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
92 (of 95)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Worship & worshipper Unfavourable tithis. 393 The following Tithis are considered unfavorable for initiation to the
s膩dhaka - T峁泃墨y膩, Caturthi, A峁ａ弓am墨, Navami, Ek膩da艣墨 and Dv膩da艣墨. The list
is the same in all the works of tantra except the Sa峁ａ弓h墨 tithi. According to the
SVT 169 峁峁ａ弓hi is not the suitable day for initiation. The tantras attach great
importance to the eclipses. About the solar eclipse it is said by the
SVT170 that initiation in the solar eclipse period is highly recommended. It
also states further that, the Mantra given and taken on the day of solar
eclipse becomes a mantra that is successful quickly and instantly. According
to the BTS 171 initiation in either of the eclipses is recommendable. But
according to the SVT the initiation during lunar eclipse is for the forest
dwellers. The BTS quoting the Rudray膩malatantra says that the initiation of
Sakti mantra should not be taken during the solar eclipse. But if it is the
mantra of the highest principle, 艢r墨vidy膩; then solar eclipse is not a
problem 172.
Days of the week.
Like the month etc.... each day is special and unique. It exerts its influence
on the initiation process and results in a variety of ways for the s盲dhaka. The
results of initiation on the particular day of the week on the s盲dhaka are
listed below in a tabular format.
169 ibid
SVT C.12, P.291
170 171 BTS C.I, P.45
172 ibid
