Introduction to Tantra Sastra - Aghori

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INTRODUCTION TO TANTRA ŚĀSTRA
The union of Śiva and Śakti is described as a true
yoga 1 from which, as the Yāmala says, arises that joy
which is known as the Supreme Bliss. 2
CAKRAPŪJĀ
Worship with the pañcatattva generally takes place
in an assembly called a cakra, which is composed of men
(sādhaka) and women (śakti), or Bhairava and Bhairavi.
The worshippers sit in a circle (cakra), men and women
alternately, the śakti sitting on the left of' the sādhaka.
The Lord of the cakra (cakrasvāmin, or cakreśvara) sits
with his Śakti in the centre, where the wine-jar and other
articles used in the worship are kept. During the cakra
all eat, drink, and worship together, there being no distinction
of caste. 3 No paśu should, however, be introduced.
There are various kinds of cakras, such as the
Vīra, Rāja, Deva, Mahā-Cakras productive, it is said, of
various fruits for the participators therein. 4 Chapter VI
of the Mahānirvāṇ a-Tantra deals with the pañcatattva,
and Chapter VIII gives an account of the Bhairavi and
Tattva (or Divya) cakras. 5 The latter is for worshippers
of the Brahma-Mantra.
1 See Tantrasāra, 702 ;
Śivaśaktisaṃ
āyogāh,
Yoga eva na sa ṃ
śayah.
2 Ibid., 703; Saṃ
yogājjayate svakhyam paramānandalakṣaṇam:
3 Vide ante.
4 The Rudra-yāmala says:
Rājacakra rājadaṃ
syat,
Mahācakre samṛ ddhidam,
Devacakre ca saubhāgyaṃ
,
Vīracakraṃ
ca mokṣadām.
5 Verses 153, 202, et seq.