Tantra a and Mantra (contd.)

   In Lakshmi Tantra (Chapter 28) Lakshmi imparts meditation technique (tantra) to Sureshvara (Sakra/Indra). It runs as follows:

 After the daily rituals that one follows as per his family tradition, the adept should select a calm and quiet place and sit for meditation in the evening. This presupposes the earlier four steps of Patanjali yoga-sutras as is normally understood. The place should be clean, attractive and slightly elevated; place a cotton spread on the soft grass and sit comfortably.

Verses 40-53 run as follows:

 " After sitting in a posture of either chakra (disc), padma (lotus) or svastika- as he pleases, and after controlling the artery-way of (the vital air/ prana) as well as all (the five vital) airs (pancha prana-vayu) he who has conquered his sense-organs (jnanendriyas) by pratyahara should perform dharana (concentration on a selected topic of spiritual nature); and, then when firmly in meditative trance (samadhi) he should continue to meditate on me, as the peerless, inscrutable, undifferentiated, pure omnipresent Lakshmi, who abides in every cognition; or the meditator (may meditate on me) in the form of Padmaa, the supreme Goddess, with her hands held in the attitude (mudra) of granting a boon (vara) and protection (abhaya),.. ... completely identified with Him, Narayana, consisting of Knowledge and Bliss...." (verses 40-44)

  "O Sureshvara, these are the various ways of meditating and one may follow any of these methods (dharma) of his liking or faith.. .. and after reaching the deepest point of meditation, one should continue in the meditative trance where the distinction between the meditator, meditation, and the object meditated on merge into oneness" (verses 45-46)

   "At such a time it is myself alone that am left revealed, I who am the eternal and absolute, I-hood (of God). When in the ocean of consciousness the meditator achieves identity with me, the absolute. Wearied of meditation (yoga), he must mutter prayers (japa), and wearied of japa, must practice yoga, alternately (to overcome weariness).... I very soon bestow my grace upon him." (verses 4-50).

   "O slayer of Bala, there is no difference whatsoever in merit between an initiate well-versed in the duties .... and one engaged in pronouncing the mantras of Lakshmi." (Verse 52).

Selected mantra will follow. 
  We gratefully acknowledge the contributions (of the above) and thank the author Dr. Saanjuktaa Gupta and the publishers Motilal Banarsidas, Delhi. who have given us the translations of the rare text of Lakshmi Tantra.