Introduction to Tantra Sastra - Aghori

WORSHIP 115
nityānuṣṭ hānatatparāh, kāmādi-balidānaśca sa vira iti
giyate).
The elements in their literal sense are not available
in sādhana for all. The nature of the Paśu requires strict
adherence to Vaidik rule in the matter of these physical
functions even in worship. This rule prohibits the drinking
of wine, a substance subject to the three curses of
Brahma, Kaca, and Kṛ ṣṇ a, in the following terms; Madyam
apeyam adeyam agrāhyam (“Wine 1 must not be
drunk, given, or taken”). The drinking of wine in ordinary
life for satisfaction of the sensual appetite is, in
fact, a sin, involving prāyascitta, and entailing, according
to the Viṣṇ u Purāṇ a, 2 punishment in the same Hell
as that to which a killer of a Brahmāṇ a goes. As
regards flesh and fish the higher castes (outside Bengal)
who submit to the orthodox Smārtha discipline eat
neither. Nor do high and strict Brāhmaṇ as even in that
Province. But the bulk of the people there, both men
and women, eat fish, and men consume the flesh of male
goats which have been previously offered to the Deity.
The Vaidika dharma is equally strict upon the subject of
sexual intercourse. Maithuna other than with the
householder’s own wife is condemned. And this is not
only in its literal sense, but in that which is known as
Aṣṭ āṇga (eightfold) maithuna—viz., smaraṇ am (thinking
upon it), kirttanam (talking of it), keli (play with
women), prekṣaṇ am (looking upon woman), guhyabhā-
ṣaṇ am (talk in private with woman), saṃkalpa (wish or
1 From the standpoint of Tāntrika-Vīrācāra, the drinking of wine here
referred to is ordinary drinking, and not the ritual worship (of those qualified
for it) with the purified substacce which is Tārā (the Saviour) Herself in
liquid form (dravamayī).
2 Viṣṇu-Purāṇa (Bk. II, chap. vi).