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LalitaTripurasundari,theRed
Goddess
DearOne,Tripuraistheultimate,primordialShakti,thelightof
manifestation.She,thepileoflettersofthealphabet,gavebirthtothe
threeworlds.Atdissolution,Sheistheabodeofalltattvas,stillremaining
HerselfVamakeshvaratantra

19752007Allrightsreserved.Noneofthismaterialmaybe
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expresspermissionoftheWebmaster
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mike.magee@btinternet.com
OriginalartworkisJanBailey,19962006.Translationsare
MikeMagee19962006.
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atwww.shivashakti.comis
HostedbyRegister.com
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atwww.religiousworlds.com/mandalam/index.htmlis
HostedbyGeneR.Thursby

WhatisShriVidyaandwhatrelationshipdoesithavetothegoddess
Lalitaandtoheryantra,theShriYantra?Vidyameansknowledge,
specificallyfemaleknowledge,orthegoddess,andinthiscontextrelates
toheraspectcalledShri,LalitaorTripurasundariwhosemagicaldiagram
iscalledtheShriYantra.Sheisaredflower,soherdiagramisaflower
too.
Thetantriktraditionviewsitssymbolsashavingagrossaspect,asubtle
aspect,andasupremeaspect.IntermsofLalita,thegrossformisthe
imageofthegoddesswithherfourarmsandsoforth,thesubtleformis
asyantra,andthesupremeformishermantra,allthreebeingthe
goddessindifferentaspects.Behindthesometimescolourfulsymbolism
isdeepwisdomcoupledwithpracticalmethodsforrealisingoneself.

SeeAlso
BalaPanchanga,Bhavanopanisad,
DakshinamurtiSamhita,FifteenNityas,
GandharvaTantra,JnanarnavaTantra,
Kurukulla,Lalita,MeditationonLalita,
Nityotsava,Paradise,
PhilosophyofTripuraTantra,
RajarajeshvariKavacha,Shodhanyasa,
Shrichakranyasa,Shrinathanavaratnamalika,
ShriVidyaRatnaSutras,Shripuja,Shoshika,
Subhagodaya,Varahi,Yakshinis,
YoginiHridaya

Lalitalovespuja.Thistermisusuallytranslatedasworship.However,
thisismisleading,asitintroducesadualityintoaprocessintendedto
bringthepractitioner(sadhakaorsadhvika)toanondualposition.There
canbevariouspujasincludingdailyrites,thoseperformedatthefour
twilights,ritesdoneforspecificobjects,optionalritesdoneonfestival
days,oronotherwiseauspiciousdayssuchaslunareclipsesorthe
entranceofthesunintoasiderealconstellation,ritesinassembliesor
groups,andritesaccomplishedwithapartner.Subhagodaya,onthissite,
isatranslationwhichgivesthefullpujaofTripurasundariorLalita.
LalitameansSheWhoPlays.Allcreation,manifestationanddissolution
isconsideredtobeaplayofDeviorthegoddess.Mahatripurasundariis
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hernameastranscendentbeautyofthethreecities,adescriptionofthe
goddessasconquerorofthethreecitiesofthedemons,orasthetriple
city(Tripura),butreallyametaphorforahumanbeing.
Whatthenisayantra?Thewordisusuallytranslatedasamachine,but
inthespecialsenseofthetantriktraditionreferstotheDeviinherlinear
orgeometricalform.Yantras,bytheway,arealwaysusedflat.Theymay
betwodimensionalorthreedimensional.EveryaspectofDevihasher
ownmantraandyantra.TheyantraofDeviLalitaisShriYantra.The
divinityoftheyantraalwaysoccupiesthecentreorapex.
Thedifferentpartsorpetalsandlinesoftheyantraareusuallyarrangedin
concentriccircles(mandalas)andcontainraysorsublimbsofdevi.The
ShriYantrahasnineofthesemandals,eachfilledwithvariousaspectsof
theDevi.InShriYantrathereare111aspects.TheShriYantraissaidto
beageometricformofthehumanbody,whichimpliesthatgoddessas
MacrocosmisonewithhumanbeingasMicrocosm.

FormationoftheShriYantra
ThecreationoftheShriYantraisdescribedintheYoginiHridaya(Heart
oftheYoginiTantra),whichstilldoesnotexistinanEnglishtranslation,
asfarasweareaware.Thisissaidtobethesecondpartofthe
VamakeshvaraTantra.
"FromthefivefoldShakticomescreationandfromthefourfoldFire
dissolution.ThesexualunionoffiveShaktisandfourFirescausesthe
chakratoevolve.OSinlessOne!Ispeaktoyouoftheoriginofthe
chakra.
"Whenshe,theultimateShakti,ofherownwill(svecchaya)assumedthe
formoftheuniverse,thenthecreationofthechakrarevealeditselfasa
pulsatingessence.Fromthevoidlikevowelswiththevisarga(:)emerged
thebindu,quiveringandfullyconscious.Fromthispulsatingstreamof
supremelightemanatedtheoceanofthecosmos,theveryselfofthe
threemothers.
"Thebaindavaofthechakrahasatripleform,dharma,adharmaand
atma,andmatri,meyaandprama.Thechakraofnineyonisisthegreat
massofconsciousnessblissandistheninefoldchakraandthenine
divisionsofthemantra.
"ThebaindavaisplacedonadenseflowerymassandistheChitkala.
Similarly,theambikaformofeightlinesisthecircleofthevowels.The
ninetrianglesquiverforththeeffulgentformof10lines.TheShakti,
togetherwithhersurroundingnineblossomedforththe10trikonas.The
secondquiveringformof10lineshasKrodhishaasfirstofthe10.These
fourchakras,ofthenatureoflight,createthe14foldform,theessence
ofperception."YoginiHridaya,I616.
AttheveryheartofthebinduorcentreoftheShriYantraisthatwhich
causedittoemanate.ThisisKamakala,consistingofthethreebindusor
potentials.Oneisred,oneiswhite,andoneismixed.Theredbinduis
ova,thewhitebindusemen,andthemixedbindutheunionofShiva
Shakti,theindividualaspotentialShriCakra.
FatherandMotherarerepresentedinShriVidyabytwolimbsoraspects
ofLalitaknownasVarahiandKurukulla.ThesemenofVarahi,thefather
form,givesfouralchemicaldhatustothechild.TheovaofKurukulla,the
motherform,givesfivedhatnstothechild.Consciousnessentersvia
orgasm.Thethreebindus,collectivelyknownasKamakala(digitof
sexualdesire),aretherootpotentialofsun,moonandfire.Itislikesun
andmooncomingtogetherinaneclipse,ortheseedfromwhichtheplant
humanbeinggrows.
Varahi'sfouralchemicaldhatusareknownasthefourfires.Kurukulla's
alchemicaldhatusareknownasthefivesaktis.Thecombinationofthese
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fivesaktis(downwardpointingtriangles)andfourfires(upwardpointing
triangles),formsthecomplexfigureinthecentreofShriCakra.
Varahi'sfourfiresarethe12(3x4)sunKalas,12siderealconstellations.
Kurukulla'sfivetrianglesarethe15(5x3)Kalasofthemoon,15lunar
days.Thecompleteindividualgrowswithinninemonthstobebornasa
ShriYantraorplant.Thefloweringofthisplantisshownbythe24petals
oftheyantra.TheaboveallgivesrisetothefamiliarshapeoftheShri
Yantra.Theyantraisusuallyarrangedinoneoftwoforms.Inthe
Bhuprastara,itistwodimensionalandlaidflat,usuallyfacingtheeast,
butsometimesthenorth,dependingonthepractice.TheMeruprastara
hastheyantrainapyramidalform.Unlesstheyantrabedecoratedwith
theappropriatebijaandothermantras,itisworthless.Itisalsodead
unlessitisinstalledwithlifeandtheindividualdoingthepujaisinitiated
intooneofthelines(parampara).

TheNineMandalasoftheShriYantra
TheEarthSquareorBhupura
Thismandalarepresentstheenclosingwallsorfenceofthezonuleofa
practitioner.Thethreelinesofthe
bhupuraofShriYantraeachhasa
setofsubsidiaryaspectsorsub
limbsofthegoddess.Onthe
outerlinearetheeightworld
protectors(lokapalas),the
guardianspiritsofthedirections
andintermediatedirections.
Onthemiddlelineareeight
SiddhiSaktisidentifiedwiththe
senses.Ontheinnerlineare
eightShaktisrulingDesire,Anger,
Envy,Delusion,Greed,Jealousy,
VirtueandVice.Theyarethe
eightMatrikas.Thesesaktisare
collectivelyknownastheObviousOnes(PrakataYoginis).Aformofthe
tripleDeviknownasTripurarulesalltheseshaktisinthisindividual
mandalaoftheyantraknownas'TheChakraRulingtheThreeWorlds'.
Shehasfourarms,isthecolourofcrystal,isadornedwithpearlsand
holdsabook,apot,andabeautifullotus.herVidyaisAmAmSauh.
Outerline:Indra(E)wearsyellow,ridesanelephantAgni(SE)wears
red,ridesaramYam(S)wearsblack,carriesastaffNirriti(SW)wears
darkgreenVaruna(W)wearsblue,andhisvehicleisamakarVayu(NE)
wearspaleclothesSoma(N)wearspurewhiteIshana(NE)isaformof
MahadevaShiva.
MiddleLine:TheSiddhiShaktisaresmearedwithvermilion,wearred
garlands,carrynooseandgoad,andareasbrightandbeautifulasred
lotuses.
InnerLine:Brahmiwearsyellow,hasfourarms,isbeautiful.Onehand
dispelsfear,onegrantsboons,theothersholdajewelledjarandmakes
thegestureofpurification.Mahesvariwearswhite,hasthreeeyes,holds
trident,skull,axe,andvesselcontainingsourcurds.Kaumariwears
yellow,holdsshaktidart,Javelin,andmakesthegesturesofdispelling
fearandgrantingboons.Varahiisdarkincolour,holdsconch,discus,
dispelsfear,grantsboons.Shewearsmanyornamentsandgems.She
hastheheadofapig,holdingplough,mace,swordandshield.Indraniis
black,carryingabrightbluelotus.Camundaisblack,holdstridentand
damaru(hourglassdrum),holdsaxe,andmilkinabowl.Mahalaksmi
wearsyellow,holdsserpent,shield,bellandmilkinaskullshapedcup.
Thenatureofthisoutermostmandalaisfireoffire.Thegemistopaz.
Thetimeis24minutes(360breaths).TheMudraistheAllAgitating.
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SixteenPetals
ThesaktisinthiscircleareknownastheHiddenOnes.
Thewholemandalaof16petalsiscalled'FulfillerofDesire'.Thepresiding
formoftheLalitaisTripureshi.HervidyaisAimKlimSauh.Sheis
describedasornamentedwithallgems,carryingabookandarosary.The
16yoginisinthismandalaare
associatedwiththeattainmentof
desiresbythecultivationor
strengtheningofpowerovermind,
ego,sound,touch,sight,taste,
smell,intellect,steadiness,
memory,name,growth,etheric
body,revivification,andphysical
body.Theyaredescribedasthe
NityaKalas.Eachholdsanoose,
agoad,potfullofnectar,and
makesthesignofgiving.They
areveryred.
Thegemofthemandalais
sapphire.Thedhatuofphysical
alchemyischyle,thefirstproductofthedisintegrationoffoodbythe
biologicalfires.Thetimeisthreehours(2700breaths).TheMudraisthe
WetteningMudra.Thenatureofthemandalaissunoffire.

EightPetals
ThesaktisinthismandalaarecalledtheVerySecretYoginis.Thewhole
circleofeightpetalsiscalledthe
'AllExcitingCakra'.Presiding
hereisTripuraSundari.Hervidya
isHrimKlimSauh.Sheis
describedasswayingbecauseof
herloveintoxicatedstate,with
hereyesfullofbliss.
Shesmileswithpassion.She
showsthemudrasdispellingfears
andgrantingboons.
Theeightsaktisineachofthe
eightpetalsofthemandalaare
describedassaktisofSpeech,
Holding,Walking,Excreting,
Pleasure,Abandoning,ConcentrationandDetachment.Theyare
describedassapphireblue,holdingnoose,goad,dispellingfear,and
holdingbluelotus.Theirnames(AnangaMadanaetc)allconveytermsof
lovingsexuality.
Thegemiscat'seye.ThedhatuisFlesh.Thetimeisdayandnight
(21600breaths).Themandala'snatureismoonoffire.

FourteenTriangles
Thismandalaiscalled'TheCakraBestowingAllGoodFortune'.The
Yoginisarecalled'ConcealedbyTradition'.Thepresidingformofthedevi
isTripuraVasini.HervidyaisHaimHklimHsauh.
Sheisveryredandverybeautiful.Fourteenshaktisofthetrianglesare
associatedwiththechiefnadisorcurrentsofbioenergy.Theyare
describedasbeingproud,wanton,young,colourofcochineal,
ornamentedwithgems,holdingnoose,goad,mirror,winecupfullof
nectar.TheyaretheAkarshanisorAttractors.
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Thegemiscoral.Thedhatuis
blood.Thetimeisweekday.The
MudraiscalledAllSubjugating.
Thenatureofthemandalaisfire
ofsun.

Outer10Triangles
Thismandalaiscalled'TheCakra
BestowingAllObjectstothe
Sadhaka'.Thesaktisarecalled
theKulaKaulas.Thepresiding
aspectofRedDeviisTripura
Shri.
Here,thegoddessisaseffulgent
as1000risingSuns,adornedwith
celestialornaments,withlarge
risingbreasts,holdingbookand
rosary,dispellingfearsand
grantingboons.
The10shaktisinthetrianglesare
describedashavingthrilledfaces,
holdingnooseandgoadand
adornedwithvariouscrystaland
heavenlygems.
ThesearetheYoginisofthe10
vitalbreaths.Thegemispearl.
ThedhatuisOva/Semen.The
timeisLunarDay(tithi).
TheMudraiscalledtheAllIntoxicatingwithLove.Thenatureissunof
sun.

Inner10Triangles
Themandalaiscalled'TheCakraProtectingAll'.TheYoginisarecalled
WithoutOrigin.Thepresiding
aspectofLalitaisTripuraMalini.
HervidyaisHrimKlimBlem.
Sheholdsnooseandgoad,
dispelsfear,andholdsaskull.
Sheisofvermilionbrightness.
Hershaktisarethecolourof1000
risingsuns,adornedwithpearls
andgems,holdingnoose,chisel,
andshowingthegesturesof
knowledge,andgivingboons.
Theyarethesaktisofthe10Vital
Fires.Thegemisemerald.The
dhatuisMarrow.Thetimeis
LunarFortnight.TheMudraistheGreatGoad.Thenatureismoonofsun.

EightTriangles
Thismandalaiscalled'TheCakraDestroyingallDisease'.Theyoginis
areknownastheSecretor
Rahasyayoginis.Thepresiding
aspectoftheRedGoddessis
TripuraSiddha.

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HervidyamantraisHrimShrim
Sauh.Sheisdescribedasthe
DestroyerofPoison.
Heryoginisarethecolourof
pomegranateflowers,wearingred
clothes,smearedwithredscent,
eachcarryingfivearrowsanda
bow.Thesesaktisaretherulers
ofCold,Heat,Happiness,Sorrow,
Desire,andthethreegunas
Sattvas,Rajas,Tamas.Theyare
alsocalledtheeightVasinisand
ruletheeightSanskritletter
groups.Thegeminthismandala
isdiamond(Vajra).Thetimeis
month.TheMudraisKhecariMudra.Thenatureofthemandalaissaidto
befireofmoon.

TheFourWeapons
Inbetweenthemandalasofeighttrianglesandthecentraltrianglesare
thefourweaponsoftheRedGoddessflowerybow,floweryarrows,
nooseandgoad.

CentralTriangle
Thismandalaiscalled'TheCakraGivingAllSuccess'.TheYoginisare
calledVerySecret.LalitadwellshereasTripuraAmba,herVidyabeing
HsraimHsrklimHsrsauh.
Sheisalsoknownas
SampatpradaBhairavi,coppery
effulgent,like1000suns,with
threeeyes,afacelikethemoon,
adornedwithwhitegems,witha
beautifulfigure,risingswelling
breasts,intoxicated,wanton,
young,proud,holdingbook,
dispellingfear,holdingarosary
andgrantingboons.
HerthreesaktisarecalledLady
ofLust(Kameshvari),Adamantine
Lady(Vajreshi),andFlowery
Vagina(Bhagamalini).KameshvariiscalledtheRudraShakti.Sheis
whiteincolour,besmearedwithcamphor,adornedwithpearlsandcrystal,
andvariousothergems,holdingbook,rosary,bestowingboonsand
dispellingfear.
VajreshiistheVishnuShakti.Sheisbrightasredpowder(kumkuma),
adornedwithflowersandgems,likethedawnsun.Hereyelidsare
smearedwithsapphiredust,sheholdssugarcanehow,floweryarrows,
bestowsboons,dispelsfear.
BhagamaliniistheBrahmaShakti.Sheiseffulgentasmoltengold,
adornedwithpricelessgems,holdsnoose,goad,andshowsthegestures
ofknowledgeandbestowingboons.
ThegemofthemandalaisGomaya.ThedhatuisFat.Thetimeis
season(twomonths).TheMudraistheBijaMudra.Thenatureofthe
mandalaissunofmoon.

Bindu
Thismandalaiscalled'PurelyBlissful'.TheYoginiinthismandalaisthe
QueenofQueens,Rajarajeshvari,theVeryRedOne,herTranscendent
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MajestyLalitaMaheshvari
Mahatripurasundari.
Hervidya(Kamarajavidya)iska
eilahrimhasakahalahrimsa
kalahrim,plusasecret16th
syllable.Herdescriptionisthat
giveninVamakeshvaraTantra.
SurroundingheraretheFifteen
Nityas.Thegemisruby.The
dhatuishair.Thetimeisyear.
ThemudraisYoniMudra.The
natureofthiscentralmandalais
moonofmoon.

YantraMantraTantraofLalita
Lalita,asprimordialdevi,raysoutherattendantsandshaktisas
modificationsofmoon,sunandfire.InthisShivahasnoplace,no
qualities,iswithouttheabilitytoact.Onlywhenunitedwithdevimay'he'
act.
ThisisbasedonthesubtleandpracticalideaofShivaaspure
consciousness,witnessofthetriplemanifestationofhisShakti.This
Shakti,theveryessenceofthethreegunasofSattvas,Rajas,and
Tamas,isthecauseofallmanifestationintheuniverseandasahuman
being.Thethreeshaktis,byblendingandreblending,createallthings.
Shaktiistripleassun,moonandfirethatistosayofallthesidereal
constellationsandplanets,andthereforeofTimeitself.Sheistripleas
Will(Iccha),Knowledge(Jnana)andAction(Kriya).Sheisthreefoldas
intellect,feelings,physicalsensation.
Shaktiistripleaswakedreamdeepsleep.WhatiscalledtheFourthis
thewitness,Shiva,whoissaidtopervadethewholecosmosjustasheat
pervadesaredhotiron.
Thephysicalbody,accordingtothepreceptsofAyurveda,istripleasthe
'humours'Vata,PittaandSleshma.Thevaryingcombinationsofthese
threeshaktismakeupthephysicalbody.
Shaktiisalsofivefoldasaether,air,fire,waterandearth.The
combinationofthefiveelementsandthreegunasproduceLalita's
Eternities(Nityas)15innumber,eachidentifiedwithalunardayofthe
brightfortnight.Themoon,symbolisingShakti,isthemirrororreflection
holdingtogetherallcreation.
AcloseexaminationofthedetailsrelatingtotheninemandalasofShri
Yantrarevealsthattheshaktisofthewholecirclerepresentthehuman
being,who,inpotential,isShaktiShivaunited.Theaimisforapersonto
realisethatallpowers,energiesandmanifestationareshaktisof
consciousness,pureawareness.
Theyantramaybeexaminedintwoways,eitherasmanifestationor
dissolution.Maintenanceisanintermediatestatebetweenthetwo
polarities.Whensheisworshippedascreatrixtheorderisfromcentreto
perimeter.Asdissolver,thepujaisfromperimetertocentre.
InSivanandaYogi'sSubhagodayaisgiventhedailyritualorpujaof
Lalita'sShriYantrabasedontheVamakeshvaraTantra.Thisriteis
basedonnondualism,inaspiritualsensetherealisationoftheintrinsic
onenessofmacrocosmandmicrocosm.
Asthepujaisintendedtobanishallthoughtsofdifference,thedeviis
firstfeltorvisualisedintheheart,andthendrawnoutviathebreathand
installedintheyantra.Sheisthenworshippedasactuallyresidingthere.
Butaclearlinkhasbeenmadebetweensubjectandobject.Thetrue
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homeofdeviisascosmocreatrixintheheartofthebodywhichisthe
deviinhumanform.

TheVariousMandalasofShriYantra
TheTripleGoddess,fromherownwilltomanifest,extendsherselfina
ninefoldway,asmodificationsofmoon,sunandfire.Theattributionsof
thevariousmandalasshowsthetypeofenergyrepresented.The
meditationinBhavanaUpanshadisafigurativewayofdescribingthis
celestialcityormountainwhichisahumanbeing.
Theislandofjewelsisthegrosshumanbodywithits9alchemicalbases
ordhatus.Eachisfigurativelydescribedasagemdiamond,emerald,
sapphire,ruby&c.Theseaofnectar(semen/ova)isthebaseforthe
arisingofthehumanbody.Thediagramsunsupthemeditation.Wecan
seethatthisislandofgemsisaverypleasantplacetohe,fullof
gardens,withabeautiful,begemmedpalace,waftedwithagentlebreeze
uponwhichiscarriedgreatfragrance,cool,alluring.
ThisindicatestheKaulaviewthatonegainsliberationbyaverypleasant
way,enjoyingasonegoes.Thisparadiseislandisvery,veryclose.Each
oftheelementsintheislandmeditationhasasubtlemeaningassociated
withtheesotericphysiologyofShriVidya.
She,Lalita,unitedwithShiva,issubtletyofsubtlety,hiddenbehindthe
curtainhangingfromthecanopy.Herformsmayappeartobecome
progressivelylesssubtle,butshestillremainsherself.

BalaSundariBhairavi
AlthoughTripurasundari,asmotheroftheuniverse(jagadamba)isthe
aspectmostoftenmetwithinworksofShriVidya,sheisalso
worshippedasBala(ayounggirl),andasBhairavi(acrone).
AsBala,sheis16yearsold,avirgin,veryplayfulanddear.Balahasher
ownyantraandmantra.hervidyaisAimKlimSauh.
BhairaviisalsoanaspectofLalita,butrepresentsShaktiinwhom
menstruationhasceased,andhassomeaffiliationswithKali.

ApplicationsofShriVidya
Therearemanyprayogas(ritualuses)relatedtoShriYantra.Somerites
dependonauspicioustimes,suchasFullmoondaysornightsinspecific
solarmonths
Devialsomanifestsasthefiveelementsofaether,fire,air,waterand
earth.Thesaktisarepurple(air),white(water),red(fire),yellow(earth),
blue(aether).
ChapterIIofVamakeshvaragivesalargenumberofrites,whichoneis
notentitledtoperformunlessthedailyriteisalsoaccomplished.These
ritesarecalledtheshatkarma,sixacts:protection,peace,victory,
wealth,punishment,destruction.Thecategoriesvaryoccasionally.When
punishinganenemyitisnecessarytobothprotectyourselfandtoknow
therighttimeforperformance,accordingtotherules,andalsothe
vulnerablepoints,whichvarywiththephaseofthemoonandwith
astrologicalaspects.
ItisimportanttorememberthatShriVidyawasprimarilyoral,andvital
informationwasoftenleftoutofthewrittenversions,soitisnecessaryto
knowahostofthingsbeforearitecanbestarted.

Initiation
DeviLalitamaybeinstalledinadisciple,ayantra,oranimage.Allthe
methodsessentiallyfollowasimilarform,buttherighttimemustbe
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selected.Adisciplemusthavethenecessaryqualificationsandpotential.
Afterinitiation,sheorheistoperformanoperationtoenduethevidya
withenergyorlife.Thisinvolvestherecitationoftherootvidyaa
specifiedlargenumberoftimes,althoughothervalidmethodsexistfor
preparation.

TheVidya(Mantra)
Therearesaidtobe15linesofmantra,eachperceivedbyadifferent
Rishi(Seer).ThemostwidespreadseemstobethatcalledKadi
(beginningwith'Ka'),whichitselfhasthreesections.Theothermain
divisionisHadi,althoughitissaidthattheKularnavaTantraincorporates
bothinadivisioncalledKahadi.DevoteesoftheKadilineworshipthe
ShriYantrafromtheperimetertothecentre,whileHadidevoteesworship
itfromthecentretotheperimeter.Someofthelinesofthevidyaaresaid
tobebroken,anddonotruninacontinuousstream.

The64KaulaTantras
ThesetantrasareenumeratedinVamakeshvaraandKulachudamani
Tantras,andinotherplaces.AtsometimeinhistoryaschoolofShri
VidyawasformedonanorthodoxVedikbasis.Aproponentofthis
school,Lakshmidhara,wroteacommentaryonthefamousShriVidya
hymncalledSaudaryalahari.
Unfortunately,mostofthe64tantrasarelost.Buttheircontentsmaybe
gaugedfromLakshmidhara'scommentary.Wehavetorememberthatthe
descriptionsarebasedonanorthodoxVedicinterpretation.
1)MahamayaSambhara.Deludingofintellectandsenses.2)YoginiJala
Sambhara.InvolvingtheagencyofYoginis.3)TattvaSambhara.Causing
elementstoappearandtransform.411)EightBhairavaTantras.The
commentatorsaysthattheseareobjectionableastheybelongtothe
KapalikasorskullwearerssuchasNaths,Aghoris,andsoforth.1219)
TheBahurupaAstaka.Importanceattachedtotheeightshaktisor
Matrikas.
2027)TheEightYamalas.Ofthese,onlyRudraYamalaseemstohave
survived,althoughitisdoubtfulthatthetextwhichexistsisthesameas
theoriginal.Otheroftheyamalasdoexistinpartasquotationsinlater
tantras.ThecommentatorsaystheserelatetoSiddhi.28)CandraJnana.
Expoundsthe16Nityas,butcondemnedas'itsmacksofKapalika
tenets'.29)MaliniVidya.Enablingonetocrossgreatoceans.Thiscould
betheMaliniVijayaTantra,aworkoftheKashmirSaiviteswhich
includesmagicaloperationsbasedonthe36tattvas.
30)MahaSammohana.Hypnosis.3133)Vamajusta,Mahadevaand
Vatula.ThesearecondemnedastheydealwithVamachara.3435)
VatulaUttaraandKamika.Thelatterisstillextant,andbelongstothe
KashmirgroupofAgamas.Thechiefguruofthisschoolisthefamous
Abhinavagupta.36)HridbhedaTantra.CondemnedthroughVamachara.
3738)TantrabhedaandGuhyatantra.Condemnedbecauseofretaliatory
magic.39)Kalavada.Digitsofthemoon,inductionofchandrakalas,
whicharethe108partsofthemoonfoundinahoroscope.
40)Kalasara.Therulesofcolour.Thereisnoreasongivenforits
exclusion.41)KundikaMata.Attainmentofsiddhithroughelixirsand
drugs.42)MataUttara.Dealswith'quicksilver'.SeetheMatrikabheda
Tantra.43)Vinakhya.PoweroverYakshinis.44)Trotala.Magical
practicesofmedicineandclairvoyance.45)TrotalaUttara.Bringingthe
64croresofyoginisfacetoface.46)Pancamrita.Nectarfromthebody.
ThefivenectarsarementionedintheKaulaJnanaNirnaya.47)
Rupabheda.48)BhutaUddamara.49)Kulasara.50)Kullaoddisha.51)
Kulacudamani.48,50and51arestillavailable.Thecommentatorsays
thesetantrasarenotsanctionedbyVeda.
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5256)SarvajnaTantra,MahakaliMata,Arunesi,Modinisa,
Vikunthesvara.Theyarealldeclaredreprehensibleastheybelongtothe
digambaras(nakedsadhus).5764)East,West,South,North,Uttara
Kaulas,Vimala,Vimalotta,DeviMata.Oneoftheselinesstillexists.

TheNineNathas
EachofthenineNathasorlordsisidentifiedwithanapertureofthe
humanbody,andwithoneoftheninemandalasofthewholeShriYantra.
One'sownguideisShivaaspervadingtheseninechakras,andis
identifiedwiththecurrentofbioenergycalledSusunna.Theyareall
meditatedonaswhite,withtwoeyesandtwoarms,showingthegestures
banishingfearandgivingboons.Theymaybevisualisedasbeingin
sexualintercoursewiththepresidingaspectsoftheDeviinthenine
mandalas.

TheFourOceans
Thefourdutiesofahumanbeingaredescribedasoceansbecauseof
theirlimitlessextent.Thesadhakainthezoneisatthejunctionpointor
fieldofactionofthesefouroceans,ontheislandofgems.

TheNineBodilyDhatus
Eachoftheninematters(dhatu)inthebodyispresidedoverbyan
aspectofLalita.TheUniverse,inShriVidya,issaidtobetime,space,
andacombinationofthetwo.ThefirstisShakti,thesecondShiva,and
thethirdShivaandShaktiinunion.Thesearealsothethreeeyeson
Lalita'sface,andsun,moon,fire.

TheIslandofNineGems
Onthisisland,whichisallandeverything,seedandsprout,thesix
seasonsallmanifestsimultaneously.TheAeonTrees(Kalpadruma)are
identifiedwithresolutionasanyactundertakenwithresolutionisfruitful.
Thesixseasonsareidentifiedwiththesixtastesofahumanbeing.
Horsesarethefivesensesastheyleadoneforwardintoaction,
figurativelytakenaswar.ItisLalitawhoslayedthedemonBhandawith
allhisfearfulhordes.Allhersaktisassistedherinthis.Thenthecelestial
city,theNagarwasbuilt.Elephantsaretheobjectsofsenses,orthe
impressions.
ShriVidyaimpliesunitybetweenknower,meansofknowledgeand
knowledgeitself.Thesearethethreecities.Thismeansthattheknower,
bymeansofthefiveinstrumentsofknowledge,offerstoknowledgeitself,
Deviintheyantra.(SeeBhavanopanishad).

TheFifteenNityaShaktis
ThesearemodificationsofLalitaasredgoddesswithherthreegunasand
herfiveelementsofaether,air,fire,waterandearth.Theyareidentified
withthe15daysofthelunarfortnight.Asthemoonremainsitself,though
appearingdifferentlyaccordingtophase,sotooLalita.EachNityahas
herownvidya,yantraandgroupofenergies(saktis).Lalitaor
Tripurasundariisthe16thdayorFullmoon,withher15digits.Eachof
the15Nityashasacertainnumberofarms,thetotalityofarms(=rays)
ofthewholecirclebeing108.Becauseanyunitoftimeistakenasa
microcosmorparallelofanyothervalidunit,eachofthe15Nityashas
1440breaths.
Onelunarfortnightis21600breathswhichisthenumberofawhole
cycleorprocess.Thebreathsofahumanbeingduringonedayandnight
are2160010800ofwhicharesolar,theother10800beinglunar.Bythis
device,theunityofthe15Nityas,time,spaceandahumanbeingis
shown.AstimeisbreathinShriVidya,wefindthattheperiodsofthefour
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famousyugasarealsobasedonbreath.Eachbreathisinfluencedduring
thedaybytheplanetsintheirwaxingandwaningofpower.
Thesecausepoisonstoaccumulateinthephysicalbody.Nectaris
releasedwhenthesunmandal'melts'themoonmandal,andoneattains
toHamsa.Thisisthenectarofcompassion.

LalitaastheWholeUniverse
Tantrikritesofteninclude'nyasas',theplacingofsomeprinciplesina
certainsequenceonone'sownbody.Theideaisthatthisprocess
purifiesanddivinises.
Lalita'sSodha(sixfold)Nyasaisahighlycomplexriteinwhicha
practitionerplacesonthebodythe51lettersofthealphabet,theplanets,
the27naksatrasorlunarmansions,the12siderealconstellations,and
the51sacredsites(pithas)ofallIndia.
Placingthesedifferentthingsonthebodythepractitionercomesto
realiseonenesswiththewholecosmos.Thisritualalsoillustratessome
importantconcepts.TheTantrarajastatesthatthereisnodifference
betweenthecircleofthelettersofthealphabetandthesiderealZodiac.
LalitaasdeviisShaktiasalllanguage,mantra,sound,musicand
vibration.SheisalsoShaktiofTimeasallplanetsandconstellations.
Sheistheveryessenceofsunandmoon.Eachoftheserealmsrequires
innercomment.

51Ganesasand51Letters
TheimageofGanesaillustratesthethreerealms.elephant,hisbody
human,andhisvehicleamouse.Thesearethreerealmsinonebeing.He
islordofobstaclesinthreeways.Aselephant,hisgreatstrengthcan
breakharriers.Ashuman,hecanusehisintelligence.Asmouse,hecan
penetratethesmallestplaces.EveryaspectofShriVidyamaybe
understoodinthreewaysgross,subtle,andsupremeandsothe
meaningofthingsoftenremainsuncertainunlessyoualreadyknow
someonewhohasthekey,orbelongtotheingroup.
Aslettersofthealphabet,LalitaisMatrikaShakti,whodeludesbyher
Mayathroughwords,speech,mantra.

Planets
Thetantriksknewtheseventraditionalplanetsofwesternastrology,and
alsohadagreaternumberofshadowyplanets,ofwhichRahuandKetu
thenodesofthemoonarethebestknown.Theplanetsareimportantto
anunderstandingofShriVidya,butthedetailsaresoextensivethatthey
mustbereservedforalatertime.

27Nakshatras
Theseconstellationswerethoughtofasbeyondthe12sidereal
constellations,soremotetheywerealmostbeyondtimeitself.These27
areemployedinShriVidyatodeterminesuitabilityofpartners,
constructingVajraYantras,andsoforth.Eachofthe27hasitsown
animal.Ayoniorlingamisclassifiedasbeingharmoniousorthereverse
accordingtothepositionofthenatalmoonintheseconstellations.They
arealsoassociatedwithsacredherbsandtrees,andmuchusedin
specificoroptionalrites.

Yoginis
TheYoginisofthebodilycentres(dhatus)revealverymuchofinterestas
theyareassociatedwiththewellknownbutmuchmisunderstoodcakras.
TheseYoginisarereallyimagesoftheayurvedicoralchemicbasesinthe
body.
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Theycanonlybeunderstoodinrelationtosuchanalchemy.Kundaliniis
thebodyshakti,thegreatdeluder,thetrickster,thecauseofsleep.To
raisehermeanstobecomeconsciousofhermanifestation.Shaktiinthe
bodyhashervariousformsasPrana(Breath)Shakti,fireShaktiandso
forth.WhenPranaShaktibecomesagitated,shezigzagsupthebody.At
thistimeonestartstoexperiencedissolution.Variousthingsmybeseen
andfelt.
Dakini,Rakini&c.presideoverthealchemicalphysicalbasesofskin,
blood,flesh,fat,bone,marrow.Thelastoftheseyoginispresidesover
thehighestdhatu,highestasitformsthephysicalbasisfornewlife
ova/semen.Inthisformsheistrulylimitless,asshemanifestsasthe
AeonTree(Kalpadruma).TheDakinisandRakinis&c.arepicturedas
terrifyingastheyconsunersofthefoodoneingests.

TwelveRashis(Constellations)
Theseareviewedas12greatsunsorsunKalas,mightyAdityas
presidingovergreataffairs,feedingonhumanbeingsandtheiressence.

51Pithas
TheseareplacesinIndiaparticularlysacredtodevi,astheymarkthe
spotswherethepartsofherbodyfellafteritwasslicedintopiecesbythe
discusofVisnu.TheyonifellatKamarupa,hencethespecialspiritual
regardinwhichthisplaceisheldbyKaulas.

TheNadis
Nadimeansriver,andisextendedtoincludeothercurrentsandcourses,
suchasthoseofthebioenergyandthepulse.Ayurvaidyashavewritten
worksdistinguishingvarioustypesofpulseindicatingdysfunctionofthe
threepowers.Nadiisalso150thpartoftheascendantinabirthchart
basedonthesiderealzodiac.SuchabirthchartiscalledRashiKundali.
Itisimpossibletocastaccuratechartswithoutknowingwhichnadirules
apersonortime.Eachnadihasanaspectofthedevirulingit,anda
solarandlunarparthencethereare3600inthezodiac.
Therearesaidtobe72000nadisinthehumanorganism.Thisnumber
indicatesalargebutnotinfinitenumberofchannelsofbioenergy.They
arethepathwaysofPranaShakti.
ThechiefpathwaysareSusumna,extendingfromapointbetweenthe
anusandgenitalstothetopoftheheadidaandpingala,whicharethe
solarandlunarpathwayscoiledaroundthecentralchannel.This
SusumnaisShivaandShaktiinsexualunion.Thehumanbodyis
conceivedofasatreetherootisatthetopofthehead,anditramifies
downwards.ThesechannelsarethepathwaysorbodyvehiclesforVata,
oneofthethreedosasorhumoursinAyurvedaofthehumanbody,and
constitutethecentralnervoussystemwiththreemainconcentrations.

Marmas
Marmasare108innumber,welldocumentedpointsofthehuman
organisnwhich,ifpierced,usuallycausedeath.Manyarerecognisedby
westernmedicine.OntheShriYantra,marmasarerepresentedbythe
confluenceofthreeormorelines.

Sandhis
Thesearejointsinthehumanframe,kneejoint,elbowjoint&c.Thebody
isthetempleofthedevi.OntheShriYantrasandhisarerepresentedby
thejunctionoftwolines.

MeaningofKula
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A'kula'isaShakti.TheforegoingshowsthateachShaktiintheyantrais
someenergyofthehumanorganisminitsgross,subtle,orcausal
aspects.'Akula'(lit.'notKula')isShiva.
"HavingabandonedherfamilyofyoungKulawomen,shebecomes
Shiva,withnoqualities,nocharacteristics,devoidoftheformoftime."
VamakesvaraTantra
"Allthingsthebody.Thebodyisthesacrificialladle.Knowledgeisthe
food."ShivaSutrasII,910.

TheWeaponsofLalita
Lalitaholdsfivefloweryarrows,noose,goadandbow.Thenooseis
attachment(moon).Thegoadisrepulsion(sun).Thesugarcanebowis
themind.Thefloweryarrowsarethefivesenseimpressions.When
oonsciousnessperceivesthese,theoutwarddirectedarrowsstopbeing
drysticks.
Thesefivefloweryarrowstogetherwiththebowarepersonifiedassix
KrishnasorKamadevas.V84ofchxxivofTantrarajatantrastatesthat
LalitaassumedamaleformasKrishna,and'byenvelopingallwomen
enchantedthewholeworld'.Eachofthesixformsislikedawn,withsix
arms,holdingflute,noose,goad,sugarcanebow,flowers,sourmilk.

EroticisminShriVidya
ThephysiologyofShriVidyapostulatesmacrocosmandmicrocomas
one.Fromthisfollowstherealisationthatthesexualunionofmanand
wananmirrorsthecosmiccreation.Itisnaturalthatlovingsexuality
shouldbeseentohaveacosmicstatus.
Kaulashavebeencriticisedastheirworksemphasiseloveanddeath,but
theywerealwaysrealists.ManytantrasestablishthattheterrifyingKali
andthebenignLalitaaretwosidesofthesamecoin.Thiscoinor
currencyiscalledlife.Lalita,withherwaxingmoon,representscreation,
andKalikawithherwaningmoondissolution.Eachisacompletesymbol,
ofhighsublimityandloadedwithspiritualsignificance.

The15SyllableMantra
Achart,inSanskrit,intheAdyarLibraryeditionofVarivasyaRahasya,
whichdealswiththe15letteredVidyaofLalitaissousefultoan
understandingofShriVidyaandtheyantrathatwehavesummarisedits
contentsbelow.
TheKadiVidyarunskaeilahrim:hasakahalahrim:sakalahrim.
Thereisalsoasecret16thsyllablesaidtobethequintessenceofLalita.
Therevidya,yantra,guru,disciple,goddessareallconceivedofasbeing
one.TheShriYantraiswithinthewheeloftime(Kalacakra),and
representsthehumanbody(microcosm),andtheuniverse(macrocosm).
These15lettersareconceivedtoexistwithinthemeruorspineofa
humanbeing,fromthebasetothetopofthehead.
Theseven(ornine)'cakras'arestrungalongthisthreadoflight,asare
thedifferentmandalsorcirclesofShriYantra.NotethattheLalitaVidya
isitselfdividedintothreeparts,eachrepresentsfire,sunandmoon.
Differentlettersofthealphabetallexistinasubtleformwithinthespinal
cord.EachchakraispresidedoverbyaYoginiwhosefunctionis
connectedwiththetransmutationoffood,whichisalchemyofthefood
factory.
Thereare50petalsassociatedwiththesesixcakrasasthereare50
lettersoftheSanskritalphabet.21600/50=432.Thecakraofthe
absoluteorsemen/ovaitselfhas1000lettersorpetals.Semenis
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conceivedofasresidingherebecauseofitsalchemicalnatureasan
elixirproducedbythesynthesisoftheformsoffood.
Thesethreewhichareonenessareknower,meansofknowledge,object
ofknowledge.Theirunioniscalledsamarasa.
ThethreecornersofthecentraltriangleoftheShriChakraarepresided
overbythreesymbolicNathas.TheFourthNatha,ShivaHimself,is
unitedwithShaktiinthecentreoftheBindu.
ThisBindu,unitedShivaShakti,createsthecosmos.Ifweobserve
natureweseethattheShriCakra(child)comesfromthesexualunionor
samarasa(perfectassimilation)ofman(Shiva)andwoman(Shakti).
TheirsamarasaisknownastheFourth,becauseitappearswhenallthree
arepresent,andalsoproducesorhasthethreeasitspowersorsaktis.
ThisFourthisawareness,thewitness,theenjoyer,themeasurer,the
measuringstick,andthemeasured,Adinatha,themerulingam,beyond
timeandspace,andthereforeoutsidetheShriYantraorthecosmosas
modificationorplayofsun,moonandfire.Theselastthreeformthebody
ofLalita.
ThethreesaktisoftheFourthareknownasKamesvari,Vajresiand
Bhagamalini,inthesymbolismofShriVidya.
TheyarealsothesaktisIccha,JnanaandKriya(Knowledge,Will,
Action),andintheiraspectsasCreator,MaintainerandDestroyerare
knownasVama,whovomitsforththeuniverse,Jyestawhomaintains,
andRaudriwhodissolves.
Thebodyofahumanbeingismadeupofthesethreeincombinationand
blending.Theyareactive,passiveandreconciling.
Thethreearealsosymbolisedasthreeholymountainsknownas
Kamagiri,Purnagiri,andJalandhari.Theapexofthesefoothillsisthe
verysecretOddiyana,atthecentreofShriYantra.Thethreealso
representthreesymboliclingaswithinthehumanframe.
Conceivedofasthehumanbody,andastheMeruorsubtlespine,these
threeplacesarepointsofconvergenceorpilgrimageofthechannelsof
bioenergyconnectedwiththesunandmoon.Thereisacorrespondence
betweenthesechannelsinthebody,andtheluminariesintheheaven.
AstheShriYantraisTimeandSpace,allconstellations,planets,lunar
mansions,areconceivedofasbeingthebodyofLalita,MahaTripura
Sundari.ItwasthesethreecitiesthatweredestroyedbyLordShiva,and
describedintheShivaMahimnaStotra.
Attheconfluenceofthethreeriversofbioenergyarethreelingamsof
SupremeShiva,resortedtobythewise.OneunitedwiththeFourthis
liberated.OthersaredeludedbytheMayaorplayofthegoddess,who,
withherthreeaspectsinallisknownasMahamayaAdya,thewombof
all.
Shedeludesbyhereveryprocess,andhastheformofMatrikadevi,or
goddessofspeechandwords.The15syllablesofthevidyaareusually
disguisedinsymbolicdesignorcode.ThethreeHrimsarecalledthe
threemayagranthisorknotsofdelusion.ThisHrimbreaksdownintoHa
forShiva,HaforShakti,andImforsamarasa.
TheFourth(Turiya)alsopervadesconsciousnessinitsstatesofwaking,
dreaminganddeepsleep.ThisisalsoexpressedintheShivaSutra.

MeaningofShriVidya
TheYoginiHridaya,thesecondpartoftheVamakeshvaraTantra,states
thatthemantrahasseveralmeanings.Someareliteral,otherstraditional,
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inner,Kaulika,occultandreal.

LiteralMeaning
ThesyllablesrepresentShivaandShakti.Thefirstpart,KaEILaHrim,
iscalledVagbhava,andisVamaShakti,Brahma,JnanaShakti,and
EasternFace.Thesecondpart,HaSaKaHaLahrim,isKamaraja,
JyestaShakti,Visnu,IcehaShakti,andSouthernFace.Thethirdpart,
SaKaLahrim,iscalledShakti,isRaudriShakti,Rudra,KriyaShaktiand
WesternFace.Thefourthpart,thehiddenorsecretsyllable,ismother
goddess,ShambhuNatha,thetotalityofthethreeshaktisofKnowledge,
WillandAction,andtheNorthernFaceoramnaya.

TraditionalMeaning
Ka=air,Ha=fire,Sa=water,La=earth,Ha=aether.Thevowelsare
aboveaether.The15syllablesare1ofaether,2ofair,threeoffire,four
ofwater,andfiveofearth.ThethreeformsofLarepresentthethree
Worlds.ThefiveformsoftheletterHarepresentsound.

InnerMeaning
ThevidyashowsonenessofShiva,Guru,devianddiscipleasitisShiva
insoundform(Shakti)whichpreservestheline.

KaulaMeaning
TheMothergoddessisknownasGaneshi(LadyofHosts),becauseof
hergreatnunberofrays.ThesearetheGanesasofthesixfoldNyasa.
Devihasthreeeyeswhicharesun,moon,fire.Shehasthreesaktis
whichareWill,Knowledge,Action.Shehasthreegunaswhichareactive,
passive,reconciling.Thesearethenineplanets.The27naksatrasare10
KnowledgeandActionmodes,10objectsofsenses,Devi,Deva,three
gunasasone,andthefourinnercauses.Thesixyoginishavetheir
namesbeginningDa,Ra,La,Ka,Sa,Haandendin'akini'.They
presideoverthephysicalbases(dhatus)ofthebody.The12sidereal
constellationsarethe10vitalbreaths,theembodiedbeing(jiva),andthe
SupremeCreator.The51pithascorrespondtothelettersofthealphabet,
andarepointsofconfluenceoneshouldvisitwithinthebody.Eachofthe
threesectionsofthevidyasrepresentsspeechinpotential,in
formation,inmanifestation.TheDeviisMatrikaShakti.

BreathisTime
ThisisafundamentalpostulateofShriVidyaandmuchofthesymbolism
isbasedonit.ThelettersofSanskritsaidtorepresenttheembodimentof
Laiitaasmantraare52innumber:16vowelsand36consonants.These,
multipliedtogether,total576.Thisnumber,dividedbynineyields64.The
ShriYantraissaidtohave64,000,000yoginisintheninesubmandalas.
EachmandalahasaunitofTimeassociatedwithit.Thebasicunitisa
breath.Onenadikaisequalto24minutesor1440seconds,andeach
breathisone360thofthis,orfourseconds.Ahumanbeingbreathes
21600timeseach24hours.
AKaliYugais432,000yearsof360days.ADvaparaYugais864,000
years.ATretaYugais1,296,000years.ASatyaYugais1,728,000
years.Thecircleofthesiderealzodiachas12constellations,eachof
whichhasnineparts(navamshas).These108(12x9)arecalled
Candrakalas.
EachCandrakaiais,itself,amicroconstellation.Thenumberofdegrees
inthesiderealcakrais360.Thenumberofminutesis21600.A
conjunctionis21600',asquare5400',anopposition10800'.Eacheternity
(Nitya)oftherootmantrahas1440breaths.(SeetheprayogaofBhavana
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Upanishad).ThisimpliesthatLalitais21600,assheisthecollectivityof
the15Nityas.
Lalita'scakraisthegrandsynthesisofTime,Space,andhumankind.Her
36tattvasarethewholecosmos.

RitualAccessories(Upachara)
Thesecanbemultipliedindefinitely.Thechiefarescent(earth),incense
(air),flame(fire),water,andflowers(aether).Theyshouldallbered,or
tingedwithred.Theyrepresent,intheirbasicform,thefiveimpressions.
SeeGandharvaTantra.

DevatasoftheLeftovers
AttheendoftheriteVatukaNathaisintheNE,andtakesflame
leftoversYoginisintheSEtakemantraleftoversKshetrapalaintheSW
takesscentandincenseleftoversGanesa,intheNW,takesmudra
leftovers.TheaspectofLalitacalledSosikaconsumeseverythingthatis
left.SheisworshippedintheNEinacircularpit.

Gayatri
Thisisthenameofaspecifickindofmantrausedatthefourtwilightsof
dawn,midday,duskandmidnight.ThereareVedikandTantrikgayatris.
Lalitahasherownwhichistripurasundaryaividmahekameshvaryai
dhimahitannoklinneprachodayat.

EsotericMeaningoftheVidya
Thisleadsthesadhakatoidentifythevidyawithmoon,sunandfire,as
sectionsofthecentralorSusunnaNadi,relatingtoIntellect,Emotions,
andPhysicalSensations.Thesehavetohebroughttogetherforthe
Fourthtoappear.Thereare10firekalas,12sunkalas,and15moon
kalas.The16thincludesthemall.

Sound
ThelettersofthevidyaareNada,orsound,andtheabsolute,andendas
utteredsound.WhenchargedwiththeconsciousnessoftheFourththese
merelettersbecomemantra.Otherwise,wordscontinuallydelude.
The16thsyllableofthevidyaalsorepresentstheFourth.ThisFourthis
Kamakala.BeyonditistheUltimateAbsolute(Atituryabeyondthe
Fourth),andbeyondanysortofdescription.
ArtworkisJanBailey,19962006.TranslationsareMikeMagee19962006.Questions
orcommentstomike.magee@btinternet.com
HomePage

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