Introduction to Tantra Sastra - Aghori

WORSHIP 107
There is meditation, as directed. Kulluka 1 is said and
the mantra “awakened” (mantra-caitanya), and recited
the number of times for which the vow has been taken.
BHŪTA-ŚUDDHI
The object of this ritual, which is described in Mahānirvāṇ
a-Tantra, Chapter V, verses 93 et seq., is the purification
of the elements of which the body is composed. 2
The Mantra-mahodadhi speaks of it as a rite which
is preliminary to the worship of a Deva. 3 The process of
evolution from the Para-brahman has been described.
By this ritual a mental process of involution takes place
whereby the body is in thought resolved into the source
from whence it has come. Earth is associated with the
sense of smell, water with taste, fire with sight, air with
touch, and ether with sound. Kuṇ ḍ alinī is roused and
led to the svādhiṣṭ hāna Cakra. The “earth” element is
dissolved by that of “water” as “water,” is by “fire,” “fire”
by “air,” and “air” by “ether.” This is absorbed by a higher
emanation, and that by a higher, and so on, until the
Source of all is reached. Having dissolved each gross
element (mahā-bhūta), together with the subtle element
(tanmātra) from which it proceeds, and the connected
organ of sense (indriya) by another, the worshipper
absorbs the last element, “ether,” with the tanmātra
sound into self-hood (ahaṃkāra), the latter into Mahat,
and that, again, into Prakṛ ti, thus retracing the steps of
evolution. Then, in accordance with the monistic teach-
1 See ante.
2 And not “removal of evil demons” as Professor Monier-Williams’ Dictionary
has it.
3 Taranga i.:
Devārcā-yogyatā-prāptyai bhūta-suddhim saṃ
ācaret.