What is Purascarana?

[Guest guest]

Hi Latha,

I'm sure more than one person will answer on this. In my

understanding, purascarana is the sadhana of mantra repitition. The

ultimate purpose of it is to attain mantrasiddhi. It's a quite

specific Tantrik practice: certain number of laks of mantra

(depending upon the syllables of the mantra) within a certain amount

of time. There are elaborate rules regarding food, time, behavior

and space. It's described in several texts..the "rules" seem to

shift a bit, depending on which category the aspirants belong to. It

is usually done under the direct direction of one's guru after the

mantra has been enlivened and given to the aspirant.The aspirant

then does the purascarana and, at the end, a homa is performed. Some

very long mantras can take years to complete. This is the

traditional approach, as far as I have understood it from a South

Indian teacher. It is also "said" that proper Purascarana is not

possible in Kali Yuga...but I know several Tantrik teachers who are

giving this practice (Indian teachers)....so ??? People may be

thinking of another approach here...I'll be curious to see and,

also, again, what our source (Swamiji and......Shree Maa) have to

say about all of this. They have a way of turning

many "prohibitions" upside down and I trust them completely.

best,

sadhvi