Essay name: Devi Tantra, Mantra, Yantra (study)
Author:
Srider Basudevan Iyer
Affiliation: University of Mumbai / Sanskrit, University Department
This essay studies the history of Devi (the Goddess) in relation with worship using Tantra, Yantra and Mantra. The study explores the concept of the 'Female Principle' or Goddess, examining her role and significance in ancient Indian society.
Chapter 1 - Introduction
25 (of 55)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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chapter 1. Introduction 25 25 According to the P膩rame艣vara samhita, the Sakta doctrine is divided a
into the following four branches as -
-
1. Nitya, 2. Anitya, 3. Sabara, 4. Sakt墨.
It adds that the mixing or combining of rituals of the one with
the other is prohibited 48. Thus the pristine-ness and individuality of
each method is prescribed. In tantra, the process is most important
and the knowledge of the s盲dhaka in the ways of the ritual worship is
essential49. The invocation of the supreme deity into the ritual setting
is clearly a delineated aspect of the tantra worship. The deity of the
tantra is not ascending from an unseen and invisible distant heaven of de?
the Vedic cosmogony but, is drawn out directly from the worshippers'
heart and requested to manifest in concrete object of the ritual like an
image, idol, diagram, and the like. A unique feature of the tantra
worship is, concern for the devotees, for, the deities remain present
throughout the entire ritual process.
Mantras definition:
-
op. cit.
Mantra is that which protects on constant thinking and is an
instrument of protecting the thinking process. It is popularly defined
as, "Manan膩t tr膩yat iti mantra".
a
48 Joshi Mahadev N. Sivagamas A Birds Eye View. Dharwad- 2001; P.11
49 Malaviya S; Mantramahodadi (Hindi), Varanasi-
P.7.
