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 4 - Worship and The Worshipper
61 (of 95)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Worship & worshipper 362 inferior. Other than these, no other material should be used. The size of the
cord and the number of threads also are determinatory of the result it
bestows as is evident from the following table.
Size type
No. of threads
Result.
Small
Twenty seven
Honour and fame in the
world of men, happiness
and divine enjoyment.
Middle
Fiftyfour
Divine enjoyments, is
meritious, grants heaven
and final emancipation.
Most
One
hundred Union with Siva.
excellent
and eight
搁补迟苍补尘腻濒腻
One thousand Grants enjoyment and
and eight
final emancipation.
Ratnamala in the Saktic connotation is a term used to indicate the sacred
thread made using thousand and eight threads. The thread and knot should
be of different colours. As such in actual practice sandal-paste and kumkum
is applied to the knot to mark the colour difference. The smallest length of
sacred thread is of twelve knots and reaching ones navel. The middle variety
reaches up to one's thighs and is of twenty four knots while an excellent
variety reaches up to ones knees and has thirty six knots.
In practice of offering sacred thread to the goddess and also sacred thread to
be worn by the Sakti who is initiated is not seen much in vogue. But if the
idols or the sculpted forms are observed this Pavitra is seen on the body of
the goddess as a part of the figure. When asked the Sivacaryas or the temple
