Tag: Tantra Sastra

  • Speech Stages Gayathri Savitri Sarasvati Kesri Vidya

    Approaches to God are many.

     

    As many individuals as many Paths.

     

    For the approach to Godhead depends on one’s attitude and aptitude, Bhava.

     

    Broadly speaking they have been classified as  The Path Of Knowledge(Gyana Yoga),Bhakti Yoga(Path Of Devotion),Karma Yoga( Path Of Action, and Raja Yoga(Through meditation and regulation of sense organs.

     

    Under each are various sub paths.

     

    Again there are different instruments of reaching this goal through these steps.

     

    We have Tantra and Mantra Shastras.

     

    Basing the Sound some systems of worship has been developed in Indian Philosophy/Hinduism.

     

    One such is the Kesari Vidya.

     

    This comes under the Mula vidya of Devi, Lalitha,

     

    In Mula Vidya, The Devi is worshiped thus.

     

    Gāyatri: Vedic Gāyatri, the primary Vidyā that one is initiated into, before the ŚrīVidyā mantras like Bāla or Pancadāsi.

     

    (  I shall be posting more on this subject as I am still researching into this, so complex)

     

    Chanting is of three types.

     

    1.Chanting aloud,this is considered to be lowest stage,Adhama

    2.Chanting  where the Lips move, no sound emanates, this method is acceptable, Madhyama and

     

     

    3.Chanting in the Mind,Highly recommended,Uththamam.

     

    Chanting s a process of manipulating sounds,Subda.

     

    When we speak we use the Sabda of the Universe and transform t into Speech with our inputs.

     

    The Stages of Speech according to Kesri Vidya.

     

    1.Sol-Speech, speaking as we do normally.

     

    Animals do this through sounds while we do it with organized sound with a common meaning, language.

     

    2.Vaak.This is the unexpressed Speech.

     

    Speech is formed in the Mind and then transformed in a Language.

     

    This Speech which is yet to be spoken lies in the Tongue.

     

    This is called Vaak.

     

    ‘Srimadvakbhava kooda Swarupa Mukha Pankaja(Lalitha Sahasranama.

     

    Vaak lies underneath the Speech.

     

    This is called the Bootha Vaaku.

     

    Many a times we have some intention to speak our mind , knowing well that it would crate problems, we try to keep quiet; we fail to control, we speak out face the consequences and regret having spoken.

     

    We say we cold not help speaking out.

     

    This is the path of ‘Dhikbrama’ which is determined by his/her Karma.

     

    When this speech comes from a Realized Soul it is called ‘Deva Vaaku’

     

    Once it is kindled , Speech emanates.

     

    We may observe this when we watch children attempting to speak.

     

    They would struggle with sounds, choose a couple of them , mix them, produce the words, see our approval and choose such sounds that are approved by those around.

     

    This Dormant Speech  Vak is controlled by Vakdevi/Savitri , a form of Goddess Sarasvati.

     

    Gayathri is the Driving Force, Savitri is the Dormant Speech and Sarasvati , expressed Speech.

     

    This is the reason we have  in the Sanshyavandan Aavaahava Mantra,,

     

    Gayathreem Aavaahayami, Savithreem Aavaahayami, Sarsvatheem Aavaahayami’

     

    The Third is The Inner Voice(Kural)

     

    This is what we hear when we think of some thing in the Mind.

     

    You would, if you observe carefully, whenever you start thinking/attempting to speak, you would notice contrary thoughts are heard in your mind,.

     

    That is when you think of some thing, you have the image and a voice in your mind relating to the subject, both for and against.

     

    Speech as we deliver emanates by manipulating the Prana by Sabda.

     

    The process of  Realizing Godhead or Brahman by bringing forth the original Knowledge imbedded in us, lying dormant in our tongue is Kesri Vidya.

     

    The next stage is Mounam, ‘Quietude’

     

    More on this and Kesri Vidya follows.

     

     

     

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  • What is Tantra? Devi Upasana

    Sriividya Upasana is very complicated and it needs a lot of patience and perseverance and most importantly familiarity with the terms in Tantra Shastra and a passing knowledge of Sanskrit is necessary.

    Sri Meru Yantra, produced by the Devipuram tem...
    Sri Meru Yantra, produced by the Devipuram temple, Andhra Pradesh, India (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    What is Tantra?

    “Tantra is that (Scripture) by which knowledge (Jñana) is spread (Tanyate, vistaryate jñanam anena, iti Tantram). The Suffix Tra is from the root ‘to save’. That knowledge is spread which saves. What is that but religious knowledge? Therefore, as here and generally used, Tantra means a particular kind of religious scripture. The Kamika Agama of the Shaiva Siddhanta (Tantrantara Patala) says:

    Tanoti vipulan arthan tattvamantra-samanvitan

    Trananca kurute yasmat tantram ityabhidhyate.

    (It is called Tantra because it promulgates great knowledge concerning Tattva and Mantra and because it saves.)-Arthur Avalon.

    There is a feeling that the Tantra Shastra is related only to Shakti or Devi Worship.

    It is not correct.

    There are Tantras of other sects of the Agama, Tantras of Shaivas andVaishnavas.

    The Tantra Shastra belongs to the Agamas, and not the Vedas.

    The Agamas are divided into the following parts.

    1.Shakta Agama,

    2.Shaivagama, and

    3.The Vaishnava Agama or Pancaratra.

    Tenoktang sattvatang tantram yaj jnattva muktibhag bhavet

    Yatra strishudradasanang sangskaro vaisnavah smritah

    There are Agamas which follow the Vedas called, Vaidik Agama and others,Avaidikagama,Non Vedic.

    Avaidika Agamas.

    The Kurma Purana (XVI.1) mentions as Avaidika Agama, the  Kapala, Lakula, Vama, Bhairava, Purva, Pashcima, Pañcaratra, Pashupata and many others.

    Pashupata again is said to be both Vaidika and Avaidika such as Lakula.

    Kurma Purana (Uttarabhaga, Ch. 38) says “By Me was first composed, for the attainment of Liberation, Shrauta (Vaidika) Pashupata which is excellent, subtle, and secret, the essence of Veda (Vedasara).

    The learned devoted to Veda should meditate on Shiva Pashupati.

    This is Pashupata Yoga to be practiced by seekers of Liberation.

    Woodroffe on Srichakra.
    Srichakra Explanation.-John Woodroffe.
    Image credit.
    http://www.workofthechariot.com/TextFiles/Back-Tantra.html

    By Me also have been spoken Pashupata, Soma, Lakula and Bhairava opposed to Veda (Vedavadaviruddhani).

    These should not be practiced. They are outside The Veda.” Sanatkumara Samhita says:

    Shrautashrautavibhedena dvividhastu shivagamah

    Shrutisaramapah shrautah sah punar dvividho matah

    Svatantra itarash ceti svatantro dashadha pura

    Tatha’ shtadashadha pashcat siddhanta iti giyate

    Itarah shrutisaras tu shatakoti-pravistarah.

    .

    The Shaiva Agama is of Two Kinds.

    Sharautha and Ashrautha.

    Shrauta is Shrautisaramaya and of two kinds, Svatantra and Itara.

    Svatantra is first of ten kinds and then Siddhanta of eighteen kinds

    (This is the Shaivasiddhanta Agama with 28 Mula Agamas and 207 Upagamas. It is Shuddhadvaita because in it there is no Visheshana).

    Itara is Shrutisara with numerous varieties.

    There are many schools of Shaivism and so are the Tantras associated with Shaivism.

    The Devi Worshippers or Shaktas are of many kinds,of which three are important.

    1.Those who follow 64 Tantras.-Ananta Shastry in the introduction to Anandalahari.(Kaulachara.

    2.Eight Tantras-Mishra and

    3.Five Tantras-Samaya sect.

    There are many more.

    But these five will do .

    What are the Common Practices in Tantra?

    Mantra,

    Bija,

    Yantra,

    Mudra,

    Nyasa,

    Bhutashuddhi,

    Kundaliyoga, construction and consecration of temples and images (Kriya), religious and social observances (Carya) such as Ahnika, Varnashramadharma, Utsava; and practical magic (Maya-yoga).

    Where there is Mantra, Yantra, Nyasa, Diksha, Guru and the like, there is Tantra Shastra.

    There are some extreme practices in some schools,

    As also variations.

    The Kaula rites are philosophically based on monistic doctrine.

    Now it is this Kaula doctrine and practice, limited probably, as being a secret doctrine, at all times to comparatively few, which has come to be known as “The Tantra”.

    Nothing is more incorrect. This is but one division of worshippers who again are but one section of the numerous followers of the Agamas, Shaiva, Shakta and Vaishnava.

    The basis of all these schools is the Lalitha Sahasranama, which recognises various sects and interpretations.

    “Samayachara Thatpara”

    ‘Kaulamarga Thatpara Sevitha_

    -Lalitha Sahasranama.

    These relate to the schools.

    We also have how he Lalitha Saharanama speak of various Yoga Practices.

    “Srimad Vakbhavakudaika Swarupa Mukha Pankaja(Sloka 34)

    ‘Kandaatha Kadparyandha Madhya kudaswarupini

    Sakthikoodai Kathapanna  Katyatho Bhaagadhaarini( Sloka 35)

    Our goal is to realize Her and follow one system faithfully with out getting into academic discussions as these discussions are useless.

    As Adi Shankaracharya says in The Bhaja Govindam.

    Sampraapthe Sannnihithe Kaale,

    Nahi Nahi Rakshasi Rok Tukung Karane”

    As we near Death, decided by our actions, these philosophical discussions will not help us.

    I plan to follow Bhaskararaya and shall be posting on these lines.

    Citation.

    Arthur Avalon.  http://www.sacred-texts.com/tantra/sas/sas03.htm

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  • Shakti Worship Methods Devi Upasna

    Shakti Worship Methods Devi Upasna

    The worship of the female principle  is one of the basic tenets of Hinduism

    Devi.
    Sri Vidya

    .

    Right from the Vedas, where the one of the Fundamental principles elaborated is Prakriti, the Female principle.

    This, in conjunction,  by mere Sparsa, meaning touch, slight rubbing, grazing,the word Sparsa is difficult to translate, with Purusa, the male principle is the cause for the evolution of this illusory world of Names and Forms.

    Shaiva Siddhanta has two aspects Shiva and Shakti.

    Lord Vishnu is described as the Ultimate Conjurer,in His Maya Form.

    Samkhya Philosophy also speaks of Prakriti.

    Prakriti is Nature ,

    It is the Potential energy.

    Kinetic Energy is The Purusha.

    Yoga Sasra describes the Kundalini as a female.

    Lalitha Sahasranama startts with the salutation, The Mother,-Sree Matha, Maharjne SrimadSrimad Simhasaneswari’

    The worship of Devi is considered very effective and the methods of worship are strict and are tough.

    So varied have been the forms of worship and methods that Adi Shankaracharya classified Shaakatam as a part of Shanmatha.

    Please read my post on Six Forms of Worship, Shankaracharya.

    Noe this system of worship of the Devi is broadly divided into two aspects.

    One is the worship of Shakti, where the Shakti and Shiva are considered the same.

    Those who follow this are called Samayin-s.

    Adi Shankaracharya follows this in the Soundaryalahari, starting with,

    ‘Sivasaktiyaayuktho…’

    The other form of worship is called the Kaulamarga.

    This is mentioned in the Lalith Sahasranama

    ‘Kuchala Komalakaara Kurukulla Kuleswari,

    Kula Kundaalaya kaulamaarga Thtpara Sevita.

    here the sleeping Kundalini is worshipped, the Solar Plexus, called the Kula/Muladhara.

    Tha Samayins believe in rising the Kundalini, through Upasna, through the Six Chakras, the latter is worshiping  Kundalini direct , by worshiping which one obtains temporal gains and as a spin-off Liberation.

    Being an extremely heavy subject, I shall be posting shorter posts on the subject.

    More to follow including the Drawing of Sri Chakra, procedure for worship and common myths about Devi Upasna