Sharing Tantra's Secret Knowledge PART I

[Guest guest]

Should the secret knowledge of Tantra be shared on the Web? Two

accomplished Srividyas here at "Shakti Sadhana" say, "Yes." Our

respected co-moderator, Kochu1tz (Bhasurananda Natha) and the

venerable Sri Amritananda Natha Saraswati (Guruji) recently discussed

the question, and have authorized us to present their views here for

the benefit and discussion of our members.

 

Amrita's comments follow in Part II. Below are the comments of Kochu:

 

Was Sri Vidyaranya -- who lived about 1000 years ago -- not aware of

the need for personal instructions [in Tantra]? If Nyasa etc has to

be learnt via Guru Mukha [i.e., the person-to-person transmission of

knowledge from a Guru], then why did Vidyaaranya give all of this

detail:

 

shree vishnu sharmana shishyahaha pagalbhaacaarya panditaha.71

tacChishyena mayaaprokte granthe asmin poornataamgate.

Aaviraaseejagaddhaatree mahaamaayaa mamaagrataha..72..

Iti provaaca bho vatsa vruneeshwa varameepsitam.

Tadoktwaanaham maatatmatkrutam grandhamuttamam..73..

Drushtwaa gurukrama mantraan gurutwena vibhaavya maam.

Deekshaam vinaapi bhaktyaa tu ye japanti ca saadhakaah..74..

Teshaamatitaraam siddhirbhavatwiti mamepsitam.

Suprasnnaa tadaa devi tattadhaiva bhavatwiti..75..

Varam datwaa mudaapyantrhitaato gurusantate.

Jnaanamaatrena saa devee tushtaa bhavati nishcayam..76.

(SRI VIDYAARNAVA TANTRA, First Chapter)

 

In a similar vein, Lakshmidhara tells his readers, "Consider me the

Guru." And I remember reading this in a few other places as well.

Why? Is it because Guru Parampara [i.e. the unbroken tradition of

direct guru-to-shishya transmission of knowledge] had become diluted

even then? ... The present situation is of the seeker running hither

and thither without getting a proper Guru and gullible people taking

on the "guruship."

 

The fact is, this whole "secrecy" thing has destroyed a lot of

knowledge, rather than preserving it unsullied! Only a few months ago

I had the fortune (or rather, the misfortune) to see a "secret text"

called "Saubhagya Manjari". It was a whole Sri Vidya Pooja, obviously

unique! The namboodiri who had it did not know anything, but he was

keeping it like a genie guarding gold. After great persuasion, he

agreed to show it to me. But before it could be copied, it was taken

away and placed in Pooja where water seeped in and almost destroyed

it. Now it is in the process of being restored at great expense and

time. Why was this necessary? Because they took the statements, "Swa

matru jaaravat gopyataa and rajyam deyam shirodeyam na deyam

shodashaaksharee etc." literally, without understanding or caring to

analyse the context in which it was said.

 

Is not EVERYTHING available in print nowadays? And then, what's

this "untouchability" attached to [information available on] the Net?

In "Nityaashodashikarnava," even prayogas with Panchadashi are given.

Are we saying that a person with Sri Vidyaarnava, Ratnakara and

Nitaashodashikarnava cannot do the prayogas?

 

At all times there have been people who have misused these and other

things. And when you MISUSE, the results are BAD. (These are all

aupasanas not Prayoga mantras. No proayogas are taught.) Bala,

Ganapathi and Panchadashi -- with or without Nyasas etc. -- when used

PROPERLY will give results.

 

Are we saying that a great soul like Vidyaranya is a Kula Drohi? I

doubt indeed. I can go on and on but I think this will suffice. Do

not we all know "Gurus" without authorisation creating shishyas?

Every Guruhood is fraught with danger. And I think Gurus without

proper authorisation are greater danger than these books.

 

When what is being published is ALREADY in print. I do not see what

the problem is. The "Lalita Sahasranama" and "Trishati" are available

in print and literally millions recite it daily. Many have got

benefits, too. I have not heard one case of LS causing harm. (That's

despite Hayagriva's statements.) There are gurus who say. "Recite

LS." Amritananda Mayi is one of them -- and MILLIONS follow her!

 

For everything there is a time and place. Maybe its time all

these "secret" knowledge become public. (Otherwise like Pranava,

Panchagavya etc. westerners will patent them while we sit here

talking about "secrecy"! *lol*) Why is it assumed that there was no

urge in doing this? Why is it assumed that there is no authorisation?

Could there not be "guruaadesha? One does not become a Guru by

publishing what's already published.

 

Well *smile* I think that's enough rambling for the time being. There

are topics and sub topics in this with authorities. But then the post

will become an "aaranya". I hope I am not hurting anyone. This maybe

taken as an intellectual discussion. Nothing more. Let learned

members contribute. Maybe I am all wrong. I also want to learn.

 

Kochu