Traverses on Less Trodden Path of Indian Philosophy and Religion

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

Page 164

Tripurā Tantra...
155
energy or Spiritual power in man lies dormant and is likened to a serpent that has coiled up (Kundalini Sakti). 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 cerebrum. Here, in this state Sakti unites with Siva. This
e liberation. Thus, the primary purpose of the aspirant is to awaken this sleeping Snake or Sakti. This is done in many ways, such as purely practising Yogic technicalities, reciting sacred letters (Japa) and worshipping diagram and image.
Details of Yogic disciplines are set forth by Śankara in Saundaryalah. ari.84 Yoga speaks of șatcakras viz., Mūladhara (original abode), Manipura (full of rays), Svadhisthana (own place), Anahata (sound), Visuddht (the ether above) and Ajña (mind between the eyebrows), within the human body. 88 These are actually psychic centres in the body. These six psycbic centres 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 Sahastāra 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 pative splendour as pure consciousness, It is here in this state Sakti is transformed into absolute consciouness. It is a state of liberation. This method of applying Yogic technicalities is considered as higher form of internal worship or subile meditation (Suksmadhyāng). 87 Highest type of meditation (Paradhyāna) is done by meditating on the Parasakti as one impartite, and impartible whole and visualising the Atman as steady, motionless flame in a windless place. 8 8 Ja pa (reciting sacred letters) is an aid to meditation. Mantra is identified with Devi, Pancadaśakşari Mantra is considered as supreme Mantra, wbich is also called Gupta Gayatri. 8 9 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 Brahman. 90 This Mantra represents body of Tripurasundari. Tripura herself is called Pancadasi because she is witness of five kinds of stages of the universe
84. Saunndaryalahari-7, p. 10. 85. Saundaryalahari with Lakşmidhară-9, p. 70. 86. Ibid. p. 70. 87. Tantrarāja, p. 76. 88. Ibid, p. 76. 89 (a) Tripurätāpinyupanişad, p. 461-463. (b) Tasyā rūpadvitayam tatraikam yat prapathyate aspa stam vedesu caturşvapi
paramaty antam gopaniyalaram--Varivasyärahasya, Bhaskararāya, p. 8, 90. Lalitātrisati, p. 291.