Essay name: Shaiva Tantra: A way of Self-awareness
Author:
L. N. Sharma
Affiliation: Banaras Hindu University / Department of Philosophy and Religion
This essay studies Shaiva Tantra and Tantric philosophies which have evolved from ancient cultural practices and represents a way of Self-awareness. Saiva Tantra emphasizes the individual's journey to transcendence through inner and external sacrifices, integrating various traditions while aiming for an uncreated, harmonious state.
Chapter 16 - Shaiva Tantra and Yoga
18 (of 31)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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achieved through Saivite practices despite their common denomination,
because through it the yogi not only understands total immersion into
the absolute, but also ne acquires the supreme understanding. Saiva
tantra aims mainly at eliminating the discursive and antinomic knowledge
and at achijving the instantaneity of grasping the existence as a whole,
i.e. to understand universal phenomenology. Therefore, only the meditative
techniques that lead the adept beyond the duality of mind are worthy for
the Saivite tantrika. "Only this, o Goddess of Gods, is compulsorily
prescribed, that is the mind must be firmly applied to the true reality,
the manner in which it (i.e. true judgement) is obtained having no
importance" (MV, XVIII, 78b-79a). It means the achivement of not only a
new existential plane, but of becoming aware of universal formation.
The purpose of meditation is the unification with
Bhairava who is the supreme non-differentiation. Meditation must be led
towards the heart where "all things reside (in one's own subconscious)
and where the light of self-awareness can more easily be grasped. This
reality which knows the truth is seen inside the neart (subconscious
structures) as a flower, a flower where all inner or external things are
gathered, like the corolla of kadali" (TA, V, 21). The Saivite tantrika
thinks that sense-organs provide information which is stocked inside
the wheel of the heart.
Thanks to the rays or the functions of its wheel,
the neart transforms the external reality into the lunar, solar and
fiery essences which are the source of the great cosmic operations.
Through further techniques of meditation it is possible to reach light
as pure entity and henceforth the superconscious (TA, V, 27b-29a).
