Ritual

outgrow the merry-go-round of self-defeating ego-games and
accept the contradictions and polarities of his own personality
structure. Buddha's life is a reminder of such instances, when in his
search for enlightenment he had to encounter fear-inspiring threats
from Mara and his host of evil demons. The advanced tantrikas
practise a type of asana known as Savasana at cremation grounds.
Such a place stresses the truth of transience and the aspirant's heart
itself becomes a cremation ground - pride and selfishness, status
and role, name and fame are all burnt to ashes. Meditation on
certain types of corpses at midnight are considered best for
overcoming fears and temptations that confront the adepts. It takes
courage not to shrink from such emotionally disintegrating
panoramas, which are not directly part of our conscious attention
in our normal day-to-day life.
Recognition of the fierce aspects of life carries shock-effects of
varying degrees, depending upon the strength of the adept's
conviction, before tranquility can be established. However, it is
not at all necessary that all sadhakas should go to such terrorinspiring
sites; the same result may be achieved by introspection.
Perhaps because of their strong associations with the mysterious,
Saptamundi-asana. Mandi,
Himachal Pradesh, 18th century.
Gouache on paper.
The Principle of Fire. Rajasthan,
18th century. Gouache on paper.
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