Introduction to Tantra Sastra - Aghori
Introduction to Tantra Sastra - Aghori
Introduction to Tantra Sastra - Aghori
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126<br />
INTRODUCTION TO TANTRA ŚĀSTRA<br />
(ahaṃkāra). As <strong>to</strong> learn the Śāstra one must learn the<br />
alphabet, so yoga is necessary for the acquirement of<br />
tattvajñāna (truth).” 1 The animal body is the result of<br />
action, and from the body flows action, the process being<br />
compared <strong>to</strong> the see-saw movement of a ghatiyantra, or<br />
water-lifter. 2 Through their actions beings continually<br />
go from birth <strong>to</strong> death. The complete attainment of the<br />
fruit of yoga is lasting and unchanging life in the noumenal<br />
world of the Absolute.<br />
Yoga is variously named according <strong>to</strong> the methods<br />
employed, but the two main divisions are those of the<br />
haṭ hayoga (or ghaṭ asthayoga) and samādhi yoga, of<br />
which rājayoga is one of the forms. Haṭ hayoga is commonly<br />
misunders<strong>to</strong>od, both in its definition and aim<br />
being frequently identified with exaggerated forms of<br />
self-mortification.<br />
The Gheraṇ ḍ a-Saṃhitā well defines it <strong>to</strong> be “the<br />
means whereby the excellent rājayoga is attained.”<br />
Actual union is not the result of Haṭ hayoga alone, which<br />
is concerned with certain physical processes prepara<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
or auxiliary <strong>to</strong> the control of the mind, by which alone<br />
union may be directly attained. It is, however, not meant<br />
that all the processes of Haṭ hayoga here or in the books<br />
described are necessary for the attainment of rājayoga.<br />
What is necessary must be determined according <strong>to</strong> the<br />
circumstances of each particular case. What is suited or<br />
necessary in one case may not be so for another. A<br />
peculiar feature of Tantrika viracara is the union of the<br />
1 Gheraṇḍa-Saṃ<br />
hitā (chap. v. et seq.)<br />
2 In drawing water, bullocks are employed <strong>to</strong> lower and raise the vessel.<br />
Human action is compared <strong>to</strong> the bullocks who now raise, now lower, the<br />
vessel in<strong>to</strong> the waters (of the Saṃ<br />
sāra).