Introduction to Tantra Sastra - Aghori

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INTRODUCTION TO TANTRA ŚĀSTRA
prachakṣate, sa mudrā kathītā devī sarveṣām naganandini.
The Tantras speak of the five elements as
pañcatattva, kuladravyā, kulatattva, and certain of the
elements have esoteric names, such as kāranavāri or
tīrthavāri, for wine, the fifth element being usually called
latāsādhana 1 (sadhana with woman, or śakti). The five
elements, moreover have various meanings, according
as they form part of the tāmasika (paśvā-cāra), rājasika
(vīrācāra), or divya or sāttvika sādhanas respectively.
All the elements or their substitutes are purified
and consecrated and then, with the appropriate ritual,
the first four are consumed, such consumption being followed
by lata-sādhana or its symbolic equivalent. The
Tantra prohibits indiscriminate use of the elements,
which may be consumed or employed only after purification
(śodhana) and during worship 2 according to the
Tantric ritual. Then also, all excess is forbidden. The
Śyāmā-rahasya says that intemperance leads to Hell,
and this Tantra condemns it in Chapter V. A well-known
saying in Tantra describes the true “hero” (vīra) to be,
not he who is of great physical strength and prowess,
the great eater and drinker, or man of powerful sexual
energy, but he who has controlled his senses, is a truthseeker,
ever engaged in worship, and who has sacrificed
lust and all other passions. (Jitendriyah, satyavādi,
1 “Creeper” to which woman, as clinging to the male tree, is likened.
2 See Tantrasāra, 608, citing Bhāva-cūdāmaṇī. As regards maithuna, the
Brhānnilap-Tantra (chap. iv) says: Paradārānna gaccheran gacchecca prajapedyadi
(that is, for purpose of worship) and similarly the Uttara-Tantra:
Pūjākāla ṃ
vinā nānyam puruśāṃ
manasā spṛ ṣet
Pūjāleca deveśī veśyeva paritoṣayet.
The same rule as regards both madya and maithuna is stated in the
Kulāmṛ ta as elsewhere.