Essay name: Isanasivagurudeva Paddhati (study)
Author:
J. P. Prajith
Affiliation: Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit / Department of Sanskrit Sahitya
This essay studies the methods of worship in the Isanasivagurudeva Paddhati (also known as the Tantra Paddhati). This text deals with many topics such as architecture and iconography. But this essay focuses on ceremonies and the ritual practices associated with Gods, Goddesses and other deities (Devatas).
Chapter 1 - History and scope of Tantric Literature
14 (of 56)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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'श्रद्धाभक्ति समभ्यासात् सर्व� सिध्यन्त� सर्वदा � [śraddhābhakti samabhyāsāt sarve sidhyanti sarvadā | ] ' 32 For the fulfilment of the Tantric dictum 'शिवोभूत्वा शिवं यजेत� [śivobhūtvā śiva� yajet ] ' � [| ] must be perfect harmonization of Jñana, Yoga, Kriya and Caryā. A happy blending of the above four factors is said to bring about a state of being where the Sadhaka, without being aware of it, attains a divine existence. In other words, he identifies himself with the divine. This is what is implicit in the worship of Devatas and Ksetrārādhana in general. Here we find the revelation of the Caturmahāvākyas—aham brahmāsmi; tattvamasi; ayamātma brahma; prajñanam brahma - which constitute the very essence of Indian thought. Tantra Vedic or Non - Vedic - There existed a lot of controversy among scholars of yore regarding the Vedic or non-vedic origin and nature of Tantra. The controversy has apparently subsided now with the near unanimity among scholars that Tantra is both Vedic and non-vedic in origin, nature and content. The observations made by Monier Williams in his book 'Religious Thought and Life in India' have held the attention of the followers of the Avaidikasiddhanta. 33 However in the Vaisnavit system of worship, in Saivagamas and in the Saktik forms of worship, the Veda sūktas and Veda mantras are used extensively. This can be taken as proof to the predominance of Veda in Tantric rites. But the Tantric texts by themselves claim superiority over the Vedas. For eg: 18
