SECRET'S OF SRI VIDYA UPASANA TANTRA
Path To Self-Realization
Awaken Timeless Divine Wisdom
The Neuroscience of Consciousness
Unveiling Sri Vidya Tantra:
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Benefits
Experience the transformation of consciousness, activation of inner energy, and alignment with the supreme intelligence of creation.
Transmitted through the boundless grace of Śrī Guru Paramparā and the Infinite Compassion of Divine Mother Sri Lalitā Mahātripurasundarī
The Śrīvidyām paripūraṇa meru ṣikare bintu trikōṇa stitām vākīṣāti samasta būta jaṉaṉīm maṉcēṣivakārakē |
kāmākṣīm karuṇārasārṇavamyīm kāmēṣvarāṅka stitām kāntām ciṉmaya kāmakōṭi nilaiyām śrī brahmavityām bajē |
Secrets of Upasana Diksha
Glories of Sri Chakra & Kāmika Prayoga
The Supreme Science
Sri Vidya is one of the most profound, complete, and sacred spiritual systems within the vast tradition of Hindu Tantra. It is not merely a path of ritual worship, but a living science of consciousness — a sacred journey toward the direct realization of the Supreme Divine Mother, Lalitā Tripurasundarī.
She is revered as Tripurasundarī — “The Beautiful One of the Three Cities,” a title rich with profound metaphysical meaning. These “three cities” symbolize the fundamental triads that govern existence itself:
The three states of consciousness — Waking (Jāgrat), Dreaming (Svapna), Deep Sleep (Suṣupti)
The three bodies or worlds of existence — Physical (Sthūla), Subtle (Sūkṣma), Causal (Kāraṇa).
The three cosmic functions — Creation (Sṛṣṭi), Preservation (Sthiti), Dissolution (Saṃhāra)
Tripurasundarī is the radiant Consciousness that pervades, governs, and transcends all these dimensions. She is not merely worshipped as a deity external to the seeker, but realized as the very essence of existence, awareness, bliss, and cosmic intelligence.
The Sanskrit word Vidyā means knowledge, wisdom, revelation, or sacred science. Thus, Sri Vidya literally translates as “The Sacred Knowledge of the Divine Mother.” Yet its deeper meaning points to the supreme wisdom through which the individual soul awakens to its eternal unity with the Cosmic Mother.
In Sri Vidya:
- Mantra is living consciousness
- The Sri Chakra is the cosmic body of the Goddess
- Worship becomes inner transformation
- And spiritual practice becomes the science of realizing the Divine within oneself
Ultimately, Sri Vidya teaches that the universe, the Goddess, the mantra, the Sri Chakra, and the Self are not separate realities, but different expressions of one infinite, undivided Consciousness.
The Supreme Theology
In Sri Vidya theology, the Goddess is not merely a deity existing within the cosmos — She is the very source, substance, intelligence, and transcendence of the cosmos itself.
Tripurasundarī is understood as the Infinite Consciousness from which all universes arise, within which they exist, and into which they ultimately dissolve. The universe is not separate from Her; it is Her manifestation, Her expression, and Her living body of divine awareness.
From Her emerge:
- Space (Ākāśa), Time (Kāla), Form (Rūpa), Energy (Śakti), Consciousness (Cit)
The entire cosmic process unfolds through Her five eternal divine acts (Pañcakṛtya):
- Creation (Sṛṣṭi), Sustenance (Sthiti), Dissolution (Saṁhāra), Veiling or Concealment (Tirodhāna), Grace and Revelation (Anugraha)
These are not mechanical functions of the universe, but living expressions of Divine Consciousness itself.
In Sri Vidya:
- The Sri Chakra is revered as the living cosmic body of the Goddess
- The consciousness residing within the Sri Chakra is Her supreme presence
- She is the eternal union of bliss (Ānanda) and wisdom (Jñāna)
- She is the source from which all mantras, energies, realities, and dimensions emerge
- Thus, Tripurasundarī is the Divine Mother who shines through every plane of existence while eternally remaining beyond all planes, forms, concepts, and limitations. She is both:
- Immanent within creation
- And transcendent beyond creation
The seeker in Sri Vidya ultimately realizes that the Self, the Universe, the Goddess, the Mantra, and the Sri Chakra are not separate realities, but manifestations of one infinite, undivided Consciousness.
Sri Vidya – The Cosmic Spiritual Science
Sri Vidya is not merely a philosophy, ritual system, or mystical tradition; it is a profound cosmic spiritual science that explores the nature of consciousness, energy, creation, and the Divine Reality underlying existence itself.
It reveals the universe as a living expression of Divine Consciousness — the eternal play of Śiva and Śakti — and provides a sacred path through which the individual soul can realize its unity with the Cosmic Mother, Lalitā Tripurasundarī.
In Sri Vidya:
- Mantra is conscious vibrational energy
- The Sri Chakra is the geometric blueprint of the cosmos
- Meditation becomes inner alchemy
- Worship becomes transformation of consciousness
- And spiritual practice becomes a science of self-realization and divine awakening
Sri Vidya integrates:
- Sacred sound (Nāda)
- Sacred Geometry (Yantra)
- Consciousness (Cit)
- Divine Energy (Śakti)
- Breath and Life Force (Prāṇa)
- Wisdom and Higher Awareness (Jñāna)
- And Divine Grace (Anugraha)
It teaches that the universe itself is a living field of consciousness, where every form, vibration, and experience emerges from the Divine Mother and ultimately returns to Her.
Thus, Sri Vidya stands as a timeless synthesis of spirituality, metaphysics, mantra science, sacred geometry, inner transformation, and cosmic realization — a sacred path leading from individuality to universal consciousness, from separation to unity, and from limited perception to direct experience of the Infinite.
Sri Vidya - The Neuroscience of Consciousness
Sri Vidya can also be explored through the lens of neuroscience, where ancient spiritual practices intersect with the modern understanding of the brain, consciousness, perception, emotion, and human transformation.
The tradition teaches that mantra, meditation, breath, visualization, and sacred geometry are not merely symbolic rituals, but methods capable of influencing the subtle states of mind and awareness. Modern neuroscience increasingly studies how such practices may affect:
- Neural pathways and neuroplasticity
- Attention and cognitive focus
- Emotional regulation
- Stress-response systems
- Brainwave patterns and meditative states
- Autonomic nervous system balance
- States of expanded awareness and integration
In Sri Vidya:
- Mantra functions as patterned vibrational cognition
- Meditation refines awareness and perception
- Breath (Prāṇa) influences mind-body regulation
- The Sri Chakra acts as a contemplative map of consciousness
- Ritual and visualization engage deep symbolic and neuropsychological processes
The tradition ultimately aims not only at intellectual understanding, but at transformation of consciousness itself — moving the practitioner from fragmentation toward coherence, stillness, heightened awareness, and inner unity.
From a contemplative neuroscience perspective, Sri Vidya may be viewed as:
- A sophisticated system of attentional training
- A science of inner cognition and consciousness
- A psycho-spiritual technology of transformation
- And a disciplined pathway toward integration of mind, energy, emotion, and awareness
Thus, Sri Vidya represents a profound meeting point between ancient spiritual insight and modern explorations into the nature of consciousness, cognition, and the human brain.
Sri Chakra – The Living Body of the Goddess
The central icon of Śrī Vidyā worship is the Sri Chakra (Sri Yantra) — a mystical, multidimensional diagram composed of nine interpenetrating triangles.
A map of the universe and a map of the awakened self. Its geometry is considered a living vibrational field where spirituality, consciousness, mathematics, and cosmic order converge.
Four upward triangles
Represent Śiva (pure consciousness)
Five downward triangles
Represent Śakti (dynamic energy)
Their interlocking forms
Create 43 smaller triangles, forming the Navāvaraṇa (Nine Enclosures)
At the very center lies the Bindu — the point of absolute unity where:
Subject and object dissolve
Worshipper and worshipped disappear
Time, space, and individuality collapse into pure awareness
Every line, triangle, lotus, enclosure, and the central Bindu are seen as expressions of living Śakti — layers of consciousness woven into sacred geometry. The Śrī Cakra is not symbolic alone— it is considered a living cosmic body of the Goddess, and worship of the Chakra is worship of the entire universe in its subtlest form.
Sacred Sound - Mantra – The Sonic Form of the Goddess
In Sri Vidya, mantra is not a prayer offered to the Divine — it is the living presence of the Goddess herself in sonic and vibrational form.
Each syllable (bīja) is considered a conscious expression of Śakti, carrying intelligence, energy, and transformative power.
- The mantra is the Deity.
- The sound is the Consciousness.
- The vibration is the Presence.
Through sacred repetition (japa), contemplation, and inner alignment, the practitioner does not merely “chant” the mantra — they gradually attune their body, mind, prāṇa, and awareness to the frequency of the Divine Mother herself.
In this understanding, mantra becomes:
- A living current of consciousness
- A bridge between the individual and the cosmic.
- A subtle technology of spiritual transformation
- The vibrational body of the Goddess (Mantra Devatā)
Thus, in Sri Vidya, the Goddess is not imagined outside the seeker; she awakens from within through sacred sound.
Panchadasi Mantra
The foundational mantra of the tradition is the Panchadasi — the fifteen-syllabled mantra, also called Panchadasaksari.
- It encodes the entire Sri Chakra
- It maps the journey from gross to subtle consciousness
- It awakens the dormant divine energy within the practitioner.
Shodasi Mantra
“In certain lineages, a sixteenth syllable is revealed, transforming the mantra into the sacred Ṣoḍaśākṣarī. This addition signifies the state of पूर्णता (Pūrṇatā)—the complete and perfect manifestation of the Divine. While the Pañcadaśī embodies the dynamic unfolding of Śakti, the Ṣoḍaśī represents its fullness—where nothing remains unexpressed, and nothing lies beyond. It is the culmination of Śrī Vidyā, where the practitioner realizes total unity with Lalita Tripura Sundari as the absolute, all-encompassing consciousness.”
Maha Shodasi Mantra
At the highest level, the tradition reveals the Śoḍaśī Mahāmantra of 32 syllables, regarded as:
- The ultimate sonic body of Tripurasundarī
- A mantra that integrates mantra, yantra, tantra, and consciousness into one realization
- 15 syllables → process, unfolding, evolution of consciousness
- 16th syllable → Completion, transcendence, totality (Bindu consciousness)
- Ṣoḍaśī = no remainder, no separation, no duality
At the very center lies the Bindu — the point of absolute unity where:
Subject and object dissolve
Worshipper and worshipped disappear
Time, space, and individuality collapse into pure awareness
The Core Principle of Sri Vidya
The heart of Śrī Vidyā practice rests on a single, transformative realization:
Mantra (Sacred Sound)
Guru (Teacher)
Sādhaka (Practitioner)
Through disciplined initiation (Dīkṣā), guided practice (Upāsanā), and inner maturation:
- The mantra ceases to be external sound
- The yantra ceases to be an object
- The Guru ceases to be external
- The Goddess is realized as one’s own Self
This is non-dual Tantra (Advaita Śākta Tantra) — realization through sacred beauty, order, love, and inner expansion.
Sri Vidya as a Path of Grace and Responsibility
Sri Vidya is traditionally transmitted only through an authentic Guru-paramparā, because:
Mantra without guidance can remain inert
Power without purity can destabilize
Knowledge without humility can bind instead of liberate
When practiced correctly, Sri Vidya bestows:
- ️Inner clarity and emotional refinement
- Harmonization of material and spiritual life
- Awakening of higher intelligence (Prajñā)
- Gradual dissolution of karmic bondage
- Direct experience of the Divine Mother within.
Sri Vidya is not a belief system. It is a direct technology of Self-realization through the Goddess.
Śrīvidyā Upāsanā is not merely a practice but a way of life that requires dedication, purity, and a deep commitment to spiritual growth. It is a highly structured approach that employs rituals, meditation, and the reciting of mantras to purify the Body, Mind, Soul, Energy facilitating a profound connection with the Divine.
The ultimate goal of Srividya Upasana is self-realization & abundant prosperity – to discover one’s true purpose in life and to understand the deeper meaning of existence. Through worshipping Lalitha Tripura Sundari, the practitioner seeks to dissolve the ego and merge with the universal consciousness, experiencing the bliss of oneness with the Divine.
Sanskrit literature is traditionally categorized into six orthodox and four heterodox (secular) philosophical schools.
- Orthodox Schools:
- (i) Sruti
- (ii) Smriti
- (iii) History
- (iv) Purana
- (v) Agama, and (vi) Darsana
- Secular schools:
- (i) Subhashita
- (ii) Kavya
- (iii) Nataka
- (iv) Alankara
The Agamas represent theological treatises and practical guides for divine worship, encompassing Tantras, Mantras, and Yantras. These texts elaborate on the external worship of the divine through idols, temples, and related practices.
Each Agama typically addresses:
️(i) Jnana, or knowledge;- ️ (ii) Yoga, or concentration;
- ️(iii) Kriya, or creation;
- ️ (iv) Charya, or action.
Furthermore, they provide comprehensive details on ontology, cosmology, liberation, devotion, meditation, the philosophy of Mantras, mystic diagrams, charms and spells, temple construction, image creation, domestic rituals, social regulations, and public celebrations.
Hinduism’s Agamas are categorized into three sects: Vaishnavism, Saivism, and Shaktism. These three major sects of Hinduism—Vaishnavism, Saivism, and Shaktism—base their beliefs and principles on their respective Agamas.
- Vaishnava Agamas, also known as Pancharatra Agamas, revere Vishnu as the divine.
- Saiva Agamas venerate Shiva as God and constitute a significant philosophical school called Saiva Siddhanta.
- Shakta Agamas, or Tantras, honor the Goddess as the World Mother, using one of her many names.
While not as authoritative as the Vedas, the Agamas are not contradictory to them. They share a similar spirit and nature with the Vedas, their beliefs, practices, and philosophies reflecting the core values and essence of Vedic teachings. They emphasize spiritual growth, ethical conduct, and a connection with the divine, all central to Vedic traditions. This is why Tantras are considered powerful.
The Tantra Agamas belong to the Sakta cult. They glorify Sakti as the World-Mother. They dwell on the Sakti (energy) aspect of God and prescribe numerous courses of ritualistic worship of Divine Mother in various forms. There are seventy-seven Agamas. These are very much like the Puranas in some respects. The texts are usually in the form of dialogues between Siva and Parvati. In some of these, Siva answers the questions put by Parvati and in others Parvati answers, Siva questioning. Mahanirvana, Kularnava, Kulasara, Prapanchasara, Tantraraja, Rudra Yamala, Brahma Yamala, Vishnu Yamala, and Todala Tantra are the important works. The Agamas teach several occult practices, some of which confer powers, while the others bestow knowledge and freedom. Among the existing books the Mahanirvana Tantra is the most famous.
SRI VIDYA TANTRA UAPASANA TANTRA
The Tantric system has traditionally been regarded as an esoteric and confidential spiritual practice, generally unavailable to those without proper training. Its essence lies in a unique and insightful perspective on life, one that practitioners cultivate and appreciate. However, this involves a shift in perspective from conventional viewpoints. Tantric teachers emphasize that aspirants must cultivate a compassionate and spiritual outlook, transcending purely social or human concerns.
The secrecy surrounding Tantra stems from the high standards associated with its practices. Only a skilled and experienced master can unlock the path of Tantra.
Śrīkula Tradition & the Primacy of Tripura Sundarī
In the sacred stream of Shakta tradition, particularly within the Śrīkula lineage, the worship of Lalita Tripura Sundari stands as the crown jewel among the Daśa Mahāvidyās.
She is the presiding deity of Sri Vidya—the most refined and complete form of Śakti Upāsanā.
The Tripura Upanishad declares Her as the Primordial Śakti, the very foundation of the universe—
the Supreme Consciousness from which arise Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
She is revered as Kāmeśvarī—not merely desire in its ordinary sense, but the cosmic impulse that initiates creation itself.
Seated upon Śiva, She represents the dynamic power (Śakti) enlivening pure consciousness (Śiva).
Śrī Chakra — The Geometry of the Cosmos
Her divine expression unfolds through the Sri Chakra— a profound symbol of:
- The universe (Brahmāṇḍa)
- The human system (Piṇḍāṇḍa)
- The interplay of energy and consciousness
From this yantra, the entire cosmos expands and is sustained.
The Meaning of Śrī Vidyā
- Śrī → wealth, grace, auspiciousness, divine radiance
Vidyā → knowledge, wisdom, direct realization
Śrī Vidyā therefore means:
“The knowledge that reveals the auspicious, all-pervading Divine Reality.”
The Deeper Meaning of “Tripura”
The name Tripura carries multiple layers of meaning:
Cosmic Interpretation – The three worlds:
- Physical (waking)
- Subtle (dream)
- Causal (deep sleep)
Metaphysical Interpretation
- Ātma Śakti (soul power)
- Jīva Śakti (individual life-force)
Parā Śakti (supreme cosmic energy)
Symbolic Interpretation
- “Tri” → three
“Pura” → city, field, or body
Thus, Tripura signifies:
- The three bodies (gross, subtle, causal)
- The three states of consciousness
The totality of existence governed by one Supreme Awareness
Mythic Symbolism of the Three Cities
In Purāṇic symbolism, the three cities (Tripura)—gold, silver, and iron—represent layers of existence and illusion (Māyā).
Their destruction by Śiva signifies the dissolution of ignorance.
At a deeper level, however, Tripura is not something to be destroyed—but to be realized as One Consciousness through Śakti.
Tantra — The Science of Inner Transformation
The term Tantra does not merely mean ritual—it signifies:
- A systematic methodology
- A technology of consciousness
A structured path of inner awakening
In Sri Vidya Tantra:
- Worship moves from external ritual to internal realization
- Energy (Śakti) is awakened within
The practitioner unites with the Divine they worship
The Essence
Śrī Vidyā is not just devotion—it is realization.
Tripura Sundarī is not merely a deity—She is the very nature of consciousness.
To practice Śrī Vidyā is to:
- Discover the universe within
- Transcend illusion
Realize the unity of Śiva and Śakti
Core Insight
Śrī Vidyā is the bridge between the human and the cosmic—
where knowledge becomes experience,
worship becomes identity, and the seeker realizes:
“I am Tripura Sundarī.”
Benefits of Śrī Vidya Tantra Sādhanā
Śrī Vidyā Tantra — The Science of Inner Cosmos
In the tradition of Sri Vidya Tantra, the highest form of worship is not external—it is internal.
The practitioner (Sādhaka) recognizes the divinity within and worships the Self as the Deity. This vision arises from the fundamental truth that the individual and the cosmos are not separate, but one unified field of consciousness.
This echoes the wisdom of the Siddhas and the non-dual insights of Kashmir Shaivism:
“What is in the body is in the universe; what is in the universe is within the body.”
The Divine Principle: Lalitā Tripura Sundarī
At the heart of Śrī Vidyā stands Lalita Tripura Sundari—the Universal Mother, embodying the three states of existence: waking, dream, and deep sleep.
She is the living consciousness that pervades all dimensions of reality.
Her sacred geometry, the Sri Yantra, represents:
- The entire cosmos
- The structure of consciousness
- The subtle energy centers (chakras) within the human body
Śrī Vidyā is thus both a spiritual path and a precise inner science—leading to self-realization, where the ultimate truth is revealed:
“You yourself are Tripura Sundarī.”
Origin and Essence of Śrī Vidyā
According to Tantric tradition, Lord Shiva revealed 64 Tantras to Goddess Parvati.
At her request, He distilled their essence into the supreme path of Śrī Vidyā—also known as:
- Śrī Chakra Upāsanā
- Śrī Pura Upāsanā
This path uniquely integrates both Bhoga (worldly fulfillment) and Moksha (liberation), bringing harmony to life in this world and beyond.
It dissolves the three fundamental limitations:
- Ego (Ahaṅkāra)
- Pride
- Delusion (Moha)
…through the purification of:
- Mind
- Speech
- Body
Universal Path for All Stages of Life
Śrī Vidyā is not restricted—it is a universal path accessible to all stages of life:
- Student (Brahmacharya)
- Householder (Gṛhastha)
- Forest-dweller (Vānaprastha)
- Renunciate (Sannyāsa)
It grants the four states of spiritual attainment:
- Sāloka (dwelling in the divine realm)
- Sāmīpya (closeness to the Divine)
- Sārūpya (becoming like the Divine)
- Sāyujya (complete union with the Divine)
Inner Transformation: Chakras & the Six Enemies
Śrī Vidyā works through the subtle body, especially the six primary chakras:
- Mūlādhāra
- Svādhiṣṭhāna
- Maṇipūra
- Anāhata
- Viśuddhi
- Ājñā
These correspond to the six inner enemies (Ariṣaḍvarga):
- Desire (Kāma)
- Anger (Krodha)
- Greed (Lobha)
- Delusion (Moha)
- Pride (Mada)
- Envy (Mātsarya)
These are not external forces—they arise within the mind.
Śrī Vidyā transforms them into higher awareness, leading to mastery over one’s inner world.
Blessings and Siddhis
Through sincere practice, Śrī Vidyā is said to bestow:
Eight Forms of Prosperity (Aṣṭa Aiśvarya)
- Wealth, resources, nourishment
- Stability, lineage, strength, courage
Eight Siddhis (Spiritual Powers)
- Aṇimā, Mahimā, Laghimā, Garimā
- Prāpti, Prākāmya, Īśitva, Vaśitva
Nine Forms of Divine Abundance (Nidhis)
Associated with celestial wealth—symbolizing inner and outer richness comparable to that of Kubera
The Ultimate Purpose
Beyond all powers and prosperity, the true purpose of Śrī Vidyā is inner purification.
It removes the subtle veils that obscure perception and reveals the direct experience of the Divine.
When these coverings dissolve, the seeker beholds the Goddess—not as an external form, but as their own true Self.
This realization is pure bliss (Ānanda)—the state beyond duality, beyond limitation, beyond becoming.
Core Essence (for your teaching / branding use)
Śrī Vidyā is not merely worship.
It is the science of transforming the human system into a living Śrī Chakra—
where the seeker, the path, and the Goddess become One.
Tantra Tantric Sadhana
Bhootasuddhi
An important tantric ritual. It means the purification of the five elements of which the body is composed. Through the Bhutasuddhi ritual the sadhaka (aspirant) dissolves the sinful body and makes a new divine body. He infuses the life force of the goddess into his body.
Nyasa
A very powerful, important tantric ritual that involves touching specific parts of the body by using the tips of the fingers while chanting a mantra. It’s a way to spiritualize the body and connect with the divine.
In Kavacha, the same Brahman is called by different names to protect different parts of the body. For example, Parabrahman is considered to be in Sahasrara Padma on the head. Paramatma is meditated upon in the heart. Vishnu, the protector of the world, is invoked to protect the throat. In our Sri Vidya Sri Peedam tradition Sri Dattatreya, the unanimity of the Trinity, is invoked to protect the throat. It protects and helps the ascetic chant the mantras of his desired deity.
Yantras
Yantras are sacred graphic symbols used to worship deities. The word “yantra” means “instrument”, “engine” or “device” in classical Sanskrit. It holds great importance in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. According to ancient texts, these yantras represent deities and cosmic powers. Each deity has its yantra, specific purpose and its unique meaning. These yantras are visual forms of mantras.
These are used to gain success, wealth and power and to gain protection from the effects of evil and negative energies. These sacred symbols are tools used to improve human life in various dimensions. Yantras can be flat or three-dimensional. It can be painted or patterned on paper, engraved on metal or any flat surface. There are different methods, different materials and the right times for drawing Yantras. Among these only Yantras of Ashta Kantha are very powerful. Yantras take the place of deity images, idols or idols. Yantras are unique to each deity, with designs and colors varying according to the benefits of worship. A yantra is considered to be the body of a deity and a form of mantra. All yantras have a common rim called bhupuram – a quadrangular figure with four doors – which connects and separates the yantra from the outside world.
Shodasha Upachara
The sadhaka first meditates on the deity, then awakens the deity within himself. He transfers the divine presence thus awakened to the yantra. The deity is invoked (avahanam) in the yantra by the appropriate mantra.
The Prana Pratishtha ceremony infuses the vital Prana Shakti of the deity. By this the particular deity is installed in the Yantra. Actions or processes used in puja are called Upachara. They are sixteen in number, viz.,
Mudras
Mudras are ritualistic manual gestures. They have been around for thousands of years and have appeared in many religions and traditions. Mudras are used to focus energy on different parts of the body, control energy flows, and aid in healing. They give pleasure to the devas.
There are 108 mudras. In welcoming (āvāhana) the deva, an appropriate gesture is made. For example, when making an offering (arghya), Matsya Mudra is made. Place the right hand on the back of the left. Extend the two thumbs, fin-like, on either side of the hands. Similarly, there are mudras for various acts performed during worship.
- (1) Asana (Provides seet the deity);
- (2) Swagadham (Welcome of the Devata);
- (3) Padhyam (offering water to wash hands and feet);
- (4) Argyam (washing with water);
- (5) Achamanam (giving water to drink);
- (6) Madhubarka (applying honey, ghee, milk and curd before taking the bath);
- (7) Snanam (bathing);
- (8) Vastram (clothes);
- (9) Ornament (jewelleries);
- (10) Gandham (fragrances);
- (11) pushpam (flowers);
- (12) Dhupam (fragrant smoke);
- (13) Deepam (Light);
- (14) Naivedyam (food) and Tambulam (betel leaves);
- (15) Nirajanam (Arati); and
- (16) Vandanam (worship and prayer).
The Pancha Tattva / Pancha-Ma-kara or Five M’s / Five Nectars / Pancha Bhutas
The Pancha Tattva is essential for the worship of Sakti. The Pancha Tattvas are wine (Madya), meat (Mamsa), fish (Matsya), parched cereal (Mudra) and sexual union (Maithuna). Wine is fire; flesh is air; fish is water; cereal is earth; sexual union is ether.
As they all commence with the letter M, they are vulgarly called Pancha-ma-kara or five M’s. The Pancha Tattvas stand for drinking, eating and propagation. The Pancha Tattvas, the five elements of worship destroy great sins, Maha-pataka-nasanam. The Pancha Tattvas do not always have their literal meaning. The meaning differs according as they refer to the Tamasic (Pasu), Rajasic (Vira) or Sattvic (Divya) Sadhanas respectively.
The five nectar are:
1. Sattvik / Divya Bhavana: Sound, touch, Inner sight, taste and smell.
2. Rajasic / Vira Bhavana: Milk, curd, ghee, honey, fruit juices.
3. Tamasic / Pasu Bhavana: Liquor (Wine), fish, meat, a dry-roasted grain or legume that’s partially cooked and sexual Union.
Meanings & Symbolisms
Madya
Madya can be wine; or it can be milk/coconut water. Sound (Mantras) or it can refer to God-intoxication or the intoxicating knowledge of Brahman or the Absolute. Madhu is a symbol of the pinnacle of yogic knowledge, eternal bliss or knowledge of the soul (atma-jnaam). Milk, ghee, honey are all substitutes for wine.
Mamsa
Mamsa can be meat; or it can be ghee or Inner sight or surrender. Mamsa (meat) is the act by which the aspirant consecrates all his actions to the Lord. Salt, ginger, sesames, white beans, garlic are substitutes for meat.
Matsya
Matsya can be Fish; or it can be curd or touch (feeling vibrations). Matsya (fish) is that Sattvic knowledge by which the Sadhaka sympathises with the pleasure and pain of all beings. White brinjal, red radish, masur (a kind of grain) and red sesamum are substitutes for fish.
Mudra
Mudra can be a dry-roasted grain or legume that’s partially cooked. Or it can be Honey or the Taste (of nectar). Mudra is the act of abandoning all associations with evil which leads to bondage. Paddy, rice, wheat and grain are Mudra.
Maithuna
Maithuna can be Sexual Union. Or it can be Fruit juice or the Smell (of ether). The union of Siva and Sakti in the upper brain centre known as Sahasrara or thousand-petalled lotus is Maithuna. Offering of flowers with the hands formed with a particular Mudra is Maithuna.
Importance & Benefits of Practice
Through Panchamakara Sadhana, the practitioner attains a divine body. This involves bhūta-śuddhi purification and various Nyasa’s. Then, mantra japa meditation is undertaken. It invokes the goddess envisioned seated upon a red lotus. She is adorned in red silk and possesses a complexion like a dark rain cloud. She is illuminated by the crescent moon upon her forehead. Finally, external worship is conducted.
It is a sin for a man to have sexual intercourse with a woman. This applies if she is not legally permitted. The Vedic religion is very strict in this regard. It forbids not only true maituna. But also the ashtanga or eightfold maituna. Namely Smaranam (thinking upon it), Kirtanam (talking of it), Keli (play with women), Prekshanam (making eyes at women), Guhya-bhashanam (talking in private with women), Sankalpa (wish or resolve for sexual union), Adhyavasaya (determination towards it), Kriyanishpatti (actual accomplishment of the sexual act).
A Tantric can have copulation with his wife. He calls his wife his Sakti. Wife is a house-goddess Griha-lakshmi or Griha-devata united to her husband by the sacramental Samskara of marriage. She should not be regarded as an object of enjoyment. She is his partner in life (Ardhangini). The union of a man and his wife is a veritable sacred scriptural rite.
Tantra Yoga is the wisdom that saves. When practiced with understanding, and under the personal guidance of a well-established Tantric Guru, it becomes a wonderful boat. This boat safely takes man to the other shore of fearlessness, immortality, freedom, and perfection.
Explore the Depths of Srividya Upasana
To gain deeper insight into the sacred and transformative path of Srividya Upasana, we warmly invite you to explore our detailed Frequently Asked Questions section.This carefully curated resource provides clarity on commonly asked questions, such as the eligibility to become an Upasaka, the time frame required to learn these revered practices, the ideal duration for daily sadhana, and essential restrictions or guidelines to be observed.Whether you are a sincere beginner drawn to the spiritual path or a dedicated practitioner seeking to deepen your understanding, our FAQ section offers meaningful guidance and support as you walk the illumined path of Srividya Upasana