We have an invaluable source of material regarding the creation, nature of the jiva and the universe and many a beautiful techniques to live successfully, happily, joyfully, peacefully, and even gracefully exit. This ancient scripture was found in a village Kalale, near Najangud (Mysore) in Telugu language. This was traced by Prof. Sanjukta Gupta, teaching in Oxford, formerly at university of Utrecht, Netherlands. She has given the English translation of the verses, published by Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, Delhi 2007. The beauty of these verses is that they go to the root words, syllables and sounds that emanated from Divine Mother Devi Lakshmi. It is a dialogue between Shakra (Indra) and Lakshmi, the power and glory of Shree Hari Narayana. Shakra asks a number of questions regarding the creation, the nature and predicaments of the living beings (jiva), the means of liberation, and other questions about devi devata and their powers, including Her own powers and relationship with Narayana! and the powers inherent in them. Lakshmi explains all the secrets in this ancient scripture, one of the two hundred pancharatra samhita.
In Her own words, "Devi Shree (addressing Shakra)- Listen to the description of the three states of existence viz,gross, subtle, and absolute (states) of (the shakti), which is the supreme science (i.e., mantra) called Tarika, the savior (of the devotee from the sufferings of) existence. The gross form (of Tarika, who is identical with) me, contains five sounds- hreem (is adorned with the sound called 'naada' after the 'bindu' which resembles the tingling sound of a bell, otherwise it is just four letters), or (sometimes) four; my subtle form possesses three sounds ('Im' or 'eem'); and (my) absolute form consists of (the sound called) vishnu (I or ee). Further, Devi Shree states: "Each of these three states of mine (That is of Tarika) is again subdivided into three conditions. The absolute condition in the gross state contains (the sound) 'paramatman' (ha), joined with (the sounds) 'asheshabhuvanaadhaara' (ra), vishnu (I or ee), and vyapin (hreem). This state contains both the enjoyer and the object of enjoyment. [Sanjukta Gupta: Lakshmi Tantra Ch.XXII verse 1-3).
This is how the Tarika mantra 'hreem' has come to be very important in the tantric world!
However, this should not be treated as a very simple and easy technique to practice for ordinary mortals. Let's see what Devi Shree says regarding this. "The true form of the jiva" is given Ch. XIII. Devi Shree says, "Broiling in their own deeds (they) are in the very center of the hot coal that represents mundane life; they inadvertently seek happiness, but (instead), owing to ignorance, get crushed by misery." Further, She says, "As movable and immovable beings they continuously pass through an endless chain of births. Inextricably enmeshed in the miseries of body, senses, mind, and intelligence through the results caused by certain deeds, (jivas) are ever subjected to recurrent birth and death, and undergo affliction through systematic exertion or its absence (i.e., attempts to avoid misery or to pursue happiness, as the case may be). (These considerations engender (in Me) endless compassion for these jivas. I obliterate their sins, and I, Shree, ensure that (such) jivas escape beyond the clutches of misery. (This act of compassion of mine) is called 'anugraha', which is also referred to as the 'descent' of the supreme Shakti. Further, even this is not so simple! Devi Shree says, "Having received My Grace. they (such of the fortunate jivas who received it) are absolved from their karman (i.e., extinction of consequences of their actions). The jivas infused with My grace possess My 'apaschima' (non-phenomenal), a pure or sattvika body transcending the material body.
Thus, it is essential to attract the grace of the Devi by constantly chanting Her mantra! (ibid, Ch. XIII 4- 9)
However, this should not be treated as a very simple and easy technique to practice for ordinary mortals. Let's see what Devi Shree says regarding this. "The true form of the jiva" is given Ch. XIII. Devi Shree says, "Broiling in their own deeds (they) are in the very center of the hot coal that represents mundane life; they inadvertently seek happiness, but (instead), owing to ignorance, get crushed by misery." Further, She says, "As movable and immovable beings they continuously pass through an endless chain of births. Inextricably enmeshed in the miseries of body, senses, mind, and intelligence through the results caused by certain deeds, (jivas) are ever subjected to recurrent birth and death, and undergo affliction through systematic exertion or its absence (i.e., attempts to avoid misery or to pursue happiness, as the case may be). (These considerations engender (in Me) endless compassion for these jivas. I obliterate their sins, and I, Shree, ensure that (such) jivas escape beyond the clutches of misery. (This act of compassion of mine) is called 'anugraha', which is also referred to as the 'descent' of the supreme Shakti. Further, even this is not so simple! Devi Shree says, "Having received My Grace. they (such of the fortunate jivas who received it) are absolved from their karman (i.e., extinction of consequences of their actions). The jivas infused with My grace possess My 'apaschima' (non-phenomenal), a pure or sattvika body transcending the material body.
Thus, it is essential to attract the grace of the Devi by constantly chanting Her mantra! (ibid, Ch. XIII 4- 9)
How does one gets initiated into Lakshmi Tantra
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