Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

SHAKTI AND SHAKTA

syagocharah ante). They enjoy wine and women (Madyastrisevane ratah).” (Vashishtha merely saw the ritual surface).

Thus spoke the great Yogi having seen the rites which are outside the Veda (Veda-vahishkrita. v ante). Then bowing low with folded hands he humbly said “ How can inclinations such as these be purifying to the mind. How can there Siddhi without Vaidik rites.”

Manah-pravrittireteshu katham bhavati pavani

Kathang va jayate siddhir veda karyyang vind prabho

Buddha said “ Oh Vashishtha, listen the while I speak to thee of the excellent Kula path, by the mere knowing of which one becomes in a short time like Rudra Himself. I speak to thee in brief of the Agama which is the essence of all and which leads to Kulasiddhi. First of all the Vira (hero) should be pure (Shuchi. Buddha here states the conditions under which only the rites are permissible). His mind should be penetrated with discrimination (Viveka) and freed of all Pashubhava (state of an uninitiate Pahsu or animal man). Let him avoid the company of the Pashu and remain alone in a lonely place, free from lust, anger and other passions. He should constantly devote himself to Yoga practice. He should be firm in his resolve to learn Yoga; he should ever tread the Yoga path and fully know the meaning of the Veda (Vedarthanipuno mah&n). In this way the pious one (Dharmatma) of good conduct and largeness of heart ‘Audarya) should, by gradual degrees, restrain his breath, and through the path of breathing compass the destruction of mind. Following this practice the self-controlled (Vashi) becomes Yogi. In slow degrees of practice the body firstly sweats. This is the lowest stage (Adhama). The next is middling (Madhyama). Here there is trembling (Kampa). Im the third or highest (Para) stage one is able to levitate (Bhfimity4ga). By the attainment of Siddhi in Pranayama one becomes a master in Yoga. Having become a Yogt by practice of Kumbhaka (restraint

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