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Sakta Agamas : The Sakta Agamas in the Hindu Scriptures

By Sri Swami Sivananda

 

The Sakta Agamas

There is another group of scriptures known as the Tantras. They 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 the 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. Sakti is the creative power of Lord Siva. Saktism is really a

supplement to

Saivism.

 

Among the existing books on the Agamas, the most famous are the Isvara-Samhita,

Ahirbudhnya-Samhita, Sanatkumara-Samhita, Narada-Pancharatra, Spanda-Pradipika

and the

Mahanirvana-Tantra.

 

Kularnava Tantra

You are speech. You are consciousness. You are bliss. You are Brahma. You are

being-consciousness-bliss. You are the non-dual. You are plainly Brahma. You are

knowledge. You are intelligence - Ganapati Upanishad

 

The Kularnava Tantra is held in high esteem by Kaula tantriks. The phrase

Kularnava means

ocean of Kula. It focuses on the Urdvhamnaya, or Upper Tradition, the four

others

belonging to the four other faces of Shiva and representing the five elements of

the

tradition. This tantra does exist in English translation (Prachya Prakashan,

1983) but

this chapter is my own translation, done some years before. Each chapter is

called an

ullasa or bliss, this referring to the nectar of the Kaulas.

 

The essence of this third chapter is a eulogy about the magnificence of the

Urdvhamnaya

and its mantra, which is based upon the 21,600 breaths a human being takes each

day and

night. This upper form of Shiva is known as Ardhanarishvara, a form uniting both

Shiva

and Shakti in one form, representing the union of the outgoing and ingoing

respirations

(Ha and Sa).

 

A description (dhyana , meditation) of Ardhanarishvara, given in the same

tantra, is of

some interest. " In the centre of the wood of Aeon Trees is a canopy formed from

nine

rubies. Under the canopy is a throne studded with nine jewels. On the throne, on

a

triangular seat within the petals of the lotus, is Shiva, adorned with the Moon

and the

Sun with Devi Ambika forming half of his body... "

 

The mantras in Kularnava Tantra are all fashioned from the letters Ha Sa (shown

in the

picture above left as Hamsah). The Shri Prasada Para mantra is Hsaum, the Shri

Para

Prasada mantra Shaum, the Shri Prasada mantra Ham and the Shri Para mantra Sam.

 

Chapter Three

Shri Devi said: Lord of Kula, I want to hear about the most supreme of all

dharmas, the

Urdhvamnaya, its mantra and its magnificence. Speak to me!

 

Shri Ishvara said: Listen, Devi, I will declare that which you ask, by hearing

which

doctrine devatas become truly happy. I have never previously declared this, O

Kuleshvari.

Listen, dearest, I will tell you about the Urdvhamnaya out of my love for you.

 

Vedas, shastras, puranas are revealed but Shaiva and Shakta agamas are all

renowned as

being secret. The supreme secret of all secrets are the Kula Shastras, Parvati.

Ambike,

the Urdhvhamnaya is the supreme secret of all secrets, the very essence of the

whole of

the absolute (Brahman). Well hidden before, it is now revealed by me to you.

 

The five amnayas are born from my five faces are the east, the west, the south

and the

north and the upper, the five amnayas renowned for bringing liberation (moksha).

Many are

the amnayas but there is none equal to the Urdvhamnaya. This is the truth,

Vararohe,

there should be no discussion about it.

 

Many distinctions have come from the secret four amnayas. In this tantra, O Lady

of the

Kulas, I will first speak of them. O Kamini, many are those who study the four

amnayas,

but those knowing the Urvhamnaya knowledge are few.

 

Just as the myriad of particles of dust on the earth, so many are the mantras

giving

enjoyment and liberation from any one or other of the [four] amnayas. So too is

there a

myriad of lesser mantras from the amnayas, spoken by me to you for the grace of

the

world.

 

Sweetly smiling one, the devatas of all of these mantras originate from us both,

giving

the siddhis which are desired. I know every single one of these mantras and no

one else.

By my grace, only a handful of men out of millions are aware of them. If one

knows just

one amnaya, it bring liberation. How much more so for a person who knows all

four.

Clearly, he becomes Shiva.

 

The Urdhvamnaya is supreme, above the knowledge contained in the four amnayas.

Whosoever

desires it becomes a Siddha because of it. From the Urdvhamnaya comes all

dharma. The

Urdhvhamnaya is praised by all and there is nothing greater than it, it is said.

 

Kuleshani, a person is freed from the ocean of Samsara by the Urdvhamnaya. It is

said

that the heavens all worship the Urdvhamnaya. By practising it, Deveshi, one may

become

liberated in this very birth. The fruit of the Urdvhamnaya is greater than all

other

amnayas, the very quintessence. As in all worlds one should worship me, dearest,

so in

all amnayas one should worship the Urdvhamnaya.

 

Like Vishnu amongst gods, like the sun amongst heavenly lights, like Kashi

amongst sacred

bathing spots, like the philosopher's stone to gold and so forth, as Meru is to

mountains, as the sandalwood is to trees, as Ashvamedha is to sacrifices, like a

diamond

is to pebbles, as sweetness is to other flavours, as gold amongst metals, as the

cow is

to quadrupeds, as the swan is to birds, as sadhu-ship is to the different

ashramas, as a

brahmin is to the [other] varnas, as a king is to men, as the head is to the

limbs, as

musk is to the scents, as Kanchi is to cities, so of all paths the Urdvhamnaya

is the

best, Dearest.

 

In various births, the Urdvhamnaya is the fruit giver of supreme merit and not

anything

else, O Lady praised by Viras! Whosoever knows this Urdvhamnaya is wealthy, has

Kula

knowledge and is the best amongst men.

 

Not by vedas, agamas, shastras, puranas, expositions, sacrifices, penances,

bathing in

10,000,000 sacred water, not by vows or by other things Deveshi, not by herbs or

mantras

previously declared can the Urdvhamnaya be known, but only from the mouth of

Shrimad

Guru.

 

Deveshi, one should immerse oneself in that all knowing ocean of compassion,

having all

characteristics, the knower of the essence of the Urdvhamnaya, the source of the

Urdvhamnaya. Whosoever knows the Urdvhamnaya knows everything. All that is

desired is

achieved and the person is accomplished. This is true, true, O Varanana!

Whosoever knows

all this from the mouth of Shri Guru becomes liberated by the path of

Kulashastra, there

is no doubt of it.

 

Whosoever knows this amnaya, O Devi, has everything. He is worshipped, he is a

true guru,

he is a teacher, he is an astrologer, he is a mantrin, he is served by all, he

is praised

by all, he is a seer, he is Sattva Guna itself, he carries things through, he is

a true

doer of tapas, he is an achiever, he is a magician, he is a knower of veda,

agama,

shastra, all knowledge and so forth, he is the path, he is wise, he is a saint,

he is a

Kaulika, he is a true sacrificer, he is self-contained, he is a true reciter of

mantra,

he is a doer of magic, he is a yogi, he is a real accomplisher of acts, he is a

hero, he

is the quintessence, he is a good person, he is a knower of all, he is

liberated, he is

Shiva, dearest.

 

His family is pure, his mother is Lakshmi, his father is an accomplisher and may

himself

become liberated. His family line is praiseworthy in everything, his relatives

and

friends are complete. What is the use of many words? The Urdvhamnaya is the

Supreme!

 

He who recites it gets the fruit of being greater than a king, remembered by

all, famed,

praised, visionary. Wherever he dwells, Shri Vijaya (Victory) dwells also. He is

a true

mendicant, without description, the essence of nectar.

 

The best type of person attains this Urdvhamnaya by the grace of Guru. Whosoever

knows

it, knows everything, is beloved, and becomes like me. The eastern amnaya is

creation,

the southern amnaya maintenance, the western amnaya dissolution and from the

northern

amnaya comes grace. The eastern amnaya is mantra yoga, the southern amnaya is

bhakti

yoga, the western amanaya karma yoga and the northern amnaya jnana yoga. There

are 24

parts to the eastern amnaya, the southern has 25, it is said, the western amnaya

has 32

parts and the auspicious northern amnaya has 36 divisions.

 

These divisions do not exist in the Urdvhamnaya, O lady of Kulas! Plainly, it is

the very

self of Shiva and no acts are known within it. I cannot speak of the

magnificence of the

Urdvhamnaya, from my love for you, you gave birth to this truth, Varanane!

 

So the greatness of the Urdvhamnaya is declared to you by me. Now, Kuleshani,

the

magnificence of the mantra is revealed. Its characteristics have not previously

been

spoken by me. I speak of them now because of your love. Listen, O One Dear to Me

as Life

Itself! The mantra called Shri Paraprasada is the chief mantra situated in the

Urdvhamnaya. Whosoever knows this mantra, which is the supreme creator, becomes

like

Shiva.

 

Ha-Sa is the pathway breath takes in living creatures. This mantra exists in the

form of

exhalation and inhalation, dearest one. Just as clouds cannot exist without

wind, and

just as the sky is without limit, so the world cannot exist except by Shri

Paraprasada

mantra. The world of immovable and moving things comes from the Shri Paraprasada

mantra.

 

Just as the absolute is without parts, Devi, and as wind moves the stem of the

palm, and

as the shoot is in the seed, and as sesame oil is in the sesame plant, and as

brightness

is in the sun and as the moon is in moonlight, and as fire is latent in wood,

and as

perfume is in flower, and as substances are dissolved in water, and as meaning

is in

sound, and as Shiva is in Shakti, and as ghee is in milk, and as colour is in

fruit, and

as sweetness is in sugar, and as coolness is in camphor, and as mantra favour

exists in

mantra punishment, and as divinity is in an image, and as movement is in the

breeze, so

also this universe exists in the Shri Paraprasada mantra. As in the fig tree,

the subtle

form of the tree subsists, so does the macrocosm exist in the Shri Paraprasada

mantra.

 

Just as flavour exists in well-cooked food, Kuleshvari, and just as it is

impossible to

taste sweetness except by knowing saltiness, so those who are devoid of Mantra

Shakti do

not gain fruit or union with the Shri Paraprasada mantra. One should conceal the

Shri

Paraprasada mantra most carefully.

 

People wander in delusion amidst discussions, puranas, philosophies, amnayas,

distinctions, mantras and shastras of various kinds, the 1,000 devas of the

various

texts, deluded by your Maya. They live and they die and have their share of the

afflictions of Samsara, not knowing the Shri Paraprasada mantra, O Kuleshvari.

 

They do not gain liberation, deluded by your Maya. Whosoever knows and is

devoted to the

lovely form of Shri Guru gains the Shri Paraprasada mantra and having known this

becomes

completely liberated. Whosoever in 1,000 previous births knew Shaiva and the

other

(paths) and worshipped the mantras of the four amnayas will come to sing of the

Guru.

Whosoever knows the Shri Paraprasada mantra comes to be liberated from evil

limitations,

a purified being, dear to the Guru, and not in any other way.

 

Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Indra and so forth; various heavenly beings, the Vasus,

the

Rudras, the Sun, the dikpalas, Manu, the Moon and so forth; Markandeya and the

other

munis, Vashishta and other lords of saints, Sanaka and other lords of yoga,

liberated

beings like Shuka and so forth; yakshas, kinnaras, gandharvas, siddhas, fairy

folk and

others praise the one who attains this meritorious Shri Paraprasada mantra, from

which

comes all results.

 

One like this has everything, is worshipped, gains knowledge, is effulgent,

happy, free

from disease and from recitation of the Shri Paraprasada mantra gains kingship,

heaven

and liberation. Also the knower of this mantra exhausts all karma and attains to

the

realm of Brahma, Indra, Rudra and Vishnu. Whoever attains to this becomes happy

in all,

and a true person.

 

This is the wish-fulfilling gem, the heavenly cow (Kamadhenu), in the palace in

the

centre of the Aeon Trees. By reciting the Shri Paraprasada mantra, even Lord

Kubera

becomes a servant. Just as by using the philosopher's stone, iron becomes gold,

so by the

recitation of the Shri Paraprasada mantra, a beast (pashu) becomes a lord of

beasts

(Pashupati). Whosoever knows the Shri Paraprasada mantra has everything. He

knows the

best mantra of all and becomes like You and Me.

 

O Parvati, one who knows this mantra core of Shri Paraprasada mantra, even if a

cooker of

dogs, becomes liberated. If even a dog-eater becomes liberated by knowing the

mantra

essence of Shri Paraprasada mantra, how much more so one who knows its practice?

The

knower of the Shri Paraprasada mantra may do whatsoever he wishes, if, having

heard that

mantra he should meditate on it. This person, O Maheshani, previously initiated

according

to the genuine line (parampara) and knowing the Shri Paraprasada mantra, becomes

one with

So-Aham, there is no doubt. The knower of Shri Paraprasada mantra in the body is

established eternally in the 14 worlds, aware of both moveable and immovable

equally.

 

Wherever he who knows the Shri Paraprasada mantra resides, that place is like a

celestial

palace of broad dimensions. O Lady of Kulas, the knower of the essence of Shri

Paraprasada mantra is praised by Gods and Asuras, over and over again. The place

where

the knower of Shri Paraprasada mantra stands is a place of the Siddhas, thronged

with

hosts of saints and devas.

 

A knower of the Shri Paraprasada mantra knows all mantras, whether they be

Shaiva,

Vaishnava, Daurga (of Durga), Arka (of the Sun), Ganapatya (of Ganesh) or Lunar.

The

sight of one who has the Shri Paraprasada mantra on the tip of his tongue,

liberates even

a cooker of dogs. Whether a brahmin or any other case, whether pure or impure,

he who

recites Shri Paraprasada mantra is liberated, there is no doubt of this.

 

Whether moving or staying still, whether awake or asleep, this Shri Paraprasada

mantra

always gives results, O Deveshi. The other thousands of mantras each give one

single

result but, Kuleshi, this king of mantras swiftly gives every kind of result. Of

all

mantras, this Shri Paraprasada mantra is the highest. Whether ignorant or

knowledgeable,

this mantra always gives fruit.

 

(Like the pairs) Sachi and Indra, Rohini and the Moon, Svaha and fire, light and

the Sun,

Lakshmi and Narayana, Sarasvati and Brahma, night and day, fire and the moon,

bindu and

nada, Prakriti and Purusha, that which is and that which is not, enjoyment and

liberation, Prana and Apana, word and meaning, that with parts and that without

parts,

happiness and sorrow and so forth and in all complements seen and heard by me,

this (Shri

Paraprasada mantra) exists in all, there is no doubt. This Shri Paraprasada

mantra exists

in all male and female forms and is therefore the self of all, O Kuleshvari.

 

Kuleshvari, it is attained by meditation, is without form, the supreme absolute,

without

divisions, pure, eternal, without qualities, all pervading, the eternal

imperishable

thing, whose sphere of action is outside the realms of speech and mind. One

becomes

illuminated by virtue of the sadhana of Shri Paraprasada mantra.

 

Devi, this mantra is therefore known as Shri Paraprasada mantra, the supreme

quintessence, having the nature of truth-consciousness-bliss, Shiva and Shakti,

bestower

of both enjoyment and liberation, with and without karma, with and without

qualities

(gunas).

 

This Shri Paraprasada mantra is the chief of all mantras. By reciting it, one

gains both

enjoyment and liberation, of this there is no doubt. What use here of much

speech? It is

the all-essence!

 

Listen, dearest. There is no mantra equal to the Shri Paraprasada mantra. It is

supreme

knowledge, it is supreme tapas, it is supreme meditation, it is supreme worship,

it is

supreme initiation, it is supreme mantra recitation, it is the highest of all

tattvas, it

is the greatest of all vows, it is the best of sacrifices, it is the highest of

the high,

it is supreme bliss, it gives the best result, it is the very absolute

(parabrahman), it

is the highest refuge, it is the most secret of all secrets. After knowing this

quintessential and boon giving mantra, one always becomes steady, Dear One.

 

Employing the rules of sadhana using the injunctions of the agama, one should

recite the

Shri Paraprasada mantra 108 times and one becomes liberated from the five great

sins such

as killing brahmins and so forth.

 

Whoever recites the Shri Paraprasada mantra 200 times, O Devi, is free from

countless

births, becomes healthy, youthful, strong, whether in wake, dream or deep sleep.

In acts,

mind and speech he can behave either as a fool or as a wise person and is

liberated from

great falls and 10 million lesser defects. This is true, Varanane! There is no

doubt of

it.

 

Whoever recites Shri Paraprasada mantra 300 times gains the merit of all

sacrifices and

all offerings, of all vows and of bathing in all of the sacred waters (tirtha).

This is

the result, O Devi, on this matter there should be no quibbling.

 

Whoever should recite Shri Paraprasada mantra 400 times always has Anima and the

other

eight Siddhis at the door of his house, as it were, with the collectivity of all

the

other Siddhis. Whatever is desired is gained, for sure, plainly Dharma, Artha,

Kama and

Moksha are within reach. Heaven is before him, as well as the four kinds of

liberation. O

Lady of Kula, a sadhaka achieves all this, this is true, there is no doubt of

it.

 

Whoever should recite Shri Paraprasada 500 times gains a result impossible of

description, O Kula Lady. Therefore, by every effort, in every kind of

condition, one

should recite Shri Paraprasada mantra for liberation and enjoyment.

 

There is nothing greater than this, whether it be Guru, Tattvas, Shiva, other

devas,

Vidya, Kaula, Darshana, Kula, knowledge, that which is beyond knowledge,

happiness, the

eight limbs of Yoga, sadhana, nay, not even liberation. This is true, true, true

and

again true - there should be no doubt about it. I would not be able to speak of

the

magnificence of the Shri Paraprasada mantra even if there were 100 billion

aeons. As the

size of the mustard seed is to a mountain, and as a speck of sand is to the sea,

so is

the extent of the magnificence of the Shri Paraprasada to my description.

 

The magnificence of the Urdvhamnaya and the Shri Paraprasada mantra is thus

declared to

you, Devi. What else do you wish to hear?