Tantra Shastra

  We have posted almost 940 blogs visited by nearly 50,000. These blogs contain almost everything under the Sun. We have covered subjects like origin of the universe, the stars, the planets and their satellites, life on earth- the past, present and future. Almost all the available sources of some published and some unpublished scriptures have been referred to here. Still, the mystery of life remains to be solved. Even Gautama who went in search of answers to questions bothering us like human sufferings, sickness, old age and death and finally became 'the Buddha'  left us  wondering, back to square one. However, let's try this mysterious world of mantra, tantra and yantra. 

  The problems one faces in life are umpteen. These are considered tapa-traya, three types- 1. created by Nature (prakruti), 2. person's own creation due to commissions and omissions, and 3. the problems created by neighbors or others. Nature create such problems that may even wash out the entire civilization. These include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods and famines, epidemics, etc. Sustained efforts are needed to protect the humanity from these.  The problems that are self-created  are many and these include food habits, life-style, quarrelsome attitudes and behavior, etc. The third category is very important. This includes the tantra adopted by some bad people to destroy peace and prosperity of others. These people are jealous, selfish and harm others. They are misguided people. They go to tantriks and get instruments of tantra such as charts, tables of numbers, mantra or talisman gadgets to harm others, may be to protect themselves also! There is no end to these. The rationalists are strong-minded and do not care for these. So also the sattvik people who trust in God do not attach any importance to these. It is the weak-minded and tamasik ones that are prone to these.

 There are the Vedic tradition and the Non-Vedic practices that deal with human problems and solutions. The Atharva Veda has dealt with these in great detail. There are the mantra, tantra and yantra like our science- theory and practical, and technology in Colleges. The practitioners of these are specialist like the Yajniks or yajurvedis who work with yajnya, yaga, havan and homa. They use Rks and samans, too. Now, the problems that affect and afflict human communities are many and varied. They start with the birth of a child and it is endless and, even death is not the end here! Not only the dead but the living ones, known or the unknown affect the life of individuals, families and even society! It is here that the tantra shastra comes into question.

 The practitioners of tantra are widely known partly as 'tantriks'. There are people who practice 'black magic' all over the world. some deal with the tantra that ward of mental illness, and some deal with the afflicted weak minds that are fearful of everything they see or hear. These include women of certain age group (adolescents) and children. The Vedic tradition accepts some and reject many that are irrational (though not unscientific!). Psycho-analysis, hypnotism and other methods (tantra) are approved. performing puja to ward off evil is accepted. But, animal sacrifice, torturing children are not accepted and even prohibited. So, one has to be careful as to what remedies are adopted to cure the problems. However, one should remember, these techniques(tantra) are not the only cure or preventive ones.

'vamachara' (Occult Science)

 There are sixty-four techniques of occult science (avaidika or  tantra) that are practiced since ages. However, these are not approved by the Vedic people (vaidika). There are remedies, too, as stated in Atharva Veda. These cults are practiced by the nomads, tribal, and other ill-informed people. These include offering obeisance to Kali Maa, Durga Devi, and other Goddesses with a prayer to ward of difficulties, or even get what they wish or desire without harming others. The Vedic doctrines are clear and they advocate worship of Agni deva (yajnya/yaga) havan, homa, etc. There dhanvantari homa for good health and Gana homa to ward of difficulties, and many others. There is no harm when one desires or wish for something good for themselves. But it is very bad when one thinks ill of others, jealous of others' progress and try to harm through these occult practices. There are twelve Deities, and twelve vaidiki devatas specified in the Gayatri mantra (savitru) who bless anything one wish or desires.Each deity has a bijakshara (lika ta, sa, vi, tru, va, re, Nyam), a mantra, a Mandala or Chakra, and  the phala shruti. These vaidiki and tantriki mantra devata are like the Officiating Deities who are in-charge of theoretical and practical aspects. 

  Now, it is human nature to aspire for good and pray for welfare and progress of self and the kith and kin. But to wish ill of others is bad. There people who perform certain rituals and get occult powers. There is a Rule that these powers should not be used to harm others. These powers are for human welfare. But, the crooked people use these occult powers to harm others. However, it is necessary to know whether one should believe in these and contribute to these occult powers? The most important thing to know here is the three category of people- 1.Deva Gana, 2. Rakshasa Gana, and 3. Manava Gana. The Deva Gana are the group of people who are born with sattvika guna and believe in God and will not fear the crooked. The rakshasa gana are those who are rajasika and believe in all these  occult practices. It must be remembered that the weak minded are easily afflicted by these. The third category are tamasika, not much interested in all these.   

 One very important thing to remember here is that wicked people are always there in this world. Nobody can stop them from doing anything that harm others. Kerala is well known for the people who are specialized in Tantric ways. So, the best remedy is to believe in the divine powers and get strength of mind from constant adoration and worship of God. The Bhagavad-Gita give the solution. Trust in Him. He will take care. Blessed Lord assures all-round protection who go to Him for protection. No trust, no life. So, it is always better to take to the 'Right Path', not the 'Leftist', vamachara. Be strong-minded. Don't entertain fear. Also, never think ill of others. Those who think ill of others will perish for God sees the truth!

 What to do when one is afflicted by the wicked deeds like black magic by some bad people? Trust in divine powers like mantra japa, havan, homa, etc. than running to astrologers or mantrics and waste money. There are many ways of overcoming the effects of black magic and one such is the Vedic method. Prayer is the best! 

'Becoming' and 'Being' a 'Yogi'

 Is it necessary to know about the 'Ashtanga Yoga Sutras" to become a yogi? Are there real yogis or just fake ones (dhongi) amidst us? Are these yogis, sadhu santas, sanyasis are by birth or created by chance, luck, fate or destiny? Should the yogi stay aloof, far away in forests or may stay with society and serve them? All these and umpteen other questions arise when it comes to the saffron-clad people moving around us! It is difficult to answer these questions for the situation differs from case to case.

 First, a person must be fed up and averse to worldly sensuous life. Second, he must be really satisfied with his existence and expects nothing more! The Gita lays down that it is only after right knowledge that wisdom dawns, and this leads to renunciation. Then such renunciates sacrifice, give away everything in gifts (danam), and take to meditation (dhyanam) and go for penance (tapas). It is only such persons who real become the yogis- knowledgeable, wise, renunciate and sacrificing. They are qualified to serve selflessly and deserve all honor, respect from society.

  The fact that a yogi is amidst us make us wonder whether most of them deserve to be called renunciates! May be or may not be, we do not know. However, some are born saints like Shankaracharya. Great scholars, renunciate to the core! We don't have any one beside him these days? It is sheer carry-over of the fruits of previous actions (karmaphala), purva punya, that a person is born saint like him and he died very young. The life history of Sri Shankaracharya (Dharegilida teja) is quite revealing!

   A yogi is also shaped up by a 'Guru', a mentor. It is, as if, God shows some mentor to a tormented soul. There are some great yogis sitting in meditation in a cave or a forest or, on the hill without any aspirations for worldly pleasures. Here again, we cannot say anything! There are many examples and worth emulating. Great Swamijis belong to this group of renunciates. We are bound to feel the mystic powers in their presence. These are blessed souls.

 Now, is it necessary to be or become a yogi? Some one remarked that the Hindu philosophy is addictive and makes one a renunciate very early in life. It is not the story of a fox saying "Grapes are sour". It is really a great satisfaction after enjoying the fruits that one says, 'enough', It is a sense of satisfaction, contentment, fulfillment that leads a person to logical conclusion that life is worth living, but 'enough is enough' and finds greater satisfaction in renunciation than in possession. Thus, a yogi is a satisfied soul, happy, contented and looking for emancipation.  

Can We Speak to God?

 Can we speak to God? This is a very interesting question. If one could speak to a cat or a dog, cattle or even birds, why not to God? This question is answered by many great sages. Not only did Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa used to speak to Devi Kali Ma, but it is said that he was possessed of Her spirit. May be there are many who go to seclusion and visualize, speak to Deities of their choice. Little do we understand about all these! Here is one such occasion when I experienced this.

 It was some time in 1994-95 at Haveri where I was posted as Principal of a College. The Voting process of General Election was over and the Ballot Boxes were kept in the College and the date of counting was nearing. There was tight security and an armed Guard was posted who took position on the terrace of the College building. I had a small sports room converted to residence and stayed there. May be, around 3 P.M, some body tried to break into my residence. My wife and daughter were inside. When a person covering a black mask  tried to forcibly enter the house my wife pushed him out with all her might and closed the door. Since I was in the college office, she tried to contact me, but telephone wire was cut off. Some students who were nearby heard the voice and informed me. Soon a police complaint was lodged and the Addl. Police Suptd, came from Dharwad, the district HQ. He went round the premises and enquired about the incident. He was so overwhelmed and appreciated the bravery of my wife and said she should be recommended for a bravery award  and she saved his job. He would have been sacked had there been any untoward happening that day. However, the matter did not end here. He suggested that I should not stay there since it was difficult to catch the miscreants if the commit crime and take a vehicle passing on the NH4 nearby. He advised me to shift immediately and I left the place with my family by the evening same day. But, i had to come back for my job soon. It is in this background that i stood in front of Lord Venkateshwara on the Calendar and talked to Him. I just told Him, the Lord, that i was just a small lame chic wandering picking up a grain or two and He the Supreme Commander of the Universe. What is it He wanted from me and why is he tormenting me? He said bluntly, "This is not the place for you, come to Me". I persisted, and said, "please give whatever one wants from me and do not allow anybody to come to me, I shall be with You. This is the turning point in life. Since, then, i have not turned back. He looks after all my responsibilities and I rest peacefully with Him! 

  What happened next is much interesting for I lost my job for no fault of mine since I just asked for a transfer from Haveri and i was asked to hand over charge so that my request would be considered. Foolish enough, i handed over charge and left the place and the transfer or new posting never came up! I had to approach the High Court, file Contempt proceedings and with all the judgments in my favor, I never got my dues! Well what about the promise of Lord Venkateshwara/  He took care of me and all my kith and kin all these days and sure enough will  not let his ardent devotees down. What is required is  unwavering steadfast devotion and 'faith' in Him!

  So talking to God pays. "God knows the truth but waits", is the  dictum. Trust in God and go ahead.    

Can I See God?

 dhyanavasthita tad gatena manasa yogina pashyanti paraah !

 There is an incident narrated in Swami Rama's book 'At the Feet of the Himalayan Masters'. Rama, a lad of  sixteen, or so, insists that his master should show him God. His master asks him to first decide first which God, Ram, Krishna, or someone he wants to see and tell him. Perplexed, Rama goes to the nearby river bank and sits there contemplating for almost three hours! When it was too hot and unbearable in the hot sun, he gets up and straight goes to his masters and falls at his feet. Thereafter, the  question of God never came up! 

 It is also stated that Sri Aurobindo and Si Tilak had the vision of Lord Shree Krishna when they were in jail during the freedom movement. Sri Aurobindo was in Alipore jail for attempt to murder a British Magistrate. He saw Bhagavan Shree Krishna wherever he looked at! So also, Tilak was kept in jail in Mandalay and he requested the jail authorities to get him some books. He had the vision of the Lord when he was writing his monumental work- 'Gita Rahasya'. His book is translated into Kannada by Sri Alur Venkata Rao and there is an account of Atma darshan  (pp230-245), as far as I remember. There are many such accounts of God-Visioning.

 It is sometime in 2006 or so when i had similar experience. I used to get up and sit for meditation around 3.30 a.m. One day, i was almost in trance that the images of Lord Sri Ram and Sita and Vishnu and Lakshmi appeared fully covering the sky! Surprised by the vision, i opened my eyes and looked around. In fact, it was raining outside. it took some time for me to realize that i was in California and not India. This visioning repeated in another form soon, after a few  days. This time, it was almost a dream-like situation. I was seated for lunch along with a number of guests at a function. A person resembling Shiva, sharp angular dark face with his hair tied as in normal calendar photos was looking closely at me. I looked at him and he said, "You chant the mantra "Om Maheshvaraya namah", sixty thousand times! I was perplexed and opened my eyes. Again, i realized that this was a revelation in trance! This was a divine proddence. Next morning, i started chanting the mantra during my morning walk and repeated during the evening walk, as well, and never counted it! This went on for several months. Now, it was indeed a beginning of a number of miracles unfolding! I had the God-visioning again and again and there is no more doubt about it. 

 Now, it suffices here to state that a number of people have had this darshan. Rather, "Parameshwara darshanam eve purushartha sadhanam", says Sage Ramakrishna Paramahansa. Any sustained effort will lead to success, so also, about search for God. This revelation is just an appearance of what is already within us, not anything new from outside. Bhagavan Shree Krishna says, "I am the Self of all"! Aham eva Atmaa ! So, one has to take to deep meditation. Any desire will be fulfilled, so also, this God-visioning! 

  However, when it comes to God-visioning, it is quite rational to think and ask, "Who sees whom? " The person established in a state of trance will have no awareness of physical existence, as such. It is a transcendental state, samadhi. It is clearly stated that, "There is neither a devotee, nor his Deity in the state of asamprajnya samadhi". The Deity, Bhagavan says, "You come ten feet towards Me, I come fifty feet towards you; you come hundred feet, I am already there within you"!  Here, Bhagavan is united (sayujya or samya) with His devotee and the devotee is merged in Him. Only 'devotion' exists in such a state of union of God! 

 Hence, one should be careful with regard to God-visioning! It's all in the Mind. Mind is a powerful instrument that is capable of creating whatever is the strongest desire of the jiva. One cannot make fun of such things. Whether it is God or the Demon/Devil/ghost it is all in the mind!

"Good Guys, Bad Guys"

 All these 'good' or 'bad' started with the mischief of Vishnu in the guise of Mohini distributing the elixir (amrut) that came out during the churning of the ocean (sagara manthan). When all those who were churning the ocean started grabbing the amruta kalasha it was feared that the amrut would spill out and the death knell earth would become the heaven and Vishnu appeared in the form of an attractive damsel, 'mohini'. All attention fell on her and she took the amrut kalasha to distribute. She asked them to sit in a line and would give them the elixir. There were Vrutra, Vela, Indra and all others in sitting in line waiting for the amrut. After first doze (like the vaccine today) they we all told to go away. However some of them felt something strange and asked Vishnu about the efficacy. They were told that the amrut has given them good looks and strength. Not satisfied with this, they wanted more. So  those who came for the second doze got mystic powers. In this second serve, there were the Vrutra and Vela who went told all their friends that Vishnu has cheated them. By the time they all came back, Lord had given the third doze which gave jnyan and discriminative power and disappeared. This angered the friends of Vritra and Vela so much that they started fighting with all those who got three dozes of amrut. This is is the beginning of the endless fight we find between the good guys and bad guys! 

Vedic Verses

 “Let us know that Supreme Being and meditate upon Him, the Supreme General of the great deva army. May He enlighten us and lead us to be one with Him, Lord Skanda.” [Krishna Yajur Veda, Taittiriya Aranyaka 10.6.2-3 (Shanmukha Gayatra). lw, 112].

 “The atman pervades all like butter hidden in milk. He is the source of Self-knowledge and ascetic fervor. This is the Brahman teaching, the highest goal! This is the Brahman teaching, the highest goal! He who with the truth of the atman, unified, perceives the truth of Brahman as with a lamp, who knows God, the unborn, the stable, free from all forms of being, is released from all fetters. The inspired Self is not born nor does He die; He springs from nothing and becomes nothing. Unborn, permanent, unchanging, primordial, He is not destroyed when the body is destroyed.” [Krishna Yajur Veda, Shvetashvatara Upanishad 1.16; 2.15 & 18. ve, 711, 762, 566].

 “There are five subtle elements, tanmatra, and these are called elements. There are also five gross elements, mahabhutas, and these are called elements. The union of these is called the human body. The human soul rules the body; but the immortal spiritual soul is pure like a drop of water on a lotus leaf. The human soul is under the power of the three constituents and conditions of nature, and thus it falls into confusion. Because of this confusion the soul cannot become conscious of the God who dwells within and whose power gives us power to work.” [Krishna Yajur Veda, Maitra Upa. 3.2. upm, 100].

Taking as a bow the great weapon of the Upanishad, one should put upon it an arrow sharpened by meditation. Stretching it with a thought directed to the essence of That, penetrate that Imperishable as the mark, my friend. [Atharva Veda, Mundaka Upanishad 2.2.3. uph, 372].

From all knowledge, yoga practice and meditation, all that relates to the Aum sound is to be meditated on as the only blissful (Siva). Indeed, the Aum sound is Siva. [Atharva Veda, Atharvasikha Upanishad 2. upb, 782].

"The Great Lord is the beginning, the cause which unites the soul with the body; He is above the three kinds of time and is seen to be without parts. After having worshipped that adorable God dwelling in the heart, who is of many forms and is the true source of all things, man attains final Liberation."[Yajur Veda, Shvet. Upa., Part I, Chapter VI, 5].

 "Endowed with gunas, the jiva performs action, seeking its fruit; and again, it reaps the fruit of what it has done. Assuming all forms and led by the three gunas, the jiva, ruler of the pranas, roams about following the three paths, according to its deeds. Of the size of a thumb, but brilliant, like the sun, the jiva possesses both volition and egoism. It is endowed with the qualities of both buddhi and Atman. Therefore, it is seen as another entity, inferior and small as the point of a goad." [Yajurveda, Shvet. Upa., Part I, Ch. V, 7-8].

 "Rosy Dawn advances, adorned with the brightness of many a beam. She pursues her way on her well-equipped chariot, arousing Men to joy. Come, O twin Spirits, at break of day on  your powerful chariots. We offer in sacrifice this honey-sweet draught for your delectation."

 "How is it that, though united and unsupported, he does not fall down ? By what inner power moves he? Who has seen? A firm pillar, he protects heaven's vault. [Rk Veda IV, 14, 3-5].

  “If the sunbird, rising, extracted his foot from the sea, neither today nor tomorrow would exist, neither night, day, nor dawn. The eight--wheeled moves on one rim, to and from, thousand-syllabled. With one half it engendered all creation. Of its other half what sign?” [Atharva Veda XI, 4, 21-22]

  “Foremost Purifier, let your lights shine on us now, inspiring us to skill of mind and hand.” [Rk Veda IX, 36, 3].