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TANTRIK SADHANA: MAHAPUJA
87
MĀHÁPOJĀ "The Gandharva Tantra says: " A Mahāpūjā, with all the various articles therefor and complete in all parts, should be performed every month of every year on auspicious days. Besides this, worship of Ishtadevată is a daily work. A Sãdhaka may perform occasional rites when he is capable of thoroughly carrying out those of daily obligation. When he thus becomes an adept in the performance of both the daily and occasional rites, then he may think of performing those which are done for the attain. ment of a particular end (Kamya).".
"A great Pūjā, with abundance of materials therefore should be performed on a fourteenth lunar day, or an eighth lunar day, or a full moon day, or between two months (the day between two months or the last day of a month), or on a Mahābhūta day. If the fourteenth day of a dark fortnight be a Tuesday, that day is called a Mahabhūta day. Any special performance on this day causes Bhūtas (beings and things) to come within the control of the Sadhaka. Again if there is a conjunction of the Pushya * Nakshatra on that day, performance on that day is productive of countless fruits." (p. 321 Principles of Tantra Vol. II)
* One of the twenty-seven "lunar mansions".
