Comparative and Critical Study of Mantrashastra

SR No.: 006540
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri, K V Abhayankar
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab
Publication Year: 1944
Total Pages: 635
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English & Culture
File Size: 18 MB

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INTRODUCTION
Where there is Mantra, Yantra, Nyasa, Diksha, Guru, and the like there is Tantra Shāstra. In fact one of the names of the latter is Mantra Shāstra. With these similarities there are certain variations of doctrine and practice between the different schools."
There is only one important matter in which there is difference worth noting i. e. division of the practices of the worshippers into Dakshināchāra and Vāmāchara. The secret Sadhanā of some of the latter has acquired such notoriety that to some 'Tantra' connotes this particular worship and its abuses and nothing else. One cannot, however, identify Tantra with the particular practices of a section of worshippers only.
SIX AMNAYAS AND FOUR SAMPRADĀYAS Tantras mention six Amnāyas which are in order of their origin revealed by the six faces of Shiva looking East (Pūrvămnāya), South (Dakshināmāya), West (Paschimāmnāya), North (Uttar.mnāya) the Upper (Urdhvāmnāya) and the Lower and concealed (Adhamnāya) According to the Devyāgama (1) The Eastern face revealed Shri Bhuvaneshvarī, Tripurā, Lalitā, Padmā, Shūlini, Sarasvati, Tvaritā, Nitya, Vajraprastārini, Annapūrnā, Mahalakshmi, Lakshmi, Vágvadini with all their rites and Mantras. (2) The Southern face revealed Prasādasadashiva, Dakshināmūrti, Batuka, Manjughosha, Bhairava, Mritasanjivanīvidya and Mrityunjaya with all their rites and Mantras. (3) The Western face revealed Vasudeva, Vishnu, Rāmchandra, Ganesha, Agni, Sūrya, Vidhu (Chandra), Dikpālas, Hanuman and others their rites and Mantras. (4) The Northern face revealed Devis Dakshinakālikā, Mahākāli, Guhyakālī, Smashānakālikā, Bhadrakāli, Ekajatā ugratārā, Tārini, Katyāyanī, Chhinnamastā, Nīlasarasvati, Durgā, Jayadurgā, Navadurgā, Vashuli, Dhūmavatī, Vishalākshi, Gaurī, Bagalā. mukhi, Pratyangira, Mátangi Mahishamardini, their rites and Mantras. (5) The upper face revealed Tripurasundarī, Tripureshi, Bhairavi, Tripurabhairavi, Smashānabhairavī, Bhuvaneshībhairavī, Shatkutabhairavi, Annapūrnábhairavi, Panchami, Shodashi, Malini, Balábala with