Comparative Study of Mantrashastra

SR No.: 006575
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab
Publication Year: 1944
Total Pages: 376
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, L000, & L020
File Size: 21 MB

Page 106

MANTRAYANA-VAJRAYANA: HINDU MANTRIC SYSTEM
while 'Brahma' thinking. He then states that Saktivada is connected with the Vedic Upasana Kanda. He then refers to the various Sūktas in praise of Aditi. She is said to be the mother of Gandharvas, Manushyas, Pitaras, Asuras and all Bhutas. Sakti is here worshipped as Mother. She is also called Mahi or Prithvi, Savitri, Gayatri and Sarasvati. Aditi in short is also called Devatamayi. In the Sukta of Uṣādevī, Sakti is praised in the form of Virgin while Sakti in the form of Wife is praised in the Sūkta of Surya. Vaksukta, (Rig. 10-26) and Laksmisūkta in the appendix to Rigveda established worship of Sakti. Further references from Agnirahasyakanda of Yajurveda, Mantropanishad of the Švetāshvatara branch, Chhandogya Upanishad of Sāmaveda, Tāṇdi branch, and Kathaka Upanishad to Surya's wife, Prajna alias Sphuraṇā, Para and Devatāmayī Aditi respectively are given by the said writer in the first chapter of the said work. Vājasaneyi Samhită refers to Ambika (III-57) and Siva (XVI-1). Then the said author traces Saktivāda through Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads and Vedāngas.
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In Brahmanas and Aranyakas, Sakti of Brahma is known by the name of Gayatri, Savitri, and Sarasvati. Gayatri is said to be Bhargamayi, Tejomayi and Jyotirmayi. She is called Savitri as she gives birth to the universe. She is Sarasvati as the current of joy (Ananda) of Brahma flows from her. For full exposition of Gāyatri, Gopatha Brahmana (1-30-38), Brihad Aranyaka (7-14) and Maitrāyaṇī (Prapathaka 5) are referred to by the said learned author. He further gives the information given below in Chapter II of his said work. He says that the roots of the technical Tantric terms 'Bindu', 'Bija' and 'Nada' are to be found in the upasana portion of the Aranyakas. They are derived from 'Ikṣaṇa', 'Tapa', and 'Sarjana', of the Vedic literature, and are known as 'Iccha', 'Jnana' and 'Kriya' in Vedanta. This trio of 'Bindu' 'Bija' and 'Nada' is represented by a triangle with a dot in its centre and is known as 'Traipuradhama'. Here 'Bindu' is first divided into 'Parabindu' and 'Aparabindu' and the latter is subdivided into the said 'Trio'. The central dot is the 'Para Bindu' and the