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66
Y. S Shastri
Tripura is the supreme deity All other gods and goddesses are subo. rdinate to her, and offei obeisance to her 73 Inspired by her, Brahma creates the world, Vişnu sustains il and Rudi a destroys. The relative reality and objectivity of the world and its regularity and law abiding nature are due to her. She is absolute in the world context. She is the supreme from the cosmic end She is the moral governei and lord of the law of Karma.74 She is in the form of ocean of mercifulness.75 She is the bestower of all kinds of riches and happiness, Mothei of all77 and bestower of ultimate liberation. 78
The worshipper of Tripura, becomes the rival of Sun, Garuda, Manm atha, Fire and Brahini, Vint and Sankara 79 The devotee of Tripura acquires great learning becomes exceedingly prosperous and develops a charming personality 8e Devi confers all sorts of powers to her devotee. She fulfils all the desires. Her devotee becomes master of all arts, and obtains unparalleled name and fame. 8 1 She bestowes all worldy prosperity to her devotee. The devotee of Tripura, enjoys all the worldly riches and becomes one with her(Brahman) in the end. 8 2
PATH OF SADHANA
This Tripura Tantra is mainly practical scripture if Vedanta Though this Tantra represents Upanisadic philosophy, its inain emphasis is the practical aspect of realisation of Brahman No doubt this Tantra has exaIted the supremacy of knowledge, but it emphasizes on that knowledge which is obtained from spiritual experience Mere knowledge derived from scriptures will not lead to the realisation of one's own self Mere scriptuaral speculation or erudite scholarship in Vedanta does not necessarily lead to real knowledge. Real knowledge consists in spiritual experience that can liberate the soul from eternal bondage Thus both theory and practice are of utmost importance for a devotee to reach the highest goal. For this reason, this Tantra literature prescribes a set of disciplines, to be followed by the aspirant on the path of realisation of Advaita. But it is very important to note that these disciplines described by Tantra do not propagate self torture and dry austerity. It is clearly mentioned in these texts that, worship of goddess brings all worldly prosperity and enjoyment and ultimately leads to liberation 8 3
Tantric
Now, it is necessary to set forth the nature of the path of Sadhana at some greater length.