Introduction to Tantra Sastra - Aghori

WORSHIP 101
eating of particular food such as haviṣyānnā, 1 fasting,
bathing. No flesh or fish is taken. The mind is concentrated
to its purposes, and the vow or resolution (niyama)
is taken. Before the vrata the Sun, Planets, and
Kula-devatā are worshipped, and by the “sūryah-somoyamah-kāla”
mantra all Devas and Beings are invoked
to the side of the worshupper. In the vaidika vrata the
saṃkalpa 2 is made in the morning, and the vrata is
done before midday.
TAPAS
This term is generally translated as meaning penance
or austerities. It includes these, such as the four
monthly fasts (cātur-māsya), the sitting between five
fires (pañcāgnitapah), and the like. It has, however, also
a wider meaning, and in this wider sense is of three
kinds, namely, śarīra, or bodily; vācika, by speech;
manasa, in mind. The first includes external worship,
reverence and support given to the Guru, Brāhmaṇ as
and the wise (prājña), bodily cleanliness, continence,
simplicity of life and avoidance of hurt to any being
(ahiṃsā). The second form includes truth, good, gentle,
and affectionate speech, and the study of the Vedas. The
third or mental tapas includes self-restraint, purity of
disposition, silence, tranquility, and silence. Each of
these classes has three subdivisions, for tapas may be
sātvika, rājasika, or tāmasika, according as it is done
1 To prepare haviṣyānnā, particular kinds of fruit and vegetable such as
green bananas, dāl , sweet potatoes (lāl ālu, in the vernacular), together with
unboiled rice are placed in one pot. Only so much water is poured in as is
necessary to make the whole boil. It should be boiled until no water is left.
After the pot is taken off the fire, ghee and salt are added.
2 Vide ante, p. 96.