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32<br />

but at the same time maintains perfect lucidity and self-control, the<br />

resulting experience of which is neither hallucinogenic nor<br />

artificial. His experience is an everlasting one, whereas a 'chemical<br />

pilgrimage' is principally indulged in spasmodically for momentary<br />

thrills invariably bringing depression and in many cases<br />

ending with drug addiction.<br />

In tantric rituals, particularly in the twilight (sandhya) rituals<br />

performed at the conjunction of day and night or at midnight, a<br />

secret language known as Sahdhya-bhasha or Sahdha-bhasha is<br />

used by which a state of consciousness is expressed in ambiguous<br />

terms with erotic meanings. The symbolic contents of these terms<br />

are not intelligible to non-initiates, thus, for example: 'inserting his<br />

organ into the mother's womb', 'pressing his sister's breasts',<br />

'placing his foot upon the guru's head', 'he will be reborn no<br />

more'. In sandha terminology, the 'organ' is the contemplating<br />

mind; the 'mother's womb' is the Muladhara chakra, or base<br />

centre; the 'sister's breasts' are the heart centre (Anahata chakra),<br />

and the 'guru's head' is the brain centre (Sahasrara). These code<br />

terms, if translated, mean, to quote Agehananda, 'He practises<br />

mental penetration through the successive centres, and when he<br />

reaches the uppermost centre, he will not be [re-] born. According<br />

to some scholars, Sandhya-bhasha means 'twilight' or 'secret'<br />

language, though others call it Sandha-bhasha, or 'intentional'<br />

language, in which many passages of tantric texts are composed.<br />

Whatever its meaning, it has an equivocal significance, partly to<br />

conceal the real meaning of the terminology from non-initiates<br />

but also, as Eliade says, 'Chiefly to project the yogin into the<br />

"paradoxical situation" indispensable to his training.' 8 The process<br />

of destroying and reinventing terminology, and even a guru's<br />

abusive language, recall present-day 'agression rituals' practised in<br />

group psychotherapy as a form of linguistic catharsis, using<br />

offensive language as a means to avert psychotic behaviour and to<br />

live constructively with the collective psyche. In tantrism,<br />

however, abusive language has a double meaning, 'concrete' and<br />

'symbolic', mainly to transubstantiate that experience into<br />

awareness.<br />

Tantric rites and rituals can be performed either on the mental<br />

plane or by the use of mantras or sacred words, diagrams, deities,<br />

ritual ingredients. These accessories are not considered and used<br />

according to their function in daily life but have deep spiritual<br />

significances. Mantras are indispensible to tantric discipline.<br />

Literally translated, the word mantra means 'that which when<br />

reflected upon gives liberation'. A mantra cannot be enlivened

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