Introduction to Tantra Sastra - Aghori

ĀŚRAMA 33
ascetic, he is also a householder and like Śiva. Hence
his name. The second is the wandering stage of the
Śaiva (or the parivrājaka), who has now left the world,
and passes his time doing pūjā, japa, etc., visiting the
tīrtha and pīṭ ha, or places of pilgrimage. In this stage,
which though higher, is still imperfect, the avadhūta is
competent for ordinary sādhana with a śakti. The third
is the perfect stage of a Śaiva. Wearing only the
kaupīna, 1 he renounces all things and all rites, though
within certain limits he may practise some yoga, and is
permitted to meet the request of a woman who makes it
of him. 2 Of the second class the three divisions are,
firstly, the Brahmāvadhūta, who, like the Śaivāvadhūta,
is imperfect (apūrṇ a) and householder. He is not permitted,
however, to have a Śaiva Śakti, and is restricted
to svīyaśakti. The second class Brahmaparivrājaka is
similar to the Śaiva of the same class except that ordinarily
he is not permitted to have anything to do with
any woman, though he may, under the guidance of his
Guru, practise yoga accompanied by Śakti. The third or
highest class—Haṃsāvadhata—is similar to the third
Śaiva degree, except that he must under no circumstances
touch a woman or metals, nor may he practise
any rites or keep any observances.
1 The exiguous loin cloth of ascetics covering only the genitals. See the
kaupīnapañcakam of Śaṃ
karācāryā, where the Kaupīnarān is described as
the fortunate one living on the handful of rice got by begging; ever pondering
upon the words of the Vedānta, whose senses are in repose, who ever enjoys
the Brahman in the thought Ahambrahmāsmi.
2 This is not, however, as some may suppose, a peculiarly “Tāntrik”
precept, for it is said in Śruti “talpāgatāṃ
na pariharet” (she who comes to
your bed is not to be refused), for the rule of chastity which is binding on him
yields to such an advance on the part of woman. Śaṃ
karācāryā says that
talpāgatāṃ
is samāgamarthinim, adding that this is the doctrine of Ṛ ṣi
Vāmadeva.