Introduction to Tantra Sastra - Aghori

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INTRODUCTION TO TANTRA ŚĀSTRA
is no difference between Guru, mantra, and Deva. Guru
is father, mother, and Brahman. Guru, it is said, can
save from the wrath of Śiva but none can save from the
wrath of the Guru. Attached to this greatness there is
however, responsibility; for the sins of the disciple recoil
upon him.
Three lines of Gurus are worshipped; heavenly (divyānga),
siddha (siddhānga), and human (mānavanga). 1
The Kula-gurus are four in number, viz.: the Guru,
Parama-guru, Parāpara-guru, Parameṣṭ iguru; each of
these being the guru of the preceding one. According to
the Tantra, a woman with the necessary qualifications
may be a guru, and give initiation. 2 Good qualities are
required in the disciple, 3 and according to the Sārasaṃgraha
a guru should examine and test the intending
disciple for a year. 4 The qualifications of a good disciple
are stated to be good birth, purity of soul (śuddhātmā),
and capacity for enjoyment, combined with desire for
liberation (puru-ṣārtha-parāyaṇ ah). 5 Those who are
lewd (kāmuka), adulterous (paradārātura), constantly
addicted to sin (sadā pāpa-kriya), ignorant, slothful and
devoid of religion, should be rejected. 6
The perfect sādhāka who is entitled to the knowledge
of all Śāstras is he who is pure-minded, whose senses
are controlled (jitendriyah), who is ever engaged in
doing good to all beings, free from false notions of
1 See Chapter VI., “The Great Liberation.”
2 See post.
3 Tantrasāra (chap. i).
4 See Tantrasāra (chap. i) and Prāna-toṣinī, p. 108, Matsya-sūkta Mahātantra
(chap. xiii).
5 Matsya-sūkta Tantra (chap. xiii). Prāna-toṣinī, 108.
6 Mahārudra-yāmala, 1. Khanda (chap. xv), 2. Khanda (chap. ii).