Traverses on Less Trodden Path of Indian Philosophy and Religion

Author(s): Yajneshwar S Shastri
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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Traverses on less trodden path...
The worshipper of Tripura, becomes the rival of Sun, Garuda, Manm. atha, Fire and Brahma, Visņu and Sankara,? 9 The devotee of Tripura acquires great learning, becomes exceedingly prosperous and develops a charming personality. 80 Devi confers all sorts of powers to her devotee. She fulfils all the desires. Her devotee becomes master of all arts, and obtaios unparalleled name and fame.81 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 9
Path of Sadhana This Tripura Tantra is mainly practical scripture of Vedanta. Though this Tantra represents Upanişadic philosophy, its main emphasis is on 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 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 pot 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, 88
Now, it is necessary to set forth the nature of thc Tantric Sadhana at some greater length.
These Tantric texts advocate two kinds of worsbip of Tripurā; 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. Saktas believe that the Universal
79 (a) Nityaşodasikārnava-I-3, p. 14.
(b) Saundaryalahari-101, p. 251. 80. --Saundaryalahari-5. 6, 13, 18, 101. 81. Tripurāmahimanastotra-51-53, Kävyamala-part XI. ed. Pandit Sivadatta and Kasinath
Pandurang parab, Nirnayasagar Press, Bombay-1933, p. 36-37. 82. Ibid-54, p. 37. 83. Yatrasti bhogo na hi tatra mokso, yatrasti mokṣo nahitatra bogaḥ.
Sivapadam bhojayugārcakānām bhuktisca muktiśca karasthiteva-Saundaryalahari with Saubhagyavardhani, p. 22.