a a p p r o p r i a t e to t h e p a r t i c u l a r D e v a t a
w h o s e p r e s e n c e is t o b e i n v o k e d i n t o t h e y a n t r a . C e rta in
p re lim in a rie s p re c e d e , a s in th e c a s e o f a p ra tim a , th e w o r­
s h ip o f a y a n tra . T h e w o rs h ip p e r firs t m e d ita te s u p o n th e
D e v a t a , a n d t h e n a r o u s e s H im o r H e r i n h i m s e l f . H e th e n
c o m m u n ic a te s th e d iv in e p re s e n c e th u s a ro u s e d to th e y a n ­
tra . W h e n th e D e v a ta h a s b y th e a p p ro p ria te m a n tra b e e n
in v o k e d in to th e y a n tra , th e v ita l a irs (p ra n a ) o f th e D e v a ta
a re in fu s e d th e re in by th e p ra n a -p ra tisth a c e re m o n y ,
m a n tra , a n d m u d ra . T h e D e v a t a is t h e r e b y i n s t a l l e d i n t h e
y a n t r a ,1 w h i c h is n o l o n g e r m e r e g r o s s m a t t e r v e i l i n g t h e
s p irit w h ic h h a s b e e n a lw a y s th e re , b u t in s tin c t w ith its
a r o u s e d p r e s e n c e , w h i c h t h e s a d h a k a f i r s t w e lc o m e s a n d t h e n
w o rs h ip s . M a n t r a i n i t s e l f is D e v a ta , a n d y a n t r a i s m a n t r a
i n t h a t i t is t h e b o d y o f t h e D e v a t a w h o is m a n t r a .2

M UDRA

T h e te rm m u d r a is d e r i v e d fro m th e ro o t m ud, “ to
p le a s e /* % n d i n i t s u p a s a n a f o r m is s o c a l le d b e c a u s e i t g iv e s
p l e a s u r e to t h e D e v a s . D evanam m o d a -d a m u d ra ta s m a t
t a r n y a ts & a ta S c a r e t. I t is s a i d t h a t t h e r e a r e 1 0 8 , o f w h i c h
5 5 a r e c o m m o n l y u s e d .3 T h e te rm m e a n s r i t u a l g e s tu r e s
m a d e w ith th e h a n d s in w o rs h ip o r p o s itio n s o f th e b o d y
in y o g a p r a c ti c e . T h u s o f t h e f i r s t c la s s t h e m a t s y a - ( f is h )
m u d ra is fo rm e d in o ffe rin g a rg h y a b y p la c in g th e rig h t
h a n d o n t h e b a c k o f t h e l e f t a n d e x t e n d i n g , f is h - lik e , o n e a c h
s id e t h e t w o t h u m b s , w i t h t h e o b j e c t t h a t t h e c o n c h w h i c h

1. S e e , e .g ., M a h a - n i r v a n a - T a n t r a , c h a p , v i , v e r s e s 6 3 e t seq . T h e p r o c e s s

is t h e s a m e a s t h a t e m p l o y e d i n t h e c a s e o f i m a g e s ( p r a t im a ) .

2. Y a n tra m m a n tra m -m a y a m p ro k ta m m a n tra tm a d e v a ta iv a h i.

D e h a tm a n o r-y a th i b h e d o , y a n tra -d e v a ta y o s ta th a (K a u la v a liy a T a n tra ).

3. S a b d a - k a l p a - d r u m a — su b v o c m u d r a , a n d s e e c h a p , x i N i r v a n a T a n t r a .

A s t o t h e s p e c i a l s e n s e o f m u d r a i n p a n c a t a t t v a , v i d e p o st su b vo c.
94 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA 6ASTRA

c o n ta in s w a te r m a y b e re g a rd e d a s a n o c e a n w ith a q u a tic
a n i m a ls ; a n d t h e y o n i - m u d r a w h i c h p r e s e n t s t h a t o r g a n a s
a t r i a n g l e f o r m e d b y t h e t h u m b s , t h e tw o f i r s t f in g e r s , a n d
t h e t w o l i t t l e f in g e r s is s h o w n w i t h t h e o b j e c t o f i n v o k i n g
t h e D e v i to c o m e a n d t a k e H e r p l a c e b e f o r e t h e w o r s h i p p e r ,
t h e y o n i b e i n g c o n s id e r e d to b e H e r p i t h a o r y a n t r a . The
u p a s a n a m u d r a is t h u s n o t h i n g b u t t h e o u t w a r d e x p r e s s i o n
of in n e r r e s o lv e w h ic h it at th e sam e tim e in te n s if ie s .
M u d r a s a r e e m p lo y e d i n w o rs h ip (a rc a n a ), ja p a , d h y a n a
( q .v .) , k a m y a -k a rm a (rite s done to e ffe ct p a r t ic u l a r
o b j e c t s ) , p r a t is t h a ( q .v .) , s n a n a ( b a t h i n g ) , a v a h a n a ( w e l­
c o m i n g ) , n a i v e d y a ( o f f e r in g o f f o o d ) , a n d v i s a r j a n a , o r d i s ­
m is s a l o f t h e D e v a ta . Som e m u d ra s of h a th a yoga a re
d e s c rib e d su b vo c, “ Y o g a ” . The G h e ra n d a -s a m h ita 1 s a y s
t h a t k n o w l e d g e o f t h e y o g a m u d r a s g r a n t s a l l s i d d h i s , a v .d
th a t th e ir p e rfo rm a n c e p ro d u c e s p h y s ic a l b e n e fits s u c h a s
s t a b i l i t y , f ir m n e s s , a n d c u r e o f d is e a s e .

SAM DHYA

T h e V a id i k i s a m d h y a is th e rite p e rfo rm ed by th e
t w i c e - b o r n c a s t e s t h r i c e a d a y , a t m o r n i n g , m i d d a y , a r .d
e v e n in g . T h e m o rn in g s a m d h y a is p re c e d e d b y th e fo llo w ­
in g a c ts . O n a w a k e n i n g , a m a n t r a is s a i d i n i n v o c a t i o n o f
t h e T r i - m u r t i a n d t h e s u n , m o o n , a n d p l a n e t s , a n d s a l u ta ­
t i o n is m a d e t o t h e G u r u . T h e H i n d u d v i - j a t h e n r e c it e s
th e m a n tra : “I am a D eva. I a m in d e e d th e s o rro w le s s
B ra h m an . B y n a t u r e I a m e t e r n a l ly f r e e , a n d i n t h e f o r m
o f e x i s t e n c e , i n t e l l i g e n c e , a n d b lis s /* H e th e n o ffe rs th e
a c t io n s o f t h e day to th e D e it y , c o n fe sse s „ h is in h e re n t
f r a il t y ,2 a n d p r a y s t h a t h e m a y d o r i g h t . T h e n , l e a v i n g h is

1. C h a p te r I II , v e rs e s 4, 8 , 1 0 .

2. “ I k n o w d h a r m a a n d y e t w o u ld n o t d o it. 1 k n o w a d h arm a, a n d y e t
w o u ld n o t r e n o u n c e it.” T h e H in d u f o r m o f th e c o m m o n e x p e r ie n c e — V td e o
m elio ra p ro b o q u e; d eterio ra seq u o r.
 W O R S H IP hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFE
95

b e d a n d t o u c h in g t h e e a r t h w i t h h i s r i g h t f o o t, t h e d v i - j a
say s, “O m , O E a r t h ! s a l u t a t io n t o T h e e , t h e G u r u o f a ll
t h a t is g o o d .” A f t e r a t t e n d i n g to n a t u r a l c a lls , t h e t w i c e -
b o rn does acam ana (s ip p in g of w a te r) w ith m a n tra ,
c le a n s e s h is te e th , a n d ta k e s h is e a rly m o rn in g 1 b a th to th e
a c c o m p a n im e n t of m a n tra . He th e n p u ts on h is c a ste -
m a rk (tila k a ) a n d m a k e s ta rp a n a m , o r o b la tio n o f w a te r, to
th e D eva, R si and P itr. The sam dhya f o llo w s , w h ic h
c o n s is ts o f a c a m a n a (s ip p in g of w a te r), m a rja n a -s n a n a m
(s p rin k lin g o f th e w h o le b o d y w ith w a te r ta k e n w ith th e
hand or k u sa -g rass), p ra n a y am a (re g u la tio n of p ra n a
th ro u g h its m a n ife s ta tio n in b re a th ), a g h a -m a rsa n a (e x ­
p u l s io n o f t h e p e r s o n o f s i n f r o m t h e b o d y ; t h e p r a y e r to
th e s u n , a n d th e n (th e c a n o n o f th e s a m d h y a ) th e s ile n t
re c ita tio n ( j a p a ) o f t h e G a y a tr i - m a n t r a , w h i c h c o n s i s t s o f
i n v o c a t io n (a v a h a n a) o f th e G a y a tri-D e v i; rs i-n y a sa and
sadanganyasa (v id e p o st), m e d i t a ti o n o n t h e D e v i- G a y a t r l
in th e m o rn in g a s B ra h m a n I; a t m id d a y a s V a isn a v l; a n d
i n t h e e v e n i n g a s R u d r a n i; j a p a o f t h e G a y a t r l a s p e c if ie d
n u m b e r o f t i m e s ; d i s m i s s a l ( v i s a r j a n a ) o f t h e D e v i, f o llo w ­
e d b y o t h e r m a n t r a s .2

B e s id e s th e B ra h m a n ic a l V a id ik l-sa m d h y a fro m w h ic h
th e S u d ra s a re d e b a rre d , th e re is th e T a n t r i k i- s a m d h y a ,
w h ic h m ay be p e rfo rm e d by a ll. The g e n e ra l o u t l in e
is s i m i l a r ; t h e r i t e is s i m p l e r ; t h e m a n t r a s v a r y ; a n d t h e
T a n trik a -b lja s o r “ s e e d ” m a n tra s a r e e m p lo y e d .

1. The h o u s e h o ld e r is re q u ire d to b a th e tw ic e , th e a s c e tic a t each of

th e th re e s a ih d h y a s .

2. The above i s a g e n e r a l o u t li n e o f th e Sam a V eda s a m d h y a , th o u g h

a s e a c h H in d u is o f a p a rtic u la r s e c t a n d V e d a , th e s a m d h y a d iffe rs in d e ta il.

S e e K riy a k a n d a v a rid h i a n d th e P u ro h ita -d a rp a n a , a n d S rls a C h a n d ra -V a su ,

“ D a ily P r a c t ic e o f th e H i n d u s .” T h e p o s i t io n s a n d m u d ra a re i l l u s tr a t e d in

M rs. S . C . B e 1n o s ’ “ S a m d h y a o r D a ily P ra y e r o f th e B ra h m in ” (1 8 3 1 ).
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TO TAN TRA SASTRA

P U JA

T h i s w o r d is t h e c o m m o n t e r m fo r w o rs h ip o f w h ic h
t h e r e a r e n u m e r o u s s y n o n y m s i n t h e S a n s k r i t l a n g u a g e .1
P u ja is d o n e d a ily of th e Is ta -d e v a ta or th e p a rtic u la r
D e ity w o rs h ip p e d by th e s a d h a k a — th e D e v i in th e c a se
o f a S a k t a , V i s n u in t h e c a s e o f a V a i s n a v a , a n d s o f o r t h .
B u t t h o u g h t h e I s t a - d e v a t a is t h e p r i n c i p a l o b j e c t o f w o r ­
s h ip , y e t in p u ja a ll w o rs h ip th e P a n c a -d e v a ta , o r th e F iv e
D e v a s— A d ity a (th e S u n ), G anesa, th e D e v i, S iv a , and
V is n u o r N a ra y a n a . A f t e r w o r s h i p o f t h e P a n c a d e v a ta t h e
f a m i ly D e i t y ( K u l a - d e v a ta ) , w h o is g e n e r a l l y t h e s a m e a s
t h e I s t a - d e v a t a , is w o r s h i p p e d . P u j a , w h i c h is k a m y a , o r
d o n e to g a i n a p a r t ic u l a r e n d a s a ls o v r a t a , a r e p r e c e d e d
b y t h e s a m k a l p a ; t h a t is , a s t a te m e n t o f t h e r e s o lu t i o n to
d o t h e w o r s h i p ; a s a ls o o f t h e p a r t i c u l a r o b j e c t , if a n y , w i t h
w h i c h i t is d o n e .2

T h e re a re s ix te e n u p a c a ra s, o r th in g s d o n e o r u s e d m
p u ja : (1 ) a s a n a (s e a t o f th e im a g e ); (2 ) s v a g a ta (w e lc o m e );
(3 ) p a d y a (w a te r fo r w a sh in g th e f e e t) ; (4 ) a rg h y a (o ffe r­
in g o f u n b o i l e d r ic e , f lo w e r s , s a n d a l p a s t e , d u r v a g r a s s ,3 e tc .,
to t h e D e v a t a i n t h e k u s h l ) (v e s se l); (5 a n d 6 ) a c a m a n a
( w a t e r f o r s ip p in g , w h i c h i s o f f e r e d t w i c e ) ; ( 7 ) m a d h u p a r k a
( h o n e y , g h e e , m ilk , a n d c u r d o f f e r e d i n a s i l v e r o r b r a s s
v e s se l); (8 ) s n a n a (w a te r fo r b a th in g ); (9 ) v a s a n a (c lo th );
(1 0 ) a b h ara n a (je w e ls ); (1 1 ) gandha (sc en t a n d sa n d al
p a s t e is g i v e n ) ; ( 1 2 ) p u s p a ( f l o w e r s ) ; ( 1 3 ) d h u p a ( i n c e n s e
s tic k ); (1 4 ) d ip a (lig h t); (1 5 ) n a iv e d y a (fo o d ); (1 6 ) v a n -

1. Such as a rc a n a , vandana, sa p a ry y a , a rh a n a , nam asya, a re a , bha-

ja n a , e tc .

2. It ru n s in th e fo rm : “ I— o f g o t r a — e t c ., am about to p e rfo rm th is

p u ja (o r v ra ta ) w ith th e o b j e c t ,” e tc .

3. K u s a g r a s s i s u s e d o n l y i n p i t r - k r iy a o r s r a d d h a , a n d i n h o m a . A r g h y a

is o f tw o k in d s — s a m a n y a (g e n e ra l), a n d v is e s a (s p e c ia l).
 97
W O R S H IP hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFED

d a n a o r n a m a s -k a ra ( p r a y e r ). O th e r a rtic le s a re u s e d w h ic h
v a ry w ith th e p u ja , s u c h a s T u la s! le a f in th e V is n u -p u ja
a n d b a s l-(b ilv a ) le a f in th e S iv a -p u ja . T h e m a n tra s s a id
a ls o v a r y a c c o r d i n g t o t h e w o r s h i p . T he seat (a sa n a) of
t h e w o r s h i p p e r is p u r i f i e d . S a lu ta tio n b e in g m a d e to th e
S a k ti o f s u p p o rt o r th e s u s ta in in g fo rc e ( a d h a r a - £ a k t i) ,
t h e w a t e r , f lo w e r s , e tc ., a r e p u r i f i e d . A l l o b s t r u c t i v e s p i r it s
a re d riv e n a w a y (B h u ta p a s a rp a n a ), a n d th e te n q u a rte rs
a re fe n c ed fro m th e ir a tta c k b y s t r ik i n g th e e a rth th re e
t i m e s w i t h t h e l e f t f o o t, u t t e r i n g t h e A s t r a - b i j a “ p h a t ” , a n d
b y s n a p p i n g t h e f in g e r s (tw ic e ) ro u n d th e h e a d . P ra n a-
y a m a ( r e g u la t i o n o f b r e a th ) is p e r f o r m e d a n d ( v id e p o st)
th e e le m e n ts of th e body a re p u rifie d (b h u ta -s u d d h i).
T h e r e is n y a s a ( v id e p o st); d h y a n a ( m e d i t a ti o n ) ; o f f e r in g
o f t h e u p a c a r a ; j a p a ( v id e p o st), p r a y e r a n d o b e i s a n c e ( p r a -
n a m a ). in th e a s ta -m u rtl-p u ja of S iv a , th e D eva is
w o r s h ip - m il u n d e r t h e e i g h t f o r m s : S a rv a ( E a r th ) , B h a v a
( W a te r f tu d r a ( F ir e ), U g ra (A ir), B h im a (E th e r), P a s u -
p a t i ( y & ip m a n a — t h e S a c r i f i c e r m a n ) , I s a n a (S u n ), M ah a-
d e v a ( M m o n ) .*

Y A JN A

T h ii w o rd , w h ic h c o m e s fro m th e ro o t y a j (to w o rsh ip ),

is c o m m o n l y t r a n s l a t e d “ s a c r i f i c e ” . T h e S a n s k r i t w o r d is ,
h o w ev e r, re ta in e d in th e t r a n s l a t i o n , s i n c e Y a jn a m eans
o t h e r t h i n g s a ls o t h a n t h o s e w h i c h c o m e w i t h i n t h e m e a n in g
o f th e w o rd “ s a c rific e ” , a s u n d e rs to o d b y a n E n g lis h re a d e r.
T h u s t h e “ f iv e g r e a t s a c r if i c e s ” (p a n c a -m a h a -y a jn a ) w h ic h
s h o u ld be p e rfo rm e d d a ily by th e B ra h m a n a a re : The
hom a2 s a c r if ic e , i n c l u d in g V a is v a -d e v a o f f e r in g ; 3 b h u ta -

1. See C h a p te r V o f T o d a la -T a n tra .

2. V id e p o s t .

3. O f f e r i n g s o f f o o d a n d o t h e r t h i n g s a r e m a d e i n t h e d o m e s ti c f i r e . ( S e e
K r l y a - k a n d a - v a r id h i , p . 9 1 7 ) .

13
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TO TAN TRA SASTRA

y a j n a o r b a l i , i n w h i c h o f f e r in g s a r e m a d e to D e v a , B h u t a ,
a n d o t h e r S p i r i t s a n d to a n i m a ls ; p i t r - y a j n a o r t a r p a n a , o b l a ­
tio n s to th e p itr; B ra h m a -y a jn a , o r s tu d y o f th e V e d a s a n d
M a n u s y a y a j n a ,1 o r e n t e r t a i n m e n t o f g u e s t s ( a t i t h i s a p a r y a ) .
B y t h e s e f iv e y a j n a s t h e w o r s h i p p e r p l a c e s h i m s e l f i n r i g h t
r e l a t i o n s w i t h a l l b e i n g s , a f f ir m in g such re la tio n b e tw e e n
D e v a , P i t r , S p i r i t s , m e n , t h e o r g a n i c c r e a t i o n , a n d h im s e lf .

H o m a , o r D e v a - y a j n a , is t h e m a k i n g o f o ffe rin g s to
F i r e , w h i c h is t h e c a r r i e r t h e r e o f to t h e D e v a . A fire p it
( k u n d a ) is p r e p a r e d a n d f ir e w h e n b r o u g h t f r o m t h e h o u s e
o f a B r a h m a n a is c o n s e c r a t e d w i t h m a n t r a . T h e f i r e is
m ade c o n s c io u s w ith th e m a n tra — V a m v a h n i-c a ita n y a y a
n a m a h , a n d th e n s a lu te d a n d n a m e d . M e d i t a t i o n is t h e n
m a d e o n th e th re e n a d ls (v id e a n te ) — I d a , P i r i g a l a , s a n d
S u s u m n a — a n d o n A g n i, t h e L o r d o f F i r e . O f f e r in g s % re
m a d e to t h e I s t a - d e v a t a i n t h e f ir e . A f t e r t h e p u j a ok fire,
s a l u t a t i o n is g i v e n a s i n S a d a n g a - n y a s a , a n d t h e n c la ? i v e d
b u t t e r ( g h e e ) is p o u r e d w i t h a w o o d e n s p o o n i n t o th v * in ire
w i t h m a n tr a , c o m m e n c in g w i t h O m a n d e n d i n g w i t h S w i-.h a .
H o m a is o f v a r i o u s k i n d s ,2 s e v e r a l o f w h i c h a r e r e f e r r - ^ . to
i n t h e t e x t , a n d is p e r f o r m e d e i t h e r d a ily , a s i n t h e /.u s e
of th e o rd in a ry n ity a -v a i§ v a -d e v a -lio m a , or on s p e c ia l
o c c a s io n s , s u c h a s t h e u p a n a y a n a o r s a c r e d th re a d c e re­
m o n y , m a r r i a g e , v r a t a , a n d t h e lik e . I t is o f v a r i o u s k i n d s ,
s u c h a s p ra y a s c itta -h o m a , s rs tik rt-h o m a , ja n u -h o m a , d h a ra
h o m a , a n d o t h e r s , s o m e o f w h i c h w ill b e f o u n d i n t h e t e x t .

B e s id e s t h e y a j n a m e n t i o n e d t h e r e a r e o t h e r s . M anu
s p e a k s o f fo u r k in d s : d e v a , b h a u ta (w h e re a rtic le s and
i n g r e d i e n t s a r e e m p lo y e d , a s i n t h e c a s e o f h o m a , d a i v a ,

1. A ls o c a lle d N ri-y a jn a (m a n s a c rific e ).

2. S e e K r i y a - k a n d a - v a r id h i , p . 1 3 3 . H om a m ay be e ith e r V a id lk , P a u -

r a n i k , o r T a n t r ik .
 W O R S H IP 9 9 PONMLKJIHGFED

b a li), n ry a jn a , a n d p itr-y a jn a . O th e rs a re s p o k e n o f, s u c h
a s j a p a - y a j n a , d h y a n a - y a j n a , e tc . Y a jn a s a r e a ls o c la s s if ie d
a c c o r d i n g to t h e d i s p o s i t i o n s a n d i n t e n t i o n s o f t h e w o r s h i p ­
p e r in to s a tv ik a , ra ja sik a , a n d ta m a sik a y a jn a .

VRATA

V r a t a is a p a r t o f N a i m i tt i k a , o r v o l u n t a r y k a r m a .1 It
is t h a t w h i c h is t h e c a u s e o f v i r t u e ( p u n y a ) , a n d is d o n e to
a c h i e v e i t s f r u i t. V r a ta s a r e o f v a r i o u s k i n d s . S o m e o f th e
c h ie f a r e J a n m a s ta m I on K r s n a ’s b irth d a y ; S iv a ra tri in
h o n o u r o f s iv a ; a n d th e s a tp a n c a m i, D u rv a sta m i, T a la n a v a -
m l; A n a n ta c a tu r d a & I p e r f o r m e d a t s p e c if ie d t i m e s i n h o n o u r
o f L a k s h m i N a ra y a n a , a n d A n a n ta . O th e rs m a y b e p e r­
fo rm e d a t a n y tim e , s u c h a s th e S a v itri-v ra ta b y w o m e n
o n ly ,2 a n d t h e K a r t i k e y a - p u j a b y m e n o n l y .3 T h e g re a t
v r a t a in ih e c e l e b r a t e d D u r g a - p u j a , m a h a - v r a t a i n h o n o u r o f
t h e D e v i a s D u r g a , w h i c h w i l l c o n t i n u e a s lo n g a s t h e s u n
and m oon e n d u re , a n d w h i c h , if o n c e c o m m e n c e d , m u s t
a lw a y s b e c o n tin u e d . T h e re a re n u m e ro u s o th e r v ra ta s
w h i c h h a v e d e v e l o p e d to a g r e a t e x t e n t i n B e n g a l , a n d f o r
w h i c h t h e r e is n o S a s tric a u th o rity s u c h as M a d h u -s a rh -
k r a n ti- x r .? d ta , J a l a s a m k r a n t i v r a t a , a n d o th e rs. W h ile e a c h
v r a t a h a s i t s p e c u l i a r i t i e s , c e r t a i n f e a t u r e s a r e c o m m o n to
v ra ta s o f d iffe rin g k in d s . T h e re is b o th in p re p a ra tio n a n d
p e rfo rm a n c e sam yam a, su ch a s s e x u a l c o n tin e n c e , e a tin g
of p a rtic u la r fo o d such as h a v i s y a n n a ,4 f a s t in g , b a th in g .
N o f le s h o r f is h t a k e n . T h e m i n d is c o n c e n t r a t e d to i t s p u r -

1. V id e a n te .

2. To a tta in good w ife h o o d , lo n g life fo r th e husband in th is w o rld ,

a n d life w ith h im in th e n e x t.

3. T o s e c u re c h ild re n .

4. T o p re p a re h a v is y a n n a , p a rtic u la r k in d s o f f r u it a n d v e g e t a b le such

a s g re e n b a n a n a s , d a l, s w e e t p o ta to e s (la l a ^ u , in th e v e rn a c u la r), to g e th e r
w ith th e u n b o ile d ric e a r e p la c e d in o n e p o t. O n ly s o m u c h w a te r is p o u re d
100 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

p o s e s , a n d t h e v o w o r r e s o l u t i o n ( n i y a m a ) is t a k e n . B e fo re
t h e v r a t a t h e S u n , P l a n e t s , a n d K u l a - d e v a t a a r e w o r s h ip p e d ,
a n d b y th e “ s u ry a h -s o m o y a m a h -k a la ” m a n tra a ll D e v a s a n d
B e in g s a r e i n v o k e d t o t h e s i d e o f t h e w o r s h i p p e r . In th e
v a i d i k a v r a t a t h e s a m k a l p a 1 is m a d e i n t h e m o r n i n g , a n d
t h e v r a t a is d o n e b e f o r e m i d d a y .

TAPAS

T h is t e r m is g e n e r a l l y t r a n s l a t e d a s m e a n i n g p e n a n c e
o r a u s te ritie s. I t in c lu d e s th e s e , s u c h a s th e fo u r m o n th ly
fa s ts ( c a t u r - m a s y a ) , t h e s i t t i n g b e t w e e n f iv e f ir e s (p a n o a-
g n ita p a h ), a n d th e lik e . I t h a s , h o w e v e r , a ls o a w id e r
m e a n in g , a n d i n t h i s w i d e r s e n s e is o f t h r e e k i n d s , n a m e l y ,
& a r lr a , o r b o d ily ; v a c i k a , b y s p e e c h ; m a n a s a , i n m i n d . vt- '.ie
firs t in c lu d e s e x te rn a l w o rsh ip , re v e ren c e , and su p p o rt
g iv e n to th e G u ru , B ra h m a n a s, and th e w is e (p ra jiv * ),
b o d ily c le a n lin e s s , c o n t i n e n c e , s i m p l i c i t y o f l i f e a n d a v o i d ­
a n c e o f h u r t to a n y b e in g (a h im sa ). T h e s e c o n d & E tn

in c lu d e s t r u t h , g o o d , g e n t l e , a n d a ffe c tio n a te s p e e c h , & n d

th e s tu d y o f th e V e d a s. T h e th ird o r m e n ta l ta p a s in c lu d e s
s e l f - r e s t r a i n t , p u r i t y o f d is p o s itio n , s ile n c e , t r a n q u i l l i t y , a n d
s ile n c e . E a c h o f t h e s e c la s s e s h a s t h r e e s u b d i v i s io n s , f o r
t a p a s m a y b e s a t v i k a , r a j a s i k a , o r t a m a s ik a , a c c o r d i n g a s i t
is d o n e w i t h f a i t h , a n d w i th o u t r e g a r d t o i t s f r u i t ; o r f o r i t s
f r u i t ; o r is d o n e t h r o u g h p r i d e a n d to g a i n h o n o u r a n d r e s ­
p e c t ; o r , l a s t l y , w h i c h is d o n e i g n o r a n t l y o r w i t h a v i e w to
in ju re a n d d e s tro y o th e rs , s u c h a s th e s a d h a n a o f th e T a n -

in . a s is n e c e s s a ry to m ake th e w h o le b o il. It s h o u ld be b o ile d u n til no

w a te r is le ft. A fte r th e p o t is ta k e n o ff th e fire , g h e e a n d s a lt a re a d d e d .

1. V id e a n te , p . 9 6 .
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101

t r i k a - s a t - k a r m a ,1 w h e n p e r f o r m e d f o r a m a l e v o l e n t p u r p o s e
(a b h ic a ra ).

JA P A

J a p a is d e fin e d a s “ v id h a n e n a m a n tro c c a ra n a m ” , o r th e
re p e a te d u tte ra n c e or r e c i t a t io n of m a n tra a c c o rd in g to
c e r t a in r u l e s .2 I t is a c c o r d i n g to t h e T a n t r a s a r a o f t h r e e
k i n d s : V a c i k a o r v e r b a l j a p a , i n w h i c h t h e m a n t r a is a u d i ­
b l y r e c i t e d , t h e f if ty m a t r k a s b e i n g s o u n d e d n a s a l l y w i t h
b i n d u ; U p a m s u - j a p a , w h i c h is s u p e r i o r to t h e l a s t k i n d , a n d
in w h ic h th e to n g u e a n d lip s a re m o v e d , b u t n o s o u n d , o r
o n ly a s l i g h t w h i s p e r , is h e a r d ; a n d , l a s t l y , t h e h i g h e s t f o r m
w h i c h i s c a l le d m a n a s a - j a p a , o r m e n t a l u t t e r a n c e . In th is
t h e r e is n e i t h e r s o u n d n o r m o v e m e n t o f t h e e x t e r n a l o r g a n s ,
b u t a r e p e t i t i o n i n t h e m i n d w h i c h is f ix e d o n t h e m e a n i n g
o f th e m a n tra . O n e re a so n g iv e n fo r th e d iffe rin g v a lu e s
a t t r i b u t e d t o t h e s e v e r a l f o r m s is t h a t w h e r e t h e r e is a u d i b l e
u tte ra n c e th e m in d th in k s o f th e w o rd s a n d th e p ro c e ss o f
c o r r e c t u t t e r a n c e , a n d is t h e r e f o r e t o a g r e a t e r (a s in th e
c a s e o f v a c i k a - ja p a ) , o r to a l e s s d e g r e e ( a s i n t h e c a s e o f
u p a m S u j a p a ) , d i s t r a c t e d f r o m a f ix e d a t t e n t i o n to t h e m e a n ­
i n g o f t h e m a n t r a . T h e J a p a s o f d i f f e r e n t k i n d s h a v e a ls o t h e
re la tiv e v a lu e s a tta c h a b le to th o u g h t a n d its m a te ria liz a tio n
in s o u n d a n d w o r d . C e rta in c o n d itio n s a re p re s c rib e d a s

1. S a n t i , V a s l k a r a n a , S t a m b h a n a , V i d v e § a r .a , U c c a t a n a a n d M a r a n a .

See I n d r a - ja l a - v i d y a ; th e K a m a ra tn a of N a g a -b h a tta ; S a t-k a rm a d lp ik a

of 6 rI-K r? n a V id y a -v a g ls a B h a tta c a ry a , S id d h a -y o g e s v a ri-T a n tra , S id d h a -

N a g a rju n a , K a k s a -p u ta , P h e t - k a r in i , a n d o th e r T a n tra s (p a s s im ).

2. T h o u g h m e re book k n o w le d g e is , a c c o rd in g to th e $ a t - k a r m a d lp i k a ,

u s e le s s .

P u s ta k e lik ila v id y a yena su n d a ri ja p y a te ,

S i d d h i r n a j a y a t s d e v i le a lp a k o t i - s a ta i r a p i .
102 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

th o s e u n d e r w h ic h ja p a s h o u ld b e d o n e , re la tin g to p h y s ic a l
c le a n lin e s s , th e d re s sin g o f th e h a ir, a n d w e a rin g o f s ilk
g a r m e n t s , t h e s e a t ( a s a n a ) , t h e a v o i d a n c e o f c e r ta i n c o n d i­
tio n s o f m in d a n d a c tio n s , a n d th e n a tu re o f th e re c ita tio n .
T h e j a p a is u s e l e s s u n l e s s d o n e a s p e c if ie d n u m b e r o f t i m e s
o f w h i c h 1 0 8 is e s t e e m e d to b e e x c e l l e n t . T h e c o u n t i n g is
d o n e e ith e r w ith a m a la o r ro s a ry (m a la -ja p a ), o r w ith th e
th u m b o f th e r ig h t h a n d u p o n th e jo in ts o f th e fin g e rs o f
th a t h a n d (k a ra -ja p a ). T h e m e t h o d o f t h e c o u n ti n g i n t h e
l a t t e r c a s e m a y d i f f e r a c c o r d i n g to t h e m a n t r a .1

SAM SKARA

T h e re a re te n ( o r , i n t h e c a s e o f S u d r a s , n i n e ) p u r i f i­
c a to ry c e r e m o n ie s , or “ s a c r a m e n t s ,” c a lle d sa m sk a ras,
w h i c h a r e d o n e to a i d a n d p u r i f y t h e j i v a i n t h e i m p o r t a n t
e v e n t s o f h i s lif e . T h e s e a r e j i v a - s h e k a , a ls o c a l le d g a r-
b h a d h a n a -rtu -s a m s k a ra , p e rfo rm e d a fte r m e n s tru a tio n , w ith
t h e o b j e c t o f i n s u r i n g a n d s a n c ti f y i n g c o n c e p t i o n . T h e g a r-
b h a d h a n a c e re m o n y ta k e s p la c e in th e d a y tim e on th e
f if th d a y a n d q u a lif ie s f o r t h e r e a l g a r b h a d h a n a a t n i g h t —
t h a t is , t h e p l a c i n g o f t h e s e e d i n t h e w o m b . I t is p re c e d e d
o n t h e f i r s t d a y b y t h e r t u - s a m s k a r a , w h i c h i s m e n t io n e d i n
C h a p te r IX o f M a h a n irv a n a -T a n tra . A f t e r c o n c e p t io n a n d
d u rin g p re g n an c y , th e p u m -sav a n a and s im a n to n n a y a n a
rite s a re p e rfo rm e d ; th e firs t u p o n th e w ife p e rc e iv in g th e
s ig n s o f c o n c e p tio n , a n d t h e s e c o n d d u r i n g t h e f o u r t h , s i x t h ,
o r e ig h th m o n th o f p re g n a n c y .

In th e a n te -n a ta l lif e th e re a re th re e m a in s ta g e s ,
w h e th e r v ie w e d fro m th e o b je c tiv e (p h y s ic a l) s ta n d p o in t,
o r fro m th e s u b je c tiv e (s u p e r-p h y s ic a l) s t a n d p o i n t .2 The

1. S e e a s to J a p a , T a n t r a s a r a , 7 5 , e t seq .

2. For w hat fo llo w s on th e m e d ic a l s id e , see th e A p p e n d ix , v o l. 1,

p. 194, on th e S a m sk a ra s, b y D r. L o u is e A p p e l, in th e “P ra n a v a -v a d a” of

B h ag av an D as.
 W O R S H IP 1 0 3 PONMLKJIHGFE

firs t p e rio d in c lu d e s o n th e p h y s ic a l s id e a ll th e s tr u c tu r a l
a n d p h y s io lo g ic a l c h a n g e s w h ic h o c c u r in th e fe rtiliz e d o v u m
fro m th e m o m e n t o f fe rtiliz a tio n u n til th e p e rio d w h e n th e
e m b ry o n ic body, by th e fo rm a tio n of tru n k , lim b s , and
o r g a n s , is f it f o r t h e e n t r a n c e o f t h e i n d iv i d u a l i z e d lif e , o r
jlv a tm a . W h e n th e p ro n u c le a r a c tiv ity a n d d iffe re n tia tio n
a re c o m p le te d , th e j l v a tm a , w hose c o n n e c tio n w ith th e
p ro n u c le i in itia te d th e p ro n u c le a r or fo rm a tiv e a c tiv ity ,
e n te rs th e m in ia tu re h u m a n fo rm , a n d th e s e c o n d s ta g e o f
g r o w t h a n d d e v e l o p m e n t b e g in s . T h e s e c o n d s t a g e is t h e
f ix in g o f t h e c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n t h e j r / a a n d t h e b o d y , o r
th e re n d e rin g o f th e la tte r v ia b le . T h i s p e r i o d i n c l u d e s a ll
th e a n a to m ic a l a n d p h y s io lo g ic a l m o d i f i c a ti o n s by w h ic h
th e e m b r y o n ic body becom es a v ia b le f o e tu s . W ith th e
a tta in m e n t o f v ia b ility , th e s ta y o f th e jlv a h a s b e e n a s s u re d ;
p h y s i c a l M e is p o s s ib le f o r t h e c h ild , a n d t h e t h i r d s ta g e
i n a n te -s iu /.ta l l i f e is e n t e r e d . T h u s , o n t h e f o r m s id e , i f t h e
l a n g u a g e o f c o m p a r a t i v e e m b r y o lo g y is u s e d , t h e f i r s t s a m -
s k a r a A a n o te s t h e i m p u l s e to d e v e l o p m e n t , f r o m t h e “ f e r t i­
l i z a t i o n ■' & th e o v u m ” to th e “ c ritic a l p e rio d ” . T h e second
s a m s k a r c s d e n o t e s t h e i m p u ls e t o d e v e l o p m e n t f r o m t h e “ c r i­
t i c a l p e r i o d ” t o t h a t o f t h e “ v i a b i l i t y s t a g e o f t h e f o e tu s ” ;
a n d t h e t h i r d s a m s k a r a d e n o t e s t h e d e v e lo p m e n t f r o m “ v i a ­
b ility ” to “ fu ll te rm ” .

O n t h e b i r t h o f t h e c h i l d t h e r e is t h e j a t a - k a r m a , p e r ­
f o r m e d f o r t h e c o n t i n u e d lif e o f t h e n e w - b o r n c h ild . T hen
f o llo w s t h e n a m a - k a r a n a , o r n a m i n g c e r e m o n y , a n d n i s k -
r a m a n a i n t h e f o u r t h m o n t h a f t e r d e l i v e r y , w h e n t h e c h ild
is t a k e n o u t o f d o o r s f o r t h e firs t tim e a n d s h o w n th e s u n ,
t h e v i v i f y i n g s o u r c e o f lif e , t h e m a t e r i a l e m b o d i m e n t o f t h e
D i v i n e S a v i ta . B e tw e e n th e fifth a n d e ig h th m o n th a fte r
b i r t h t h e a n n a p r a S a n a c e r e m o n y i s o b s e r v e d , w h e n r i c e is
p u t i n t h e c h i l d ’s m o u t h f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e . T h e n f o llo w s
104 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFED
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

t h e c u d a - k a r a n a , o r t o n s u r e c e r e m o n y ;1 a n d i n t h e c a s e o f

th e first th r e e o r “ tw ic e -b o rn ” c la s s e s , u p a n a y a n a , o r in v e s ­
t i t u r e w i th t h e s a c r e d t h r e a d . H e r e in t h e j i v a i s r e b o r n i n t o
s p iritu a l life . T h e r e i s , l a s t l y , u d v a h a , o r m a r r ia g e , w h e r e ­
b y t h e u n p e r f e c t e d j i v a i n s u r e s t h r o u g h o f f s p r in g t h a t c o n ­
tin u e d h u m a n life w h ic h is th e c o n d itio n o f its p r o g re s s a n d
u ltim a te r e tu r n to its D iv in e S o u rc e . T h e s e a re a ll d e s c rib e d
in th e N in th C h a p te r o f th is T a n tra . T h e re a re a lso te n
s a m s k a r a s o f t h e m a n t r a ( q .v . ) . T h e s a m s k a ra s a re in te n d ­
e d to b e p e rfo rm e d a t c e rta in s ta g e s in th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f
t h e h u m a n b o d y , w i th t h e v i e w t o e f f e c t r e s u l t s b e n e f ic i a l
to th e h u m a n o rg a n ism . M e d ic a l s c ie n c e o f to -d a y seeks
to re a ch th e sam e re su lts , b u t u s e s fo r th is p u rp o se th e
p h y s i c a l m e th o d s o f m o d e r n W e s t e r n s c ie n c e , s u i te d t o a n
a g e o f m a te r ia l it y ; w h e r e a s i n t h e s a m s k a r a s t h e s u p e r p h y ­
s ic a l ( p s y c h i c , o r o c c u l t , o r m e ta p h y s i c a l a n d s u b j e c t iv e )
m e th o d s of a n c ie n t E a s te rn s c ie n c e a re e m p lo y e d . The
s a c ra m e n ts o f th e C a th o lic C h u rc h a n d o th e rs o f its c e re ­
m o n ie s , s o m e o f w h ic h have now f a l le n in to d is u s e / s re
W e s t e r n e x a m p l e s o f t h e s a m e p s y c h i c m e th o d .

PURASCARANA

T h is fo rm o f s a d h a n a c o n s is t s i n t h e r e p e t i t i o n ( a f te r
c e rta in p re p a ra tio n s and under c e r ta i n c o n d i ti o n s ) of a
m a n tr a a la rg e n u m b e r o f tim e s . The r i tu a l 3 d e a ls w i th
th e tim e a n d p la c e o f p e rfo rm a n c e , th e m e a s u re m e n ts a n d
d e c o ra tio n s o f th e m a n d a p a , o r p a n d a l, a n d o f th e a lta r a n d

1. A l o c k o f h a i r is l e f t a t t h e t o p o f t h e h e a d , c a l l e d s i k h a . A s w hen

a k in g v is its a p la c e , th e ro y a l b a n n e r is s e t u p , so o n th e h e a d in w hose

t h o u s a n d - p e ta l l e d lo tu s th e B ra h m a n re s id e s , th e s ik h a is le ft.

2. E .g ., th e b le s s in g of th e m a rita l bed, w h ic h b e a rs a n a lo g y to th e
H in d u g a rb h a d h a n a rite .

3. For a sh o rt a c c o u n t, see P u ra s c a ra n a -b o d h in l, by H a ra -k u m a ra -

T a g o re (1 8 9 5 ), a n d s e e T a n tra sa ra , p . 7 1 .
 W O R S H IP 1 0 5 PONMLKJIHGF

s im ila r m a tte rs . T h e re a re c e rta in r u l e s a s to fo o d b o th

p r i o r to , a n d d u r i n g , i t s p e r f o r m a n c e . T h e s a d h a k a s h o u ld
e a t h a v is y a n n a ,1 o r a lte rn a te ly b o ile d m ilk (k s lra ), fru its ,
o r I n d i a n v e g e t a b l e s , o r a n y t h i n g o b t a i n e d b y b e g g in g , a n d
a v o id a ll fo o d c a lc u la te d to in flu e n c e th e p a s sio n s . C e r­
ta in c o n d itio n s a n d p ra c tic e s a re e n jo in e d fo r th e d e s tru c ­
tio n o f s in , s u c h a s c o n tin e n c e , b a th in g , ja p a ( q .v .) o f th e
S a v i tr l - m a n t r a 5 0 0 8 , 3 0 0 8 , o r 1 0 0 8 tim e s , t h e e n t e r t a i n m e n t
o f B ra h m a n a s , a n d so fo rth . T h re e d a y s b e fo re p u ja th e re
is w o r s h i p o f G a n e £ a a n d K s e t r a - p a l a , L o r d o f t h e P l a c e .
P a n c a - g a v y a ,2 o r t h e f iv e p r o d u c t s o f t h e c o w , a r e e a te n .
T h e S u n , M o o n , a n d D e v a s, a re in v o k e d . T h e n f o llo w s t h e
s a m k a l p a .3 T h e g h a t a , o r k a la S a ( j a r ) , is t h e n p l a c e d i n t o
w h i c h t h e D e v i is to b e i n v o k e d . A m a n d a la o r fig u re o f
a p a r t i c u l a r d e s i g n is m a r k e d o n t h e g r o u n d , a n d o n i t t h e
g h a t a is p l a c e d . T h e n t h e f iv e o r n i n e g e m s a r e p l a c e d o n
th e k a la £ a , w h ic h is p a in te d w ith re d and c o v e re d w ith
le a v e s . T h e ritu a l th e n p re s c rib e s fo r th e ty in g of th e
c ro w n lo c k (s ik h a ), th e p o s tu re (a sa n a) o f th e s a d h a k a ,
j a p a (q ,i> .)9 n y a s a ( q .v .) , a n d t h e m a n t r a r i t u a l o r p r o c e s s .
T h e re is m e d ita tio n , a s d ire c te d . K u l l u k a 4 is s a i d a n d t h e
m a n tra “aw akened” ( m a n tr a - c a i t a n y a ) , and re c ite d th e
n u m b e r o f tim e s fo r w h ic h th e v o w h a s b e e n ta k e n .

B H U T A -S U D D H I

T h e o b j e c t o f t h i s r i t u a l, v / h i c h is d e s c r i b e d i n M a h a -
n i r v a n a - T a n t r a , C h a p te r V , v e r s e s 9 3 e t seq , is t h e p u r i f i c a ­
t i o n o f t h e e l e m e n t s o f w h i c h t h e b o d y is c o m p o s e d .5

1. S e e p . 9 9 . n o te 4 .

2. M ilk , c u rd , g h e e , u rin e , a n d dung th e tw o la s t (e x c e p t in th e case

o f th e p io u s ) i n s m a l le r q u a n t i t y .

3. See p . 9 6 . a n te .

4. S e e p . 8 7 , a n te .

5. A nd not “ re m o v a l of e v il d em o n s” as P r o f e s s o r M o n i e r W i l l i a m s ’s
D i c t io n a r y h a s i t .

14
106 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
TO TAN TRA £ASTRA

T h e M a n tra -m a h o d a d h i s p e a k s o f it a s a rite w h ic h
is p r e l i m i n a r y t o t h e w o r s h i p o f a D e v a .1 T h e p ro c e ss o f
e v o l u t io n f r o m t h e P a r a - b r a h m a n h a s b e e n d e s c r i b e d . By
th is ritu a l a m e n ta l p ro c e ss of in v o lu tio n ta k e s p la c e
w h e r e b y t h e b o d y is i n t h o u g h t r e s o l v e d i n t o t h e s o u r c e
fro m w h e n ce it h a s c o m e. E a rth is a s s o c i a t e d w ith th e
s e n s e o f s m e ll, w a t e r w i t h t a s t e , f ir e w i t h s i g h t , a i r w i t h
to u c h , a n d e th e r w ith s o u n d . K u n d a l i n i is r o u s e d a n d le d
to th e s v a d h isth a n a C a k ra . T h e “ e a rth ” e l e m e n t is d i s ­
s o l v e d b y t h a t o f “ w a te r ,” a s “ w a t e r ” is b y “ f i r e ,” “ f i r e ” b y
“ a i r ,” a n d “ a i r ” b y “ e t h e r .” T h i s is a b s o r b e d b y a h i g h e r
e m a n a tio n , a n d th a t b y a h ig h e r, a n d s o o n , u n til th e S o u rc e
o f a l l is re ac h e d . H a v in g d is s o lv e d each g ro ss e le m e n t
( m a h a - b h u ta ) , to g e th e r w ith th e s u b tle e le m e n t (x a n -
m a tra ) fro m w h ic h it p ro c e e d s , a n d th e c o n n e c te d o r g m o f
s e n s e ( i n d r i y a ) b y a n o t h e r , t h e w o r s h i p p e r a b s o r b s t h e l- s s t
e l e m e n t , “ e t h e r , ” w i t h t h e t a n m a t r a s o u n d i n t o s e lf - - v .;o d
(a h a m k a ra ), th e la tte r in to M a h a t, a n d th a t, a g a i n , S a to
P r a k r t i , t h u s r e tr a c i n g t h e s t e p s o f e v o l u t i o n . T h e n , i& a c ­
c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e m o n i s t ic t e a c h i n g o f t h e V e d a n t a , P r a k r t i
is H e r s e l f t h o u g h t o f a s t h e B r a h m a n , o f w h i c h S h e i t th e
e n erg y , a n d w ith w h ic h , th e re fo re , She is a lre a d y O tfie .
T h i n k i n g t h e n o f t h e b l a c k P u r u s a , w h i c h is t h e i m a g e o f a l l
s i n , t h e b o d y is p u r i f i e d b y m a n t r a ,, a c c o m p a n i e d b y k u m -
b h a k a a n d r e c a k a ,2 a n d t h e s a d h a k a m e d i t a t e s u p o n t h e n e w
c e le s tia l (d e v a ) b o d y , w h ic h h a s th u s b e e n m a d e a n d w h ic h
is t h e n s t r e n g th e n e d b y a “ c e l e s t i a l g a z e .” 3

NYASA

T h is w o rd , w h ic h com es fro m th e ro o t “ to p l a c e ,”
m e a n s p l a c i n g t h e t i p s o f t h e f in g e r s a n d p a l m o f t h e r i g h t

1. T a r a n g a i.:

D e v a rc a -y o g y a ta -p ra p ty a i b h u ta -s u d d h im s a m a c a re t.

2. S e e P ra n a y a m a , s u b . v o c . Y o g a p o s t.

3. V id e p o st.
 W O R S H IP 1 0 7 PONMLKJIHGFED

h a n d o n v a rio u s p a r ts o f th e b o d y , a c c o m p a n ie d b y p a r ti­
c u l a r m a n t r a ; T h e n y a s a s a r e o f v a r i o u s k i n d s .1 J i v a - n y a s a 2
f o llo w s u p o n b h u ta - & u d d h i. A f te r t h e p u r i f i c a t i o n o f th e
o ld , a n d t h e f o r m a t io n o f t h e c e l e s t i a l b o d y , t h e s a d h a k a
p ro c e e d s b y jiv a -n y a s a to in fu se th e b o d y w ith th e life o f
t h e D e v i. P la c in g h is h a n d on h is h e a rt, he says th e
“ s o h a m ” m a n tra ( “ I a m H e ” ) , t h e r e b y i d e n t i f y i n g h i m s e lf
w ith th e D e v i. T h e n , p l a c in g th e e ig h t K u la -k u n d a lin is
in th e ir s e v e ra l p la c e s, h e s a y s th e fo llo w in g m a n tra : Am,
K rim , K lim , Y a m , R a m , L a m , V a m , S a m , H o rn , S a m , S a m ,
H au m , H am sah : th e v ita l a irs o f th e h ig h ly b le s se d and
a u s p ic io u s P rim o rd ia l K a lik a a re h e r e .3 “A m , e tc ., th e
e m b o d ie d s p irit o f th e h ig h ly b le s s e d a n d a u s p ic io u s K a lik a
is p l a c e d h e r e .” 4 “ A m , e t c ., h e r e a r e a i l t h e s e n s e s o f t h e
h i g h l y a u s p i c i o u s a n d b l e s s e d K a li k a ; ” 5 a n d , l a s t l y , “ A m ,
e tc ., m a y t h e s p e e c h , m i n d , s i g h t , h e a r in g , s m e ll, a n d v i t a l
a i r s o f t h e h i g h l y b l e s s e d a n d a u s p i c io u s K a l i k a c o m in g h e r e
a lw a y s a b id e h e re in peace and h a p p in e ss S v a h a .” 6 The
s a d h a k a th e n b e c o m e s d e v a ta -m a y a . A fte r h a v in g th u s d is ­
s o lv e d th e s in fu l b o d y , m a d e a n e w D e v a b o d y , a n d in fu s e d
i t w i t h t h e l i f e o f t h e D e v i, h e p r o c e e d s t o m a trk a n y a s a .
M a tr k iL a r e t h e f i f ty l e t te r s o f t h e S a n s k r i t a l p h a b e t ; f o r a s
fro m a m o th e r c o m e s b irth , so fro m m a trk a , o r s o u n d , th e
w o rld p ro c e e d s. S a b d a b r a h m a n , t h e “ S o u n d ,” “ L o g o s ,” o r
“ W o r d ,” i s t h e C r e a t o r o f t h e w o r l d s o f n a m e a n d o f f o r m .

1. S e e K riy a -k a n d a -v a rid h i ( p . 1 2 0 , c h a p , i i e t s e q .) .
i
2. S e e M a h a n i r v a n a - T a n t r a , C h a p te r V , v e r s e 1 0 5 , w h e r e a f u l l e r a c c o u n t
is g iv e n of th e above.

3. J § rim a d -a d y a k a lik a y a h p ra n a ih a p ra n a h . !
4. S r i m a d - a d y a - K a l ik a y a h jiv a ih a s t h i ta h .

5. S rim a d -a d y a -k a lik a y a h s a r v e n d r l y a n i s t h it a n i .

6. £ rim a d - a d y a - k a lik a y a h v a rig - m a n a s - c a k § u h - s r o tr a jih v a g h r a n a -

p ra n a h ih a - g a ty a su k h a rh c ira m t i $ th a n t u svaha.
108 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

T h e b o d ie s o f th e D e v a ta a re com posed of th e f if ty
m a trk a s . T h e s a d h a k a , t h e r e f o r e , f i r s t s e t s m e n t a l ly ( a n t a r -
m a trk a -n y a s a ) in th e ir s e v e ra l p la c e s in th e s ix c a k ra s , a n d
t h e n e x t e r n a l l y b y p h y s i c a l a c t i o n ( B a h y a m a tr k a n y a s a ) t h e
le tte rs o f th e a lp h a b e t w h ic h fo rm th e d iffe re n t p a rts o f th e
b o d y o f t h e D e v a ta , w h i c h is t h u s b u i l t u p i n t h e s a d h a k a
h im s e lf. H e p la c e s h is h a n d o n d iffe re n t p a rts o f h is b o d y ,
u tte rin g d is tin c tly a t th e s a m e tim e th e a p p ro p ria te m a trk a
fo r th a t p a rt.

T h e m e n t a l d i s p o s i t io n i n t h e c a k r a s is a s f o llo w s : In
th e A jh a L o tu s, H a m , K s a m , (e a c h le tte r in th is a n d th e
s u c c e e d i n g c a s e s is s a i d , f o llo w e d b y t h e m a n t r a n a m a h ) ;1
in th e V isu d d h a L o tu s A m , A m , a n d th e r e s t o f th e v o w e ls ;
in th e A n a h a ta L o tu s k a m , k h a m to th a m ; in th e ra a n i-
p u r a L o t u s , d a m , d h a m , e tc ., to p h a m ; i n t h e S v a d h i s t h a n a
L o tu s b a m , b h a m to la m ; a n d , la stly , in th e M u la d h a ra
L o tu s , vam , 6 a m ,2 s a m ,3 sam . The e x te rn a l d is p o s itio n
t h e n f o llo w s . T h e v o w e ls in th e ir o rd e r w ith a n u sv a ra
a n d v is a rg a a re p la c e d o n th e fo re h e ad , fa c e, rig h t a r id
le ft e y e , rig h t a n d le ft e a r, rig h t a n d le ft n o s tril, rig h t a n d
le ft c h e e k , u p p e r and l o w e r lip , upper and lo w e r te e th ,
h e a d , a n d h o llo w o f th e m o u th . T h e c o n s o n a n ts k a m to
v a m a r e p l a c e d o n b a s e o f r i g h t a r m a n d t h e e lb o w , w r i s t ,
b a s e a n d t i p s o f f in g e r s , l e f t a r m , r i g h t a n d l e f t le g , r i g h t
a n d le ft s id e , back, n a v e l, b e lly , h e a rt, rig h t a n d le ft
s h o u ld e r, s p a c e b e tw e e n th e s h o u ld e rs ( k a k u d a ) , a n d th e n
f r o m t h e h e a r t t o t h e r i g h t p a l m S a m is p l a c e d ; a n d f r o m
th e h e a rt to th e le ft p a lm th e (s e c o n d ) s a m ; fro m th e h e a rt
t o t h e r i g h t f o o t, s a m ; f r o m t h e h e a r t t o t h e l e f t f o o t, h a m ;
a n d , l a s t l y , f r o m t h e h e a r t to t h e b e lly , a n d f r o m t h e h e a r t to

1. T hus, H am nam ah, K $am nam ah e tc .

2. T a la v y a s a — s o ft, p a la ta l, s h .

3. M u rd h a n y a sa— h a rd c e re b ra l sh .
 W O R S H IP 1 0 9 PONMLKJIHGFEDC

th e m o u th , k s a m . I n e a c h c a s e o m is s a i d a t t h e b e g i n n i n g
and nam ah a t th e end. A c c o rd in g to th e T a n tra s a ra ,
m a t r k a - n y a s a is a ls o c l a s s if i e d i n t o f o u r k i n d s , p e r f o r m e d
w ith d iffe re n t a i m s — v iz : k e v a la w h e re th e m a trk a is
p ro n o u n c e d w ith o u t b in d u ; b in d u -s a rh y u ta w ith b in d u ;
s a m sa rg a w ith v is a rg a ; a n d s o b h y a w ith v is a rg a a n d b in d u .

R s i - n y a s a t h e n f o llo w s f o r t h e a t t a i n m e n t o f t h e c a t u r -
v a r g a .1 T h e a s s ig n m e n t of th e m a n tra is to th e head,
m o u t h , h e a r t , a n u s , t h e tw o f e e t, a n d a l l t h e b o d y g e n e r a l l y .
The m a n tra s c o m m o n ly e m p lo y e d a re : “In th e head,
s a lu ta tio n to th e R s i (R e v e a le r) B r a h m a ;2 i n t h e m o u t h ,
s a l u t a t io n t o t h e m a n t r a G a y a t r i ; 3 i n t h e h e a r t , s a l u t a t i o n
t o t h e D e v i M o t h e r S a r a s v a t i ;4 i n t h e h i d d e n p a r t , s a l u ta ­
t i o n t o t h e b i j a , t h e c o n s o n a n t s ;5 s a l u t a t i o n to t h e s a k t i, t h e
v o w e ls h:. t h e f e e t ;G s a l u t a t i o n t o v i s a r g a h , t h e k l l a k a i n t h e
w h o le * h v d y .” 7 A n o t h e r f o r m i n w h i c h t h e b i j a i s e m p lo y e d
is th e .:; th e A d y a : i t is re ferre d to but not g iv e n in
C h a p . ¥ , v e r s e 1 2 3 , a n d is : “ I n t h e h e a d , s a l u t a t io n to
B r a h jiu '. a n d t h e B r a h m a r s i s ;8 i n t h e m o u t h , s a l u t a t i o n to
G a y a t:> : a n d t h e o t h e r f o r m s o f v e r s e ; 9 i n t h e h e a r t s a l u ta ­
t i o n i v t h e p r i m o r d i a l D e v a t a K a l i ;10 i n th e h id d e n p a rt,
s a l u t a t i o n t o t h e b i j a , k r i m ; ” 11 i n t h e t w o f e e t, s a l u t a t i o n to

1. D h a rm a rth a -k a m a -m o k s a y e r$ i-n y a s e v in iy o g a h .

2. & ira s i B ra h m a r$ a y e n a m a h .

3. M ukhe G a y a try a i-c c h a n d a s e nam ah.

4. H jd a y e m a trk a y a i s a ra s v a ty a i d e v a ta y a i n a m a h .

5. G uhye ( th a t is , th e a n u s ) v y a n ja n a y a b ija y a nam ah.

6. p a d a y o h s v a r e b h y a h s a k t ib h y o n a m a h .

7. S a rv a n g e $ u v is a rg a y a k lla k a y a ( th a t is , th a t w h ic h c o m e s a t th e e n d

o r c lo s e s ; th e h a rd b re a th in g ) nam ah.

8. & ir a s i b ra h m a n e b ra h m a r? ib h y o nam ah.

9. M uke g a y a t r y a d ib h y a s c a n d o b h y o n a m a h .
10. H rd a y e a d y a y a i k & lik a y a i d e v a t a y a i n a m a h .

11. G u h y e k r i m - b i ja y a nam ah.

110 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDC
TO TAN TRA 6ASTRA

t h e S a k ti, H r i m ; 1 i n a l l t h e b o d y , s a l u t a t io n t o t h e K a l i k a
S r i m .” 2

T h e n f o llo w s a n g a - n y a s a a n d k a r a - n y a s a . T h ese a re
b o th fo rm s of s a d a n g a - n y a s a .3 W hen sa d an g a -n y asa is
p e r f o r m e d o n t h e b o d y , i t is c a l l e d h r d a y a d i - s a d a n g a n y a s a ;
a n d w h e n d o n e w i t h t h e f iv e f in g e r s a n d p a l m s o f t h e h a n d s
o n ly , a n g u s th a d i sa d an g a -n y a sa . The c o n s o n a n ts of th e
k a -v arg a g ro u p , a n d th e lo n g vow el a a re re c ite d w ith
“h rd a y a y a n a m ah ” ( s a l u t a t i o n to th e h e a rt). T h e sh o rt
v o w e l i, t h e c o n s o n a n t s o f t h e c a - v a r g a g r o u p , a n d t h e lo n g
v o w e l i, a r e s a id w i t h “ s i r a s l s v a h a ” (s v a h a to th e h e a d ).
T h e h a rd ta -v a rg a c o n s o n a n ts s e t b e tw e e n th e tw o v o w e ls
u a n d u a re re c ite d w ith “ 6 ik h a y a i v a s a t” (v a s a t to th e
c r o w n l o c k ) ; s i m i l a r l y t h e s o f t t a - v a r g a b e t w e e n t h e v o w e ls
e a n d a i a r e s a i d w i t h “ k a v a c a y a 4 h u m .” T h e sh o rt v o w el
o , t h e p a v a r g a , a n d t h e lo n g v o w e l o a r e r e c i t e d w i t h s a f c tr a -
t r a y a y a v a u s a t ( v a u s a t to t h e t h r e e e y e s ) .5 L a s tl y , b e w e e n
b in d u a n d v is a rg a 6 th e c o n s o n a n ts y a to k s a w ith “ k a r& fc d a -
k a ra p rs th a b h y a m a s tra y a p h a t” ( p h a t to th e fro n S ^ u id
b a c k o f t h e p a l m ) .7

T h e m a n tra s o f s a d a n g a -n y a s a o n th e b o d y a re u s e d
f o r k a r a - n y a s a , i n w h i c h t h e y a r e a s s i g n e d to t h e t h u m b s ,

1. Padayoh k rlm -s a k ta y e n a m a h .

2. S a rv a n g e $ u s rlm -k a lik a y a i nam ah.

3. $at (s ix ), a n g a (lim b ), n y a s a (p la c in g ).

4. T h e k a v a c a is th e a rm s c ro s s e d o n th e c h e s t, th e h a n d s c la s p in g th e

u p p e r p a rt o f th e a rm s ju s t b e n e a th th e s h o u ld e rs .

5. In c lu d in g th e c e n tra l e y e o f w is d o m (jn a n a -c a k s u )

6. The nasal sound a n d h a rd b re a th in g .

7. In a ll c a s e s th e le tte r s a re s o u n d e d w ith th e n asal a n u sv a ra , as (in

th e la s t) am , yam , ra m , la m , vam , a m , ? a m , s a m , h a m , k s h a m , a h , e tc .
 W O R S H IP I l l PONMLKJI

t h e “ t h r e a t e n i n g ” o r i n d e x f in g e r s , t h e m i d d l e f in g e r s , t h e
f o u r t h , l i t t l e f in g e r s , a n d t h e f r o n t a n d b a c k o f t h e p a lm .

T hese a c tio n s o n th e body, f in g e r s , and p a lm s a ls o

s t i m u la t e t h e n e r v e c e n t r e s a n d n e r v e s t h e r e i n .

In p ith a -n y a sa , th e p ith a s a re e s ta b lis h e d in p la c e o f

th e m a trk a . T h e p ith a s, in th e ir o rd in a ry s e n s e , a re K a m a -
r u p a a n d t h e o t h e r p l a c e s , a l i s t o f w h i c h is g i v e n i n t h e
Y o g i n i - h r d a y a .1

F o r t h e a t t a i n m e n t o f t h a t s t a te i n w h i c h t h e s a d h a k a
f e e ls t h a t t h e b h a v a ( n a t u r e , d i s p o s i t i o n ) o f t h e D e v a t a h a s
c o m e u p o n h i m , n y a s a is a g r e a t a u x i l i a r y . I t is , a s i t w e r e ,
th e w e a rin g o f je w e ls o n d iffe re n t p a rts o f th e b o d y . The
b i j a e f. t h e D e v a t a a r e t h e j e w e l s w h i c h t h e s a d h a k a p la c e s
o n th 'd d i f f e r e n t p a r t s o f h i s b o d y . B y n y a s a h e p l a c e s h is
A b h ls ta -d e v a ta in such p a rts , a n d by v y a p a k a-n y a sa, h e
s p re a d s its p re s e n c e th ro u g h h im s e lf. H e b e c o m e s p e rm e a t­
e d b y ir. lo s in g h i m s e l f i n t h e d i v i n e S e lf .

N y a s a is a ls o o f u s e i n e f f e c tin g t h e p r o p e r d i s t r i b u t i o n
o f t h e S a k tis o f t h e h u m a n f r a m e i n t h e i r p r o p e r p o s itio n s
s o a s t o a v o i d t h e p r o d u c ti o n o f d i s c o r d a n d d i s t r a c t i o n in
w o rsh ip . N y a s a a s w e ll a s A s a n a a re n e c e ss a ry fo r th e
p r o d u c ti o n o f t h e d e s ir e d s t a t e o f m i n d a n d o f c i t t a s u d d h i
(its p u rific a tio n ). “ D a s d e n k e n i s t d e r m a s s d e r D i n g e .” 2
T r a n s f o r m a ti o n of th o u g h t is T ra n s fo rm a tio n of b e in g .
T h is is t h e e s s e n t i a l p r i n c ip l e a n d r a t io n a l b a s i s o f a l l t h i s
a n d s i m i l a r T a n t r ik s a d h a n a s .

1. S e e B h a s k a r a - r a y a ’s C o m m e n t a r y o n s l o k a 1 5 6 o f t h e L a l it a - s a h a s r a -

n i m a a n d a n te . T h e n u m b e r o f P i th a s i s v a r i o u s l y g i v e n a s 5 0 o r 5 1 .

2. P r a n t l.
112 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFE
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

P A ttC A T A T T V A

T h e re a re, a s a l r e a d y s t a t e d , t h r e e c la s s e s o f m e n —
P a £ u , V ira , a n d D iv y a . T h e o p e r a t io n o f t h e g u n a s w h i c h
p r o d u c e t h e s e t y p e s a f f e c t, o n t h e g r o s s m a t e r ia l p l a n e , t h e
a n im a l te n d e n c ie s , m a n ife s tin g in th e th r e e c h ie f p h y s ic a l
fu n c tio n s— e a tin g a n d d rin k in g , w h e re b y th e a n n a m a y a k o s a
is m a i n t a i n e d , a n d s e x u a l i n t e r c o u r s e , b y w h i c h i t is r e ­
p ro d u c e d . T h e s e fu n c tio n s a re th e s u b je c t o f th e p a n c a ta ttv a
o r p a n ca m a k ara ( “ f iv e m V * ) , a s t h e y a r e v u l g a r l y c a l l e d —
v iz .: m a d y a ( w i n e ) , m a m s a ( m e a t ) , m a t s y a ( f i s h ) , m u d r a
(p a rch e d g ra in ), and m a ith u n a (c o itio n ). In o rd in a ry
p a r l a n c e , m u d r a m e a n s r i t u a l g e s t u r e s o r p o s i t io n s o f t h e
b o d y i n w o r s h i p a n d h a t h a y o g a , b u t a s o n e o f t h e f iv e e l e ­
m e n t s i t is p a r c h e d c e r e a l, a n d is d e f i n e d 1 a s B h r is ta d a n y J L d i-
kam : y a d y a d c h a v y a m y a m p ra c h a k s a te ; s a m u d ra k s & lta
d e v i s a rv e s h a m n a g a n a n d in i. T h e T a n tra s s p e a k o f th * £ v e
e le m e n ts a s p a n c a t a t t v a , k u l a d r a v y a , k u l a t a t tv a , a n d > ? e r-
t a i n o f t h e e l e m e n t s h a v e e s o t e r i c n a m e s , s u c h a s k a i .:^ ;:a -
v a r i o r t i r t h a v a r i , f o r w i n e , t h e f i f th e l e m e n t b e i n g u c u :,( ly
c a lle d l a t a s a d h a n a 2 ( s a d h a n a w i t h w o m a n , o r S a k t i ) . The
f iv e e le m e n ts , m o r e o v e r h a v e v a r i o u s m e a n in g s , a c c o r d i n g
a s th e y fo rm p a rt o f th e ta m a s ik a (p a s v a c a ra ), ra ja sik a
(v ira c a ra ), o r d iv y a o r s a ttv ik a s a d h a n a s re s p e c tiv e ly .

A ll t h e e l e m e n ts o r t h e i r s u b s t i t u t e s a r e p u r i f i e d a n d
c o n s e c ra te d , a n d th e n , w ith th e a p p ro p ria te ritu a l, th e firs t
fo u r a re c o n s u m e d , s u c h c o n s u m p tio n b e in g f o llo w e d by
l a t a - s a d h a n a o r i t s s y m b o lic e q u i v a l e n t . T h e T a n tra p ro ­
h i b i ts i n d i s c r im i n a t e u s e o f t h e e l e m e n t s , w h i c h m ay be
c o n s u m e d o r e m p lo y e d o n ly a fte r p u rific a tio n (S o d h a n a )

1. Y o g iiu -T a n tra (c h a p . v i).

2. “ C re e p e r ” to w h ic h w o m a n , a s c lin g in g to th e m a le tre e , is lik e n e d .

 W O R S H IP 1 1 3 PONMLKJIHGFED

a n d d u r i n g w o r s h i p 1 a c c o r d i n g to t h e T a n t r i c r i t u a l . T hen
a ls o , a l l e x c e s s is f o r b i d d e n . T h e S y a m a -ra h a s y a sa y s th a t
i n t e m p e r a n c e l e a d s t o H e l l, a n d th is T a n tra c o n d e m n s it
in C h a p t e r V . A w e l l - k n o w n s a y i n g i n T a n t r a d e s c r i b e s t h e
tru e “ h e ro ” (v ira ) t o b e , n o t h e w h o is o f g r e a t p h y s i c a l
s tre n g th a n d p ro w e s s , th e g re a t e a te r a n d d rin k e r, o r m a n
o f p o w e rfu l s e x u a l e n e rg y , b u t h e w h o h a s c o n tro lle d h is
s e n s e s , is a t r u t h - s e e k e r , e v e r e n g a g e d in w o r s h i p , a n d w h o
has s a c rific e d lu s t a n d a ll o th e r p a s sio n s . ( J it e n d r i y a h ,
s a ty a v a d i, n ity a n u s th a n a ta tp a ra h , k a m a d i-b a lid a n a S c a sa
v i r a i t i g i y a t e ) '.

T h e e l e m e n t s i n t h e i r l i t e r a l s e n s e a r e n o t a v a i l a b l e in
s a d h a n a f o r a l l. The n a tu re of th e P a £ u re q u ire s s t r ic t
a d h e re n c e to V a id ik r u le in th e m a tte r o f th e s e p h y s ic a l
f u n c t io n s e v e n i n w o r s h i p . T h is ru le p ro h ib its th e d rin k ­
in g o f w in e , a s u b s ta n c e s u b je c t to th e th re e c u rses of
I
B r a h m a , K a c a , a n d K r s n a , i n t h e f o llo w in g t e r m s : M a d y a m
apeyam adeyam a g rah y a m ( “ W in e 2 m ust not be d ru n k ,
g iv e n , o r t a k e n ” ) . T h e d r i n k i n g o f w i n e i n o r d i n a r y lif e
f o r s a t is f a c ti o n o f t h e s e n s u a l a p p e t i t e is , i n f a c t, a s in ,
i n v o l v i n g p r a y a s c i t t a , a n d e n t a i li n g , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e V i s n u
Purana* p u n i s h m e n t i n t h e s a m e H e ll a s t h a t to w h i c h a

1. T a n tra s a ra , 6 9 8 . c itin g B h a v a - c u d a m a n i. As re g a rd s m a ith u n a ,

th e B rh a n n il a -T a n tra (c h a p , iv ) says: P a rad a ra n n a g a c c h e ra n gacchecca

p ra ja p e d y a d i ( th a t is , fo r p u rp o se of w o rs h ip ) and s i m il a r ly th e U tta ra -

T a n tra :

P u ja k a la m v in a n a n y a m p u ru sa m m a n a sa sp rse t

P u ja k a le c a d ev esl vesyeva p a rito sa y e t.

H i e s a m e r u l e a s r e g a r d s b o t h m a d y a a n d m a i t h u n a i s s t a te d i n t h e K u l a m r t a

a s e ls e w h e re .

2. F r o m t h e s t a n d p o i n t o f T a n t r ik a - V i r a c a r a , t h e d r i n k i n g o f w i n e h e r e

re fe rre d to is o rd in a ry d rin k in g , and not th e ritu a l w o rs h ip (o f th o s e

q u a l if i e d fo r it) w ith th e p u r i f ie d s u b s ta n c e w h ic h is T a ra (th e S a v io u r)

H e rs e lf in liq u id fo rm (d ra v a m a y l).

3. V is n u -P u ra n a (B k . II, c h a p . v i).

15
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TO TAN TRA £ASTRA

k ille r o f a B ra h m a n a g o e s. A s r e g a r d s f le s h a n d f is h , t h e
h ig h e r c a ste s (o u ts id e B e n g a l) w h o s u b m it to th e o rth o d o x
S m a rth a d is c ip lin e e a t n e ith e r. N or do h ig h and s t r ic t
B ra h m a n a s e v e n in th a t P ro v in c e . B u t th e b u lk o f th e
p e o p le th e re , b o th m en and w om en, eat f is h , and m en
c o n s u m e t h e f le s h o f m a l e g o a t s w h i c h h a v e b e e n p r e v i o u s l y
o ffe re d to th e D e ity . T h e V a i d i k a d h a r m a is e q u a l l y s t r i c t
upon th e s u b je c t o f s e x u a l in te rc o u rs e . M a ith u n a o th e r
t h a n w i t h t h e h o u s e h o l d e r ’s o w n w i f e is c o n d e m n e d . A nd
t h i s is n o t o n l y i n i t s l i t e r a l s e n s e , b u t i n t h a t w h i c h is
k n o w n a s A s ta n g a (e ig h tfo ld ) m a i t h u n a — v iz ., s m a r a n a m
(th in k in g u p o n it) , ld rtta n a m (ta lk in g o f it) , k e li (p la y
w ith w o m e n ), p re k s a n a m ( l o o k i n g u p o n w o m e n ) , g ? ih y a -
b h a s a n a m (ta lk in p riv a te w ith w o m e n ), s a m k a lp a (w is h o r
r e s o lv e fo r m a ith u n a ), adhyavasaya ( d e te r m i n a t i o n to ­
w a rd s it), k riy a n is p a ti (a c tu a l a c c o m p lis h m e n t o£ th e
se x u a l a c t). In s h o rt, th e p a s u a n d e x c e p t fo r ritu a l p u r­
p o s e s th o s e w h o a re n o t p a s u s s h o u ld , in th e w o rd s o f th e
S a k t a k r a m l y a , a v o id m a i t h u n a , c o n v e r s a t i o n o n t h e s u b j e c t ,
and a s s e m b lie s of w om en ( m a i th u n a m ta tk a th a la p a m
ta d g o s th im p a r iv a r ja y e t). E v e n in th e c a s e o f th e h o u s e ­
h o l d e r ’s ow n w ife m a rita l c o n tin e n c y is e n jo in e d . The
d iv in ity in w o m a n , w h ic h th e T a n tra in p a rtic u la r p ro ­
c la im s , is a ls o r e c o g n i z e d i n t h e o r d i n a r y V a i d i k t e a c h i n g ,
a s m u s t o b v io u s ly b e t h e c a s e g i v e n t h e c o m m o n f o u n d a t i o n
u p o n w h ic h a ll th e S a s tra s re s t. W o m a n is n o t to b e re g a rd ­
e d m e re ly a s a n o b je c t o f e n jo y m e n t, b u t a s a h o u s e -g o d d e s s
( g r h a d e v a t a ) .1 A c c o rd in g to th e s u b lim e n o tio n s o f S ru ti,
t h e u n i o n o f m a n a n d w if e is a v e r i t a b l e s a c r if ic ia l r i t e — a
s a c r if ic e i n f ir e ( h o m a ) , w h e r e i n s h e is b o t h h e a r t h ( k u n d a )
a n d f la m i ■a n d h e w h o k n o w s t h i s a s h o m a a t t a i n s l i b e r a -

1. C ite d in th e C o m m e n ta ry on th e K a rp u ra d is to tra (v e rse 1 5 ), by

M aham ahopadhyaya K rs n a n a th a N y a y a -p a n c h a n a n a B h a ttta c h a ry y a .

 W O R S H IP 1 1 5 PONMLKJIHGFEDC

t i o n .1 S i m i la r l y t h e T a n t r i k a - M a n t r a f o r t h e S i v a s a k t i Y o g a
rim s : “ T h is is th e in te r n a l h o m a in w h ic h , b y th e p a th o f
s u $ u m n a , s a c r if ic e is m a d e o f t h e f u n c t io n s o f s e n s e t o t h e
s p i r i t a s f i r e k i n d l e d w i t h t h e g h e e o f m e r i t a n d d e m e r it
t a k e n f r o m t h e m i n d a s t h e g h e e - p o t S v a h a .” 2 I t is n o t o n ly
th u s th a t w ife a n d h u s b a n d a re a s s o c ia te d , fo r th e V a id ik a -
d h a rm a (in th is n o w n e g le c te d ) p re s c rib e s th a t th e h o u s e ­
h o l d e r s h o u l d w o r s h i p i n c o m p a n y w i t h h i s w if e .3 B ra h m a -
c a r y a , o r c o n t i n e n c y , is n o t a s is s o m e t im e s s u p p o s e d , a
r e q u i s i t e o f t h e s t u d e n t a £ r a m a o n l y , b u t is a r u l e w h i c h
g o v e r n s t h e m a r r i e d h o u s e h o l d e r ( g r h a s t h a ) a ls o . A cc o rd ­
in g t o V a i d i k a i n j u n c t i o n s , u n i o n of m an a n d w ife m u s t
t a k e p l a c e o n c e a m o n t h o n t h e f i f t h d a y a f t e r t h e c e s s a tio n
o f th e m e n s e s , a n d th e n o n ly . H e n c e i t is t h a t t h e N i t y a -
T a n t r a T /h e n g i v i n g t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f a p a £ u , s a y s t h a t
h e is C iit> w h o a v o i d s s e x u a l u n i o n e x c e p t o n t h e f if th d a y
( r tu k & v in a d e v i ra m a n a m p a riv ra ja y e t). In o th e r w o rd s ,
t h e p a ;v & c s h e w h o i n t h i s c a s e , a s i n o t h e r m a t t e r s , f o llo w s
f o r a l l .v u ir p o s e s , r i t u a l o r o t h e r w i s e , t h e V a id i k i n j u n c t i o n s
w h i c h i ^ v e m t h e o r d i n a r y l i f e o f a ll.

T l» .£ a b o v e - m e n t io n e d r u l e s g o v e r n t h e l i f e o f a l l m e n .
T h e o r sly e x c e p t i o n w h i c h t h e T a n t r a m a k e s is f o r p u r p o s e
o f s a d h a n a in th e c a s e o f th o s e w h o a re c o m p e te n t (a d h i-
k a ri) fo r v ira c a ra . I t is h e l d , i n d e e d , t h a t t h e e x c e p tio n
is n o t s t r i c t l y a n e x c e p t i o n t o V a i d ik t e a c h i n g a t a l l a n d

1. S e e th irte e n th m a n tra o f th e H o m a -P ra k a ra n a o f th e B rh a d a ra n y a k a -
U p a n is a d . The N i r u tt a r a - T a n t r a (c h a p , i) says:

Y o n iru p a m a h a k a li s a v a h s a y y a P r a k l r t it a .

S m asanam d v iv id h a m d e v i c ita y o n irm a h e sv a ri.

2. Om d h a rm a d h a rm a h a v ird ip te a tm a g n a u m anasa sru c a . susum na

v a rtm a n a n ity a m a k ^ a v rttirju h o m y a h a m svaha (T a n tra s a ra , 698, and see

P ra n a to $ in i).

3. S a s tr i k o d h a rm a m a c a re t (se e a ls o chap, xxxi of th e M a ts y a -S u k ta -

T a n tra ).
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TO TAN TRA 6ASTRA

t h a t i t is a n e r r o r to s u p p o se th a t th e T a n trik a -ra h a sy a -
p u ja is opposed to th e V ed as. T h u s, w h ils t th e V a i d ik
ru le p ro h ib its th e u s e o f w in e in o rd in a ry life and fo r
p u rp o se s of m e re se n su a l g ra tific a tio n it p re s c rib e s th e
re lig io u s y a jh a w ith w in e . T h i s r i t u a l u s e t h e T a n t r a a ls o
a llo w s , p ro v id e d th a t th e s a d h a k a is c o m p e te n t fo r th e
s a d h a n a , i n w h i c h i t s c o n s u m p t i o n is p a r t o f i t s r i t u a l a n d
m e th o d .

T h e T a n t r a e n f o r c e s t h e V a i d ik r u l e in a l l c a s e s , r i t u a l
o r o th e rw is e , fo r th o s e w h o a re g o v e rn e d b y th e v a id ik a -
c a ra . T h e N ity a -T a n tra sa y s: “T hey (p a su ) s h o u ld n e v e r
w o r s h ip t h e D e v i d u r i n g t h e l a t t e r p a r t o f t h e d a y , i n t h e
e v e n in g o r a t n ig h t” ( r a t r a u n a i v a y a j e d d e v im saxhdhya-
y a m v a p a r a n h e ) ; f o r a l l s u c h w o r s h i p c o n n o t e s m a it- h u n a
p r o h i b i t e d to t h e p a s u . I n l i e u o f it, v a r y i n g s u b s t i t u t e s 1
a r e p r e s c r i b e d , s u c h a s e i t h e r a n o f f e r i n g o f f lo w e s s w i t h
t h e h a n d s f o r m e d i n t o t h e k a c c a p a m u d r a , o r u n io n , w i t h
t h e w o r s h i p p e r ’s o w n w if e . In th e s a m e w a y , in M e u o f
w in e , t h e p a s u s h o u l d (if a B ra h m a n a ) ta k e m ilk , (if a
(K sa ttriy a ) ghee, (if a V a isy a ) honey, and (if a S a d ra )
a liq u o r m a d e fro m r ic e . S a lt, g in g e r, s e sa m u m , w h e a t,
m a s h k a la i (b e a n s ), a n d g a rlic a re v a rio u s s u b s titu te s fo r
m e a t; a n d th e w h ite b rin ja l v e g e ta b le , re d ra d is h , m a s u r
( a k i n d o f g r a m ) , r e d s e s a m u m , a n d p a n i p h a la ( a n a q u a t i c
p l a n t ) , t a k e t h e p la c e o f f is h . P a d d y , r i c e , w h e a t, a n d g r a m
g e n e ra lly a re m u d ra .

T h e v i r a , o r r a t h e r h e w h o is q u a l i f i e d (a d h ik a ri) fo r
v l r a c a r a — s in c e th e tru e v ira is its f in is h e d p r o d u c t—
com m ences sadhana w ith th e ra ja sik a p a h c a ta ttv a firs t
s t a te d , w h ic h a re e m p lo y e d fo r th e d e s tru c tio n of th e
s e n s u a l t e n d e n c i e s w h i c h t h e y c o n n o te . F o r th e w o rsh ip

1 . S e e a s to th e s e a n d p o s t, th e K u la c u d a m a n I, a n d c h a p , i o f B h a ira v a -
y a m a la .
 W O R S H IP 1 1 7 PONMLKJIHGFED

o f S a k t i t h e p a n c a t a t tv a s a r e d e c l a r e d to b e e s s e n t i a l . T h is
T a n t r a d e c la r e s t h a t s u c h w o r s h i p w i t h o u t t h e i r u s e is b u t
t h e p r a c t i c e o f e v il m a g ic .

U pon th is passage th e c o m m e n ta to r Jaganm ohana

T a r k a la r h k a r a o b s e r v e s a s f o llo w s : L e t u s c o n s id e r w h a t
m o s t c o n trib u te s to th e fa ll o f a m a n , m a k in g h im fo rg e t
h i s d u t y , s i n k i n t o s i n , a n d d i e a n e a r l y d e a th . F irs t a m o n g
t h e s e a r e w i n e a n d w o m e n , f is h , m e a t a n d m u d ra , and
a c c e s s o r ie s . B y th e s e th in g s m e n h a v e lo s t th e ir m a n h o o d .
S i v a t h e n d e s i r e s t o e m p l o y t h e s e v e r y p o is o n s i n o r d e r to
e ra d ic a te th e p o is o n in th e h u m a n s y s te m . P o i s o n is t h e
a n t i d o t e f o r p o is o n . T h i s is t h e r i g h t t r e a t m e n t f o r t h o s e
w h o lo n g fo r d rin k o r lu s t fo r w o m e n . T h e p h y s i c ia n m u s t,
h o w ev e r, b e a n e x p e rie n c e d one. If th e re b e a m is ta k e
a s t o t h e a p p l ic a t i o n , t h e p a t i e n t is l i k e l y t o d ie . S iv a h a s
s a id tfo a fc t h e w a y o f k u l a c a r a is a s d i f f ic u l t a s i t is to w a l k
o n th e # d g e o f a s w o rd o r to h o ld a w ild tig e r. T h e r e is
a s e c re t a rg u m e n t in fa v o u r o f th e p a n c a ta ttv a , a n d th o s e
ta ttv a s s o u n d e rs to o d s h o u ld be fo llo w e d by a ll. N one,
h o w e v e r, b u t th e in itia te c a n g ra sp th is a rg u m e n t, and
th e r e o f 'o r e S i v a h a s d i r e c t e d t h a t i t s h o u l d n o t b e r e v e a l e d
b e fo re a n y b o d y a n d e v e ry b o d y . A n in itia te , w h e n h e se e s
a w o m a n , w ill w o rs h ip h e r a s h is o w n m o th e r o r g o d d e s s
(Is ta d e v a ta ), a n d b o w b e fo re h e r. T h e V isn u -P u ra n a sa y s
t h a t b y f e e d in g y o u r d e s i r e s y o u c a n n o t s a ti s f y t h e m . I t is
l i k e p o u r i n g g h e e o n f ir e . T h o u g h t h i s is t r u e , a n e x p e r i­
e n c e d s p i r i t u a l t e a c h e r ( g u r u ) w i l l k n o w h o w , b y t h e a p p l i­
c a tio n o f th is p o is o n o u s m e d i c in e , t o k i l l t h e p o i s o n of
sa m sa ra . S iv a h a s , h o w e v e r, p ro h ib ite d th e in d is c rim in a te
p u b lic a tio n o f th is . The m e a n in g o f th is passage w o u ld

1. M a h a n i r v a n a - T a n tr a , C h a p te r v, v e rse s 23, 24. (S e e a ls o K a ila sa -

T a n tra , P u rv a K h a n d a , c h a p , x c ) , w h e re re a s o n s a re g iv e n w h y th e w o rs h ip

o f D e v i i s f r u i t l e s s w i t h o u t t h e f i v e e l e m e n ts ; a n d w h e r e a l s o t h e y a r e i d e n ti ­

f ie d w i t h t h e f i v e p r a n a s a n d t h e f i v e m a h a p r e t a s .

I
118 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
TO TAN TRA £ASTRA

t h e r e f o r e a p p e a r to b e t h i s : T h e o b j e c t o f T a n t r i k a w o r s h ip
is b ra h m a sa y u jjy a , o r u n io n w ith B ra h m a n . If th a t is n o t
a t t a i n e d , n o t h i n g is a t t a i n e d . A n d , w i t h m e n ’s p r o p e n s i­
tie s a s th e y a re , th is c a n o n ly b e a tta in e d th ro u g h th e s p e c ia l
tre a tm e n t p re s c rib e d b y th e T a n tra s. I f t h i s is n o t f o llo w e d ,
t h e n t h e s e n s u a l p r o p e n s i t i e s a r e n o t e r a d ic a t e d , a n d t h e
w o rk f o r t h e d e s ir e d end o f T a n tra is u s e l e s s a s m a g ic
w h i c h , w o r k e d b y s u c h a m a n , l e a d s o n l y to t h e i n j u r y o f
o th e rs . T h e o t h e r s e c r e t a r g u m e n t h e r e r e f e r r e d t o is t h a t
b y w h i c h i t is s h o w n t h a t t h e p a r t i c u l a r • m a y b e r a i s e d to
t h e u n i v e r s a l l i f e b y t h e v e h i c l e o f t h o s e s a m e p a s s io n s ,
w h ic h , w h e n f lo w in g o n l y i n a n o u tw a rd a n d d o w n w a rd
c u rre n t, a re th e m o s t p o w e rfu l b o n d s to b in d h im to th e
fo rm er. T h e p a s s a g e c ite d re fe rs to th e n e c e ss ity fo r th e
s p i r i t u a l d i r e c t io n o f t h e G u r u . T o t h e w a n t o f m c h is
a c c re d ite d th e abuses of th e s y s te m . W hen th e p a tie n t
( £ is y a ) a n d t h e d is e a s e a r e w o r k i n g t o g e th e r , t h e r e k ;.» o o r
h o p e fo r th e fo rm e r; b u t w h e n th e p a tie n t, th e d is e a s? , a n d
th e p h y s ic ia n (g u ru ) a re o n o n e , a n d th a t th e w ro n g iid e ,
th e n n o th in g c a n s a v e h im fro m a d e s c e n t o n th a t d o w n ­
w a r d p a t h w h i c h i t is t h e o b j e c t o f t h e s a d h a k a t o p i t f ^ e n t .
V e r s e 6 7 i n C h a p t e r I o f M a h a n i r v a n a - T a n t r a is h e ./# , in
p o in t.

O w in g , h o w e v e r , to a b u s e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y a s r e g a r d s t h e
t a t t v a o f m a d y a a n d m a i t h u n a , t h i s T a n t r a , a c c o r d i n g to
t h e c u r r e n t v e r s i o n , p r e s c r i b e s i n c e r t a i n c a s e s , l i m i ta t i o n s
a s re g a rd s th e ir u se . I t p re s c rib e s 1 th a t w h e n th e K a li-
y u g a is i n f u l l s t r e n g t h , a n d i n t h e c a s e o f h o u s e h o l d e r s
( g r h a s t h a ) w h o s e m i n d s a r e e n g r o s s e d w i t h w o r l d l y a f f a ir s ,
th e “ th re e s w e e ts ” ( m a d h u r a tr a y a ) a re to b e s u b s titu te d
fo r w in e . T h o s e w h o a re o f v irtu o u s te m p e ra m e n t, a n d
w h o se m in d s a re tu rn e d to w a rd s th e B ra h m a n , a re p e rm it-

1. C h a p te r V III, v e rse 171.

 W O R S H IP 1 1 9 PONMLKJIHGFED

t e d t o t a k e f iv e c u p s o f w i n e . S o a ls o a s r e g a r d s m a i t h u n a ,
t h i s T a n t r a s t a t e s 1 t h a t m e n i n t h i s K a li a g e a r e b y t h e i r
n a tu re w e a k a n d d is tu rb e d b y lu s t, a n d b y re a so n o f th is
d o n o t re c o g n iz e w o m a n (s a k ti) to b e th e im a g e o f th e
D e ity . I t a c c o r d i n g l y 2 o r d a i n s t h a t w h e n t h e K a l i y u g a is
i n f u l l s w a y , t h e f i f th t a t t v a s h a l l o n l y b e a c c o m p l is h e d w i t h
s v i y a i a k t i , o r t h e w o r s h i p p e r ’s o w n w if e , a n d t h a t u n i o n
w i t h a w o m a n w h o is n o t m a r r i e d t o t h e s a d h a k a in e i t h e r
B r a h m a o r S a i v a f o r m s is f o r b i d d e n . In th e c a s e o f o th e r
S a k ti ( p a r a k ly a and s a d h a ra n l) it p r e s c r i b e s ,3 in lie u of
m a i t h u n a , m e d i t a ti o n b y t h e w o r s h i p p e r u p o n t h e l o t u s f e e t
o f t h e D e v i, t o g e t h e r w i t h j a p a o f h i s i s t a m a n t r a . T h is ru le ,
h o w e v e r , t h e C o m m e n t a t o r s a y s , is n o t o f u n i v e r s a l a p p l i c a ­
tio n . S iv a h a s , in th is T a n tra , p ro h ib ite d s a d h a n a w ith th e
l a s t t a t t v a , w i t h p a r a k l y a , a n d s a d h a r a n l S a k ti,4 i n t h e c a s e
o f m e n o f o rd in a ry w e a k in te lle c t ru le d b y lu s t; b u t fo r
t h o s e w h o h a v e b y s a d h a n a c o n q u e r e d t h e i r p a s s io n s a n d
a t t a i n e d t h e s t a t e o f a t r u e v i r a , o r s i d d h a , t h e r e is n o p r o h i ­
b i t i o n a s t o t h e m o d e o f l a t a s a d h a n a .5 T h is T a n tra a p p e a rs
to b e ,5 i n f a c t , a p r o t e s t a g a i n s t t h e m i s u s e o f t h e t a t t v a ,
w h i c h h a d f o llo w e d u p o n a r e l a x a t i o n o f t h e o r i g i n a l r u l e s
a n d c o n d i t i o n s g o v e r n in g t h e m . W ith o u t th e p a n c a ta ttv a
in o n e f o r m o r a n o t h e r , t h e S a k t i p u j a c a n n o t b e p e r f o r m e d .
T h e M o th e r o f th e U n iv e rs e m u s t b e w o rsh ip p e d w ith th e se
e le m e n ts . By th e ir use th e u n iv e rs e (ja g a tb ra h m a n d a )
i t s e l f is u s e d a s t h e a r t i c l e o f w o r s h i p . W i n e s ig n if ie s t h e

1. C h a p te r V III, v e rse 173.

2. C h a p te r V I, v e rs e 14.

3. C h a p te r V III, v e rse 174.

4. S e e U t ta r a , G u p t a s a d h a n a , N i g a m a k a l p a d r u m a , a n d o t h e r T a n t r a s a n d

T a n tra s a ra , (p . 698 e t . s e q .) .

5. S e e M a h a n i r v a n a - T a n tr a , B h a k ta e d itio n , p . 3 4 5 .

6. For I have not yet had th e o p p o rtu n ity of c o m p a r in g th e c u rre n t

B e n g a li w ith th e N e p a le se te x t.
I

:
120 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

p o w e r (6 a k ti) w h ic h p ro d u c e s a ll fie ry e le m e n ts ; m e a t a n d
f is h a l l t e r r e s t r i a l a n d a q u a t i c a n i m a l s ; m u d r a a l l v e g e t a b l e
lif e ; and m a ith u n a th e w ill (ic c h a ), a c tio n (k riy a ) and
k n o w le d g e (jn a n a ) 6 a k ti o f th e S u p re m e P r a k r ti p ro d u c ­
tiv e o f th a t g re a t p le a s u re 1 w h ic h a c c o m p a n ie s th e p ro c e ss
o f c r e a t i o n .2 T o t h e M o t h e r is t h u s o f f e r e d t h e r e s t le s s lif e
o f H e r u n iv e rs e .

The o b je c t o f a l l s a d h a n a i s t h e s t i m u la t io n o f th e
s a ttv a g u n a . W h e n b y s u c h s a d h a n a th is g u n a la rg e ly p re ­
p o n d e r a t e s , t h e s a t t v i k a s a d h a n a s u i t a b l e f o r m e n o f a h ig h
t y p e o f d i v y a b h a v a is a d o p t e d . In th is la tte r s a d h a n a th e
n a m e s o f th e p a n c a ta ttv a a re u s e d s y m b o lic a lly fo r o p e ra ­
tio n s o f a p u re ly m e n ta l a n d s p i r it u a l c h a r a c t e r . T im s ,
t h e K a i v a l y a ,3 s a y s t h a t “ w i n e ” is t h a t i n t o x i c a t i n g k n o w ­
le d g e a c q u i r e d b y y o g a o f t h e P a r a b r a h m a n , w h i c h r e n d e r s
th e w o rsh ip p e r s e n s e le s s as re g a rd s th e e x te rn a l w o rld .
M e a t ( m a m s a ) is n o t a n y f le s h y t h i n g , b u t t h e a c t w h e r e b y
t h e s a d h a k a c o n s ig n s a l l h i s a c t s t o M e ( M a m ) . M a is y a
( f is h ) is t h a t s a t t v i k a k n o w le d g e b y w h ic h th ro u g h th e
sense of “ m in e n e s s” 4 th e w o rs h ip p e r s y m p a th iz e s w ith
t h e p l e a s u r e a n d p a i n o f a l l b e in g s . M u d r a is t h e a c t o f
re lin q u is h in g a ll a s s o c ia tio n w ith e v il w h ic h re su lts in
b o n d a g e , a n d m a i t h u n a is t h e u n i o n o f t h e S a k t i K u n d a -
lin l w ith S iv a in th e b o d y o f th e w o rs h ip p e r. T h is , th e

1. S iv a in th e M a trk a b h e d a -T a n tra (c h a p , ii) says: (Y a d ru p a m p a ra -

m anandam ta n n a s ti b h u v a n a tra y e ).

2. N ig a ra a -T a ttv a s a ra (c h a p . iv ). See chap, xv of th e H a ra -T a ttv a -

d l d h i ti ; M a h a n i r v a n a - T a n t r a , c h a p , v , v e r s e s 2 3 , 2 4 , a n d K a m a k h y a -T a n tra .

T h e K a ila s a -T a n tra P u rv a -K h a n d a (c h a p , x c ) i d e n t if i e s t h e p e n t a d (p a n c a ­

t a t tv a ) w ith th e v ita l a irs (p ra n a d i) a n d t h e f iv e m a h a p r e t a s (v id e p o s t a n d

a n te ).

3. See p. 85 o f P a n c a t a t t v a v ic a r a , b y N ila m a n i M u k h y o p a d h y a y a .

4. A p la y upon th e w o rd m a ts y a (fis h ).
 W O R S H IP 1 2 1 PONMLKJIHGFEDC

Y o g i n l - T a n t r a s a y s ,1 i s t h e b e s t o f a l l u n i o n s f o r t h o s e w h o
h a v e a l r e a d y c o n t r o l le d th e ir p a s sio n s (y a ti). A c c o rd in g
to th e A g a m a -s a ra , w in e is th e so m ad h a ra , or lu n a r
a m b ro s ia , w h ic h d ro p s fro m th e b ra h m a ra n d h ra ; M a m sa
(m e a t) is t h e t o n g u e ( m a ) , o f w h ic h its p a r t (a m sa) is
speech. T h e s a d h a k a , in “ e a tin g ” it, c o n tro ls h is s p e e c h .
M a t s y a ( f i s h ) a r e t h o s e t w o w h i c h a r e c o n s t a n t l y m o v i n g in
t h e t w o r i v e r s I d a a n d P i n g a l a .2 H e w h o c o n t r o l s h i s b r e a t h
b y p ra n ay a m a ( q . v . ) , “ e a t s ” t h e m b y k u m b h a k a .3 M u d ra
is t h e a w a k e n i n g o f k n o w l e d g e i n t h e p e r i c a r p o f t h e g r e a t
S a h a s r a r a L o t u s , w h e r e t h e A t m a , l i k e m e r c u r y , r e s p le n ­
d e n t a s te n m illio n s u n s , a n d d e lic io u s ly c o o l a s te n m illio n
m o o n s , is u n ite d w ith th e D e v i K u n d a lin l. T h e e s o te ric
m e a n i n g o f m a i t h u n a is t h u s s t a t e d b y t h e A g a m a : The
r u d d y - z m e d l e t t e r H a is i n t h e k u n d a ,4 a n d t h e l e t te r M a ,5
i n t h e ? & .a p e o f b i n d u , is i n t h e m a h a y o n i .6 W h e n M a k a ra
( m ) , s e a te d o n t h e H a m s a i n t h e f o r m o f A k a r a ( a ) , u n i t e s
w i t h * a k & r a ( r ) , t h e n t h e B r a h m a j n a n a , w h i c h is t h e s o u r c e
o f s u p i n e B lis s , is g a i n e d b y t h e s a d h a k a , w h o i s t h e n
c a lle d ^ m a r a m a , f o r h i s e n j o y m e n t is i n t h e A t m a i n t h e

1. T :,v i a l - T a n t r a (c h a p , v ):

:;a s ra ro p a ri b in d a u k u n d a ly a m e la n a m s iv e ,
M rith u n a m p a ra m a m d ra v y a m y a tin a m p a r i k l r t it a m ,

2. The n a d i, s o c a lle d (v id e a n te ).
3. R e t e n t io n o f b r e a t h in p ra n a y a m a .

4. The M a n ip u ra -C a k ra (v id e a n te ).
5. T h is le tte r, a c c o rd in g to th e K a m a d h e n u -T a n tra (c h a p , ii), has

f iv e c o m e r s , i s o f t h e c o l o u r o f t h e a u t u m n a l m o o n , i s s a t t v a g u n a , a n d is

k a iv a ly a ru p a and p ra k rtiru p i. The c o l o r a t io n of th e le tte rs is v a rio u s ly

g iv e n in th e T a n tra s . S e e a ls o B h a s k a r a r a y a ’s C o m m e n ta ry on th e L a lita

c itin g th e S a n a tk u m a ra -S a m h ita a n d M a t r k a v iv e k a .

6. T h a t is (h e re ) th e l i g h t n in g - l i k e tria n g u la r lin e s in th e S a h a sra ra .

B in d u is l i te r a l ly th e d o t w h ic h re p re s e n ts th e nasal sound. As to its

T a n trik s e n s e ( v i d e a n te ).

7. For th is re a so n , to o , th e nam e of R am a, w h ic h w o rd a ls o m eans

s e x u a l e n jo y m e n t, is e q u iv a le n t to th e lib e ra to r B ra h m a n (R a -a -m a ).

16
122 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
TO TAN TRA £ASTRA

S a h a srara . T h i s is t h e u n i o n o n t h e p u r e l y s a t t v i k a p l a n e ,
w h i c h c o r r e s p o n d s o n t h e r a j a s i k a p l a n e to th e u n io n o f
S iv a a n d S a k t i i n t h e p e r s o n s o f t h e i r w o r s h i p p e r s .

T h e u n io n o f S iv a a n d S a k t i is d e s c r i b e d as a tru e
y o g a 1 fro m w h ic h , a s th e Y a m a la s a y s, a ris e s th a t jo y w h ic h
is k n o w n a s t h e S u p r e m e B lis s .2

C A K R A P O JA

W o r s h ip w ith th e p a h c a ta ttv a g e n e ra lly ta k e s p la c e

in a n a s s e m b l y c a lle d a c a k r a , w h i c h is c o m p o s e d o f m e n
(sa d h ak a ) a n d w o m en (S a k ti), o r B h a ira v a a n d B h a ira v l.
T h e w o r s h i p p e r s s i t i n a c i r c le (c a k ra ), m e n a n d w o m en
a lte rn a te ly , th e s a k ti s ittin g on th e le ft o f th e sadhaka.
T h e L o rd o f th e c a k ra (c a k ra sv a m in , o r c a k re £ v a ra ) s its
w i t h h is S a k t i i n t h e c e n t r e , w h e r e t h e w i n e - j a r a n d o t h e r
a rtic le s u s e d in th e w o rsh ip a re k e p t. D u rin g th e c a k ra
a ll e a t , d r i n k , a n d w o r s h i p to g e th e r, th e re b e in g no d is ­
t i n c t i o n o f c a s te .3 N o p a £ u s h o u ld , h o w e v e r, b e in tro d u c e d .
T h e r e a r e v a r i o u s k i n d s o f c a k r a s , s u c h a s t h e V ir a * R a j a ,
D e v a , M a h a — C a k r a s p r o d u c t i v e , i t is s a id , o f v a r i e s ? f r u i t s
f o r t h e p a r t i c i p a t o r s t h e r e i n .4 C h a p te r V I o f th e M a h a n ir-
v a n a - T a n t r a d e a ls w i t h t h e p a h c a t a t t v a , a n d C h a p t e r V I I I
g iv e s a n a c c o u n t o f t h e B h a i r a v i a n d T a t t v a (o r D iv y a )
c a k r a s .5 The la tte r is fo r w o rsh ip p e rs of th e B ra h m a-
M a n tr a .

1. S e e T a n tra sa ra , 7 0 2 ;

S iv a s a k tis a m a y o g a h ,
Y o g a e v a n a sa rh sa y a h .

2. I b i d ., 703; S a rn y o g a j ja y a te sukhyam p a ra m a n a n d a la k s a n a m :

3. V i d e a n te .
4. The R u d ra -y a m a la says:
R a ja c a k ra ra ja d a m s y a t,
M a h a c a k re s a m rd d h id a m ,
D e v a c a k re ca saubhagyam ,
V ira c a k ra m c a m o k s a d a rh .
5. V e rse s 153, 202, e t seq .
 YOGA

Th is w o rd , d e riv e d fro m th e ro o t Y u j ( “ to j o i n ” ) , is i n
g ra m m a r s a m d h i, in lo g ic a v a y a v a S a k ti, or th e pow er
o f t h e p a r t s t a k e n t o g e th e r , a n d i n i t s m o s t w i d e ly k n o w n
and p re sen t sen se th e u n io n of th e jlv a , or e m b o d ie d
s p irit, w ith th e P a r a m a t m a , o r S u p r e m e S p i r i t ,1 a n d th e
p ra c tic e s by w h ic h th is u n io n m ay be a tta in e d . T h e re
is a n a t u r a l y o g a , i n w h i c h a l l b e i n g s a r e , f o r i t is o n l y b y
v irtu e of th is id e n tity in fa c t th a t th e y e x is t. T h is
p o s itio n PONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
2S c o m m o n g r o u n d , t h o u g h in p r a c t i c e to o f r e ­
q u e n tly o v e rlo o k e d . “ P r i m u s m o d u s u n i o n i s e s t, q u o D e u s ,
ra tio n s suae im m e n s ita tis est in o m n ib u s re b u s per es­
s e n tia l. p ra e s e n tia m , e t p o te n tia m ; p e r e s s e n tia m us dans
o m n ib f J ii e s s e ; p e r p ra e se n tia m e t o m n ia p ro s p ic ie n s; per
p o t e n ti a m u t d e o m n i b u s d i s p o n e n s .” 2 T h e m y s tic a l th e o -
lo g ic ia n c i t e d , h o w e v e r , p r o c e e d s to say: “sed h a e c u n io
a n im a e c u m D e o e s t g e n e r a li s , c o m m u n i s o m n i b u s e t o r d i n i s
n a tu ra lis ilia nam que de qua lo q u im u r est o rd in is
s u p e m a tu ra lis a c t u a l is e t f r u c t iv a .” I t is o f th is s p e c ia l
y o g a , t h o u g h n o t i n r e a l i ty m o r e “ s u p e r n a t u r a l ” t h a n t h e
f ir s t, t h a t w e h e r e d e a l. Y o g a i n i t s t e c h n i c a l s e n s e is t h e
r e a l i z a ti o n o f t h i s i d e n t i t y , w h i c h e x is ts, th o u g h i t is n o t
k n o w n , b y th e d e s tru c tio n o f th e fa ls e a p p e a ra n c e o f sep a< -
ra tio n . “ T h e r e is n o b o n d e q u a l i n s t r e n g t h to m a y a , a n d

1. As th e S a ra d a -tila k a (c h a p , xxv) says: A ik y a m -jiv a m a n o ra h u r-

yogam y o g a v ih a ra d a h .

2. S u m m a T h e o l o g i a e M y s t i c a e , t o m . iii, p . 8 .
124 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

n o f o r c e g r e a t e r to d e s t r o y t h a t b o n d t h a n y o g a . T h e r e is
n o b e tte r frie n d th a n k n o w le d g e ( jn a n a ), n o r w o rs e e n e m y
t h a n e g o is m (a h am k a ra). A s to l e a r n t h e S a s tr a o n e m u s t
l e a r n t h e a l p h a b e t , s o y o g a is n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e a c q u i r e ­
m e n t o f ta ttv a jn a n a ( t r u t h ) .” 1 T h e a n im a l b o d y is t h e
r e s u l t o f a c t i o n , a n d f r o m t h e b o d y f lo w s a c t i o n , t h e p r o ­
c e s s b e i n g c o m p a r e d to t h e s e e s a w m o v e m e n t o f a g h a ti-
y a n t r a , o r w a t e r - l i f t e r .2 T h ro u g h th e ir a c tio n s b e in g s c o n ­
t i n u a l l y g o f r o m b i r t h to d e a t h . T h e c o m p le te a tta in m e n t
o f t h e f r u i t o f y o g a is l a s t i n g a n d u n c h a n g i n g l i f e i n t h e
n o u m e n a l w o rld o f th e A b s o lu te .

Y oga is v a rio u sly nam ed a c c o rd in g to th e m e th o d s

e m p lo y e d , but th e tw o m a in d iv is io n s a re th o s e o f th e
h a th a y o g a (o r g h a ta s th a y o g a ) a n d s a m a d h i y o g a , o f w h ic h
ra ja y o g a is one of th e fo rm s. H a th a y o g a is c o m s u o n ly
m is u n d e rs to o d , b o th in its d e fin itio n and a im bem & r fre­
q u e n tly id e n tif ie d w ith e x a g g e ra te d fo rm s of s e l f m o r t i­
f ic a tio n .

T h e G h e r a n d a - S a m h i t a w e l l d e f in e s i t t o b e “ t h e M a n s
w h e r e b y t h e e x c e l l e n t r a j a y o g a is a t t a i n e d .” A c t u a l u n i o n
is n o t t h e r e s u l t o f H a t h a y o g a a l o n e , w h i c h is c o n c e r n e d
w i t h c e r t a i n p h y s i c a l p r o c e s s e s p r e p a r a t o r y o r a u x i l i a r y to
th e c o n tro l o f th e m in d , b y w h ic h a lo n e u n io n m ay be
d i r e c t l y a t t a in e d . I t is , h o w e v e r , n o t m e a n t t h a t a l l t h e
p ro c e s se s o f H a th a y o g a h e re o r in th e b o o k s d e s c rib e d a re
n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e a t t a i n m e n t o f r a j a y o g a . W h a t is n e c e s s a r y
m u s t b e d e t e r m i n e d a c c o r d i n g to t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s o f e a c h
p a rtic u la r c a se . W h a t is s u i t e d o r n e c e s s a r y i n o n e c a s e
m a y n o t d o so fo r a n o th e r. A p e c u l i a r f e a tu r e o f T a n t r i k a
v ira c a ra is th e u n io n of th e sadhaka and h is 6 a k ti in

1. G h e ra n d a -S a m h ita ( c h a p . v . e t s e q .) .

2. In d ra w in g w a te r, b u llo c k s a re e m p lo y e d to lo w e r and ra is e th e

v e s s e l. H um an a c tio n is c o m p a re d to th e b u llo c k s w ho now ra is e , now

lo w e r, th e v e s s e l in to th e w a te rs (o f th e S a rh sara ).
 YOGA 1 2 5 PONMLKJIHGFED

l a t a s a d h a n a . T h i s is a p r o c e s s w h i c h is e x p r e s s l y f o r b i d d e n
to P a S u s b y t h e s a m e T a n t r a s w h i c h p r e s c r i b e i t f o r t h e
V lra . T h e u n io n o f S iv a a n d S a k ti in th e h ig h e r s a d h a n a
is d i f f e r e n t i n f o r m , b e i n g t h e u n i o n o f t h e K u n d a l i m - S a k t i
o f t h e M u l a d h a r a w i t h t h e B i n d u w h i c h is u p o n t h e S a h a s -
ra ra. T h i s p r o c e s s , c a l le d t h e p i e r c i n g o f t h e s i x c a k ra s,
is d e s c r ib e d la te r on in a s e p a ra te p a rag ra p h . Though,
h o w e v e r, a ll H a th a y o g a p ro c e s se s a re n o t n e c e ss a ry , s o m e ,
a t l e a s t , a r e g e n e r a l ly c o n s i d e r e d to b e s o . T h u s , in th e
w e ll - k n o w n a s ta rig a y o g a ( e i g h t - li m b e d y o g a), of w h ic h
s a m a d h i is th e h ig h e s t e n d , th e p h y s ic a l c o n d itio n s and
p ro c e s se s k n o w n a s a s a n a a n d p ra n iiy a m a ( v id e p o st) a r e
p re s c rib e d .

T h i s y o g a p r e s c r i b e s f iv e e x t e r i o r ( b a h i r a n g a ) m e t h o d s
fo r th e s u b ju g a tio n o f th e b o d y — n a m e ly (1 ) Y a m a, fo r­
b e a r a n c e o r s e l f - c o n t r o l , s u c h a s s e x u a l c o n t i n e n c e , a v o id ­
a n c e o f h a r m to o t h e r s ( a h i m s a ) , k i n d n e s s , f o r g i v e n e s s , t h e
d o in g o f g o o d w ith o u t d e s ire fo r re w a rd , a b s e n c e o f c o v e ­
to u s n e ss , te m p e ra n c e , p u rity of m in d and body, e t c .1
(2 ) M iy a m a , re lig io u s o b se rv a n c es, c h a rity , a u s te ritie s,
r e a d i n g o f t h e S a s t r a a n d i S v a r a P r a n i d h a n a , p e r s e v e r in g
d e v o t i o n t o t h e L o r d .2 ( 3 ) A s a n a , s e a t e d p o s i t io n s o r p o s ­
tu re s ( v id e p o s t). (4 ) P ra n a y a m a , re g u la tio n of th e
b re a th . A y o g i re n d e rs th e v ita l a irs e q u a b le , a n d con­
s c i o u s l y p r o d u c e s t h e s t a t e o f r e s p i r a t i o n w h i c h is f a v o u r ­
a b l e f o r m e n ta l c o n c e n t r a t i o n , a s o t h e r s d o i t o c c a s io n a ll y
a n d u n c o n s c io u sly ( v id e p o st). (5 ) P ra ty a h a ra , re s tra in t
o f t h e s e n s e s , w h i c h f o llo w in t h e p a t h o f t h e o t h e r f o u r
p ro c esses w h ic h deal w ith s u b ju g a tio n of th e body.

1. Y o g a -Y a g n a v a lk y a (c h a p , i) , w h e re a s to fo o d it i s s a i d : “ 3 2 m o u th ­

fu ls fo r a n h o u s e h o ld e r, 1 6 fo r a fo re s t re c lu s e , a n d 8 fo r a m u n i (s a in t a n d

s a g e ) .”

2. Ib id .
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TO TAN TRA SASTRA

T h e r e a r e t h e n t h r e e i n t e r io r (y o g a n g a ) m e th o d s fo r th e
s u b ju g a tio n o f th e m in d — n a m e ly (6 ) D h a ra n a , a tte n tio n ,
s te a d y in g o f th e m in d , th e f ix in g o f th e in te rn a l o rg a n
( c i t ta ) i n t h e p a r t i c u l a r m a n n e r i n d i c a t e d i n t h e w o r k s o n
yoga. (7 ) D h y a n a o r th e u n ifo rm c o n tin u o u s c o n te m p la ­
tio n o f th e o b je c t o f th o u g h t; a n d (8 ) th a t s a m a d h i w h ic h
is c a ll e d s a v i k a l p a s a m a d h i . S a v i k a l p a s a m a d h i is a d e e p e r
a n d m o r e i n t e n s e c o n t e m p l a t i o n o n t h e S e l f to t h e e x c l u s i o n
of a ll o th e r o b je c ts , and c o n s titu tin g tra n c e or e c s ta s y .
T h i s e c s t a s y is p e r f e c t e d to t h e s t a g e o f t h e r e m o v a l o f t h e
s l i g h t e s t t r a c e o f t h e d i s t i n c t i o n o f s u b j e c t a n d o b j e c t in
n i r v i k a l p a s a m a d h i , i n w h i c h t h e r e is c o m p l e t e u n i o n w i t h
t h e P a r a m a tm a , o r D i v i n e S p i r i t . B y v a i r a g y a ( d i s p a s s i o n ) ,
a n d k e e p in g th e m in d in its u n m o d ifie d s ta te , yoga is
a tta in e d . T h is k n o w le d g e , A h a m B ra h m a s m i ( “ I a m th e
B r a h m a n ” ) , d o e s n o t p r o d u c e l i b e r a ti o n ( m o k s a ) , b u t is
l i b e r a t i o n its e lf . W h e t h e r y o g a is s p o k e n o f a s t h e union
o f K u la k u n d a lin i w ith P a ra m a 6 iv a , o r th e u n io n of th e
in d iv id u a l s o u l (jiv a tm a ) w ith th e S u p re m e S o u l { p a ra­
m a tm a ), o r a s th e s ta te o f m in d in w h ic h a ll o u tw a rd
t h o u g h t is s u p p r e s s e d , o r a s t h e c o n t r o l l i n g o r s u p p r e s s i o n
o f th e th in k in g fa c u lty ( c i tt a v r t t i ) , o r a s t h e u n i o n o f t h e
m o o n a n d th e sun (Id a a n d P in g a la ), P ra n a a n d A p a n a ,
N a d a a n d B in d u , th e m e a n in g a n d th e e n d a re in e a c h c a s e
th e sa m e.

Y oga, in s e e k in g m e n ta l c o n tro l and c o n c e n tra tio n ,

m a k e s u s e o f c e r t a i n p r e li m i n a r y p h y s i c a l p r o c e s s e s ( s a d h a -
na) s u c h a s th e s a tk a rm a , a s a n a , m u d ra , a n d p ra n a y a m a .
By th e s e fo u r p ro c e sse s and th re e m e n ta l a c ts , seven
q u a litie s , k n o w n as S odhana, d rid h a ta , s t h i r a ta , d h a iry a ,
la g h a v a , p ra ty a k s a , n irlip ta tv a 1 ( v id e p o st), a r e a c q u ir e d .

1. G h e ra n d a S a r h h i ta , F i r s t U p a d e s a .
 YOGA 1 2 7 PONMLKJIHGFEDC

SODHANA: SATKARM A

T h e f i r s t , o r c l e a n s i n g , is e f f e c t e d b y t h e s i x p r o c e s s e s
know n as th e s a tk a rm a . Of th e s e , th e f i r s t is D h a u ti,
o r w a s h i n g , w h i c h is f o u r f o l d , o r i n w a r d w a s h i n g (a n ta r-
d h a u ti), c le a n s in g o f th e te e th , ( d a n t a d h a u t i ) , e tc ., o f t h e
“ h e a r t” (h rd d h a u ti), and of th e re c tu m (m u la d h a u ti).
A n t a r d h a u t i is a ls o f o u r f o l d — n a m e l y , v a t a s a r a , b y w h i c h
a i r is d r a w n in to th e b e lly and th e n e x p e lle d ; v a ris a ra ,
by w h ic h th e body is f ille d w ith w a te r, w h ic h is th e n
e v a c u a te d by th e anus; v a h n is a ra , in w h ic h th e n a b h i-
g ra n th i is m a d e to to u c h th e s p in a l c o lu m n (m e ru ); an d
b a h is k rta , in w h ic h th e b e lly is b y k a k i n i - m u d r a 1 f ille d
w ith a ir, w h ic h is r e t a i n e d h a lf a yam a2 and th e n sent
d o w n w ard . D a n ta d h a u ti is fo u rfo ld , c o n s i s ti n g in th e
c le a n s in g o f th e ro o t o f th e te e th and to n g u e , th e e ars
and th e - “ h o l l o w o f th e fo re h e a d ” (k a p a la -ra n d h ra ). By
h r d d h & u iti p h le g m and b ile a re re m o v e d . T h is is done
by a sfek (d a n d a -d h a u ti) o r c lo th (v a s o -d h a u ti) pushed
in to t f e t h r o a t, o r s w a l l o w e d , o r b y v o m itin g (v a m an a -
d h a u t - .) . M u l a d h a u t i is d o n e to c le a n s e th e e x it o f th e
a p a n a v S y u e ith e r w ith th e m id d le fin g e r a n d w a te r o r th e
s t a l k o f a t u r m e r i c p l a n t.

V a s t i , t h e s e c o n d o f t h e s a t k a r m a , i s t w o f o l d a n d , is
e ith e r o f th e d ry (£ u sk a ) o r w a te ry (ja la ) k in d . In th e
second fo rm th e y o g i s its in th e u tk a ta s a n a 3 p o s tu re in
w a te r up to th e n a v e l, a n d th e a n u s is c o n tra c te d and
expanded by a s v im m u d ra ; o r th e sam e is d o n e i n th e
p a s c i m o t t a n a s a n a ,4 and th e abdom en b e lo w th e navel

1. G h e ra n d a -S a m h ita , T h ird U padesa (v e rse 8 6 ).

2. A y a m a is th re e h o u rs .

3. G h e ra n d a -S a m h ita , Second U padesa (v e rse 2 3 ). T hat is , s q u a ttin g ,

re s tin g o n th e to e s , th e h e e ls o ff th e g ro u n d , a n d b u tto c k s re s tin g o n h e e ls .

4. Ib id ., v e r s e 2 0 .
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TO TAN TRA SASTRA

i s g e n tl y m o v e d . I n n e t i t h e n o s t r il s a r e c le a n s e d w ith a
p ie c e o f s trin g . L a u lik I is th e w h irlin g o f t h e b e l ly f r o m
s id e to s id e . In tr a ta k a th e y o g i, w ith o u t w in k in g , g a z e s
a t s o m e m i n u te o b j e c t u n t i l t h e t e a r s s t a r t f r o m h is e y e s.
B y t h is t h e “ c e le s t i a l v i s io n ” (d iv y a -d rsh ti) s o o fte n re fe r­
re d to in th e T a n trik a -u p a sa n a is a c q u ir e d . K a p a l a b h a ti
is a p ro c e ss f o r th e r e m o v a l o f p h le g m , a n d is th re e - fo ld —
v a ta -k ra m a by i n h a l a ti o n and e x h a la t io n ; v y u tk ra m a by
w a t e r d r a w n t h r o u g h t h e n o s t r il s a n d e j e c t e d th ro u g h th e
m o u th ; a n d £ Itk ra m a th e re v e rse p ro c e s s .

T h e s e a r e t h e v a r i o u s p r o c e s s e s b y w h i c h t h e b o d y is
c le a n s e d a n d m a d e p u r e fo r th e y o g a p ra c tic e to fo llo w .

DRDHATA: ASANA

D rd h a ta , or s tre n g th or firm n e s s , th e a c q u i s i t io n of
w h ic h is th e second o f th e a b o v e -m e n tio n e d p r o c e s s e s ., i s
a t t a in e d b y a s a n a .

A s a n a s a re p o s tu re s o f th e b o d y . T h e te rm is g e n e ra lly
d e s c rib e d a s m o d e s o f s e a tin g th e b o d y . B u t t h e p e & f ta r e
i s n o t n e c e s s a r i ly a s i t ti n g o n e ; f o r s o m e a s a n a s a r e d o n e o n
t h e b e l ly , b a c k , h a n d s , e t c . I t i s s a id 1 t h a t t h e a s a n a s a r e
a s n u m e r o u s a s l i v in g b e i n g s , a n d t h a t t h e r e a r e 8 ,4 0 0 ,0 0 0
o f t h e s e ; 1 ,6 0 0 a r e d e c l a r e d t o b e e x c e l l e n t , a n d o u t o f t h e s e
t h i r t y - t w o a r e a u s p ic i o u s f o r m e n , w h i c h a r e d e s c r i b e d i n
d e ta il. T w o o f th e c o m m o n e st o f th e se a re m u k ta p a d m a -
s a n a z ( “ t h e l o o s e n e d l o t u s s e a t” ) , t h e o r d i n a r y p o s i t io n f o r

1. G h e ra n d a -S a m h ita , S e c o n d U p a d e s a . In th e S iv a -S a m h ita ( c h a p , iii,

v e rse s 8 4 -9 1 ) e ig h ty -fo u r p o s tu re s a re m e n tio n e d , of w h ic h fo u r a re re­

c o m m e n d e d — v iz ., s id d h a s a n a , u g ra sa n a , s v a s tik a s a n a , and padm asana.

2. T h e rig h t fo o t is p la c e d o n th e le ft th ig h , th e le ft fo o t o n th e rig h t

t h i g h a n d t h e h a n d s a r e c r o s s e d a n d p l a c e d s i m il a r l y o n t h e t h i g h s ; t h e c h i n

is p la c e d o n th e b re a s t, a n d th e g a z e fix e d o n th e tip o f th e n o s e ( s e e a ls o

S i v a - S a m h i ia . c h a p , i, v e r s e 5 2 ) .
 YOGA 1 2 9 PONMLKJIHGFED

w o rsh ip , a n d b a d d h a p a d m a sa n a . 1 P a ta n ja li, o n th e s u b je c t
o f a s a n a , m e re ly p o in ts o u t w h a t a re g o o d c o n d itio n s , le a v ­
in g e a c h o n e t o s e t t le t h e d e t a i ls f o r h i m s e lf a c c o r d i n g to h i s
o w n re q u ire m e n ts . T h e re a r e c e rta in o th e r a s a n a s , w h ic h
a re p e c u lia r to th e T a n tra s , s u c h a s m u n d a sa n a , c ita s a n a ,
a n d £ a v a s a n a , in w h ic h s k u ll s , th e fu n e ra l p y re , and a
c o rp s e re s p e c tiv e ly fo rm th e s e a t o f th e s a d h a k a . T hese,
th o u g h th e y m a y h a v e o th e r ritu a l o b je c ts , fo rm p a r t o f th e
d is c ip lin e fo r th e c o n q u e st o f fe a r a n d th e a tta in m e n t o f
i n d i f f e r e n c e , w h i c h is t h e q u a l i t y o f a y o g i. A n d so th e
T a n tra s p re s c rib e a s th e s c e n e o f s u c h rite s th e s o lita ry
m o u n t a i n - to p , t h e l o n e l y e m p t y h o u s e a n d r i v e r - s i d e , a n d
th e c r e m a ti o n - g r o u n d . The in te rio r c re m a tio n -g ro u n d is
th e re w h e re th e k a m ik b o d y a n d its p a s sio n s a re c o n s u m e d
in th e fire o f k n o w le d g e .

S T H IR A T A : M UDRAS

S t h i r a t a , o r f o r t i t u d e , is a c q u i r e d b y t h e p r a c t i c e o f t h e
m u d ra s. T h e m u d ra s d e a lt w ith in w o rk s o f h a th a y o g a a re
p o s itio n s o f th e b o d y . T h e y a re g y m n a s tic , h e a lth -g iv in g ,
a n d d e s t r u c t i v e o f d is e a s e , a n d o f d e a th ,2 s u c h a s t h e j a l a -
d h a ra * a n d o th e r m u d ra s . T h e y a ls o p r e s e r v e f r o m i n j u r y
b y f ir e , w a te r , o r a i r . B o d ily a c t i o n a n d t h e h e a l th r e s u l t­
in g th e re fro m re a c t u p o n th e m in d , a n d b y th e u n io n o f a
p e r f e c t m i n d a n d b o d y s i d d h i is b y t h e i r m e a n s a t t a i n e d .
T h e G h e ra n d a -S a m h ita d e s c rib e s a n u m b e r o f m u d ra s , o f
w h ic h th o s e o f im p o rta n c e m a y b e s e le c te d . In th e c e le b ra t-

1. T h e s a m e e x c e p t th a t th e h a n d s a re p a s s e d b e h in d th e b a c k a n d th e

rig h t h a n d h o ld s th e r ig h t to e , and th e le ft h a n d th e le ft to e . By th is ,

in c re a s e d p re s s u re is p la c e d on th e m u la d h a ra , a n d th e n e rV e s a re b ra c e d

w ith th e tig h te n in g o f th e b o d y .

2. G h e ra n d a -S a m h ita , T h ird U p a d e sa .

3. Ib id , v e r s e 1 2 .

17
130 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

e d y o n i m u d r a t h e y o g i i n s i d d h a s a n a s t o p s w i t h h i s f in g e r s
th e e a rs, e y e s , n o s trils , a n d m o u th . H e in h a le s p ra n a v a y u
b y k a k i n l - m u d r a , a n d u n i t e s i t w i t h a p a n a v a y u . M e d it a t in g
in th e ir o rd e r u p o n th e s ix c a k ra s , h e a ro u se s th e s le e p in g
K u l a k u n d a l i m b y t h e m a n t r a “ H u m H a m s a h ,” a n d r a i s e s H e r
to t h e S a h a s r a r a ; t h e n , d e e m in g h i m s e lf p e r v a d e d w i t h t h e
S a k ti, a n d in b lis s fu l u n io n (s a m g a m a ) w ith S iv a , h e
m e d i t a te s u p o n h i m s e l f , a s b y r e a s o n o f t h a t u n i o n B lis s
i t s e l f a n d t h e B r a h m a n .1 A & v in im u d r a c o n s i s t s o f t h e r e ­
p e a te d c o n t r a c t i o n a n d e x p a n s i o n o f t h e a n u s f o r t h e p u r ­
p o s e o f £ o d h a n a o r o f c o n t r a c t i o n to r e s t r a in t h e a p a n a i n
s a tc a k ra b h e d a . S a k tic a la n a e m p lo y s th e la tte r m u d ra ,
w h i c h is r e p e a t e d u n t i l v a y u m a n ife s ts in th e s u s u m n a .
T h e p r o c e s s is a c c o m p a n i e d b y i n h a la t io n a n d t h e u n i o n o f
p r a n a , a n d a p a n a w h i l s t in s i d d h a s a n a . 2

D H A IR Y A : PRATYAHARA

D h a ir y a , or s te a d in e ss , is p ro d u c e d by p ra ty a h a ra .
P r a t y a h a r a , is t h e r e s t r a in t o f t h e s e n s e s , t h e f r e e i n g o n ’<h e
m i n d f r o m a l l d i s t r a c t i o n s , a n d t h e k e e p i n g o f i t u n d e r '[he
c o n tr o l o f t h e A t m a . T h e m i n d is w i t h d r a w n f r o m w k ia t-
s o e v e r d ire c tio n it m a y te n d b y th e d o m in a n t a n d d ire c tin g
S e lf . P r a t y a h a r a d e s t r o y s t h e s i x s in s .3

LAGHAVA : PRANAYAM A

F ro m p ra n a y am a ( q .v .) a ris e s la g h a v a (lig h tn e s s).

1. G h e r a n d a - S a m h it a , T h i r d U p a d e s a .

2. Ib id ., v e r s e s 3 7 , 4 9 , 8 2 .

3. - I b id ., F o u r t h U p a d e sa . The S a ra d a tila k a d e fin e s p ra ty a h a ra as in -

d riy a n a m v ic a ra ta m v lja y e s u b a la d a h a ra n a m te b h y a h p ra ty a h a ro v i d h iy a t e

(p ra ty a h a ra is know n as th e f o r c i b le a b s tra c tio n of th e senses w a n d e r in g

o v e r th e ir o b je c ts ).
 Y O G A hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
131

A l l b e i n g s s a y t h e a j a p a - G a y a t r i , w h i c h is t h e e x p u l s i o n
o f th e b re a th b y H a m k a ra , a n d its in s p ira tio n b y S a h k a ra ,
2 1 ,6 0 0 tim e s a d a y . O rd in a rily , th e b re a th g o e s fo rth a
d is ta n c e o f 1 2 fin g e rs ’ b re a d th , b u t in s in g in g , e a tin g , w a lk ­
in g , s l e e p i n g , c o itio n , t h e d i s t a n c e s a r e 1 6 , 2 0 , 2 4 , 3 0 , a n d
3 6 b re a d th s re s p e c tiv e ly . In v io le n t e x e rc is e th e s e d is ta n ­
c e s a r e e x c e e d e d , th e g re a te s t d is ta n c e b e in g 9 6 b re a d th s .
W h e r e t h e b r e a t h i n g is u n d e r t h e n o r m a l d i s t a n c e , l i f e is
p ro lo n g e d . W h e r e i t is a b o v e t h a t , i t is s h o r t e n e d . P u ra k a
is in s p ira tio n , and re ca k a e x p ira tio n . K um bhaka is th e
re te n tio n of th e b re a th b e tw e e n th e s e tw o m o v e m e n ts .
K u m b h a k a is , a c c o r d i n g to t h e G h e r a n d a - S a m h it a , o f e i g h t
k in d s : s a h i t a , s u r y a b h e d a , u j j a y i, s i t a l i , b h a s trik a , b h a r-
m a rl, m u rc h c h h a , a n d k e v a li. P ra n a y a m a s im ila rly v a rie s .
P r a n a y a m a i s t h e c o n t r o l o f t h e b r e a t h a n d o t h e r v i t a l a ir s .
I t a w a k e n s s a k t i , f r e e s f r o m d is e a s e , p r o d u c e s d e t a c h m e n t
f r o m t h e w o r l d , a n d b lis s . I t is o f v a ry in g v a lu e s , b e in g
th e best (u tta m a ) w h e re th e m e a su re is 20; m i d d l in g
(m a d O h y am a ) w h e n a t 1 6 it p ro d u c e s s p in a l tre m o u r; a n d
i n f e r i o r ( a d h a m a ) w h e n a t 1 2 i t i n d u c e s p e r s p ir a t io n . It
is n e c e s s a r y t h a t t h e n a d i s h o u l d b e c l e a n s e d , f o r a i r d o e s
n o t e n te r th o s e w h ic h a re im p u re . T h e c le a n sin g o f th e
nadi (n a d i-s u d d h i) is e i t h e r s a m a n u o r n i r m a n u — t h a t is ,
w i t h o r w i t h o u t, t h e u s e o f b l j a . A c c o rd in g to t h e f i r s t
f o r m , t h e y o g i i n p a d m a s a n a d o e s g u r u n y a s a a c c o r d i n g to
t h e d i r e c ti o n s o f t h e g u r u . M e d i t a t i n g o n “ y a n i ,” h e d o e s
ja p a th ro u g h Id a o f th e b lja 1 6 tim e s , k u m b h a k a w ith ja p a
o f b ija 6 4 tim e s , a n d th e n e x h a la tio n th ro u g h th e s o la r n a d i
a n d j a p a o f b l j a 3 2 tim e s . F i r e is r a i s e d f r o m m a n ip u ra
a n d u n ite d w ith p rth iv i. T h e n f o llo w s i n h a l a t i o n b y th e
s o la r n a d i w ith th e v a h n i b ija , 1 6 tim e s , k u m b h a k a w ith 6 4
j a p a o f t h e b i j a , f o llo w e d b y e x h a l a t i o n t h r o u g h t h e l u n a r
n a d i a n d j a p a o f t h e b i j a 3 2 tim e s . H e th e n m e d ita te s o n
132 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

th e lu n a r b rillia n c e g a z in g a t th e tip o f th e n o s e , a n d in h a le s
b y Id a w ith ja p a o f th e b ija “ th a m ” 1 6 tim e s . K um bhaka
is d o n e w i t h t h e b i j a v a r a 6 4 t i m e s . H e th e n th in k s o f
h i m s e l f a s f lo o d e d b y n e c t a r , a n d c o n s i d e r s t h a t t h e n a d i s
h av e b een w ashed. H e e x h a le s b y P in g a la w ith 3 2 ja p a o f
th e b ija la m , a n d c o n s id e rs h im s e lf th e re b y a s s tre n g th e n e d .
H e th e n ta k e s h is s e a t o n a m a t o f k u £ a -g ra s s , a d e e rs k in ,
e tc ., a n d , f a c i n g e a s t o r n o r t h , d o e s p r a n a y a m a . F o r its
e x e rc is e th e re m u s t b e , in a d d itio n to n a d i s u d d h i, c o n ­
s i d e r a t i o n o f p r o p e r p la c e , t i m e , a n d f o o d . T h u s , th e p la c e
s h o u ld n o t b e s o d is ta n t a s to in d u c e a n x ie ty , n o r in a n
u n p r o t e c t e d p la c e , s u c h a s a f o r e s t , n o r i n a c i t y o r c r o w d e d
lo c a lity , w h i c h in d u c e s d is tra c tio n . The fo o d s h o u ld be
p u r e , a n d o f a v e g e t a r ia n c h a r a c t e r . I t s h o u ld n o t b e to o
h o t o r to o c o ld , p u n g e n t , s o u r , s a l t , o r b i t t e r . F a s tin g , th e
ta k in g o f o n e m e a l a d a y , a n d th e lik e , a r e p ro h ib ite d . On
t h e c o n t r a r y , t h e Y o g i s h o u l d n o t r e m a i n w i th o u t f o o d f o r
m o re th a n o n e y a m a (th re e h o u rs ). T h e fo o d ta k e n s h o u ld
b e lig h t a n d s tre n g th e n in g . L o n g w a lk s a n d o th e r v io le n t
e x e r c is e s s h o u l d b e a v o i d e d , a s a ls o — c e r t a i n l y i n t h e e a s e
o f b e g in n e rs — s e x u a l in te rc o u rs e . T h e s to m a c h s h o u ld o n ly
b e h a l f f ille d . Y o g a s h o u ld b e c o m m e n c e d , it is s a id , in
s p rin g o r a u tu m n . A s s ta te d , th e fo rm s o f p ra n a y a m a v a ry .
T h u s , s a h i t a , w h i c h is e i t h e r w i t h (sa g a rb h a) o r w i th o u t
(n irg a rb h a ) b i j a , is , a c c o r d i n g to t h e f o r m e r f o r m , a s f o l­
lo w s : T h e s a d h a k a m e d i t a t e s o n V i d h i ( B r a h m a ) , w h o is
f u l l o f r a j o - g u n a , r e d i n c o lo u r , a n d t h e i m a g e o f a k a r a . H e
in h a le s b y Id a in s ix m e a s u re s ( m a tr a ) . B efo re k u m b h a k a
h e d o e s th e u d d ly a n a b h a n d h a m u d ra . M e d ita tin g o n H a ri
(V isn u ) a s s a t tv a m a y a a n d t h e b l a c k b i j a u k a r a , h e d o e s
k u m b h a k a w ith 6 4 ja p a o f th e b ija ; th e n , m e d ita tin g o n
S iv a a s ta m o m a y a a n d h is w h ite b ija m a k a ra , h e e x h a le s
th ro u g h P in g a la w ith 3 2 ja p a o f th e b ija ; th e n , in h a lin g b y
 YOGA 1 3 3 PONMLKJIHGFEDC

P i n g a la , h e d o e s k u r h b h a k a , a n d e x h a l e s b y I d a w i t h t h e
s a m e b ija . The p ro c e s s is re p e a te d in th e n o rm a l and
re v erse d o rd e r.

PRATYAKSA: DHYANA

T h r o u g h d h y a n a is g a i n e d t h e t h i r d q u a l i t y o f r e a l i z a ­
tio n o r p ra ty a k s a . D h y a n a , o r m e d i t a t i o n , is o f t h r e e k i n d s :
( 1 ) s t h u l a , o r g r o s s ; ( 2 ) j y o t i h ; ( 3 ) s u k s m a , o r s u b t l e .1 I n
t h e f i r s t t h e f o r m o f t h e D e v a t a is b r o u g h t b e f o r e t h e m i n d .
O n e f o r m o f d h y a n a f o r t h i s p u r p o s e is a s f o llo w s : L e t th e
s a d h a k a th in k o f th e g re a t o c e a n o f n e c ta r in h is h e a rt. In
t h e m i d d l e o f t h a t o c e a n is t h e i s l a n d o f g e m s , t h e s h o r e s
o f w h ic h a re m a d e o f p o w d e re d g e m s. T h e i s l a n d is c l o t h e d
w i t h a k a d a m b a f o r e s t i n y e l l o w b lo s s o m . T h i s f o r e s t is
s u r r e g lid e d by M a la ti, C am paka, P a rija ta , and o th e r
fra g ra n t tre e s. In th e m id s t o f th e K a d a m b a fo re s t th e re
r i s e s t k e b e a u t i f u l K a l p a t r e e , l a d e n w i t h f r e s h b lo s s o m a n d
fru it A m id s t its le a v e s th e b la c k b e e s h u m a n d th e k o e l
b ir d * : ::n a k e lo v e . Its fo u r b ra n c h e s a re th e fo u r V e d a s.
U n d k 'T t h e t r e e t h e r e is a g r e a t m a n d a p a o f p r e c i o u s s to n e s ,
a n d w i t h in i t a b e a u t i f u l b e d , o n w h i c h l e t h i m p i c t u r e to
h im s e lf h is Is ta d e v a ta . T h e G u ru w ill d ire c t h im a s to th e
fo r m , ra im e n t, vahana, and th e title of th e D e v a ta .
J y o t i r d h y a n a is t h e i n f u s i o n o f f i r e a n d l i f e ( t e j a s ) i n t o t h e
fo rm so im a g in e d . In th e m u la d h a ra lie s th e s n a k e -lik e
K u n d a lim . T h e re th e j i v a tm a , as it w e re th e ta p e rin g
fla m e o f a c a n d le , d w e lls . T he Sadhaka th e n m e d ita te s

1. G h e ra n tfa -S a m h ita , S i x th U padesa. It is s a id by B h a s k a ra ra y a , in

th e L a lita ( v e r s e 2 ) , t h a t t h e r e a r e t h r e e f o r m s o f t h e D e v i w h i c h e q u a l ly

p a r t a k e o f b o t h t h e p r a k a s a a n d v i m a r s a a s p e c ts — v iz ., t h e p h y s i c a l (s th u la ),

th e s u b tle (su k sm a ) a n d th e s u p re m e (p a ra ). T h e p h y s ic a l fo rm h a s h a n d s ,

f e e t , e t c ., t h e s u b t l e c o n s i s ts o f m a n t r a , a n d t h e s u p r e m e i s t h e vasana o r,

in th e t e c h n ic a l s e n s e o f t h e M a n t r a s a s tra , re a l o r o w n .
134 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
TO TAN TRA 3ASTRA

u p o n t h e t e j o m a y a B r a h m a n , o r , a l t e r n a t iv e l y , b e t w e e n t h e
e y e b r o w s o n p r a n a v a t m a k a , t h e f la m e e m i t ti n g i t s l u s t r e .

S u k s m a - d h y a n a is m e d i t a t i o n o n K u n d a l i m w i t h & a m -
b h a v i-m u d ra a fte r S h e h a s b e e n ro u s e d . B y t h i s y o g a ( v id e
p o st) t h e a t m a is r e v e a l e d ( a t m a - s a k s a t k a r a ) .

N IR L IP T A T V A : SAM ADHI

L a s t l y , t h r o u g h s a m a d h i t h e q u a l i t y o f n i r l ip t a tv a , o r
d e ta c h m e n t, a n d th e re a fte r m u k ti ( l i b e r a t io n ) is a tta in e d .
S am adhi c o n s id e re d as a p ro c e ss is in te n s e m e n ta l con­
c e n tra tio n , w ith fre e d o m fro m a ll s a m k a lp a , and a tta c h ­
m e n t to t h e w o r l d , a n d a l l s e n s e o f “ m i n e n e s s ,” o r s e lf -
in te re s t (m a m a ta ). C o n s id e re d a s th e re s u lt o f s u c h p ro ­
c e s s i t is t h e u n i o n o f J I v a w i t h t h e P a r a m a t m a .1

F O R M S O F S A M A D H I-Y O G A

T h i s s a m a d h i y o g a is , a c c o r d i n g to t h e G h e r a n d a - S a m -
h ita , o f s ix k in d s :2 (1 ) D h y a n a -y o g a -sa m a d h i, a tta in e d b y
s a i h b h a v i - m u d r a ,3 i n w h i c h , a f t e r m e d i t a t i o n o n t h e B p a d u -
B r a h m a n a n d r e a l iz a t i o n o f t h e A t m a ( a t m a p r a t y a k s a ; , t h e
l a t t e r is r e s o l v e d i n t o t h e M a h a k a s a . (2 ) N a d a -y o g a , a tta in ­
e d b y k h e c a r i - m u d r a ,4 i n w h i c h t h e f r a e n u m o f t h e t o n g u e
i s c u t , a n d t h e l a t t e r is l e n g t h e n e d u n t i l i t r e a c h e s t h e s p a c e
b e t w e e n t h e e y e b r o w s , a n d is t h e n i n t r o d u c e d i n a r e v e r s e d
p o s itio n i n t o t h e m o u t h . (3 ) R a s a n a n d a y o g a , a tta in e d b y
k u m b h a k a ,5 i n w h i c h t h e s a d h a k a i n a s i l e n t p l a c e c lo s e s
b o th e a rs a n d d o e s p u ra k a a n d k u m b h a k a u n til h e h e a rs
th e w o rd n a d a in s o u n d s v a ry in g in s tre n g th fro m th a t o f

1. See C o m m e n ta ry o n v e rse 51 o f t h e ? a t c a k r a n ir u p a n a .

2. S e v e n th U p a d e s a .

3. Ib id ., T h i r d U p a d e s a ( v e r s e s 6 5 e t . se q .).

4. Ib id ., v e r s e s 2 5 e t seq .
5. I b i d ., F i f t h U p a d e s a ( v e r s e s 7 7 e t s e q .) .
 YOGA 1 3 5 PONMLKJIHGFED

t h e c r i c k e t ’s c h i r p to th a t o f th e la rg e k e ttle -d ru m . By
d a ily p ra c tic e th e a n a h a ta s o u n d is h e a r d , a n d th e jy o ti
w i t h t h e m a n a s t h e r e i n is s e e n , w h i c h is u l t i m a t e l y d i s s o l v ­
ed in th e su p re m e V isn u . (4 ) L a y a -sid d h i-y o g a , ac­
c o m p l i s h e d b y t h e c e l e b r a te d y o n i m u d r a a l r e a d y d e s c r i b e d .1
T h e s a d h a k a , th in k in g o f h im s e lf a s S a k ti a n d th e P a ra -
m a t m a a s P u r u s a , f e e ls h i m s e l f i n u n i o n (sa m g am a ) w ith
S iv a , a n d e n j o y s w i t h h i m t h e b l i s s w h i c h is s r n g a r a r a s a ,2
and becom es B lis s its e lf, o r th e B ra h m a n . (5 ) B h a k ti-
Y o g a , i n w h i c h m e d i t a t i o n is m a d e o n t h e I s t a d e v a t a w i t h
d e v o tio n ( b h a k t i ) u n t i l , w i t h t e a r s f lo w in g f r o m t h e e x c e s s
o f b lis s , t h e e c s t a t i c c o n d i t i o n is a t t a i n e d . (6 ) R a ja y o g a ,
a c c o m p l i s h e d b y a i d o f t h e m a n o m u r c c h a k u m b h a k a .3 H e r e
th e m a n a s d e ta c h e d fro m a ll w o rld ly o b j e c ts is f ix e d
b e t w e e n t h e e y e b r o w s i n t h e a j n a c a k r a , a n d k u m b h a k a is
done, B y th e u n io n o f th e m a n a s w ith th e a tm a , in w h ic h
t h e J M n i s e e s a l l t h i n g s , r a j a - y o g a - s a m a d h i is a t t a i n e d .

SATCAKRA — BHEDA

T h e p i e r c i n g o f t h e s i x c a k r a s is o n e o f t h e m o s t im ­
p o r t? L it s u b j e c t s d e a l t w i t h i n t h e T a n t r a , a n d is p a r t o f
t h e p r a c t ic a l y o g a p r o c e s s o f w h i c h t h e y t r e a t . D e ta i l s o f
p ra c tic e 4 c a n o n ly b e le a rn t fro m a G u ru , b u t g e n e ra lly

1. I n t h e L a l it a ( v e r s e 1 4 2 ) t h e D e v i is a d d r e s s e d a s L a y a k a r l— t h e c a u s e

o f l a y a o r m e n t a l a b s o r p ti o n .

2. 6 rn g a ra is th e lo v e s e n tim e n t o r s e x u a l p a s s io n and sexual u n io n .

T h e firs t o f th e e ig h t o r n in e ra s a ( s e n t i m e n t s ) — V iz ., s r n g a r a , v l r a (h e ro is m ),

k a ru n a (c o m p a s s io n ), a d b h u ta (w o n d e rin g ), hasya (h u m o u r), bhayanaka

(fe a r), b ib h a ts a (d is g u s t), ra u d ra (w ra th ) to w h ic h M a n m a th a b h a tta , a u th o r

o f th e K a v y a p ra k a s a a d d s s a n ti (p e a c e ).

3. I b i d ., F i f t h U p ad esa, v e rse 82.

4. F u l l e r d e t a i l s a r e g i v e n i n t h e A u t h o r ’s t r a n s l a t i o n f r o m t h e S a n s k r i t

of th e s a tc a k ra n iru p a n a by P um ananda S v a m i, a u th o r of th e c e le b ra te d

§ a k ta n a n d a la ra n g in i.
136 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TA N TRA & ASTRA

i t m a y b e s a i d t h a t t h e p a r t i c u l a r is r a i s e d t o t h e u n i v e r s a l
lif e , w h i c h a s c i t is r e a l i z a b l e o n l y i n t h e s a h a s r a r a i n t h e
f o llo w in g m a n n e r : T h e j i v a tm a i n th e s u b tle b o d y , th e
r e c e p t a c l e o f t h e f iv e v i t a l a i r s ( p a n c a - p r a n a ) , m i n d i n its
t h r e e a s p e c ts o f m a n a s , a h a m k a r a , a n d b u d d h i , t h e f iv e
o rg a n s o f a c tio n (p a n c a k a rm e n d riy a s ) a n d t h e f iv e o r g a n s
of p e rc e p tio n (p a n c a jn a n e n d riy a s ) is u n ite d w ith th e
K u l a k u n d a li n i . The K an d a rp a or K am a V ayu in th e
m u l a d h a r a , a f o r m o f t h e A p a n a - V a y u , is g i v e n a l e f t w a r d
r e v o l u t io n a n d t h e f ir e w h i c h is r o u n d K u n d a l i ij i is k i n d l e d .
B y t h e b i j a “ H u m ,” a n d t h e h e a t o f t h e f i r e t h u s k i n d l e d ,
t h e c o ile d a n d s l e e p i n g K u n d a l i n i is a w a k e n e d . She w ho
l a y a s le e p a ro u n d s v a y a m b h u - l i n g a , w i t h h e r c o ils t h r e e
c ir c le s a n d a h a l f c lo s in g t h e e n t r a n c e o f t h e b r a h m s d v a r a ,
w ill, o n b e i n g r o u s e d , e n t e r t h a t d o o r a n d m o v e u p w a r d s ,
u n ite d w ith th e jiv a tm a .

O n t h i s u p w a r d m o v e m e n t , B r a h m a , S a v i t r i, L V 'ild n i-
S a k ti, t h e D e v a s , b i j a , a n d v r i t t i , a r e d is s o lv e d i n t h e (> o d y
o f K u n d a lin i. T h e M a h i - m a n d a l a o r p r t h i v i is c o n ? ? ;r te d
i n t o t h e b i j a “ L a m ,” a n d is a ls o m e r g e d i n H e r b o d y . W h e n
K u n d a lin i le a v e s th e m u la d h a ra , th a t lo tu s w h ic h , o n th e
a w a k e n i n g o f K u n d a l i n i h a d o p e n e d a n d t u r n e d i t s f lo w e r
u p w a r d s , a g a in c lo s e s a n d h a n g s d o w n w a r d . A s K u n d a lin i
re a c h e s th e s v a d h is th a n a -c a k ra , th a t lo tu s o p e n s o u t, a n d
l i f t s i t s f lo w e r s u p w a r d s . U p o n th e e n tra n c e o f K u n d a lin i,
M a h a v is n u , M a h a la k sm i, S a ra s v a ti, R a k in i S a k ti, D eva,
M a tra s , a n d v ritti, V a ik u n th a d h a m a , G o la k a , a n d th e D e v a
a n d D e v i re s id in g th e re in a re d is s o lv e d in th e body of
K u n d a li n i . T h e p r t h i v i , o r “ e a r t h ” b i j a “ L a m ” i s d is s o lv e d
i n a p a s , a n d a p a s c o n v e r t e d i n t o t h e b i j a v a m r e m a i n s in
th e b o d y o f K u n d a lin i. W h e n th e D e v i re a c h e s th e m a n i-
p u r a c a k r a a l l t h a t is i n t h e c a k r a m e r g e s i n H e r b o d y .
T h e V a r u n a b i j a “ v a m ” is d is s o lv e d i n f ir e , w h i c h r e m a i n s
 YOGA 1 3 7 PONMLKJIHGFE

in th e body o f th e D evi as th e B I ja “ r a m .” The c a k ra

is c a lle d th e B ra h m a -g ra n th i (o r k n o t o f B ra h m a ). The
p ie rc in g of th is c a k ra m ay i n v o lv e c o n s id e r a b l e p a in ,
p h y s ic a l d is o rd e r, a n d even d is e a s e . On th is a c c o u n t th e
d ire c tio n s o f a n e x p e rie n c e d G u ru a re n e c e s s a ry , a n d th e re ­
fo re a lso o th e r m o d e s o f y o g a h a v e b e e n re c o m m e n d e d fo r
th o s e to w h o m th e y a re a p p l ic a b le : fo r in such m o d e s,
a c t iv i t y i s p r o v o k e d d i r e c t l y i n t h e h i g h e r c e n t r e a n d i t is
n o t n e c e ssa ry th a t th e lo w e r c a k ra s h o u ld be p ie rc e d .
K u n d a l in l n e x t r e a c h e s t h e a n a h a t a - c a k r a , w h e r e a l l w h i c h
is th e re in is m e rg e d in H e r. The b lja o f T e ja s , “ r a m ,”
d is a p p e a rs in V a y u a n d V a y u c o n v e rte d in to its b lja “ Y a m ”
m e rg e s in th e b o d y o f K u n d a lin l. T h is c a k ra is k n o w n a s
V is n u -g ra n th i (k n o t o f V is n u ). K u n d a lin l th e n a s c e n d s to
th e a b o d e o f B h a ra ti ( o r S a r a s v a ti ) o r th e v i& u d d h a -c a k ra .
U pon H er e n tra n c e , A r d d h a - n a r is v a r a S iv a , S a k iru , th e
s i x t e e n v o w e l s , m a n t r a , e t c ., a r e d i s s o l v e d in th e b o d y o f
K u n d a lin l. T h e b lja o f V a y u , “ y a m ,” is d is so lv e d in a k a s a ,
w h i c h i t s e l f b e i n g t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o t h e b l j a “ h a m ,” i s m e r g ­
e d i n t h e b o d y o f K u n d a li n l . P ie rc in g th e la la n a -c a k ra , th e
D e v i re a c h e s th e a jn a c a k ra , w h e re P a r a m a - S iv a , S id d h a -
K a ll, th e D ev a, g u n a s, and a ll e lse th e re in , a re a b so rb ed
in to H e r b o d y . T h e b l j a o f a k a s a , “ H a m ,” i s m e r g e d i n t h e
m a n a s-c ak ra , and m in d its e lf in th e body o f K u n d a lin l.
T h e a jn a c a k r a is k n o w n a s R u d r a -g r a n th l ( o r k n o t o f R u d ra
o r S iv a ). A f te r t h is c a k r a h a s b e e n p i e r c e d , K u n d a l in l o f
H er ow n m o tio n u n ite s w i th P a ra m a -S iv a . As She p ro ­
c e e d s u p w a rd s fro m t h e t w o - p e t a ll e d l o t u s , t h e n i r a l a m b a -
p u r i , p r a n a v a , n a d a , e t c ., a r e m e r g e d i n H e r .

T h e K u n d a l in l h a s t h e n in h e r p ro g re s s u p w a rd s ab­
s o r b e d i n h e r s e l f t h e t w e n t y - f o u r t a tt v a s c o m m e n c in g w i t h
th e g ro ss e le m e n ts, a n d th e n u n ite s H e r s e lf and becom es
o n e w i th P a r a m a - S i v a . T h i s i s t h e m a i th u n a ( c o i ti o n ) of
18
138 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

t h e s a tt v i k a - p a n c a - ta t t v a s . T h e n e c t a r 1 w h i c h f lo w s f r o m
s u c h u n i o n f lo o d s t h e k s u d r a b r a h m a n d a or hum an body.
I t i s t h e n t h a t t h e s a d h a k a , f o r g e tf u l o f a l l i n t h i s w o r l d ,
is i m m e r s e d i n i n e f f a b l e b lis s .

T h e re a fte r th e sadhaka, th in k in g of th e v a y u -b ija

“ y a r n ” a s b e in g i n t h e l e f t n o s t r il , in h a le s th ro u g h Id a , m a k ­
i n g j a p a o f t h e b i j a s i x t e e n t i m e s . T h e n , c lo s in g b o t h n o s t r i l s ,
h e m a k e s ja p a o f th e b ija s ix ty -fo u r tim e s . H e th e n th in k s
th a t b la c k “ m a n o f s in ” 2 (P a p a p u ru sa) in th e le ft c a v ity
o f t h e a b d o m e n is b e i n g d r i e d u p ( b y a i r ) , a n d s o t h i n k i n g
h e e x h a le s th ro u g h th e rig h t n o s tril P in g a la , m a k in g ja p a
o f t h e b i j a t h i r ty - t w o t i m e s . T h e s a d h a k a th e n m e d ita tin g
u p o n th e re d -c o lo u re d b ija “ ra m ” in th e m a n ip u ra , in h a le s ,
m a k i n g s i x te e n j a p a s o f t h e b i j a , a n d t h e n c lo s e s t h e n o s t r i l s ,
m a k i n g s i x te e n j a p a s . W h ile m a k in g th e ja p a h e th in k s
t h a t t h e b o d y o f “ t h e m a n o f s i n ” is b e i n g b u r n t a n d r e d u c ­
e d to a s h e s (b y fire ). H e th e n e x h a le s th ro u g h th e rig h t
n o s t r i l w i t h t h i r ty - t w o j a p a s . H e th e n m e d ita te s u p o n th e
w h i t e c a n d r a - b lj a “ t h a m .” He next in h a le s th ro u g h Id a ,
m a k i n g j a p a o f t h e b i j a s i x t e e n t i m e s , c lo s e s b o t h n o s tr i l s
w ith ja p a done s ix ty -fo u r tim e s , and e x h a le s th ro u g h
P in g a la w ith th irty -tw o ja p a s . D u rin g in h a la tio n , h o ld in g o f
b re a th , and e x h a la tio n , he s h o u ld c o n s id e r t h a t a new
c e l e s t i a l b o d y is b e i n g f o r m e d b y t h e n e c t a r ( c o m p o s e d o f
a ll th e le tte rs o f th e a lp h a b e t, m a trk a -v a rn a ) d ro p p in g fro m
th e m o o n . In a s im ila r w a y w ith th e b ija “ v a m ,” th e
f o r m a t i o n o f t h e b o d y is c o n ti n u e d , a n d w i t h t h e b i j a “ l a m ”

1. In th e C in ta m a n ista v a a ttrib u te d to 6 ri 6 a m k a ra c a ry a it is s a id :

“ T h i s f a m i ly w o m a n (k u n d a lin l), e n te rin g th e ro y a l ro a d (s u s u m n a ), ta k in g

re s t a t in te rv a ls in th e s e c re t p la c e s (c a k ra ), e m b ra c e s th e S u p re m e S p o u se

a n d m a k e s t h e n e c t a r t o f lo w (in th e s a h a s r a ra .) ”

2. A s to P a p a - p u r u s a s e e M a h a n irv a n a -T a n tra U lla sa , V . (v e rs e s 9 8 , 9 9 ).

 YOGA 1 3 9 PONMLKJIHGFEDC

i t is c o m p l e t e d a n d s t r e n g t h e n e d . L a s tly , w ith th e m a n tra

“ S o h a m ,” th e sadhaka le a d s th e j l v a tm a i n t o th e h e a rt.
T h u s K u n d a lin l, w h o h a s e n jo y e d H e r u n io n w ith P a ra m a -
S iv a , s e t s o u t o n h e r r e t u r n j o u r n e y t h e w a y s h e c a m e . As
s h e p a s se s th ro u g h e a c h of th e c a k ra s a ll th a t she has
a b s o rb e d th e re fro m c o m e o u t fro m h e rse lf a n d ta k e th e ir
s e v e ra l p la c e s in th e c a k ra .

In th is m a n n e r s h e a g a in re a c h e s th e m u la d h a ra , w h e n
a l l t h a t is d e s c r i b e d to b e i n t h e c a k r a s a r e i n t h e p o s itio n
w h ic h th e y o c c u p ie d b e fo re h e r a w a k e n in g .

T h e G u r u ’s i n s t r u c t i o n s a r e to g o a b o v e t h e a j h a - c a k r a ,
b u t n o s p e c i a l d i r e c ti o n s a r e g i v e n ; f o r a f t e r t h i s c a k r a h a s
b e e y ; p i e r c e d t h e s a d h a k a c a n r e a c h t h e b r a h m a s th a n a u n ­
a id e d , B e lo w th e “ s e v e n th m o n th o f S iv a ” th e re la tio n ­
s h ip . G u ru and £ is y a ceases. T h e in s tru c tio n s o f th e
s e v e x A f o a m n a y a is n o t e x p r e s s e d (a p ra k a s ita ).
 S IN AND V IR T U E

Ac c o r d in g to C h r i s t i a n c o n c e p t i o n s , 1 s i n is a v i o l a t i o n o f
t h e p e r s o n a l w ill o f , a n d a p o s t a s y f r o m , G o d . T h e f le s h is
t h e s o u r c e o f l u s t s w h i c h o p p o s e G o d ’s c o m m a n d s , a n d in
t h i s lie s i t s p o s i t i v e s ig n if ic a n c e f o r t h e o r i g i n o f a b i a s o f
life a g a in st G o d . A c c o r d i n g t o S t. T h o m a s , i n t h e o r i g i n a l
s ta te , n o lo n g e r h e ld a s th e n o rm a l, th e lo w e r p o w e rs w e re
s u b o r d i n a t e t o r e a s o n , a n d r e a s o n s u b j e c t to G o d . " O r ig i ­
n a l s i n ” is f o r m a l l y a “ d e f e c t o f o r i g i n a l r ig h te o u s n e s s ,.' and
m a t e r i a l ly “ c o n c u p is c e n c e . ” A s S t . P a u l s a y s ( R o m . v s i. 8 ,
1 4 ) , t h e p n e u m a t i c la w , w h i c h d e c l a r e s w a r o n t h e l u s t s ,
m e e ts w i t h o p p o s itio n fro m th e “ la w in th e m e m b e r s .”
T h e s e a n d s im ila r n o tio n s in v o lv e a re lig io u s and ? i* o r a l
c o n s c io u s j u d g m e n t w h i c h is a s s u m e d t o e x i s t i n h u m a n i t y
a lo n e . H in d u n o tio n s o f p a p a (w ro n g ) and punya (th a t
w h i c h is p u r e , h o ly , a n d r i g h t ) h a v e a w i d e r c o n t e n t. The
l a t t e r is a c c o r d a n c e a n d w o r k in g w i t h t h e w i l l o f I s v a r a ( o f
w h o m t h e j l v a is i t s e l f t h e e m b o d i m e n t ) , a s m a n i f e s t e d a t
a n y p a r t i c u l a r t i m e in t h e g e n e r a l d i r e c t io n t a k e n b y t h e
c o s m ic p r o c e s s , a s t h e f o r m e r is t h e c o n tra ry . T h e tw o
t e r m s a r e r e l a t i v e to t h e s t a t e o f e v o l u t i o n a n d t h e s u r r o u n d ­
in g c irc u m s ta n c e s o f th e jiv a to w h ic h th e y a re a p p lie d .
T h u s , t h e i m p u l s e t o w a r d s i n d i v i d u a l i t y w h i c h is n e c e s s a r y
a n d j u s t o n t h e p a t h o f i n c l i n a t i o n o r “ g o in g f o r t h ” ( p r a v r t t i -
m a r g a ) , is w r o n g f u l a s a h i n d r a n c e to t h e a t t a i n m e n t o f
u n i t y , w h i c h is t h e goal of th e p a th of re tu rn ( n i v r tt i -
m a rg a ) w h e r e i n c l in a t i o n s s h o u ld cease. In s h o rt, w h a t
m a k e s f o r p r o g r e s s o n t h e o n e p a t h is a h i n d r a n c e o n t h e

1. See a u th o ritie s c ite d in S c h a a ff H e rz o g D i e t.

 S IN A N D V IR T U E 1 4 1 PONMLKJIHGFEDC

o th e r. T h e m a t t e r , w h e n r i g h t l y u n d e r s t o o d , is n o t (e x -
c e p t, p e rh a p s, s o m e tim e s p o p u la rly ) v ie w e d fro m th e ju r is ­
t i c s t a n d p o i n t o f a n e x t e r n a l L a w g i v e r , H is c o m m a n d s , a n d
th o s e s u b je c t to it, b u t fro m t h a t i n w h i c h t h e e x e m p l i f i­
c a t i o n o f t h e m o r a l l a w is r e g a r d e d a s t h e t r u e a n d p r o p e r
e x p r e s s io n o f t h e j i v a ’s o w n e v o l u ti o n . M o ra lity , it h a s
b e e n s a i d , is t h e t r u e n a t u r e o f a b e in g . F o r th e s a m e re a so n
w r o n g is i t s d e s t r u c t i o n . W h a t t h e j i v a a c t u a l l y d o e s is
th e re s u lt o f h is k a rm a . F u rth e r, th e te rm jiv a , th o u g h
c o m m o n ly a p p l ic a b le to th e hum an e m b o d im e n t of th e
a t m a , is n o t l i m i te d to it. B o th p a p a a n d p u n y a m a y th e re ­
f o r e b e m a n if e s t e d i n b e i n g s o f a l o w e r r a n k t h a n t h a t o f
h u m a n ity in s o fa r a s w h a t th e y (w h e th e r c o n s c io u s ly o r
u n c o n s c i o u s l y ) d o is a h i n d r a n c e t o t h e i r t r u e d e v e l o p m e n t .
T h u s , i n t h e Y o g a - V a s i s th a i t is s a i d t h a t e v e n a c r e e p i n g
p la n t a c q u ire d m e rit b y a s so c ia tio n w ith th e h o ly m u n i o n
w hose d w e ll i n g it g re w . O b je c tiv e ly c o n s id e re d , s in is
c o r & r f c d ly d e fin e d as d u h k h a ja n a k a m papam . It is th a t
w h s e h h a s b e e n , is , a n d w ill b e t h e c a u s e o f p a i n , m e n t a l
o r p h y s ic a l , i n p a s t, p r e s e n t a n d f u t u r e b i r t h s . T h e p a in
a s th e c o n s e q u e n c e o f th e a c tio n d o n e n e e d n o t b e im m e ­
d ia te . T h o u g h , h o w e v e r, th e s u ffe rin g m a y b e e x p e rie n c e d
a s a r e s u lt la te r th a n th e a c tio n o f w h ic h it is th e c a u s e , th e
c o n s e q u e n c e o f t h e a c t i o n is n o t r e a l l y s o m e t h i n g s e p a r a t e ,
b u t a p a r t o f t h e a c t i o n i t s e l f — n a m e ly , t h e p a r t o f i t w h i c h
b e lo n g s to t h e f u t u r e . T h e s ix c h ie f s in s a r e k a m a , k ro d h a ,
lo b h a , m oha, m ada, m a ts a ry a — lu s t, a n g e r, c o v e to u s n e s s ,
i g n o r a n c e o r d e l u s i o n , p r i d e a n d e n v y .1 A l l w r o n g is a t
b a s e s e lf - s e e k in g , in i g n o r a n c e o r d i s r e g a r d o f t h e u n i t y o f
th e S e lf in a ll c re a tu re s . V irtu e (p u n y a ), th e re fo re , as

1. T h is in p a rt c o rre sp o n d s w ith th e C h r i s t ia n c l a s s i f i c a t io n of th e
“seven d e a d ly s in s ” : p rid e , c o v e te o u s n e s s , lu s t, a n g e r, e n v y , g lu tto n y , and

s l o t h w h i c h is d e l i b e r a t e l y p e r s i s t e d i n , d r i v e f r o m t h e s o u l a l l s t a t e o f g r a c e .
142 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TA N TRA & ASTRA

t h e c o n t r a r y o f s i n , is t h a t w h i c h i s t h e c a u s e o f h a p p i n e s s
( s u k h a ja n a k a m p u n y a m ). T hat h a p p in e s s is p ro d u c e d
e ith e r in th is o r fu tu re b irth s , o r le a d s to th e e n jo y m e n t o f
heaven (S v a rg a ). V i r tu e is t h a t w h i c h l e a d s t o w a r d s t h e
u n i t y w h o s e s u b s t a n c e is B lis s ( a n a n d a ) . T h is g o o d k a rm a
p r o d u c e s p l e a s a n t f r u i t, w h i c h , l i k e a l l t h e r e s u l t s o f k a r m a ,
is t r a n s i t o r y . A s S r u t i s a y s : “ I t is n o t b y a c t s o r t h e p i n d a s
o f f e r e d b y o n e ’s c h i l d r e n o r b y w e a l t h , b u t b y r e n u n c i a ­
tio n th a t m e n h a v e a tta in e d l i b e r a t i o n .” 1 I t is o n l y by
e s c a p e t h r o u g h k n o w l e d g e , t h a t t h e j i v a b e c o m in g o n e w i t h
th e u n c h a n g in g A b s o lu te a tta in s la s tin g re s t. I t is o b v io u s
th a t fo r th o s e w h o o b ta in such re le a s e n e ith e r v ic e n o r
v i r t u e , w h i c h a r e c a t e g o r i e s o f p h e n o m e n a l b e in g , c s d s c ,

KARM A

K a r m a is a c t i o n , i t s c a u s e , a n d e f f e c t. T h e re is n o
u n c a u s e d a c t i o n , n o r a c t i o n w i t h o u t e f f e c t. T h e p a rd . th e
p r e s e n t , a n d t h e f u t u r e a r e l i n k e d t o g e t h e r a s o n e w is o le .
The ic c h a , jh a n a , and k riy a s a k tis m a n ife st in th e
j i v a tm a liv in g o n t h e w o r l d l y p l a n e a s d e s i r e , k n o w l e d g e ,
a n d a c tio n . A s th e B rh a d a ra n y a k a -U p a n is a d s a y s: “M an
is v e rily f o r m e d o f d e s ir e . As is h is d e s ire , so is h is
th o u g h t. As is h is th o u g h t, so is h is a c tio n . As is
h is a c tio n , so h is a t t a in m e n t .” 2 T hese fa s h io n th e in d i­
v i d u a l’s k a rm a. “H e w ho d e s ire s goes by w o rk to th e

1. N a k a rm a n a , n a p ra ja y i, d h a n e n a

T yagena eke a m r t a tv a m anasuh. ( T a i tt i r i y o p a n i s a d ) .

2. C h a p t e r I V , iv . 5 .
 S IN A N D V IR T U E 1 4 3 PONMLKJIHGFED

o b j e c t o n w h i c h h i s m i n d is s e t .” 1 “ A s h e th in k s , s o h e
b e c o m e t h ,” 2 T h e n , a s to a c t i o n , “ w h a t s o e v e r a m a n s o w s
th a t s h a ll h e re a p .” T h e m a t t e r is n o t o n e o f p u n i s h m e n t
a n d re w a rd , b u t o f c o n s e q u e n c e , a n d th e c o n se q u e n c e o f
a c t i o n is b u t a p a r t o f i t . I f a n y t h i n g is c a u s e d , i t s r e s u l t
is cau sed , th e re s u lt b e in g p a rt of th e o rig in a l a c tio n ,
w h i c h c o n t in u e s , a n d is t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o t h e r e s u l t . The
jiv a tm a e x p e rie n c e s h a p p in e s s fo r h is g o o d a c ts a n d m is e ry
f o r h i s e v i l o n e s .3

K a r m a is o f t h r e e k i n d s — v iz ., s a m c i t a - k a r m a — t h a t is ,
th e w h o le vast a c c u m u la te d m ass of th e u n e x h a u s te d
k a r m a o f t h e p a s t, w h e t h e r g o o d o r b a d , w h i c h h a s s till
to b e w o rk e d o u t. T h is p a s t k a r m a is t h e c a u s e o f t h e
c h a r a c t e r o f t h e s u c c e e d in g b i r t h s , a n d , a s s u c h , is c a lle d
sa m sk ara , o r v asan a. T h e s e c o n d f o r m o f k a r m a is p r a r a b -
d h a , o r t h a t p a r t o f t h e f i r s t w h i c h is r i p e , a n d w h i c h is
w o rk e d o u t a n d b e a rs fru it in th e p re s e n t b irth . T h e th ird
i s t h e n e w k a r m a , w h i c h m a n is c o n t i n u a l l y m a k i n g b y h i s
p re sen t a n d fu tu re a c tio n s , and is c a l le d v a rta m a n a and
a g a m l .4 T h e e m b o d ie d s o u l ( j i v a t m a ) , w h i l s t i n t h e s a m -
s a r a o r p h e n o m e n a l w o r ld , is b y i t s n a t u r e e v e r m a k i n g
p r e s e n t k a r m a a n d e x p e r i e n c in g t h e p a s t . E v e n th e D e v a s
t h e m s e l v e s a r e s u b j e c t t o t i m e a n d k a r m a .5 B y h is k a rm a
a j i v a m a y b e c o m e a n I n d r a .6

1. C h a p te r I V , iv . 6 .

2. C h a n d o g y a U p a n i s a d , i n , x i v . i.

3. M a h a b h a r a t a , S a n t i - P a r v a , c c i. 2 3 , c c x i . 1 2 .

4. D e v l-B h a g a v a ta . V I. x , 9 , 1 2 , 1 3 , 1 4 .

5. So i t is s a i d :

N a m a s ta t k a rm a b h y o v id h ira p i na yebhyah p r a b h a v a t i, and

Ye s a m a s t a j a g a t s r i s t i s t h it i s a m h a r a k a r e n a h .
T e p i k a le $ u lly a n te k a lo h i b a la v a tta ra h .

6. D e v i B h a g a v a ta IX , x x v ii, 1 8 -2 0 .
144 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFED
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

K a rm a is th u s th e i n v is i b l e (a d rsta ), th e p ro d u c t
o f o r d a i n e d o r p r o h ib i t e d a c ti o n s c a p a b l e o f g i v i n g b o d i e s .
I t i s e i th e r g o o d o r b a d , a n d a l to g e t h e r t h e s e a r e c a ll e d t h e
i m p u r i ty o f a c ti o n (k a rm a -m a la ). E v e n g o o d a c tio n , w h e n
done w ith a v ie w to its f r u i ts , can never se c u re lib e ra ­
tio n . T h o s e w h o th in k o f th e re w a rd w ill re c e iv e b e n e fit
in th e shape o f th a t re w a rd . L i b e r a ti o n is th e w o rk of
S i v a - S a k t i, and is g a in e d o n ly by b ra h m a jn a n a , th e
d e s t r u c ti o n o f th e w ill to s e p a ra te life , a n d re a liz a tio n of
u n i t y w i th t h e S u p r e m e . A l l a c c o m p a n y i n g a c t io n m u s t b e
w i t h o u t t h o u g h t o f s e lf . W ith th e c e s sa tio n o f d e s ire th e
tie w h ic h b in d s m a n to th e s a m s a ra is b ro k e n . A c c o rd in g
to t h e T a n tr a , th e sadhana and a ca ra ( q . v .) a p p ro p ria te
to a n in d iv id u a l d e p e n d s u p o n h is k a rm a . A m a n ’s t e n ­
d e n c ie s , c h a ra c te r, and te m p e ra m e n t is m o u ld e d by h is
s a m c ita k a rm a. As re g ard s p ra ra b d h a -k a rm a , is it un­
a v o id a b le . N o th in g c a n b e d o n e b u t to w o rk it o u t. Som e
s y s te m s p re s c rib e th e s a m e m e th o d fo r m e n o f d iv e rs e te n ­
d e n c ie s . B ut th e T a n tra r e c o g n iz e s th e fo rc e of k a rm a,
a n d m o u ld s its m e th o d s to th e te m p e r a m e n t p ro d u c e d b y it.
T h e n e e d s o f e a c h v a ry , a s a lso th e m e th o d s w h ic h w ill b e
th e b e s t s u ite d to e a c h to le a d th e m to th e c o m m o n g o a l.
T h u s , f o r m s o f w o r s h i p w h i c h a r e p e r m is s i b l e t o t h e v i r a
a re fo rb id d e n to th e p a s u . T h e g u ru m u s t d e te rm in e th a t
f o r w h ic h th e s a d h a k a is q u a lifie d (a d h ik a ri).
 F O U R A IM S O F B E IN G

Th e r e is but one th in g w h ic h a ll s e e k — h a p p in e s s —
th o u g h it b e o f d iffe rin g k in d s a n d s o u g h t in d iffe re n t w a y s.
A l l f o r m s , w h e t h e r s e n s u a l , i n t e l l e c t u a l , o r s p i r i tu a l , a r e
f r o ? n t h e B r a h m a n , w h o is I t s e l f t h e S o u r c e a n d E s s e n c e
o f a f f B lis s , a n d B l i s s i t s e l f ( r a s o v a i s a h ) . T h o u g h i s s u i n g
f r c T a t h e s a m e s o u r c e — p l e a s u r e d i f f e r s i n i t s f o r m s i n b e in g
h ig '/v T and lo w e r, t r a n s i to r y or d u ra b le , or p e rm a n e n t.
T h^e on th e p a th of d e s ire (p ra v rtti-m a rg a ) seek it
th x 'i'ijy h t h e e n j o y m e n ts o f t h i s w o r l d (b h u k ti) o r in th e
m o -f d u r a b l e , t h o u g h s t i ll i m p e r m a n e n t d e l i g h t s o f h e a v e n
(s v rrg a ). H e w h o is o n t h e p a t h o f r e t u r n ( n i v T l t i - m a r g a )
s e e k ;; h a p p i n e s s , n o t in t h e c r e a t e d w o r l d s , b u t i n e v e r l a s t­
in g ; u n i o n w i t h t h e i r p r i m a l s o u r c e ( m u k t i ) ; a n d t h u s i t is
s a id th a t m a n c a n n e v e r b e tru ly h a p p y u n til h e seeks
s h e lte r w ith B ra h m a n , w h ic h is Its e lf th e g re at B lis s
(ra s a m h i v a y a m la b d h v a a n a n d i b h a v a ti).

T h e e t e r n a l r h y t h m o f t h e D i v i n e B r e a t h is o u tw a r d .®
fro m s p i r i t to m a t te r a n d i n w a r d s f r o m m a tte r to s p irit.
D evi as M aya e v o lv e s th e w o rld . As M a h a -m a y a She
r e c a l l s i t t o H e r s e lf . T h e p a th o f o u tg o in g is th e w a y o f
p ra v rtti; th a t o f re tu rn n iv rtti. E a c h o f th e s e m o v e m e n ts
is d iv in e . E n jo y m e n t (b h u k ti) and l i b e r a ti o n (m u k ti)
a r e e a c h H e r g i f t s .1 A n d in th e th ird c h a p te r o f th e w o rk
c i t e d i t is s a i d t h a t o f V i s n u a n d S i v a m u k t i o n l y c a n b e

1. A s a ls o S v a r g a ( s e e S a k ta n a n d a - ta r a n g in i, c h a p . i).
19
146 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

h a d , b u t o f D e v i b o th b h u k ti a n d m u k t i ; a n d t h i s is s o
i n s o f a r a s t h e D e v i is , i n a p e c u l i a r s e n s e , t h e s o u r c e
w h e n c e t h o s e m a t e r ia l t h i n g s c o m e f r o m w h i c h e n j o y m e n t
(b h o g a ) a rise s . A l l j i v a s o n t h e i r w a y to h u m a n i t y ,1 a n d
th e b u lk o f h u m a n ity its e lf, a re o n th e fo rw a rd p a th , a n d
r i g h t l y s e e k s t h e e n j o y m e n t w h i c h is a p p r o p r i a t e t o i t s s t a g e
o f e v o lu tio n .

T h e t h i r s t f o r lif e w i l l c o n t i n u e to m a n i f e s t i t s e l f u n t i l
t h e p o i n t o f r e t u r n is r e a c h e d a n d t h e o u t g o in g e n e r g y is
e x h a u ste d . M an, m u s t, u n til such tim e , re m a in on th e
p a th o f d e s ire . I n t h e h a n d s o f D e v i is t h e n o o s e o f d e s i r e .
D e v i h e r s e l f is b o t h d e s i r e 2 a n d th a t lig h t o f k n o w le d g e
w h ic h in th e w ise w h o h a v e k n o w n e n jo y m e n t la y s b a re
i t s f u t i l i ti e s . B u t o n e c a n n o t re n o u n c e u n til o n e h a s e n jo y ­
e d , a n d s o o f t h e w o r ld - p r o c e s s i t s e l f i t is s a i d : th a t th e
u n b o rn ones, th e P u ru s a s , a re b o th s u b s e r v i e n t to H er
( p r a k r t i ) , a n d l e a v e H e r b y r e a s o n o f v i v e k a .3

P r o v i s i o n is m a d e f o r t h e w o r l d l y l i f e w h i c h is th e
“ o u tg o in g ” o f th e S u p re m e . A nd s o i t is s a i d th a t ‘‘h e
T a n trik a has b o th e n jo y m e n t (b h u k ti) and l i b e r a ti o n
( m u k t i ) .4 B ut e n jo y m e n t its e lf is not w i th o u t its te:W .
D e s ir e is n o t to b e l e t lo o s e w i t h o u t b r i d l e .5 T h e m e n ta l

1. In c lu d in g , a c c o rd in g to a c a u s t ic o b s e rv e r, th e la rg e n u m b e r o f m e n
w h o m a y b e m o r e p r o p e r l y d e s c r i b e d a s c a n d i d a te s f o r h u m a n i t y .

2. S e e C a n d l , D e v i is m a n i f e s te d i n d e s i r e , e tc .

3. A n d so 6 ru ti ( T a i t t ir i y a - A r a n y a k a ) says:

A ja m e k a m lo h it-s u k ia k rs n a m ,
B a h v im p ra ja m ja n a y a n tim sa ru p a rh ,
A jo h y e k o ju $ a m a n o ’ n u s e te
J a h a ty e n a m b h u k ta -b h o g a m a jo n y a h :
a n d s e e S a m k h y a T a t tv a - K a u m u d i .

4. See C h a p te r IV , v e rs e 3 9 p o s t, a n d C h a p te r I , v e r s e 5 1 , w h e r e th e
T a n tra a re d e s c rib e d a s th e g iv e rs o f b o th b h u k ti a n d m u k ti. S e e n o te s to
s a m e a s to b h o g a .

5. A s t o s v e c c h a , s e e n o t e s t o C h a p te r H I , v e r s e 9 6 p o s t .
 F O U R A IM S O F B E IN G 1 4 7 PONMLKJIHGFE

s e lf is , a s is c o m m o n l y s a id , th e c h a rio te e r o f th e body,
o f w h ic h th e s e n se s a re th e h o rs e s . C o n tra ry to m is ta k e n
n o tio n s o n th e s u b je c t, th e T a n tra s ta k e n o e x c e p tio n to
t h e o r d i n a r y r u l e t h a t i t is n e c e s s a r y n o t t o l e t t h e m ru n
aw ay. If o n e w o u ld n o t b e s w e p t a w a y a n d lo s t in th e
m ig h ty fo rc e w h ic h is th e d e s c e n t in to m a tte r, th o u g h t
a n d a c tio n m u s t b e c o n tro lle d b y D h a rm a . H e n c e th e firs t
th re e o f th e a im s o f life ( tr iv a r g a ) o n th e p a th o f p ra v rtti
a re d h a rm a , a rth a , a n d k a m a .

DHARM A

D h a r m a m e a n s t h a t w h i c h is to b e h e l d f a s t o r k e p t
— la w , u s a g e , c u s to m , re lig io n , p ie ty , rig h t, e q u ity , d u ty ,
g o o d w o r k s , a n d m o r a l i ty . I t is , i n s h o r t , t h e e t e r n a l a n d
im m u ta b le (s a n a ta n a ) p r i n c ip l e s w h i c h h o l d to g e th e r th e
U 2 M v e r s e i n i t s p a r t s a n d i n i t s w h o l e , w h e t h e r o r g a n ic o r
in c ir g a n ic m a t t e r . “ T h a t w h i c h s u p p o r t s a n d h o l d s t o g e t h e r
t h e p e o p l e s ( o f t h e u n i v e r s e ) is d h a r m a .” “ I t w a s d e c la r e d
fo r w e ll-b e in g and b r i n g e th w e ll-b e in g . It u p h o ld s and
p re serv e s. B e c a u s e i t s u p p o r t s a n d h o l d s t o g e t h e r , i t is
e d d ie d D h a r m a . B y D h a r m a a r e t h e p e o p l e u p h e l d .” It
is , i n s h o r t , n o t a n a r t i f i c a l r u l e , b u t t h e p r i n c ip l e o f r i g h t
liv in g . T h e m a rk o f d h a rm a a n d o f th e good is a c a ra
(g o o d c o n d u c t), fro m w h ic h d h a rm a is b o m a n d fa ir fa m e
is a c q u i r e d h e r e a n d h e r e a f t e r .1 T h e sag es e m b rac ed a c ara
a s t h e r o o t o f a l l t a p a s .2 D h a r m a is n o t o n l y t h e p r i n c ip l e
o f r ig h t liv in g , b u t a ls o its a p p lic a tio n . T h a t c o u rse of
m e r i t o r i o u s a c t i o n b y w h i c h m a n f its h i m s e lf f o r t h i s w o r l d ,
h e a v e n , a n d lib e ra tio n . D h a r m a is a ls o t h e r e s u l t o f g o o d
a c t i o n — t h a t is , t h e m e r i t a c q u i r e d t h e r e b y . T h e b a s is o f

1. M a h a b h a ra ta , S a n ti-P a rv a (C IC . 8 8 ). A n u sa sa n a -P a rv a , C lV .

2. M a n u s m r ti (I. 1 0 8 , 1 1 0 ).
148 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

th e s a n a ta n a - d h a r m a is re v e la tio n (£ ru ti) as p re s e n te d
in th e v a rio u s S a s t r a s .— S m r t i , P u r a n a , a n d T a n t r a . In
t h e D e v i - B h a g a v a t a 1 i t is s a i d t h a t i n t h e K a l i y u g a V i s n u
in th e fo rm o f V y asa d iv id e s th e one V eda in to m any
p a r t s , w i t h t h e d e s i r e to b e n e f i t m e n , a n d w i t h t h e k n o w ­
le d g e th a t th e y a re s h o rt-liv e d a n d o f s m a ll in te llig e n c e ,
a n d h e n c e u n a b l e to m a s t e r t h e w h o l e . T h i s d h a r m a is
t h e f i r s t o f t h e f o u r l e a d i n g a i m s ( c a t u r v a r g a ) o f a l l b e in g .

KAMA

K am a is d e s i r e , such as th a t fo r w e a lth , su ccess,

f a m ily , p o s itio n , o r o t h e r f o r m s o f h a p p in e s s fo r s e lf o r
o th e rs . I t a ls o in v o lv e s th e n o tio n of th e n e c e ss ity fo r
t h e p o s s e s s io n o f g r e a t a n d n o b l e a i m s , d e s ir e s , a n d a m b i­
t i o n s , f o r s u c h p o s s e s s io n is t h e c h a r a c te r i s ti c o f g r e a t.] - , is
o f s o u l. D e s ir e , w h e th e r o f th e h ig h e r o r lo w e r k k .b r ,
m u s t , h o w e v e r , b e l a w f u l , f o r m a n is s u b j e c t t o d h a r ; ' a ,
w h i c h r e g u l a t e s it.

ARTHA

A r t h a ( w e a l t h ) s t a n d s f o r t h e m e a n s b y w h i c h t h i s lir e
m a y b e m a in ta in e d — in th e lo w e r s e n s e , fo o d , d rin k , m o n e y ,
h o u s e , la n d , a n d o th e r p ro p e rty ; a n d in th e h ig h e r s e n s e
th e m e a n s b y w h ic h e ffe c t m a y b e g iv e n to th e h ig h e r
d e s ire s , s u c h a s th a t o f w o rsh ip , fo r w h ic h a r th a m a y b e
n e c e s s a r y , a i d g iv e n to o t h e r s , a n d s o f o r t h . In s h o rt, it
is a ll th e n e c e ssa ry m eans by w h ic h a ll rig h t d e s ire ,
w h e t h e r o f t h e l o w e r o r h i g h e r k i n d s , m a y b e f u lf ille d . As
t h e d e s i r e m u s t b e a r i g h t d e s i r e — f o r m a n is s u b j e c t to
d h a r m a , w h i c h r e g u l a t e s t h e m — s o a ls o m u s t b e t h e m e a n s
s o u g h t, w h ic h a re e q u a lly s o g o v e rn e d .

1. I . iii. 9 9 .
 F O U R A IM S O F B E IN G 1 4 9 PONMLKJIHGF

T h e f i r s t g r o u p is k n o w n a s t h e t r i v a r g a , w h i c h m u s t
be c u ltiv a te d w h i ls t m an is upon th e p r a v r i tt i m a rg a :
U n le ss a n d u n t i l t h e r e is r e n u n c i a t io n on e n tra n c e u p o n
th e p a th o f re tu rn , w h e re in c lin a tio n c e a s e s (n iv rtti-m a rg a ),
m a n m u s t w o rk fo r th e u ltim a te g o a l b y m e rito rio u s a c ts
(d h a rm a), d e s ire s (k a m a), and by th e la w fu l m eans
(a rth a ) w h e re b y th e la w fu l d e s ire s w h ic h g iv e b irth to
rig h te o u s a c ts a re re a liz e d . W h i l s t o n t h e p r a v r t ti - m a r g a
“ t h e t r i v a r g a s h o u l d b e e q u a l l y c u l t i v a t e d , f o r h e w h o is
a d d ic te d to one o n ly is d e s p ic a b le ” (d h a rm a rth a k a m a h
s a m a m e v a s e v y a h y o h y e k a s a k t a h s a j a n o - j a g a n y a h .) 1 .

M OKSA

O f t h e f o u r a im s , m o k s a o r m u k t i i s t h e t r u l y u l t i m a t e
e n d , fo r th e o th e r th re e a re e v e r h a u n te d b y th e fe a r o f
D e a th , t h e E n d e r . 2

M u k ti m e a n s “ lo o s e n in g ” o r lib e ra tio n . I t is a d v is ­
a b l e t o a v o i d t h e t e r m “ s a l v a t i o n ,” a s a ls o o t h e r C h r i s t i a n
te rm s, w h ic h c o n n o te d iffe re n t, th o u g h in a lo o s e s e n s e ,
a n a lo g o u s id e a s . A c c o r d in g to th e C h ris tia n d o c trin e
( s o t e r i o l o g y ) , f a i t h i n C h r i s t’s G o s p e l a n d i n H i s C h u r c h
e f f e c ts s a l v a t i o n , w h i c h is t h e f o r g i v e n e s s o f s i n s m e d i a t e d
b y C h r i s t ’s r e d e e m i n g a c t i v it y , s a v i n g f r o m j u d g m e n t , a n d
a d m i t ti n g to th e K in g d o m of G od. On th e o th e r hand,
m u k ti m eans lo o s e n in g fro m th e bonds of th e sa m sara
( p h e n o m e n a l e x i s te n c e ) , r e s u l t i n g i n a u n i o n (o f v a rio u s
d e g re e s o f c o m p le te n e ss ) o f th e e m b o d ie d s p irit (jlv a tm a )

1. A s , fo r in s ta n c e , a h o u s e h o ld e r, w h o s p e n d s a ll h is tim e in w o rs h ip
t o t h e n e g l e c t o f h i s f a m i ly a n d w o r l d l y e s t a t e . T h e s a s tra s a y s , “ e ith e r o n e
t h i n g o r t h e o t h e r ; w h e n ,i n t h e w o r l d b e r i g h tl y o f i t ; w h e n a d o p t i n g t h e
s p e c if i c a ll y r e l i g i o u s l i f e , l e a v e i t ” — a s t a t e m e n t o f t h e m a x i m “ b e t h o r o u g h ” .

2. V i$ n u -B h a g a v a ta , IV , x x ii, 3 4 , 3 5 .
150 IN T R O D U C T IO N hgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TO TAN TRA SASTRA

o r in d iv id u a l life w ith th e S u p re m e S p irit (p a ra m a tm a ).

L ib e ra tio n c a n b e a tta in e d b y s p iritu a l k n o w le d g e (a tm a -
jn a n a ) a lo n e , th o u g h it is o b v io u s th a t s u c h k n o w le d g e
m u s t b e p re c e d e d b y , a n d a c c o m p a n ie d w ith , a n d , in d e e d ,
can o n ly be a t t a in e d in th e sense of a c tu a l r e a li z a t i o n ,
b y free d o m fro m s in a n d rig h t a c tio n th ro u g h a d h e re n c e
to d h a rm a . The id e a lis tic s y s te m of H in d u is m , w h ic h
p o s its th e u ltim a te re a lity as b e in g in th e n a tu re of
m in d , rig h tly , in s u c h c a se s , in s is ts o n w h a t, fo r d e fa u lt
o f a b e tte r te rm , m a y b e d e s c rib e d a s th e in te lle c tu a l, a s
o p p o s e d to th e e th ic a l, n a tu re . N o t th a t it fa ils to re c o g n iz e
th e im p o rta n c e o f th e la tte r, b u t re g a rd s it a s s u b s id ia ry
a n d p o w e r le s s o f i t s e l f t o a c h ie v e t h a t e x t in c t io n o f th e
m o d if ic a tio n s o f t h e e n e r g y o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s w h i c h c o n s t i­
tu te s th e s u p re m e m u k ti k n o w n a s K a iv a ly a . S u c h e x tin c ­
t i o n c a n n o t b e e f f e c te d b y c o n d u c t a l o n e , f o r s u c h c o n d u c t ,
w h e th e r g o o d o r e v il, p r o d u c e s k a r m a , w h i c h is t h e s o u r c e
o f t h e m o d if ic a tio n s w h i c h i t is m a n ’s f in a l a i m t o s u p p r e s s .
M o k s a b e lo n g s t o t h e n i v r i t t i m a r g a , a s t h e t r i v a r g a a p p e r ­
t a i n to t h e p r a v r t t i - m a r g a .

T h e re a re v a rio u s d e g re e s o f m u k ti, s o m e m o re p e rfe c t

th a n th e o th e rs, a n d i t is n o t , a s is g e n e r a l ly supposed
o n e s ta te .

T h e r e a r e f o u r f u t u r e s t a t e s o f B lis s , o r p a d a , b e i n g i n
t h e n a t u r e o f a b o d e s — v iz ., s a l o k y a , s a m i p y a , s a r u p y a , a n d
s a y u j y a — t h a t is , l i v i n g i n t h e s a m e l o k a , o r r e g i o n , w i t h
th e D e v a w o rs h ip p e d ; b e in g n e a r th e D e v a ; re c e iv in g th e
sam e fo rm or p o s s e s s in g th e sam e a is v a ry a (D iv in e
q u a litie s) a s t h e D e v a , a n d b e c o m in g o n e w i t h t h e D e v a
w o r s h ip p e d . T h e a b o d e to w h ic h th e jiv a a tta in s d e p e n d s
u p o n th e w o rs h ip p e r a n d th e n a tu r e o f h is w o rs h ip , w h ic h
m a y b e w i t h , o r w i t h o u t , im a g e s , o r o f t h e D e v a r e g a r d e d
a s d is tin c t fro m th e w o rs h ip p e r a n d w ith a ttrib u te s, a n d
so fo rth . T h e fo u r a b o d e s a re th e re s u lt o f a c tio n , tra n s i-
 F O U R A IM S O F B E IN G 1 5 1 PONMLKJIHGFEDC

t o r y a n d c o n d it i o n e d . M a h a n i r v a n a , o r K a i v a l y a , t h e r e a l
m o k s a , is th e r e s u lt o f s p iritu a l k n o w le d g e ( j n a n a ) ,1 a n d
is u n c o n d itio n e d and p e rm a n e n t. T hose w ho know th e
B r a h m a n , r e c o g n i z in g t h a t t h e w o r l d s r e s u l t i n g f r o m a c t i o n
a r e i m p e r f e c t , r e j e c t t h e m , a n d a t t a in to t h a t u n c o n d i t i o n e d
B l i s s w h i c h t r a n s c e n d s t h e m a l l. K a iv a l y a is t h e s u p r e m e
s t a te o f o n e n e s s w i t h o u t a t t r i b u t e s , t h e s t a te i n w h i c h , a s
t h e Y o g a - s u t r a s a y s , m o d i f i c a t i o n o f t h e e n e r g y o f c o n s c io u s ­
n e s s is e x tin c t, a n d w h e n it is e s ta b lis h e d in its o w n re a l
n a tu re .2

L i b e r a t i o n is a t t a in a b l e w h i l e t h e b o d y is y e t liv in g ,
i n > / ^ i c h c a s e t h e r e e x i s ts a s t a t e o f j i v a n m u k t i c e l e b r a t e d
i n t& s J i v a n m u k t i - g i t a o f D a t t a t r e y a . T h e s o u l, i t is t r u e ,
i s a r/a t r e a l l y f e t t e r e d , a n d a n y a p p e a r a n c e to t h e c o n t r a r y
'illu s o r y . T h e r e is , i n f a c t, f r e e d o m , b u t t h o u g h m o k s a
11: ..i r e a d y i n p o s s e s s io n s t i l l , b e c a u s e o f t h e i l l u s i o n t h a t
ii h n o t y e t a t t a i n e d , m e a n s m u s t b e t a k e n to r e m o v e t h e
iS k & s io n , a n d t h e j i v a w h o s u c c e e d s i n t h i s is j i v a n m u k t a ,
t h o u g h i n t h e b o d y , a n d is f r e e d f r o m f u t u r e e m b o d i m e n t s .
T h e e n l i g h t e n e d K a u l a , a c c o r d i n g to t h e N i t y a n i t a , s e e s n o
d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n m u d a n d s a n d a l , f r i e n d a n d f o e , a d w e l l­
in g -h o u se a n d th e c re m a tio n -g ro u n d . H e k n o w s th a t th e
B r a h m a n i s a ll, t h a t t h e S u p r e m e s o u l (p a ra m a tm a ) and
th e in d iv id u a l s o u l (jiv a tm a ) a re o n e, a n d fre e d fro m a ll
a t t a c h m e n t h e is j i v a n m u k t a , o r l i b e r a t e d , w h i l s t y e t l i v i n g .
T h e m e a n s w h e r e b y m u k t i is a t t a i n e d is t h e y o g a p r o c e s s
( v id e a n te ).

1. T h a t is w h ic h g iv e s m o k s a , o th e r fo rm s b e in g c a lle d v ijn a n a .
M o k se d h ir jn a n a m a n a y a tra .

v ijn a n a m s ilp a -s a s tra y o h . ( N a m a l in g a n u s a sam akanda 1 -4 -6 ).

2. See B h a s k a r a r a y a ’s C o m m e n ta ry on L a lita S a h a s ra n a m a , s lo k a , 1 2 5 .
 S ID D H I

S id d h i is p ro d u c ed by sadhana. The fo rm e r te rm ,
w h i c h l i t e r a l l y m e a n s “ s u c c e s s ,” i n c l u d e s a c c o m p l i s h m e n t ,
a c h ie v e m e n t , s u c c e s s , a n d f r u i t i o n o f a l l k i n d s . A p e rso n
m a y t h u s g a i n s i d d h i i n s p e e c h , s i d d h i i n m a n t r a , e tc . A
p e r s o n is s i d d h a a ls o w h o h a s p e r f e c t e d h i s s p i r i t u a l d e v e ­
lo p m e n t. T h e v a r i o u s p o w e r s a t t a i n a b l e — n a m e l y , S ffid m a ,
m a h im a , l a g h i m a , g a r i m a , p r a p t i , p r a k a m y a , i s i t v a , v a ir .ty a ,
th e p o w e rs o f b e c o m in g s m a ll, g re a t, lig h t, h e a v y , a v a il­
in g w h a t o n e w ills , a n d t h e lik e — a r e k n o w n a s t h e e i g h t
s id d h is . T h e t h i r ty - n i n t h c h a p t e r o f t h e B r a h m a v a h '& r x a
P u r a n a m e n t i o n s e i g h t e e n k i n d s , b u t t h e r e a r e m a n y o f r h te is
in c lu d in g s u c h m in o r a c c o m p lis h m e n ts as nakhadam ^M -
s i d d h i o r “ n a i l g a z i n g .” T h e g r e a t s i d d h i is s p i r i t u a l p & s f e s -
tio n . E v e n th e m ig h ty p o w e rs o f th e “ e ig h t s id d h is ” a re
k n o w n a s t h e “ l e s s e r s i d d h i ,” s i n c e t h e g r e a t e s t o f a l l s i d d h i s
is f u l l l i b e r a t i o n (m a h a n irv a n a ) fro m th e b o n d s o f p h e n o ­
m e n a l lif e a n d u n i o n w ith th e P a ra m a tm a , w h ic h is t h e
su p re m e o b je c t (p a ra m a rth a ) to be a tta in e d th ro u g h
h u m a n b irth .