Thursday, 26 April 2012

Sacred texts of Tantric Path

For some time, I have been watching a serialize T.V. programme on Lord Shiva and Shakti. In one of the episode there is a discussion on Atharva Veda, which of course is the 4th and last Veda. The Atharva Veda is different from other Veda and there is general belief that it has blessing from Lord Shiva. Atharva Veda is considered to be one of the prime scriptures on tantra. “the subject of my blog”
Tantra has been one of the most neglected branches of Indian spiritual studies despite the considerable number of texts devoted to this practice, which dates back to the 5th-9th century AD.
Talk about Tantra and the first thing that come to the mind ( especially in western world) are sex, magic and witchcraft and Google is full of it. Is this the real Tantra? Many people still consider tantra to be full of obscenities and unfit for people of good taste. It is also often accused of being a kind of black magic. However, in reality, tantra is one of the most important Indian traditions, representing the practical aspect of the Vedic tradition.
The religious attitude of the tantriks is fundamentally the same as that of the Vedic followers. It is believed that the tantra tradition is a part of the main Vedic tree. The more vigorous aspects of Vedic religion were continued and developed in the tantras. Generally tantriks worship either Goddess Shakti or Lord Shiva
The word "tantra" is derived from the combination of two words "tattva" and "mantra". "Tattva" means the science of cosmic principles, while "mantra" refers to the science of mystic sound and vibrations. Tantra therefore is the application of cosmic sciences with a view to attain spiritual ascendancy. In another sense, tantra also means the scripture by which the light of knowledge is spread: Tanyate vistaryate jnanam anemna iti tantram.
There are essentially two schools of Indian scriptures - "Agama" and "Nigama". Agamas are those which are revelations while Nigama are the traditions. Tantra is an Agama and hence it is called "srutishakhavisesah", which means it is a branch of the Vedas.
The main deities worshipped are Shiva and Shakti. They are a symbol and represent the male and female. Some Tantric texts are conversations between Shiva and Shakti. It has close relation to the modern Advaita philosophy of Shankarachraya, the oneness of all being. So, Tantrism believes that the ‘first life energy’ is present in all of us and we can invoke it in our activities in daily life including sex. The ardhanarishwara, half-man or half-woman, concept is a part of Tantrism. Touch, kissing, breathe all are used to create the energy by the partners. The partners unknowingly join in the cosmic dance – don’t mistake it for real dance. They gaze at each other and keep the eyes open in foreplay and forget about their surroundings. Several different types of touch are practiced in Tantrism.
Tantra is different from other traditions because it takes the whole person, and his/her worldly desires into account. Other spiritual traditions ordinarily teach that desire for material pleasures and spiritual aspirations are mutually exclusive, setting the stage for an endless internal struggle. Although most people are drawn into spiritual beliefs and practices, they have a natural urge to fulfill their desires. With no way to reconcile these two impulses, they fall prey to guilt and self-condemnation or become hypocritical. Tantra offers an alternative path.
Tantrism should not be overlooked just because it talks about sex and contains elements of animism. Tantrism believes that truth can be only experienced through direct realization.  The most vigorous aspects of Vedic traditions evolved as an esoteric(mystic) system of knowledge in the Tantras. The Atharva Veda is considered to be one of the prime tantrik scriptures.



Daily Panchang & Muhurtha Friday 27th April 2012
Based on British Standard Time (London)

27TH April
Sunrise: 05:40:59 Sunset: 20:16:10 Moonrise: 09:50:32
Nandana (1934) Vikrami(North): 2069, Vishvaavasu Vikram(Gujarat): 2068
Ayana:Uttarayana  Ritu:Grishma Vedic Ritu:Vasanta
Vaishakha Shukla Paksha
T: Shashthi 22:00:58 N: Aardra 10:25:15 Y: Sukarman 10:07:47
K: Kaulava 09:20:46 K: Taitila 22:00:58
Sun : Mesha  Moon : Mithuna
RK: 11:09:11-12:58:35 YM: 16:37:22-18:26:46
GK: 07:30:23-09:19:47 AJ: 12:34:35-13:22:35
DM: 08:36:01-09:34:22 DM: 13:27:45-14:26:06
V: 23:17:30-25:00:28
Sun in Ashvini till 06:27:22
TY: Siddha
AN: Padma 10:25:15 AN: Lamba
Agnivasa: in Heaven till 22:00:58 Agnivasa: in Paatala
Abbreviations
T: Tithi N: Nakshatra Y: YogaK: Karana RK: Rahukaal YM: Yamakaal GK: Gulika iAJ: Abhijit Muhurta DM: Durmuhurtham V: Varjyam AK: Amritkalam AN: Anandadi yoga TY: Amritha, Siddha Marana Yoga used in Tamil Panchangam
Agnivasa(location of Fire) :Doing Havan if Fire on earth gives Happiness, in Heaven  could gives loss of life, in Paatala gives loss of wealth