Sambodhi 1983 Vol 12

Author(s): Dalsukh Malvania, H C Bhayani, Nagin J Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 72

Tripura Tantra Sri Vidya): Its Philosophy and Path of sadhana
67
These Tantric texts advocate two kinds of worship of Tripura: the internal or higher form of worship, consisting of deep meditation and solemn contemplation for the highly advanced and the external intended for the less evolved, ordinary mortals Sāktas believe that the Universal energy ou Spiritual power in man lies dormant and is likened to a serpent that has coiled up Kundalini Saktı) This power has to be aroused from its place (which is at the beginning of the spinal cord) and led up step by step to the cerebi uin Here, in this state Sakti unites with Siva. This is the liberation. Thus, the primary purpose of the aspirant is to awaken Lliis sleeping Suake or Sakti. This is done in many ways, such as purely practising Yogic technicalities, reciting sacied letters (Jupu) and worshipping diagram and image.
Details of Yogic disciplines are set forth by Sankara in Saundaryalahari.8 4 Yoga speaks of satcakras viz, Muladhara original abode), Manipura (full of rays), Svādlıişthâna (own place), Anahata (sound), visuddhi (the ether above) and Ājia (mind between the eyebrows), within the human body, 85 These are actually psychic centres in the body. These six psychic cen. tres represent the cosmic elements of earth, water, fire, air, ether and the mind respectively. 86 Last and high up in the cerebrum, there is the Sahasrära Kamala-thousand petalled lotus. An aspirant by deep meditation led it up to the cerebrum where this Sakti disengaged from all that is adventitious to it, emerges in its native splendour as pure consci. ousness. It is here in this state Sakti is transformed into absolute consciousness. It is a state of liberation. This method of applying Yogic technicalities is considered as higher form of internal worship or subtle meditation (Sükşmadh yana). 8 7 Highest type of meditation (Parādhyana) is done by meditating on the Parisakti as one impartite, and impartible whole and visualising the Ātman as steady, motionless flame in a wind. less place. 8 8 Japa (reciting sacred letters)is an aid to meditation. Mantra is identified with Devi. Pascadašakşari Mantra is considered as supreme Mantra, which is also called Gupta Gayatri 89 It is a formula for deep meditation. This mantra is so called because it contains fifteen germinal letters. These letters represent union of Siva and Sakti, Jiva and Braliman.00 This Mantra represents body of Tripurasundari. Tripura herself is called panchdast because she is witness of five kinds of stages of the universe and indestructible.i Bhaskararaya gives fifteen meanings of this mantra.92 Three hundred meanings of pañcadaśakşani is explained in Trišatibhāsya by Sankara.93 The fifteen letters of this Mantra are divided into three groups (Kītus) viz. Vagbhava, Kamai aja and Sakti. Vägisvari is the Thanasakti which is in the Vägbhava division and confers şalvation. Kamuroja