Secret of Tantric Rituals - s3. Dharana Practice ... Much of efficacy of rituals depends on use of mantra d. Importance of maintaining purity of atmosphere and thoughts and speech

2Secret of Tantric Rituals

Seminar Two — Secret of Tantric Rituals

Living Tantra Guidebook

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................2-1

Lecture 1: Tantra and the Web of Life (Parts1and2) ..................................................................2-3 Outline....................................................................................................................................2-3 LectureNotes........................................................................................................................2-5 StudyQuestions..................................................................................................................2-13

Lecture 2: The Dynamics of Tantric Rituals (Parts1and2) ......................................................2-15 Outline..................................................................................................................................2-15 LectureNotes......................................................................................................................2-17 StudyQuestions..................................................................................................................2-25

Lecture 3: The Tantric Way of Invoking the Forces of Nature .................................................2-27 Outline..................................................................................................................................2-27 LectureNotes......................................................................................................................2-29 StudyQuestions..................................................................................................................2-33

Lecture 4: The Tantric Method of Building a Sacred Fire.........................................................2-35 Outline..................................................................................................................................2-35 LectureNotes......................................................................................................................2-37 StudyQuestions..................................................................................................................2-41

Lecture 5: The Dynamics of Sacred Fire (Parts1and2)............................................................2-43 Outline..................................................................................................................................2-43 LectureNotes......................................................................................................................2-45 StudyQuestions..................................................................................................................2-55

Lecture 6: Rudra Yaga—Tantric Rituals for Healing Ourselves and Healing the Planet (Parts1and2) .................................................................................................2-57 Outline..................................................................................................................................2-57 LectureNotes......................................................................................................................2-59 StudyQuestions..................................................................................................................2-71

Secret of Tantric Rituals Bonus ...................................................................................................2-73 15QuestionsonSecretofTantricRituals..........................................................................2-73 ExtraBonusQuestionsfromStudentsofTantra...............................................................2-75

Secret of Tantric Rituals Resources ............................................................................................2-77 PranaDharanaPractice......................................................................................................2-77 MahaMrityunjayaMantra...................................................................................................2-79 SecretofTantricRitualsPracticesOnline..........................................................................2-81 RitualInvocationsandPrayers ConstructingtheSarvatoBhadraYantra FireRitualManual PreparationsforFireRituals LivingTantraHavan TrikhandaandSamharaMudras RecommendedReading.....................................................................................................2-82 SupportingPracticesOnline...............................................................................................2-82

Table of Contents


Living Tantra Guidebook 2-1

IntroductionThisseminarexploresthesacrednatureofourbodyandtheworldaroundus.We’llstudythe

fundamentalprinciplesoftantricritualsinvolvedinawakeningboththesubtleforcesofourbody,

mind,andsoul;andthemysteriousforcescontainedintantricrituals,mantras,yantras,and

herbs.Byunderstandingthebasisoftantricrituals,we’llseehowtheycanawakenthesubtle

forcesofnatureandwardoffobstaclesthatobstructourprogressinfullyexperiencingthejoyof

whoweare.Tantricritualscanhelpuscreateasacredspacewithinusandoutsideus,creating

theconditionsforourspiritualandworldlyendeavorstobearfruitquicklyandeffectively.

Atapracticallevel,we’lllearnhowtobuildasacredfire,selectandcombineritualingredients,

applyappropriatemantras,andinfusetheentireritualpracticewiththeinnerfirethatresidesat

ourmanipura chakra(thenavelcenter).We’llexplorethemysteryofboththeinnerfire,which

leadstopersonalempowermentandinnerawakening,andthesacredfire,whichleadstothe

empowermentofcollectiveconsciousnessandthehealingofournaturalworld.

Thetheoreticalandpracticalinformationinthisseminarprovidesthefoundationforthefollowing

seminarsintheLivingTantraseries,particularlyseminarthree:ForbiddenTantra.



Lecture 1: Tantra and the Web of Life (Parts1and2)

Outline 1. Summaryoffirstseminar,TantricTraditionandTechniques

a. Successinlife’sendeavorsandinspiritualpracticerequiresinnerstrengthandvitality

b. HowTantraempowerspersonaltransformation

2. Tantricunderstandingoftherelationshipbetweenourvitalityandtheforcesofnature

a. Howritualshelpusnurturethenaturalworldandbenurturedinturn

b. Usingritualstobenefitfromthegiftsofournaturalenvironment

c. StoryofhowEarthwasburdenedandcontaminated,andhowitwassavedbythe

boarincarnationofVishnu

3. Realizingourconnectionwiththeworldaroundusandourmutualinterconnectedness

a. Storyofapracticeshowinginterconnectednessofall

b. Needtoprotectourselvesfromnegativity

c. StoryofsnakesinAllahabadillustratingritualascommunicationacrossspecies

d. Findingfreedomintheworld,notfromtheworld

4. Essenceoftantricritualsisgainingaccesstotheforceofnurturanceandhealingandto

thewholeweboflife

a. Mustunderstandtherelationshipofvitalityinusandintheforcesofnaturethat

nurtureus:soil,air,water,plants

b. Properperformanceofritualsiscommunicationwithdifferentaspectsofnature

5. Understandingthepowerofmantrainrituals

a. Soundistheuniquequalityandcharacteristicthatdefinesspace

b. Soundpollutionisthemostsubtleandlong-lastingpollution;natureofsoundpollution

c. Muchofefficacyofritualsdependsonuseofmantra

d. Importanceofmaintainingpurityofatmosphereandthoughtsandspeechforrituals


2-4 Living Tantra Guidebook

6. HowimpuritiesaccumulateinthebodyandmindaccordingtoAyurveda

a. Psychologicalandphysicalconditionsregulatedbythefirstthreechakrasare

mostsusceptibletoimpurity

b. Formationofama—impurities,sourceofillness,andtoxins

c. Differentsourcesofama

d. Improperlyprocessedemotionsaffectdoshas(constitutionalqualities)

e. Howsymptomsappearnotonlyinourbodiesbutalsointheoutsideworld

f. Tantricritualsasameanstorestorebalancewithinandwithout



Lecture Notes

Summary of Tantric Tradition and Techniques• Successinlife’sendeavorsandinspiritualpracticerequiresinnerstrengthandvitality.

• Awakeningprana shaktiresultsinvigor,self-confidence,motivation,andinsight,and

thisiswhatisneededforsuccessinanyendeavor,worldlyorspiritual.Thisisthe

“enlivening”discussedinthefirstseminar,TantricTraditionandTechniques,and

neededfortantricrituals.

• Thebasicprerequisitefortantricritualsistointensify,refine,anddirectpranicshakti.

Theninfuseallotherpracticesanddisciplineswiththatpranicshakti.ThisishowTantra

empowersyouinpersonaltransformation.

Tantric Understanding of the Relationship Between Our Vitality and the Forces of Nature

• Ritualsaretheexternalcounterpartoftheyogicpracticeswhichaccessenergycentersin

thebody.Justasweconcentratepranicshaktiwithprana dharanaatthenavelcenter,and

learntotakeadvantageofthevitalityatthiscenter,sowithritualswewillbreathelifeinto

nature’sforcesandlearntousethem.

• Ritualshelpconnectustothesubtleforcesofnatureandarrangetheminourfavor.

• Ifwenurturetheforcesofnature,theynurtureus.Thisisafundamentaltruthintantric

practice:

• StoryofhowEarthwasburdenedwithfilthandcontamination.Thepresiding

forceofEarthtriestohealit,butfinallyinvokesthefundamentalsourceofhealing,

nurturance,andmaintenance—LordVishnu.

• Vishnuistheall-pervadingforceofkundalini shakti.Hisbedisaserpentnamed

Shesha,onewhoneverdies.Vishnusleepsinyoga nidra.HeisthePreserver.



• Earth’sprayerstoVishnucaughttheattentionofBrahma,theCreator.

FromhisexhalationisbornVarahaAvatara—theboarincarnationofVishnu—

whosebodyismadeofwisdom.

• VarahacircumambulatesEarthandplungesintotheocean.Thesplashwashes

overtheland.MillionsofboarslikeVarahaemergefromthesplashandroamover

Earthdevouringgarbageandjumpingintowatertocleansethemselves.Finallythe

ecologyoftheplanetcomesbackintobalance.

• Lessonsfromthisstory:

• Earthisalivingplanet,imbuedwithintelligence;itsufferswhentreatedas

acommodity.Earthbecomesimbalancedwhenhumanbeingsfeelentitledtoown

itanditsresources;andjustifytheirgreed,selfishness,and

possessiveness.

• Becauseofdistortedunderstanding,thereisnoenforcementoflawandorder

insocietytosupportandprotecttherestofcreation,andnatureisthusleft

unattendedbyhigherintelligence.

Realizing Our Connection with the World Around Us and Our Mutual Interconnectedness

• AllspiritualtraditionsofIndiasharetheviewthatalllifeandnaturearepartofonewhole:

• ExamplefromthefirstverseoftheIsha Upanishad:“Everythingismadeof

Isha,everythingexistsinIsha,everythingismeantforIsha.”Ishaisthatwhich

pervadesandpermeateseverything;andmanifestsinthesun,themoon,inyou

andineveryoneandeverything.

• Thisrealizationisatthecoreofanyspiritualgrowthanddevelopment.

• Panditji’spersonalexperiencesofthisunderlyingconnectionandunity:

• Theneti, neti(“notthis,notthis”)practice—self-reflectiononthoughts,speech,and

actionstodis-identifywithingrained,limitedself-identifications:“I’mnotaman;



• I’mnotawoman;I’mnotHindu;I’mnotChristian”;etc.After90days,theopposite

practice:“I’maman;I’mawoman;I’mHindu;I’mChristian;allforms,shapes,and

names,naturalorman-made,aresaturatedwithmyinnerconsciousness.”

• Afterthispractice,heexperiencedsadnessandquestionedhisteacher,Swami

Rama.Swamijiexplained,“Thereasonliesinthewaythispractice(pranava

sadhana)isdone.Afterpranadharanaattheajnachakra(seeTantricTraditionand

Techniques),youestablishOmthereandbringittothecrownchakra(sahasrasara

chakra).Omflowswiththeinhaleandexhale,andbecauseofthe“Iameverything”

contemplationandthepranicconnection,youareconnectingyourselftothe

collectiveconsciousness.Billionsofpeoplearelivinginmisery.Thusyou

experiencethemiseryofthecollectiveconsciousness.”

• Wemustlearntoprotectourselvesfromnegativeinfluences,andyetrealizethe

interconnectednatureofeverything.Tantratellsushowtodothis:

• Withoutseeingyourselfasanintegralpartofthevastwebofnature,you

remainspirituallypoor,andinnerpovertyreflectsintotheworldaroundyou,

makingyouasourceofmiserytoyourselfandothers.

• Toexperiencetheintegrationandyetbeprotectedfromthenegative,

SwamiRamaexplains,“Inmeditationvisualizeyourselfasacompleteentity

althoughfullyconnectedwitheverything.”Youareafinitevesselinthe

oceanofinfinity.Protectandnurturethefinitevesselofthebodyandmind

soitisstrong,clear,andconfident;resideintheinfinitepoolofnon-duality.

• Anotherexampleofaspiritualpracticeconnectingtothesubtleforcesofnature:

• Panditjiandhisfamilyrecitedasetofmantrasdedicatedtothethousand

formsofRudra,thelifeforce,andhumblyrequestedthecobrasinfesting

theInstitute’slandinAllahabad,India,toleavethepremisesandmakeroom

fortheInstitute.Afewmonthslater,nosnakesweretobefoundanywhere.



• Humanbeings,animals,plants,rivers,mountains—allareinfusedwith

consciousnessandpranashakti.Buttheydon’tunderstandeachotherslanguage:

• Anewrealityiscreatedwhentheinterconnectionofallisrealized.Example

ofcreatingnewsituationswhenyoumeetandcancommunicatewith

someonefromadifferentculture.

• Themutuallanguageofallisthelanguageoftheheart,whichallowsyouto

feeleachother’spresenceandimportance.ThisistherealmofTantra,and

thefoundationoftantricrituals.

• TheSpiritofTantra:

• Realizingourperfectionandfulfillmentcontributestotheperfectionand

fulfillmentofothers,andviceversa.

• Skillfullyusingeverythinginsideandoutsideofusforthemutualbenefitofall.

• Thenourmutualinterconnectednessanddependencybecomesasource

offreedom,notofbondage,andgivesusfreedomintheworld,notfrom

theworld.

Essence of Tantric Rituals is Gaining Access to the Force of Nurturance and Healing and to the Whole Web of Life

• Needtounderstandtherelationshipofvitalityinusandintheforcesofnaturethatnurture

us:soil,air,water,plants.

• ExampleofdogsonAllahabadcampus.Whenthestaffstoppedbeatingthem,allthedogs

inthewholeareastoppedcryingatnightinresponsetothehowlingofthejackals,and

startedbarkinginstead(anormalresponse).

• Dhuti vijnanaisthescienceofreadingsignsinnature,andunderstandingmessagesabout

thehealthandwell-beingofyoursurroundings.Jackals,ants,crows,andotherbirdsare

particularlygoodmessengers.



• ExampleofsolareclipseatVindhyachal:temperaturedropped,windcameup;andbirds

andmonkeysexhibitedconfused,uncharacteristicbehaviorbecausethenormallawand

orderofnaturewasdisturbed.

• Properperformanceofritualsislikecommunicatingwithdifferentaspectsofnature.

Understanding the Power of Mantra in Rituals• TantricpractitionerBhutaBaba’suniquedescriptionof“human”—onenotboundby

anger,greed,lust,etc.;whoseactionsarenotpropelledbyinstinctiveurges.

• BhutaBabaexplainshowsoundistheuniquequalityandcharacteristicthatdefines

space.Thesoundprincipleisthemostsubtleofall,andfromitevolvesmantraand

language:

• Ifinauspicioussoundsfillspace,thatisthemostseriouskindofpollutionwiththe

mostlong-lastingimpactonthewholeofcreation.Themeaningandfeelingbehind

soundcreatesasubtlerealitywhichisaproductofourthoughts,andwhichcan’t

berecalled.

• Controloverthetongueisimportantforconcentratingourinnerpowerandenergy.An

impuretongueisanexpressionofimpurethoughtswhichpollutethemindandheart.

Energygainedfromritualsisconsumedandneutralizedbyimpurethoughtsandspeech,

makingitdifficulttoseethefruitsofthepractice.

• Muchoftheefficacyofritualsdependsonhowwespeak,andtheuseofmantra.

Thescienceofmantraispartofhowwebreathelifeintorituals.



How Impurities Accumulate in the Body and Mind According to Ayurveda

• Inthebody,thepsychologicalandphysicalaspectsofbeingregulatedbythefirstthree

chakrasarethemostsusceptibletoimpurity:

Impuritiesareama,whichoccursinthreestages:

a. Sanchaya—theaccumulationofimpuritiesfromfood,air,water;andalsofrom

thoughts,speech,actionsandinteractions.

b. Prasara—themovementofimpuritieswhicheruptinaweakspotinthe

system,e.g.,thelungs,ortheskin.Ifamaisremovedatthisstagebythe

processofprashama,orcalming,diseaseprocessishalted.

c. Prakopa—theaggravationandmanifestationofdysfunctionorillness.

mūlādhāra

svādihāna

maipūra

anāhata

viśuddhi

ājñā

sahasrāra

mūlādhāra

svādihāna

maipūra

anāhata

viśuddhi

ājñā

sahasrāra

mūlādhāra

svādihāna

maipūra

anāhata

viśuddhi

ājñā

sahasrāra

mūlādhāra

svādihāna

maipūra

anāhata

viśuddhi

ājñā

sahasrāra

mūlādhāra

svādihāna

maipūra

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sahasrāra

mūlādhāra

svādihāna

maipūra

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viśuddhi

ājñā

sahasrāra

mūlādhāra

svādihāna

maipūra

anāhata

viśuddhi

ājñā

sahasrāra

Chakras in the Subtle Body



Food-relatedamaaccumulatesinthedigestivesystem.Breath-relatedama

accumulatesinthelungsandblood.Sleep-relatedamaaccumulatesinthe

endocrinesystem.Relationship-andthought-relatedamaaccumulateinthe

brainandnervoussystem.

Exampleofeatingbadfood.Ifbodymanagestoprocessitandeliminatethe

toxins,itdoesn’tcauseillness.Butifyoucan’tprocessit,itbecomesprakopa,

andmanifestsassomeillness.

• Mental,emotionaltoxins,suchasanger,repressedthoughts,conflicts,andunfulfilled

desires,derangedoshas,dependingonthetypeofemotion:attachmentanddelusion

aggravatekapha;angerpushespitta;andworryandfearaggravatevata.Ifonedoshais

disturbed,theothersarealsoaffected—theysupporteachotherandareintermingled.

• Aggravateddoshasaffectthesystemsgovernedbythefirstthreechakras.

• Mentalbehavioraffectsthepurityoftheheart;andstronglyaffectsthefirstthree

chakras.

• Ifthedesiretopossessandconsumeisstrongerthancommonsense,thereisanegative

impactontheenergiesofthefirstthreechakrasandtheorgansresidingintheirdomain,

andthenegativeimpactwillappearnotonlyinourbodies,butalsointheoutsideworld.

• Lawandorderintheouterworldbeginstodisintegratewhenintendedrelationships

betweendifferentaspectsofnature,likehumanbeingsandanimals,aredisturbed.

Thesubtlegoverningforcesofnaturearedisrupted.

• Unhealthyconflictbetweendesiretoown,consume,possess,andnotwantingothersto

havethesamecomfortsandconveniencesiftheirviewpointsarenotthesameasours;

unhealthyconflictbetweenourselvesandnature;betweenourselvesandthosewhoare

differentfromus.

• Perennialdiseaseofthehumanrace:confusionoverrightandwrong,justandunjust;and

itpredisposesustoillnessesrelatedtothefirstthreechakras.



• Tantricritualsarethemeanstorestorebalancewithinandwithout.Tantricphilosophy

overcomesconfusion.Intheshortterm,weneedyogicallyinspiredtantrictechniques,or

tantricallyinspiredritualtechniques,tohealthefirstthreechakras.

• Firstchakra:fear,insecurity,doubt,sloth.

• Secondchakra:desire,conflict,attachment,killingtheconscience.

• Thirdchakra:power,possession,position,prestige.

• Tantricritualsaredesignedtohelptheconcernsofthesethreechakras,andtobringusto

theloveattheheartcenter(anahatachakra)andtheclarityofmindattheeyebrowcenter

(ajnachakra).



Study Questions: 01.Whatisthepurposeoftantricrituals?

02.DoestheworldtodayresembleEarthatthetimeofVaraha’sincarnation?

03.Doestheprevailingworldviewconformwiththetantricperspective?

04.Doyouseeanyevidenceofchangesinperspectiveintheworldatlargewithregard

totheenvironment?

05.Withregardtoglobalwarming,whatkindsofsolutionswouldatantricworldviewreject,

andwhatkindsofsolutionswouldarisefromatantricperspective?

06.Whyaretheingredientsandtoolsusedinritualsimportant?

07.Whatisthefoundationoftantricrituals?

08.Whatdifficultiesmustbeovercometoperformtantricritualseffectively?

09.Whatisthenatureofthethoughtsandwordswearecollectivelybroadcasting

throughouttheworldtoday?Considerthecontentbroadcastthroughradio,television,

andtheinternet.

10.Whyisitimportanttomaintainpurityofthoughtandspeechwhenconductingrituals,

ordoingpractice?

11.HowisAyurvedarelatedtoyogaphilosophy?

12.Whatisamaandwhatarethepathwaysforitsaccumulation?

13.Whydoyouthinkthepelvicenergycentersaresoeasilydisturbedandcontaminated?

ConsiderBhutaBaba’sdescriptionofa“human.”



Lecture 2: The Dynamics of Tantric Rituals (Parts1and2)

Outline 1. Fundamentaldifferencebetweenaceremonyandatantricritual

a. Differencesbetweentantricritualandceremony

b. ExampleofrecentwarprotestsandGandhi’ssaltmarch

c. Ritualsneedconcentratedenergy,focus,andunderstanding

2. Understandingtheanatomyofrituals

a. Knowingwhatyouwanttoachieveandwhy

b. Determinationandconcentrationofenergyareessentialforsuccess

c. Knowingthepropermeans,tools,andingredients

d. Breathelifeintotheritualwithprana dharana

3. Propercommunicationwiththeforcesofinterest

a.Thesubtleworldisunfamiliar;weinferitsexistence,butusuallydonotexperienceit

directly,andthereisexistenceatanevenmoresubtlelevelthanourinference

b. Ritualsaredesignedtoreachthepresidingforce,theessenceitself

4. Thetantricconceptofapurva:givingbirthtoanewrealitythroughtantricrituals,and

reshapingourdestiny

a. Understandinggoals:worldlyorspiritual,andfocusinggoals

b. Stepsinapurva:havingaplanofactionandtheimplementationoftheplan

5. Howapurvaworksinaccordancewiththelawofkarmaandhowtantricrituals

createapurva

a. Groupsofsimilarkarmasarestoredtogetherinakarmashaya—apackageofkarma

b. Thefruitsofthebroadcategoriesofpleasantandpainfulpastkarmasareconnected

toouroveralldestinyandresultinourcurrentbirth



6. Tantricritualscreateakarmashaya,whichmaycounteraparticularhabitorproblem

a. Punyakarmashaya—virtuous,precise,andfocusedkarmacreatedbyatantricritual

b. Punyakarmashayacanchangeatroublesomeinclinationorhabitbycreatinganew

realitythatisindependentofpastkarmas

c. Thisishowtantricritualscreateapurva—anew,desirable,concentratedrealitythat

hasthepowertoensurethatpastactionsbearfruitinaccordancewithyourplan

inthefuture

7. Themaincomponentsoftantricrituals

a. Preciseprocedure,clearintention,unwaveringfaith,correctritualingredients,proper

wayofinvokingthedivinities,buildingafirecorrectly,andchannelingtheenergy

engenderedbyritualtotherightplaceattherighttime

b. Intantricrituals,mantra,yantra,visualization,andfireofferingsarethemainforces—

thefactorswhichfortifytherestoftheritualprocedureandprocessesandawaken

thedormantforceoftheherbs,gems,orritualmaterials



Lecture Notes

The Fundamental Difference Between a Ceremony and a Tantric Ritual• TheprotestofwarwithIraqinvolvedmillionsofpeople,buttheywereexpressingtheir

opinion,andtheirprotestwasnotfocusedenoughtomakeadifference;theywentback

totheirnormallifeattheendoftheday.

• MahatmaGandhi’ssaltmarchprotestisanexampleofactionwithintensedetermination,

clarity,focus,andunderstanding,whichmadeadifference.

• Similarly,aritualhasthisdeeplevelofunderstandingandintenseconcentrationof

energy.Itisnotexpressingadesireoropinion;itisnotsymbolic;itisnotculturalor

custom-driven.

• Aritualismethodicalandenergeticallyconcentrated.

• Anotherexamplegivenisoftheheatinaroom.Ifyoucompressalltheheatintheroom

intoasmallspaceitisveryhotandwillboilwaterandcookyourrice;oriffurtherconcen-

trated,itwillweldmetal;butifitisdiffusedintheroom,itwillnevercookyourrice.

Understanding the Anatomy of Rituals• Ritualsarepurpose-drivenandwell-planned.Theyrequiretheappropriatetoolsand

meansandingredients:

• Exampleofhowtransportationbylandandtransportationbyairneeddifferent

vehicles.Theenergyisthesame,butthemeansmustbedifferent.

• Thenatureofyourgoalsandobjectivesandthespace,time,andkindofsocietyor

individualyouareallfactorintheingredientsandmeansusedfortheritual.

• First,youmustunderstandwhatyouaretryingtodoandwhy:

• Understandwhatisrequiredinordertodowhatyouwanttoachieve.Exampleof

tryingtomoveachairwithoutusingtheappropriateforce.Youcouldspendmuch

energyover20yearswithoutovercomingtheinitialinertiainthechair.



• Anotherexampleofjogging—thefirst5minutesjustwarmsupthemuscles;only

after15minutesormoredoesthemetabolicratechangeandthebenefitsaccrue.

Andyoumustexerciseagainthenextday,becausethisisthewaythebodyis

designed.

• Ritualsaredirectedeithertopersonalunfoldment,empowerment,and

enlightenment;ortheyaredirectedtowardthewell-beingofothers,of

nature,orthesocietyorenvironment.

• Second,intensity,force,willpoweranddeterminationareneededforrituals:

• Pranadharanacanbedoneinternallytoconcentratethisenergy.

• Pranadharanacanalsobedonebytheritualisticmethodusingprana

pratishthaandmantras,yantras,herbs,andothertools.

• Onlyafterlifehasbeenbreathedintothephysicalcomponentsofritualsdo

suchritualsofsprinklingwater,ringingbells,etc.,haveanypower.

• Theyogicstyleofpranadharanawasstudiedinthefirstseminar,Tantric

TraditionandTechniques,andbreatheslifeintoourownbody,mind,

senses,thoughts,speech,andactions.Itinvolvesconcentratingthepranic

forceatthenavelcenterandthentransportingitintothedifferentparts

ofthebody,orintomantras,yantras,ordeities,orintoourritual.Prana

pratishthaisbreathinglifeintoalocus,inthiscase,theritualitself.

Proper Communication with the Forces of Interest• Wecancommunicatewiththatwhichweknowandunderstand:

• Exampleofnotbeingabletospeakthelanguageofanotherculture,thoughwe

wouldliketoconductbusinesswiththem.

• Wearefamiliarwiththematerialworldandhavetrainedthesensesandmindto

understandit;butwehaveahardtimeunderstandinganythingoutsidethedomain



• ofourperception.Sowehaveextendedourperceptionthroughtoolslike

microscopesandtelescopestoexpandourunderstanding.

• Weinferexistenceandunderstandingofsomephenomenathroughobservation

andreasoning.

• Anotherlevelofrealityexistsbeyondinferenceandtheexperienceofthematerialworld:

• Thisextremelysubtleforceistheguiding,presidingessenceofsomething—a

mountain,aperson,turmeric,garlic—whatevermakesitwhatitisandpropelsits

actions:itsessence,itsdefinitivequality.

• Thisisthedivinity,accordingtotantrics.

• Inhumans,thisinnerdivinityiswhatpropelsourthoughts,speech,andaction,and

guidesandgovernsthepowerofwill,thepowerofknowledge,andthepowerof

action.

• Thatsameinnerdivinitymayberegardedasadevilfromsomeperspectives.

ExampleofKamadevaversusManmatha.Itisthesameforce,butisseenas

Manmatha—thechurnerofthemind,aproblemmaker—bynon-tantrics,whilefor

tantricsManmathaisKamadeva—theprimordialmasterwhositsdeepinthecave

ofourheartanddrivesthechariotoflifetoitsdestination.Heisthespiritofguru

shakti,theseeroftheSriVidyamantra,andtheteacherandprimordialmasterof

themostexaltedyantraofthetantrictradition,theSriChakra.

• Examplesofinneressenceusinggarlic,turmeric,andartificialfood.

• Ritualsaredesignedtoreachandconveyamessagetothatpresidingforce,thatruling

divinity,ofwhateveristheobjectoftheritual.

• Withritual,youcommunicatewiththeessenceofsomething,thepresidingforce,

theinnerdivinity,initslanguage:youmustfirstidentifytheinnerdivinity—thegods

andgoddesses.



• Wesufferbynothavingrealizationofourowninnerdeity,bynotknowingour

ownessence,ourown“activeingredient.”Alltheforceswithinyouareunderthe

leadershipofthepresidingdeitythatisyou.

• Tocommunicatewiththatpresidingdeityinritual,alsoaddressthosedeities

undertheruleofthepresidingdeity.Differentingredientsandprocedures,

differentmantras,differenttools—alltheseorganizeandcreatethestructurethat

allowsaccesstothepresidingdeity:

• ExampleofthepresidentoftheHimalayanInstitutegreetingthepresidentof

IBM.EveryoneattheInstituteneedstoknowwhothepresidentis,andwho

istheappropriatepersontogreetIBM’spresident.

• Intantricrituals,themethodologyiswell-defined,sothecommunication

isclear.

The Tantric Concept of Apurva: Giving Birth to a New Reality Through Tantric Rituals, and Reshaping our Destiny

• Needtounderstandyourpurposeandgoal—whetheritisforworldlyorspiritualpersonal

benefit,orforthebenefitofalargeraspectofcreation:

• Worldlypersonalgoalsmaybehealing,eitherphysicalorpsychological,foryourself

orforsomeoneelse;orforprotection.

• Spiritualpersonalgoalsneedtobefocusedandpreciseastowhatyouwantto

achieve,andwhichtypeofdivinityyouseektoreach.Generalprayersmaybelost

intheoceanicexistence.

• Apurvaiscreatedbytantricritual:

• Ameans“not;”purvameans“before.”Apurva:somethingthatdidnotexist,now

existsbyvirtueofyourpractice.Aritual-createdapurvacreatesanewpattern

whichprojectsintothefutureandcreatesanewreality.



• ExampleoftheInstitutechangingitsmanagementstyleandbusinessstructure.

• Stepsinapurva:1)aplanofaction;amap;and2)implementationoftheplan.

• Thenatsomepoint,thenewrealitybeginstoexistandithastheabilitytoeither

neutralizetheeffectoftheoldreality,ortomodifythepre-existingsituation,or

givebirthtosomethingnew.Thisischangingdestiny.

Apurva and the Law of Karma• Apurvaworksinaccordancewiththelawofkarma.Everyactionleavesasubtle

impressioninthemindfield,andthoughthiscannotbedestroyed,itcanbechanged

andtransformed.

• Theprocessofthestorageofimpressionsinthemindismethodical,andifnot,then

theretrievalofthoseimpressionswillbehodge-podgeandunorganized.Thethoughts,

speech,andactionsofadisturbed,distracted,orstupefiedmindwillhaveunclear,

disturbed,anddistractedeffectsandimpressions,andwillbestoredinan

unorganizedway:

• Exampleofawarehouse:objectsarestoredingroups.Best-sellingobjectsare

storedinthefronttobeeasilyaccessed.Thereisasystemandareasonforhow

thingsarestored.

• Inthemind,agroupofsimilarkarmasarestoredtogetherinasystemcalled

karmashaya. Ashayameans“pouch,basket,package,orcontainer.”Karmashaya

means“thecontainerforkarma.”

• Asinthewarehouseanalogy,intense,significantkarmas,whichmustbe

dischargedinthenearfuture,arestorednearthefront.Themoregeneralkarmas,

withlessurgency,arestoredfurtherintheback.Thisishowkarmashayaworks.



• Thefruitsofthebroadcategoriesofpleasantandpainfulpastkarmasareconnectedto

ouroveralldestinyandresultinourcurrentbirth.Thereisnotmuchfreedomtochange

thesekarmicexperiences,whicharenormallyacombinationofbothgoodandbadkarma:

• Usuallyonegroupofkarmastakesthelead.Youcanmitigatesome

undesirablemanifestationsbytakingmedicine,seeingatherapist,changing

yourlifestyle,practicinghathayoga,etc.

• Butsomelessthandesirablesituationsseemnottochange,despiteallthe

effortsyoumake.That’sbecausetheremaybeamoresubtlecause,

needingamoresubtlesolution.

Tantric Rituals Create a Karmashaya, Which May Counter a Particular Habit or Problem

• PatanjalidescribeskarmashayaintheYoga Sutra—themastertextbookofallaspectsof

yoga.Becauseofkarmashayawearewherewearetoday.

• Tantricritualscreateauniquekindofkarmashaya,calledpunya karmashaya.Punya

karmashayaisveryprecise,focused,andvirtuous:

• Theritualcreatesauniquekarmainauniquepackagewithauniquedelivery

system.Exampleofovernightdeliveryofpackagesversusstandarddelivery.

Punyakarmashayaistargeted.

• Theritualproducesafocusedresultthatremovesonenegativetrainofthought,

forexample,onetinydefect;butwithfreedomfromthat,yourlifechangesforthe

better,andyoucancontinueyoursadhana.

• Fromthenon,youjustneedtoremindyourselfnottofallbackintothatpattern.

• Thisishowatantricritualworks—itcreatesanewentitywithpurposeandfunction,andit

issoconcentratedthattheeffectofthepracticecannotbeneutralizedbythebadkarma

ofyourpast.

• Theritualcreatesanewstand-alonesetofkarmas.



• Thekarmasofthepastmayprovideobstaclesduringtheritual,andforthatitisimportant

tohavelayersofprotection—tohavesecondaryandauxiliarypracticestoprotectyouand

theritual.Theseareasimportantasthemainpractice.Thesecondarypracticesprotect

youfromyourownkarmicinfluences.

• Tantricritualscreateapurva—anewdesirable,concentratedrealitythathasthepowerto

nullifyormodifyyourpast,andensurethatyourpastactionsbearfruitinaccordancewith

yourplaninthefuture,regardlessofhowill-performedtheywereinthepast.

The Main Components of Tantric Rituals• Themaincomponentsareapreciseprocedure,clearintention,unwaveringfaith,correct

ritualingredients,theproperwayofinvokingthedivinities,buildingafirecorrectly,and

channelingtheenergyengenderedbytheritualtotherightplaceattherighttime:

• Preciseprocedure.Thisincludespurificationofyourself,theatmosphere,the

environmentaroundyou;protectionfromundesirableforcesintheenvironment;

andknowingwhatkindofdivinitiestoinviteandinvoke,andwheretoplacethem.

• Clearintention.Knowexactlywhyyouaredoingthepractice.

• Unwaveringfaith.Understandingtheconceptsandthebasisfortheritualshelps

youcultivatethisfaith,asdoesunderstandingthatritualsarenotceremoniesor

culturalevents:

• Faithisduetoacontinuousunbrokenstreamofknowledge.Thisistrueof

businessandscienceaswell.

• Needtrustintheritualandinthedivinities.Exampleofunderstanding

turmericanditsessence,knowingthemantratocommunicatewithit,and

beingsureoftheappropriatenessoftheyantraormandalatouseforthe

souloftheturmericinvitedtotheritual.Thereisanentirepracticethatis

donewiththemahamrityunjayamantraandturmerictoreleasethehealing

powerofturmeric.



• Youarenotlookingforthesymbolicmeaningoftheyantraorofthe

turmeric,anymorethanyouarethinkingthatyourhusbandhasasymbolic

meaning.Heisreal.

• Correctritualingredients.

• Properwayofinvokingthedivinities.

• Buildingthefirecorrectly.

• Channelingtheenergyengenderedbytheritualtotherightplaceattherighttime.

• Intantricrituals,themantra,yantra,visualization,andfireofferingsarethemainforces—

thefactorswhichfortifytherestoftheritualprocedureandprocesses:

• Thepurposeoftheapplicationofthesefactorsistoawakenthedormantforce

oftheherbsorgemsorwhatevermaterialsyouareusinginyourritual,andthe

divinitiesbeinginvited.

• Thisisjustliketheyogicpracticeofpranadharana,wherethepurposeistoinfuse

spaceatthenavelcenterwiththepranicenergyfromtheeyebrowcenter.Inthis

waytheingredientswhichareanintegralpartoftheritualarelivingingredients.



Study Questions 01.Whatisthedifferencebetweenatantricritualandaceremony?

02.Whyarethetools,ingredients,andproceduresinaritualimportant?

03.Whymightourritualnotbesuccessfulevenifwearedeterminedandfocused?

04.Explainthemeaningofapurva.

05.Whatisakarmashaya?

06.Whatkindofakarmashayadoritualscreate?

07.Howcanakarmashayacreatedbyaritualhelpus?

08.Whatmustwedotostabilizeandcontinuereapingthebenefitsofaritual?

09.Howistheeffectofaritualrelatedtoyourpreviouskarmas?

10.Describethepurposeoftantricritualsinlightofkarma,karmashaya,andtheconcept

ofapurva.



Lecture 3: The Tantric Way of Invoking the Forces of Nature

Outline 1. Introductiontothethreemaincomponentsofrituals

a. Invocationoftheforceordivinitywhichisthefocusoftheritual

b. Preparationforgreetingandmanagingthedivinitythatisinvited

c. Procedureforbuildingthefireandmakingofferings

2. InvocationusingtheVishveDevaSukta

3. Creatinganinfrastructuretosupportthepresidingandotherdeitiesduringtheritual,

usingtheSarvatoBhadraYantra

4. Additionalinvocations

a. Toforcesthatremoveobstacles(Ganesha)

b. Toprovideaconduitforrevelation(BatukaBhairava)

c. Toconnectanduniteus(the64yoginis)

d. Totheguardiansoftheplaceandthedirections



Lecture Notes

The Three Main Components of Rituals• Thethreecomponentsareinvocation,preparation,andappropriategreeting,offerings

andprocedures:

• Infrastructureandprotocolsupportandmaketheritualwork.Themoreimportant

theguestis,thebiggertheinfrastructureneedstobe.Exampleofweekly

meetingsofthelocalRotaryClubversusavisitbythegovernor,orthepresident

oftheUnitedStates.ExampleofpreparationfortheOlympics.

• Partofprotocolisknowingwhatkindofingredientstouse,inwhatproportion,how

tomixthem,wheretobuildthekundaoraltar,andwhatthesizeandcomposition

ofaltarshouldbe.

• Thesystemofintroduction,greetingandhonoring—nonverbalcommunication

ofplacementandstance.Exampleoftheseatingarrangementandgreeting

arrangementsforthepresident.

• Understandingtheproperwaytogreetandinviteisessentialtoachieveyour

purpose.Youmustunderstandthenatureandrealityofthatwhichyouareinviting

inordertogivetheproperinvocationandinvitation.

Invocation Using the Vishve Deva Sukta• Firstinvokethepresidingdeityofrituals,andthegroupof33divinitieswhomaintain

lawandorderinourpersonallifeandinthenaturalworld.Thisinvocationisusedfor

ritualswithhighaspirationsandtheintentiontobringlastingtransformationtotheinner

andouterworlds,regardlessoftheexactfocusormaindeityoftheritual.

• Thisgroupof33divinitiesiscalledgana,meaningthatcountlessdivinitiesare

includedinthisgroupof33.Allareinvokedbythe10mantrasoftheVishve Deva

Sukta.(FormoreabouttheVishve Deva Sukta,visitHimalayanInstitute.org/resources)

• Whenthissuktaisrecitedproperly,themaindeity,accompaniedby33other



deities,mustcome,becausethisisthegoverninglaw.Exampleofthepresident

oftheUnitedStatesbeingmadeupofallthecitizensoftheUnitedStates,and

representingapowerfulideawhichisgovernedbytheConstitution.The

Constitutiondefinestruthandjustice,andthepresidentandCongress,etc.,are

thephysicallymanifestformsoftheConstitution—theyembodyit.

• ThissuktaislikeinvitingtheWhiteHouse;youinvitetheWhiteHouse,nota

particularoccupant;andtheWhiteHousefiguresoutwhotosend.Themain

deityissomeformofpureconsciousnessinyou,anditcomesinaformthatis

appropriatetothenatureoftheparticularritualyouareperforming.

• Theritam,ortheconstitutionorlawoftantricrituals,authorizestheVishveDeva

Suktatoinvoketheseforces.

Creating an Infrastructure to Support the Deities—the Sarvato Bhadra Yantra

• Sarvatomeans“ineveryrespect,ineverymanner,foreverypurpose.”

Bhadrameans“thatwhichisauspicious,good,appropriate.”

• Thisyantrabecomestheresidenceoftheinvokeddeitiesduringtheritual.Justasyour

mindhasspaceforaninfinitenumberofthoughtsandideas,theSarvatoBhadraYantra

hasspaceforaninfinitenumberofdeities.

• ForinstructionsonhowtoconstructtheSarvatoBhadraYantra,andhowtopurifythe

spacearoundit,andprotectit,visitHimalayanInstiture.org/resources.

Additional Invocations • AdditionalinvocationsaremadetoGanesha,BatukaBhairava,the64yoginis,andthe

guardiansorprotectorsoftheplaceandthedirections,offeringthemaseatintheSarvato

BhadraYantra:

• Invokingtheforcethatidentifiesorremovesobstacles.Intantricpractice,this

forceisGanesha,andhecancreateorremoveobstacles,allwiththeintentionof

helpingyou.Heistheforceofyourownintelligence,yourownconscience,your



owndetermination,andyourownguide.Hehelps,guides,protectsfromall

dangersandobstaclesbeforeandafterthepractices.Andheisalsothe

gatekeeperatthedoorofyourownconscience.

• Ganeshaisapopulardeity,butthesimplisticdepictionsofhimaretheresult

ofignorancecreepingintoreligion.Inthetantrictradition,heisthevisionary

withinyou,theindomitablewillwithinyouwhoalwaysplayfullyaccompanies

youandisdelightedwhenyouareinspiredtoreachthehomeofhis

parents—ShivaandShakti.

• Invokingtheforcethatservesasaconduittorevelation—BatukaBhairava.Hemakes

suretheflowofrevelationanddirectexperienceemergingfromthedepthofyour

ownbeingisnotblockedorconfusedorcontaminatedbyyourowninferiormindor

thehabitsofyoursenses.Heisanotheraspectofyourintelligence,theaspectthat

channelsthevastunconsciousmindintothemortalframeofyourbodyandmind.

• Invokingthemotherthatintegrates,unites,andnourishesusinher64aspects—

the64yoginis.Theyare64innumberformanyreasons,includingthe64arts

andsciences.

• InvokingKshetrapala—theprotectorofsacredplace,theyantra,andourbodyand

mind.Kshetrameans“field,”andpalameans“protectororguard.”Thebodyand

mindarethegroundforourpractice,likeafieldinwhichwearecultivatingspiritual

crops.Intheyogicaspectofsadhana,theSamayaschoolofTantra,thebodyitself

istheSarvatoBhadraYantra.

• InvokingDashadikpala,theprotectorofthe10directions(8cardinaldirections,

plusupanddown).Correlatesonthementalleveltothedirectioninwhichwe

aremoving,orthelackofdirectionwhenweareunclearorfullofdoubt.So,

Dashadikpalagivesusdirectioninthephysicalsenseaswellasinlifeitself,andis

invokedintheSarvatoBhadraYantra.

• Seewww.HimalayanInstitute.org/Resoucresforalloftheseinvocationmantras.

Nowwearereadytobuildthesacredfireforthefinalphaseoftheritual.



Study Questions 1. Whatarethethreecomponentsofanyritual?

2. Describeeachofthethreecomponents.

3. Whatistheconceptofritam?

4. WhatistheroleofGaneshainritual?WhatistheroleofGaneshainthelifeof

apractitioner?

5. Brieflydescribetherolesofthefollowing:

BatukaBhairava

The64yoginis

Theprotectorsoftheplaceandofthedirections



Lecture 4: The Tantric Method of Building a Sacred Fire

Outline 1. Ritualprocedures:invocation,infrastructure,andgreetingwithrespect

2. Fireofferingformatversusnon-fireofferingformat

3. Fireofferingproceduresandinfrastructure

a. Buildingakunda(firepit)

1. Generalsizeandshape

2. Selectingtheproperlocation

b. Selectingfirewood

c. Ignitingandpropitiatingthefire

d. Generalinstructions

e. Offeringstotheforcesofinterest



Lecture Notes

Ritual Procedures: Invocation, Infrastructure, and Greeting with Respect

• Exampleofaguestaccompaniedbyanentourage:howyouarrangeservicesand

accommodations,andhaveastaffwithassignedrolestoplaytotakecareofthe

otherswhileyouentertainthemainguest.Importanttochooseappropriateactivities

andentertainment,dependingonthenatureandstatusoftheguest.Thisisexpressing

yourrespect.

• Thison-the-spotinteractionandcommunicationincludesrecognizingand

acknowledgingthenatureandidentityoftheguest(deity).Mustacknowledgeand

knowhowmuchandwhatkindofrespecttooffer.Oneofthebiggestmistakesin

tantricritualisnottooffertherightkindoftreatment.Thisiswhytantricritualsare

keptsecret.Thewrongbehaviorataritualruinstheeffectiveness.

Fire Offering Format Versus Non-Fire Offering Format• Someacknowledgementsandofferingsareculturalandnotintheformofafireoffering.

Thenon-fireofferingsmaybebuiltintotheinfrastructure;thatis,youprepareingredients

likeflowersorincense.Oryouhavemudraswhichareusedtogreet,likeshakinghands:

• ExampleofQueenElizabethvisitingakinginCameroon,Africa,wheretheking

doesn’tshakehandsorspeak.Thereisanotherwayofexpressingrespect.Thisis

thenon-fireofferingformat.

• AnotherexamplegivenofbeingabletowashfeetinIndia,butnotinTibet,where

itiscold;andhavingtotakeoffshoesinIndiabeforeenteringasacredspace,but

notinTibet.Alloftheseareculturalaspects,andmayormaynotbeimportantto

theritualofinterest.



Fire Offerings Procedures and Infrastructure • Fireofferingshaveasetstructurewhichisverymethodicalandnotaculturallybased

procedure:

• Buildingthekunda,orfirepit(seeavideoofPanditjibuildingakundaonlineat

HimalayanInstiture.org/resources):

• Theshapeandsizedependonthenatureoftheritual.Triangular,

rectangular,andcircularkundashavedifferentpurposesanddifferentkinds

offirewhichwillbeinvokedinthatparticularkindofkunda.Ritualsofa

generalnatureforpeaceandprosperityatbothamaterialandspirituallevel

canuseageneralshapeandsize(square).

• Selectingtheproperlocationforthekunda:certainritualsmayrequirea

riverbankoramountaintop,orabarn.Someyoucandoinyourhomeor

whereveryouare.

• Selectingwoodforthefire:

• Thebestwoodisfromatreethatusedtobearfruitorhasafragrance.But

usecommonsense.

• Theproperwayofarrangingwoodinthekundaallowsforventilationandair

circulation.

• Ignitingandpropitiatingthefire.(VisitHimalayanInstiture.org/resourcestolearn

thesemantras.)

• Mantrastoignitethefireandinvitethefiretothekunda.

• Thenasetofmantras(AgniSukta)topropitiatethefireitself.

• Thesemantrasareusedwiththeofferingofghee(clarifiedbutter)

fromacow.

• Ifyouaredoingaveryspecifickindoffireoffering,thenafterthegeneral

offeringstothefirewithghee,youmayofferaspecificingredientwitha

specificmantratoinvokeaspecifictongueofthefirewhichisneededfor



theparticularritualyouaredoing.Inthatcasethebutterofagoat,camel,

orsheep;orsesameoilwitharomaticoil;orbuffalofat;orotheruniqueoils

andfatscanbeusedfordifferentspecificpurposes.(Notalltantricrituals

areforspiritualdevelopment;tantricritualsareasciencenotdependenton

goodintentions.Theyarebestusedforpersonaltransformation,sharpening

theintellect,purifyingtheheartandmind,andinvigoratingthebody.)

• Afterthefirehasbeenpropitiated,makeanofferingtothesecondary

divinities,andtothemaindivinity.

• GeneralInstructions:

• Ifyouareusingayantra(SarvatoBhadraYantra)oraltaraspartofthefire

ritual,makesurenoonesitsorwalksbetweentheyantraandthekunda.

• Nooneshouldsitbetweenthemainpersonperformingtheritualandthefire.

• Otherparticipantsshouldsitonthesidesofthekundaotherthantheone

themainpersonsitsat;andotherthantheonewiththeyantra(ifusingit).

• Usecommonsense—ifonthebankoftheriver,don’tsitbetweenthefire

andtheriver,astheriverisalsoadivinity.

• Havewaterathand:ifthefiregetsoutofcontrol,sprinklethewaterinthe

directionofthefiretoinvokethepresenceofwater,butdonotdumpthe

wateronthefire,orgetuptoextinguishit.

• Onceyouareseatedandhavestartedtheritual,donotgetup,exceptif

youneedtoputmorewoodonthefire.

• Ifthefirecomesoutofthekundatoconsumetheofferingswhichhave

spilledorlandedonthesidesofthekunda,allowittohavetheseleftovers.

• Otherwise,theseleftovers,whichhavefallenoutsidethekundaduringthe

fireofferingshouldnotbepickedupandputinthefire.Unconsumed

ingredientsbelongtosomeotherdivinities,andshouldbecollectedand

givenbacktonature.



• Thelastofferingsareforthelifeforce,thepranicshakti.Theseofferingscomplete

theritual.

• Thenaskthedivinitiestoreturntowherevertheyhavecomefrom,which

isrightfrominsideyouandaroundyou.Youmayusethesamhara mudra

toreturnthemtoyourheart,ifyouhaddoneprana pratishthaandbrought

themfromyourheartatthebeginningoftheritual.

• Otherwise,ifyouusedtheritualtoinvokepranicshaktifromoutside,and

hadnointentionofbringingitfrominsideyourselftotheoutside,then

simplyletthedivinitiesgobacktowherevertheyhavecomefromatthe

endoftheritual.

• For video instructions on building the kunda and selecting and mixing the ritual

ingredients, visit HimalayanInstiture.org/resources.



Study Questions 1. Arethefireritualproceduresculturallydetermined?

2. Whataretheconsiderationsforselectingthelocationforthekunda?

3. Whatisthemostappropriateingredientforpropitiatingthefireitself?



Lecture 5: The Dynamics of Sacred Fire (Parts1and2)

Outline 1. Differencebetweenphysicalfireandsacredfire

a. Summaryofthecomponentsoftantricrituals,ofwhichritualsusingsacredfireare

themostimportant

b. Thenatureofphysicalfireandhowithelpshumans

2. Subtleandmetaphysicalaspectsoffire

a. Solarenergy,enliveningbothplantsandanimals(breathingbeings)

d. Prana,thelifeforceandsourceofanimation,connectedtothebreath

c. Theenergyandconsciousnessresidinginandbetweencells

d. Thesacredentityendowedwiththepowersofwill,knowledge,andaction,

whoseexistenceisnotdependentonanythingelse

1.MotherNatureorProvidenceatthecosmiclevel

2.Ourownsoulattheindividuallevel

3. Aspectsofthesacredfire

a. Sacredfireresidingineverycellmakesusbreathe,move,andthink

1. Kundalinishaktiisthevastbutdormantandunknownfireineverycell

2. Pranashaktiistheactivefirewhichwehaveconsciousaccessto

b. Sacredfiredeterminesdestiny

c. Awakensacredfirewiththeinternalpracticesofyoga,orwithexternalrituals

d. Thescienceofpranadharanaandpranapratishthaisusedtotransformanordinary

fireintoasacredfirewithawell-definedpurposeandmeaning;andthatiswhatthe

sacredfireisallabout



4. Differentformsandfunctionsofthesacredfire

a. Roleinbirthanddeath

b. Concentrationofthepranicforce,infusionofmeaningandpurpose,and

self-awarenessmakeitdivine

5. Internalfireritualsandexternalfirerituals

a. Internalritualsaredoneattheshrinesinsidethebody—thechakras

b. Theinnershrines,altars,andkundasofthehumanbodyaredesignedbynature

andareperfect;unliketheouterkundasandshrinesmadebyhumanintelligence.

Thusinternalfireritualsaremorefruitfulthanexternalrituals,providedonehas

accesstotheinnershrine

c. Outerritualsneedtostrictlyfollowtheproceduressetdownbythelineageof

practitionerswithdirectexperienceandknowledgeofthesacredfire

6. Thesacredfireanditssubdivisions,theirattributesandfunctions,andhowtheywork

insideandoutsidethebody

a. Theexternalfireinritualsworksliketheinnerfireofourbeing,whichdigestsfood

(offerings)andtransformsittotheformneededbythebody

b. Forexternalrituals,offertothefireinitstotalityfirst,thentotheparticularaspector

tongueforaparticularpurpose

c. JatavedasAgni,theknowerofallwhoareborn,isthefireinitstotalityandisthe

priestwhopresidesoverthewholeritual

7. Theuseofrituals

a. Someritualsaremorecleansing-oriented,andsomearemorehealing-oriented.

Usedifferentingredientsintheofferings

b. Ritualsmaybeusedforremovingobstaclesifobstaclesareoverwhelming.

Otherwiseuseritualsformovingforwardintheintendeddirection,anddon’tfocus

ontheobstacles



Lecture Notes

Difference Between Physical Fire and Sacred Fire• Thefireofferingisthemostimportantaspectoftantricrituals.

• Summaryofthecomponentsoftantricrituals:

• Invocationofthedeity.

• Buildingtheinfrastructure.

• Seating,propitiation,andcommunicationwiththeforcesofinterest:

• Inthecaseofthefireritual,thedeitieshavebeeninvitedtoayantra,and

thefireritualisdoneinthepresenceoftheyantra.

• Follow-upaftertheritualisover.

• Physicalfireconsumesfuelandproducesheat,light,smoke,andashes.Weuseitin

dailylifetocookfood,runindustries,etc.:

• Becausehumanscanusefire,theylearnedtodominateotherspecies.Inthe

evolutionofintelligence,humansbegantounderstandfire,meaningtheycould

produceit,controlit,anduseit.

• Firebecameanextensionoftheirintelligence,atool,ameanstoaccomplish

something.

Subtle and Metaphysical Aspects of Fire• Thefunctionoffireisalsomoresubtle.Differentformsoffireoperatedifferently.The

sunbringsheat,andphotosynthesisbeginsinplants;animalsbegintomove.Bothare

animatedbysacredfire.

• TheAtharva Vedadescribesthesuntouchingtheleavesofthetree,whichthensuddenly

wakesup.



• Inourbodies,theequivalentisthemovementofthebreathwhichisconnectedtoprana—

thelifeforcethatmovesinsideusandmakesusmove:

• Thephenomenonofbreathingdefinesalivingbeing.Thephenomenonof

breathing,movement,animation,pulsationisprana—theverybasic,fundamental,

primevalforceofanimation.

• ThisisthesubjectoftheKena Upanishad,inwhichsixgreatyogamastersasked

thesagePippalada,“Whatmakesthingsmove?Propelledbywhichforcedoesa

thingcomeintomotion?”

• TheanswerisalsoexploredintheMundaka, Katha,andShvetashvatara

Upanishads,andintheAtharva Veda,andisfurtherelaboratedinthetantric

scriptures,especiallytheSvacchandaTantra.Itisfullyexpandedinthe

SriVidyatradition,whichisthesubjectofthesixthandfinalseminarinthe

LivingTantraseries.

• ThescienceandpracticeofTantrabegantoblossomwiththediscoveryofthisunique

kindofconsciousnesswithitsself-containedpulsationfoundintheminutestentitiesofthe

universe.Itiscalledanga,thatwhichmoves:

• Angaendowspurpose,reason,intelligentpulsation,andpurposefulmovementand

meaning;itexistsineverycellandeveryatom.

• Apointofreferenceinspaceandtime,propelledbyitsowninherentkama—will—

splitsandunfolds.Thisprocessisshowninayantrausingabindu,fromwhich

evolvesadownward-pointingtriangle,whichistheyoni,thewombfromwhichthe

entireuniverseevolves.Theforcethatresidesthereistheprincipleofanimation—

consciousnesssaturatedwithintelligence(chit),aswellasbliss(ananda):

• Thatforceiscalledangushtha,theonewholivesintheanga—thatis

consciousnesssaturatedwithintelligenceandjoy.

• Thatangushtharesidesineverycell;itisself-awareness,thesoul,the

livingentity.



• Eachcellbreatheswithpurpose,touniteandembraceothercells,toconnectwith

them.Thisinherenturgeiscalledkama, kama kala,orkama tattva:

• Theprimordialwill,intention,desiretoembracethelifeforce,andthelocus

ofthelifeforce—thatiskama,alsoknownasManmatha—theforcethat

churnsthemindanddrivesustobreatheandtoconnect.

• Atthecellularlevel,cellsbreathe(cellularrespiration)withpurpose,and

connectwitheachother,multiply,andformorgansandtissues.

• Theonewhobreathesresidesinsidethecellandexistedbeforethecell.Because

oftheonewhobreathes,matterwasdrawntoformabody.

• Thissameprocessdescribestheoriginoftheuniverseatthecosmiclevel:

• FromtheBigBangcamematterandenergyandtimeitself,andallwereequally

distributed.

• Pureatman,pureconsciousness,thebasicfundamentalprincipleofenergy,does

notdependonanyformofmatterorenergyforitslocus.Itexistsindependently

andisthesourceofallotherforces,havingitsownwillandintelligence.

• Becauseofthat,abodyofmattercollectsandevolvesintostars,planets,etc.

• Similarly,inourownbodyexistsasacredentitywhoseexistenceisnotdependenton

anythingelse:

• Thisisconsciousness—thesacredfire.Anditisactuallyprana.Theanimated,

radiantaspectofourownsoulisprana shakti.

• Jnana, bala,andkriya—intelligence,vitality,andthepowerofaction—areinnate

andintrinsictopranashakti.

• Thesethreepowers—thepowerofwill,knowledge,andaction—wecallMother

Nature.

• Thismovingforce,thefireofintelligence,thefireofconsciousness,issacred

becauseitleadstothetotalrevelationofitself,anditispresentineverything.



• Therealizationofthesacrednatureoffire—anaturalmanifestationofthatforcewhich

movesbyitsownintrinsicvirtue—isthehighestspiritualexperienceoftheEast.

• Ourownsoulisthatwhichmovesandmakeseverythingmove.Ourownpranashakti

pulsatesandmakeseverythingmove.

• Alivingbeingisaprani—onewhobreathes.

• Tantradistinguishesthedifferentkindsoflivingbeingsorpranisonthebasisof

thenatureoftheirmovementandtheirfunctionandpurpose.

• Somecreaturesareawareoftheirintelligenceandpurpose,butsomearenot.

Allarepranis.

Aspects of the Sacred Fire• Thesacredfireresidesineachcellasangushtha.Italsoresidesbetweenthecellsandis

thatwhichrelatestwocells.Itmakesthemmultiplyandassignsfunction,purpose,and

organizationtothegroupsofcells,andsoformsorgansandtissues.

• Thatwhichmakesusbreathe,makesusmove,makesusthink,makesusspeak,the

tantricscall“fire”andshakti:

• Thevastbutdormantformofshaktiresidingineachcell,limb,andorganis

kundalinishakti,theunknownpartofourself.

• Thepartofthatenormouspowerandintelligencewhichisactiveandwhichwe

haveconsciousaccesstoiscalledpranashakti.

• Bothkundalinishaktiandpranashaktiareaspectsofthesacredfire.

• Thesacredfireofpranashaktideterminesthecourseoflifethroughourthoughts,speech,

andactions.



• Tantricstrytoawakenthatsacredfireintwoways:

1. ApplytheyogicprocessoftantrickriyaintheSamayapath:

• Thisinvolvespranadharanatogaindirectexperienceofthepranicfireand

thefieldofpranicshakti.

• Anythingbroughtintothatfieldbeginstovibrateandbecomesalive.

• Bringgodsandgoddessesfromdifferentchakrasormarmapoints—the

ideas,images,orbeliefsfromvariousaspectsofyourmindfieldwhichare

inertandasleep—anddropthemintothatanimatedpranicfield,thesacred

fire,atyourajnachakratoenlivenandawakenthem.

2. Awakenthesacredfireintheexternalfireplace,thekunda:.

• Toawakenthefireatthenavelcenterintheinternalyogicmannerrequires

muchyogasadhana,butthisexternalmethoddoesnot.

• Lightthefireinthekunda,andimbuethatfirewithmeaningandpurpose.

• Thepurposeoffireatacrematoriumistoburnbodies.Anotherfireburns

downyourhouse.Anotherfireneedsapersoneducatedinthespiritual

scienceoffiretoigniteitproperly.Somefiresareforweddings,somefor

otherceremonies,andsomefortantricrituals.

• Thebottomlineisthatthefireyouaretryingtoigniteoutsidefortantric

ritualsisthesamefirelitinsideusbyMotherNature.

• ThesacredfirelitbyourDivineProvidenceresultedintheformationofourbody,whichis

abeautifulyantraandanaltarthatincludesmanyyantrasandmandalas:

• Sevenornineofthosealtarsareparticularlyimportant.Theyarethechakras.

• MotherNaturedidpranapratishthaandpranadharanaonourbehalf.

• Greatenlightenedsoulsdiscoveredthescienceofpranadharanaandpranapratishtha

andsharedtheirknowledgeofhowtotransformanordinaryfireintoasacredfirewitha

well-definedpurposeandmeaning;andthatiswhatthesacredfireisallabout.



Different Forms and Functions of the Sacred Fire• Fireinstars,inthedigestivesystem,inanger,inlove,thatburnsdownahouse,that

acceptsoblations—allthisisthesamefirewithdifferentfunctions.

• SeeThe Pursuit of Power and Freedom,Panditji’stranslationoftheKatha Upanishad,

andAt the Eleventh Hourformoredetailsonthespiritualsignificanceoffire.

• Lifeanddeatharedefinedbythepurposefulfunctioningoffirewithin:

• Inlife,fireleadsthebodyandmind,keepingtheconglomerateofcellsaliveand

workingwithacommonpurpose.

• Indeath,thefireisstillthere,butwithadifferentpurpose;andthereisstillakind

oflifeinthecellsthemselvesthatfeedstheweboflifeasthebodydecomposes.

• Thelifeforceiseverywhere;theconcentrationofthepranicforce,andtheinfusionof

meaningandpurposebringitintoacompletelyfunctionalstate.Thisispranapratishtha.

• Thesacredfireisthatwhichhaspurposeandknowsitsmeaningandpurpose,isaware

ofitsexistence,andgivesmeaningandpurposetoeverythingittouches.

Internal Fire Rituals and External Fire Rituals• Theproceduresforpropitiatingthefirearethesamewhetheritisaninneroranouterfire.

• Aninternalfireritualisforthefirelitinthechakrasofthehumanbodyandfedbypranic

andmantricfirewood.

• TheshrinesanddifferentaltarsofthehumanbodyaredesignedbythePerfectOne—

yourinnateintelligenceandkarma—andtheyareperfect:

• Exampleofacell—designedbythesacredfireandperfectinitsfunction.

• Externalaltars,churches,yantras,icons,etc.,arenotasperfectaswhathasbeen

designedbytheeternalDivineBeinginourownbody.Therefore,ifwecangainaccess

tothekundainthebody,thefireofferingsmadetherearemoresuccessfulandmore

fruitfulthanexternalofferings.



• Externalritualswillhavegreaterperfectionandaccuracyifinstructionsfromthescriptures

areexactlyfollowedwithnodistortion.Theyarebasedonthedirectexperienceofalong

lineofexperiencedpractitioners.Onceyouhavegaineddirectexperienceandunderstood

thebasicdynamics,thenyoucanaddtothisgreatbodyofknowledge.Otherwise,you

createconfusionforothers,andmayevenharmyourself.

The Sacred Fire and Its Subdivisions, Their Attributes and Functions, and How They Work Inside and Outside the Body

• Fireinthedigestivesystemknowshowtohandleofferingsoffood,basedonwhatis

neededtodigestit.Exampleofacowwithahugecapacityforfood.Theintelligentfirein

thedigestivetractknowswhichfoodtosendontothecow’ssecondstomach,whichto

keepforcud-chewing;andhowmuchsalivatoadd.

• Fromitsseatatthenavelcenter,thefiremanifestsinmanyformswithmanyfunctions:

• Thefirethatpervadeseverynookandcrannyofthebodyisvaishvanara agni.

• Thefirethatdigestsfoodisjathara agni.

• Similarly,thereareotherfiresinthebloodstream,theliver,etc.

• Thewaythedigestivesystemworksisthesamewaytheexternalfireritualworks.

Thetastebudstriggerdifferentresponses,whichresultinthesecretionofappropriate

enzymesanddigestivejuicestoaccepttheofferingoffoodtothestomach.Inthisway,

nutrientsaretransformedintotheformthebodycanaccept,andaretakentotheright

place,fortherightpurpose,andwiththerightfunctionandmeaning:

• Thefirethatpermeatesthebodyalsoresidesinconcentratedformindifferent

partsofthebody,whereitperformstheuniquefunctionofacceptingourofferings

andtransformingthemintothekindofenergyneededbythedivinitiestowhom

wearemakingtheoffering.

• Inreturn,thosedivinities—thebrain,nervoussystem,kidneys,pituitarygland,

heart,etc.—goongivinggiftstous.



• Wepouroblations,makeofferingsintothegreatkundaofjathara agniatthenavel

center,andthetonguesoffireacceptouroffering(food)andtransformitintothe

appropriatestateofenergyforthedivineforcesthatruleourbody.

• Theofferingsandgiftswereceiveinreturnarehealth,happiness,vitality,strength,

enthusiasm,well-being.

• Inexternalofferings,wefirstinvokethefireinitstotalityandmakeofferingstoit;then

invoketheparticularaspectortongueforaparticularpurpose:

• Analogyofwhenyouaresick,youmakeuniqueofferingsofmedicine—suchas

ibuprofenorTylenolforarthritisorpain.It’snotageneralofferinglikefood.

• Thegeneralofferingisalargevarietyoffoodtonurturethetotalityofthebodyand

mindwithabalanceddiet.Likewise,youfirstgiveabalanceddiettoallthetongues

ofthefire.

• TheUpanishadsandmanytantrictextsdescribethevarioustonguesof

thefire.

• ThenameofallseventonguestogetherisJatavedas Agni.

• Jatavedasistheonewhoknowsalllivingbeings;theonewhoexistedbefore,during,

andafterlifeinthephysicalbody;whoknowsyourdestiny,yourkarma,yourintentions,

strengths,andweaknesses.

• InvokeJatavedasbecausewiththeknowledgeofallthis,theritualbearsfruit.

• Jatavedasislikeaguru,aguide,afriend,andaparent.Asanexample,theall-knowing

JatavedasAgnidirectsthehealingpowerofturmerictotheinflammationinthebody.

Jatavedasknowsyou,yourintention,yourproblem,andthehealingqualityofturmeric.

• Inexternalofferings,thegrossistransformedintothesubtle—matteristransformedinto

heatandlightandevenmoresubtleenergy.Energyisreleased:

• Theenergymayappeardiffuse,butasinthemedicineanalogy,itstillfindsits

target.



• Medicineinitsmostfinalstateistransformedintointelligence,feelings,experience.

Whateverisnottransformed,fromthestandpointofthephysicalbodyandnervous

system,iswastetobeeliminated.

• Similarly,intheexternalofferingofsesameseeds,dates,sugar,ghee,etc.,with

mantrarecitation,uponhearingthemantraandunderstandingtheintention,seeing

thenatureoftheingredientsoffered,andseeingthenatureofthedivinitiesinvoked,

thefullyawakenedsacredfirethendirectsthesubtleenergyofintelligencetothe

rightplacewiththerightintention.

• ThefirstmantraofVedicliteratureacknowledgesthisfunctionofthesacredfire:

om agniméòe purohitam |

yajïasya devamåtvijam |

hotäraà ratna dhätamam ||Rig Veda I:1||

I meditate on Agni, the forerunner, the Lord of the grand ceremony of life, the one who

sponsors the ceremony, the one who makes the offerings, the repository of gems.

• Thefireistherealpriestthatpresidesoverthewholeritual,makingsurethateverythingis

properlyconductedandthattheenergyreleasedfromtheofferingreachestherightplace

andreturnsintheformofthedesiredeffect.

The Use of Rituals• Someritualsareintendedforcleansingpurposes,andsomearemoreforhealing.The

ingredientsusedvaryaccordingly.SeeSecretofTantricRitualsResourcesforalistof

theseingredients.

• Removingobstaclesmaybethemaingoalwhentheobstaclesareoverwhelming.

Otherwise,makeanefforttomoveforwardratherthanfocusingontheobstacles.



Study Questions 11.Whatmakesusmove?Whatmakesthelungsmove?

12.Whatdefinesalivingbeing?

13.Whatisanga?Describewhatconnectsthecellsofthebodyandrelatesthemto

eachotherandgivesthempurpose.

14.Whatiskama?

15.Whatarethethreeinnatecharacteristicsofconsciousness?

16.Whatisthedifferencebetweenkundalinishaktiandpranashakti?

17.Whattwomethodsdotantricsusetoawakenthesacredfire?

Whataretheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofeach?

18.Whatarethedefiningcharacteristicsofthesacredfire?

19.Whyareexternalfireofferingsmoresubjecttoimperfections?

10.Whichfirepermeatestheentirebody?

11.Describethedynamicsoffireusingtheexampleoffoodandthehumanbody.

Howisamedicinalofferingdifferentfromafoodoffering,andhowisthemedicinal

offeringrelatedtoanexternalfireritual?

12.Whyisthetotalityofthesacredfireinvokedfirst,beforeaspecifictongueofthefire?

13.WhatisJatavedas Agni?

14.Whenmightyouuseritualstohelpremoveanobstacle?Wouldthisbea“medicinal”

applicationofritual?



Lecture 6: Rudra Yaga—Tantric Rituals for Healing Ourselves and Healing the Planet (Parts1and2)

Outline 1. RudraYaga:atantricritualforhealingourselvesandtheplanet

a. Itcanbedoneasaninternalyogicpractice,orasanexternalritual,orasa

combinationoftheyogicandritualisticpractices

b. Yagameans“anoffering;anunconditionalgiving.”Rudraisthecompassionate,

nurturing,healingpowerresidinginthecosmosandinus

2. Tobenefitfromthispractice,preparationisessential

a. Itcreatesthefieldthatcannurturethepractice

b. Itallowsittobearfruit

3. RelationshipofRudraYagatopranashaktiandkundalinishakti

a. RudraKuta—therangeofpowersatthethreelowerchakras

b. HowRudraYaganurturesthosepowers

4. Adailyyogic(internal)practiceofRudraYaga

a. Invoketheappropriatedivineforcesforthepractice

b. Usingpranadharana,establishpranicshaktiinfusedwiththemaha mrityunjaya

mantraatthenavelcenter

c. Meditateonthemaha mrityunjayamantra(dojapa)atthenavelcenter

d. Mentallydoafireofferingatthenavelcenter

e. Surrenderthefruitsofyourjapa,andthenreturntotheeyebrowcenter

5. AMishraapproachtoRudraYaga:acombinationofinternalmeditationandexternalritual

a. Buildthekunda(fireplace)andgatherthefirewoodandritualingredientsfor

theofferings

b. Invoketheappropriatedivineforces



Internalaspect

a. Usingpranadharana,establishpranicshaktiinfusedwiththemaha mrityunjaya

mantraatthenavelcenter

b. Dojapaofthemaha mrityunjayamantraatthenavelcenter

c. Transfertheshaktifromthenavelcentertothekundathroughtheuseof

trikhanda mudra

Externalaspect

a. Ignitetheexternalfirewithasimplemantra

b. Makeofferingstothefireandthedivineforcesusingspecificmantrasandingredients

c. Makeofferingstothemaindeitywiththemaha mrityunjayamantra

d. Makefinalofferingstothefireitselfwithaprayerthatallofferingsbeacceptedfor

thewell-beingofall

6. Acomplete(Samaya)RudraYagapracticeusingtheShataRudriyamantras

FirstPart

a. Invokethedivineforces

b. Doprana dharanaandestablishthatshaktiatthenavelcenter

c. Invokethe33divinitieswithVishveDevaSuktaatthenavelcenter

d. RecitetheShataRudriyamantraswithyourfocusatthenavelcenter

e. Dojapaofthemahamrityunjayamantraatthenavelcenter

f. SurrenderthefruitsofthepracticetoRudra

SecondPart

a. Doprana pratishthaofagniatthenavelcentertobeginthefireoffering

b. Ignitethefirewithmantras

c. Makementalofferingstothefireandthedivineforces

d. MakeofferingswiththeShataRudriyamantras

e. Surrenderthefruitsofthepracticewithaprayerforthepeaceandprosperityofall

7. ShataRudriyaasamasterpractice:

a. Itcanbedoneinternallyorexternally;themapisthesame

b. Successdependsonpranadharana,andpotentuseofthemaha mrityunjayamantra



Lecture Notes

Rudra Yaga: a Tantric Ritual for Healing Ourselves and the Planet• IntheKaulaschoolofTantra,RudraYagaisritualistic.IntheSamayaschool,itispurely

yogicandinternal.IntheMishraschool,itisacombinationofbothritualisticandyogic.

• Whatisyaga?Yaga,fromtherootyajmeans“togive,toofferunconditionally.”

• RudraYagameanssurrenderingorgivingtoRudra.InRudraYaga,ahealingenergy

emerges.RudraYagacreatesanatmosphereconducivetothetotalhealingofthenatural

worldandofourselves.

• WhatisRudra?GenerallyRudraissaidtobeaformofShiva.

• AcommonmisunderstandingisthatRudraisafierce,violentaspectofShivawho

makesonecry.

• Rudraisactuallytheonewhocriesuponseeingsuffering.Rudraisfullof

compassion,mercy,love,andforgiveness.HesitsatthesummitofMount

• Kailash(atourownsahasrarachakra)andseesthepain,theignorance,thefear,

thecravings,theillness,etc.,andfeelsbad.(Theenlightenedaspectofourselves

feelsbadtoseethedestructivebehaviorofourselvesandothers.)

• Fromcompassion,tearsfall,andthewindcarriesthesetearsofcompassion

everywhere,andfromthemallformsoflife-sustainingentities,likeherbsand

grains,fruitandvegetables,arise.Rudra’stearsarethelove,kindness,intelligence,

andpowerofwill,knowledge,andactionthatresideinallthedifferentformsof

sustenance.Theyarethehealingessenceinherbs,inwater,infire,andthe

healingpowerthatresidesinthesun,moon,stars,inourthoughts,speech,and

action,andinourintentions.

• RudraYagameanstosurrenderourselvestoRudra,theembodimentofthegreatestof

allhealingpowers.



• Thispracticecanbedonetohealourselves—ourbody,breath,mind,thoughts,actions,

andintentions;ortohelphealothers;ortohelphealthenaturalworld.

• Thebiggerthegoal,thebiggerthesizeofthepractice.Agrouppracticeisneededfor

healingthelargerworldaroundus;buteventhen,wearethefirstrecipient.Othersarenot

separatefromus;theyarepartofyou,andyouarepartofthem.

To Benefit from This Practice, Preparation is Essential• Thelightofthesunshinesequally,buttheformsoflifedifferinhowtheyuseitorben-

efitfromit.Rainfallsonrockyaswellaspermeablesoil;butthepermeablesoilabsorbs

therainandsproutsseedsandblooms,whereastherainrunsoffthebarren,rockysoil.

Likewise,wemustprepareourselvestobeabletomakethebestuseofthehealing

energyoftheRudraYaga.

• RudraYagaengendersdeeptransformationwhichwemaynotevenbeawareof;andthat

transformationbeginstotakeplaceinthesociety,culture,community,andthenatural

world.Thisisthelongestlastingservicewecanoffer.

• Doyourpracticeasselflesslyaspossible.Offerthefruitsofyouractionstoeverybodyand

thewholeofnature.Whenthefruitscomebacktoyou,thensharethemwithothers.

Relationship of Rudra Yaga to Prana Shakti and Kundalini Shakti• RudraisthemostprimordialformofDivinity,andthepresidingforceofthetotalsumof

pranicshaktiwithinus.

• Rudrabreatheslifeinus.Rudraisthepranathatanimates,thatmakessomeoneor

somethingalive.

• Rudraisdepictedashavingaconsort,ashakti,whohasmanydifferentnames:Durga,

Kali,Tara,Chinnamasta,Kamala,etc.Rudraandhisshaktiarealwaysshowntogether,

eithersidebyside,facingeachother,orinembrace.



• KundalinishaktiandpranashaktiarelikeRudraandhisshakti—theygotogether.Rudra

isthetotalsumofmanifestandunmanifestenergy.Rudraniishisinherentshakti,whichis

active(pranashakti),andkundalinishaktiishisinactive,dormantaspect:

• Pranaisthedynamic,awakenedformofshaktiandconstitutesthelifeforce;and

kundalinishaktiisthedormant,out-of-reachpranicforce.Weaccessthevast

reservoirofdormantshaktibyusingthepranicshaktialreadyatourdisposal.

• BythegraceofRudrani,andunderherguidance,wegainaccesstothevast

reservoirofRudra.

• Analogyoffireanditsheat—theycan’tbeseparatedfromeachother;thesameis

truewithpranashaktiandkundalinishakti.

• RudraYagaisaritualtorestoreandnurturekundalinishakti.

• Thesumtotalofenergyandconsciousnessisdividedintothreemajor“peaks”called

kuta.TheRudraKutaistherangeofpowersatthefirstthreechakras.TheVishnuKutais

themiddlepeak,andtheBrahmaKutaisthetoppeak.RudraYagarestoresandnurtures

theenergyoftheRudraKuta.

• Onechakraisnotinferiororsuperiortoanother:

• Whentheenergyofthemuladhara,therootchakra,isderanged,yousufferfrom

fear,sloth,fatigue,confusion,andinertia.

• Thepowertocommandandtherevelationatthesixthchakra,theajnaoreyebrow

center,areconstantlyaffectedbyinstinctiveurgesandprimitivefeelings.

• RudraKuta,thelifeforcethatgovernsandguidesthefirstthreechakrasandtheir

relatedorgansandfunctions,isveryimportant.

• Mostproblemswearetryingtoovercomearerelatedtothefirstthreechakras:

anger,hatred,jealousy,greed,attachment,desire,etc.



• RudraYagaisthepracticetoinvoke,awaken,andreceivetheblessingsandguidanceof

Rudra:

• ThreewaysofpracticingRudraYaga:

• TheSamayaschoolofTantraisapurelyyogicmethodwiththebodyas

atemple,andthechakrasasshrinesandkundas.Theingredientstobe

offeredareourthoughts,sentiments,memories,karmicproblemsand

virtues,alongwithwisdomandthepranicforce:

• Thebeginningpointispranadharana.Bringthatpranicforcetothe

navelcenterandenergizeitthere,makingthemanipurachakrathe

locusofthepranicforce;andfromtherenurturetheentirebody.

Firstinfusethespacewiththepranicforce,and

• theninfuseitwithyourmantra,youryantra,oryourimagery;then

meditateonit.

• TheKaulaschoolofTantraispurelyritualistic.Needtounderstandhowto

selectandpreparetheingredients,makethekunda,andfollowtherulesfor

timeandplace.

• TheMishraschoolofTantracombinestheexternalKaularitualsandtheinternal

practicesoftheSamayaschool.Itallowspractitionerstogetthebenefitsevenif

theylackthemasteryofyogicpractices,oroftheritualpractices.

• RudraYagaisflexibleinapplication;practicescanbesimpleorcomplex,shortor

long.Somestepsarecomplex,othersaresimple.Somepracticesrequiredaysor

months,inthecaseofgrouppractices;butinthecaseofdailymethodicalpractice,

maytakeonly30to40minutes.

A Daily Yogic (Internal) Practice of Rudra Yaga• Sitwithrelaxedbreathing.

• Mentallyofferyourloveandrespecttotheguideofallguides,theteacherofallteachers,

theinnerintelligence.



• Payhomagetotheremoverofobstacles,Ganesha.

• Offerlove,respectandgratitudetothatgreatforcethatinvitesrevelationandempowers

youtoreceiveintuitiveunderstanding,BatukaBhairava.

• Offerhomageto:

• Kshetrapala,thelordofthefieldofthebodyandmind.

• Dashadikpala,lordofdirections.

• The64yoginis,thecompassionatemothers.

• Mentallyinviteandinvokethegroupof33divinities.

• Offeryourhomagetoyourownpranicshakti,thelifeforcethatkeepsyoualiveand

inspired.

• Nowdobhastrikapranayama,andthenpranadharana(seeResourcesforinstructions).

• Aspartofpranadharana,infusetheenergyattheeyebrowcenterwiththemaha

mrityunjayamantra.Thismantraisthehighestmantraforhealthandhealing,andfor

nourishmentandhealingateverylevel(seeResourcestolearnthismantra).Repeatthis

mantrathreetimes.

• Thenusingthepowerofwillandintention,bringthatpranicforceandthemantra

enlivenedbythatpranicforcetoyourmanipurachakra(thenavelcenter);andstabilize

thisawarenessthere.

• Meditatehereatthenavelcenteronthemaha mrityunjayamantraforhoweverlongyou

havedecidedtomeditate.

• Tofinishthepractice,doafireofferingatthenavelcenter:

• InvokethesacredfireknownasJatavedaswiththemantra:

Om agnaye namah svähä

Repeatthreetimesasyouvisualizethefireshining,withthekundainyourpelvis,

andthetipoftheflamesatyoursternum,oryourthroat,ortheflamesfillingyour

wholebody.



• Makeofferingsmentallytothisfireinyourownnavelcenter.

• Thesticksthefireconsumesareyourownkarmicsticksstoredatthefirst,second,

andthirdchakras.

• Theofferingsyoumakeofgheeareactuallyyourself-identityaccompaniedby

attachmentandpossessiveness.Holdthisgheeinabowlofloveanddevotion,

andwithdeterminationasyourspoon,offerthisself-identitytoJatavedas—thefire

whichknowsthepast,present,andfuture.

• Repeatthemaha mrityunjayamantrafollowedbysvahaasyoumakethe

offerings.Continueforabout5minutes,ifyourprecedingmeditationwasabout

15minutes.Thevoiceofyourownheart,yourowninnerfeeling,willtellyou

whetheryoushouldmakemoreofferings.

• Whenyourealizeyouaredonewithyourfireoffering,mentallysurrenderthefruits

ofthejapa(mantrarecitation),aswellasthefruitsofthisfireoffering,toJatavedas,

thesacredfire,witharequesttoacceptthefireofferingforthepeaceand

prosperityofall.

• Nowbringyourattentionfromthenavelcentertotheeyebrowcenter.Againpay

attentiontothepranicforceattheeyebrowcenterandthengentlyopenyoureyes.

• Ifyouhavearegularmeditationpractice,thispracticejustaddsthestepsofdoingprana

dharana,meditatingatthenavelcenter,andmakingafireofferingatthenavelcenterthat

capturesyourownsenseofself-identificationwithyourattachmenttoit,turningitintolove

andfaithanddevotionasyouofferittothefire.Thiscanbepartofyourdailypractice;it

takesyourpracticetothenextlevel.

A Mishra Approach to Rudra Yaga: a Combination of Internal Meditation and External Ritual

• Startwiththeinternal,thenmovetotheexternal.



• Firstbuildthefirekunda,collectthefirewood,andpreparetheingredients.Theninvoke

theforcesasbeforeforthefireritual(mantrasfortheguru,Ganesha,BatukaBhairava,the

64yoginis,Kshetrapala,andDashadikpala;andtheVishveDevaSukta).

a.InternalAspectofRudraYaga:

• Gototheeyebrowcentermentally,anddobhastrikaandpranadharanatogetthe

feelingofthepranicfieldthere.(Thereisnoneedofdoingthepranayamaifthe

feelingisalreadythere.)

• Next,inhaleandretainthebreath,recallthemaha mrityunjayamantra,andwhen

theenergyfieldattheeyebrowcenterandthemantrahaveblended,thenbring

thatenergytoyournavelcenter.

• Dojapaofthemantrawithawarenessatthenavelcenter.Seethefirethatfills

thenavelcenter.

• Whenthemantraandtheimageofthefirebecomestableatthenavalcenter,

formthetrikhandamudraandbringittotheheart.

(SeeHimalayanInstitute.org/resourcesforhowtodothetrikhandamudra.)

• Exhalethepranicforce,theagni(thefire),andthemantra(maha mrityunjaya)from

thenavelcenteroutthroughthenostrilsandintothetrikhandamudrawiththe

intentionofplacingthatessenceintothemudra.

• Bringthetrikhandamudranearthekundaandgentlydissolveit,lettingtheenergy

ofyournavelcenterenterthekunda.

b.ExternalAspectofRudraYaga:

• Now,ignitethefire.Youcanusethesimplemantra:

Om agnaye namah svähä

• Addsmallstickstogetthefiregoing.

• Makethreeofferingstothefireitselfwithghee,recitingthismantraasyoumake

eachoffering:

Om, agnaye svähä



• Makefivemoreofferingstothefivedifferentformsofpranicshakti:

Om pränäya svähä

Om apänäya svähä

Om udänäya svähä

Om vyänäya svähä

Om samänäya svähä

• ThenmakeofferingstoGanesha,BatukaBhairava,the64yoginis,Kshetrapala,

Dashadikpala,andthesunandtheplanets:

Om gaëeçäya svähä

Om batuka bhairaväya svähä

Om yoginibhyaù svähä

Om kñetrapäläya svähä

Om indrädi daçha-dikpälebhyo namaù svähä

Om ädityädi nava-grahebhyo namaù svähä

• Next,makeofferingswiththemainmantra;inthiscase,maha mrityunjaya.Doa

mala(108repetitionsofthemantrawith108offerings).

• Makethefinalofferingwithalltheingredientslefttothefireitselfwithaprayerthat

alltheofferingsmadebeacceptedforthewell-beingofall.(Offerinamountsthat

don’toverwhelmthefire,andwitheach,mentallyrequestthatthisofferingaswell

asallthepreviousofferingsbeacceptedforthepeaceandprosperityofthewhole

world.)Dothesamewithanyleftoverghee.

c.ThiscompletestheshortversionoftheMishra(partinternalandmeditativeandpart

externalandritualistic)styleoftheRudraYaga.TheMishrapathbringstogetherthe

internalSamayapathandtheexternal,ritualisticKaulapath.RudraYagacanalsobe

doneinapurelySamayainternalway,orinthepurelyexternal,ritualisticKaulamanner.



A Complete (Samaya) Rudra Yaga Practice Using the Shata Rudriya Mantras

• RudraYagaintheSamayaschoolofTantraisamoreelaborateversionwhichincludes

manymoremantras:oncemastered,abiggerRudraYaga,involvingmanypeopleand

lastingfordaysormonthsoryears,canbedone.Themoreelaboratepracticeisas

follows(visitHimalayanInstitute.org/resourcesforthesemantras):

a. FirstPart:

• Recitethecompleteinvocationmantrasforthegurulineage,Ganesha,Batuka

Bhairava,the64yoginis,Kshetrapala,andDashadikpala.

• Dopranadharanaandthenpranapratishtha,sendingtheenergyfromtheeyebrow

centertothenavelcenter.

• Invokethegroupof33divinitieswiththeVishveDevaSukta.

• Then,withyourfocusatthenavelcenter,recitetheShataRudriya—asetof

mantrasdedicatedtoRudra.Thisgroupofmantrasistreatedasonemantra.

Apractitionerwhohasdoneaspecialpractice(purashcharana)consistingof1,100

recitationsofthesemantrasin1,100daysfollowedby110recitationsaccompanied

byfireofferings,anothersetof11repetitions(tarpana),followedbyonerepetition

formarjana,andanactofcharity,hasagreatresponsibilitytousethepractice

withveryspecialcare,sinceevenasinglerecitationofitwillnowhaveanunfailing

result.Indiscriminateuseofitwillhavenegativeconsequences.Touseitcorrectly,

youmusthavepurifiedtheenvironment,invokedtheprotectors,andexecutedthe

processcorrectly.Thesemantrasareusuallyrecitedoutloud.

• Thenextstepisjapaofthemaha mrityunjayamantraatthenavelcenter—dohow-

evermuchyouwant.

• ThensurrenderthefruitsofthejapatoRudrawhoisthepresidingdeityofthe

ShataRudriya.(OnerecitationoftheShataRudriyaisequalto100malasofthe

maha mrityunjayamantra.)Thisfinishesthefirstportionofthepractice.



b. SecondPart(seemantrasforfireritualsinSecretofTantricRitualsResources,andalso

onlineatHimalayanInstitute.org/resources):

• Dopranapratishthaofagniatthemanipurachakratobeginthefireofferingatthe

manipurachakra.Invokethefirewithaspecialintentionbyrecitingthemantrasfor

lightingthefire(seemantrasforfireritualsinResources).

• Thenoffertothefiregheeintheformofyourself-identityaccompaniedby

possessiveness,alongwithkarmicsticksdippedintothisghee,whilerecitingthe

mantrafornourishingthefire.Dothisthreetimes:onceforyourphysicalbody,

onceforyoursubtlebody,andonceforyourcausalbody.

• MakenineofferingsofgheetothefirementallywhilerecitingtheAgniSukta.

• Theninvoketheseventonguesoffire,thesevensages.

• MakeofferingsintothefireatthenavelcentertoGanesha,thesunandallthe

planets,andotherpresidingdeitiesandprotectors,asinthemantrasforfirerituals

• MakeofferingstothefireatthenavelcenterusingtheShataRudriyamantras,this

timesayingsvahaaftereachmantra.

• Internalofferingsandpracticestakemuchmoreconcentration.

• Tofinish,surrenderthefruitsofthefireofferingtothesacredfirewithaprayerfor

thehealth,peace,andprosperityofthewholeworld.

• ApersonwhohasdonethiskindofinternalpracticebecomeslikeaRudraYaga

itself,andthefeelingoffirebecomesalivingawareness.Ifsuchapersoninvokes

thefireexternally,thenalltheimperfectionsintheexternalritualareremovedand

overcome,becausetheperfectlyawakenedfireissittingrightthereinthatperson.



Shata Rudriya as a Master Practice• Thissameritualcanbedoneintheactualkundainsteadofatthenavelcenter.Themap

fortheexternalandtheinternalisexactlythesame.

• Thesecretliesintwothings:

1.Agoodestablishedpracticeofpranadharana;and

2.Apracticeofthemaha mrityunjayamantraandthepotentizationofit,particularlyby

combiningitwiththeShataRudriya.

• ShataRudriyaisamasterpracticeofTantra;andapersonwhodoeseithertheshort

versionorlongversion,ortheinternalorexternalversion,isqualifiedtoundertakeany

tantricpractice.Thatpersonisautomaticallygroundedinhisownpersonalpracticeand

knowsherdutiesanddirectioninlife.



Study Questions 11.Whatdoesthewordyagamean?

12.ExplaintheconceptofRudra.

13.HowisRudraYagarelatedtokundalinishakti?

14.HowisRudraYagarelatedtopranashakti?

15.Whatisakuta?DescribeRudraKuta.

16.HowisRudraYagapracticedineachofthethreeschoolsofTantra—Samaya,

Mishra,andKaula?

17.IntheSamayamethodofRudraYaga,whatisthefirststep?

18.Whatconstitutesthesticks,ghee,andimplementsintheSamayamethodofRudraYaga?

19.WhichmantraissuggestedformeditationaspartofRudraYaga?Andwhyisthis

mantrapreferred?

10.Whatprecautionsmustbetakenbysomeonewhohascompletedapurashcharana

ofShataRudriya?Why?



Secret of Tantric Rituals Bonus

15 Questions on Secret of Tantric Rituals(Answered online at HimalayanInstitute.org/resources)

11.Whataretantricritualsandhowaretheydifferentfromotherkindsofrituals?

12.I’mahistorystudentandsoitisapparenttomethatritualsandotherexternalformsof

religiousceremonyareanobstacletoinnertransformation.Ritualsencourageustoseek

infinityinthefiniteandtheeternalintheperishable.Whatisevenworse,ritualsempower

priestsandplacethembetweenusandthehighestconsciousness.WhydoIneedrituals

which,ineffect,takemefurtherfromthedeeperrealityIwishtoexperience?

13.Areritualsandmeditativetechniquescompatible?Aretheycomplementarypathsor

completelydifferentpaths?

14.CanyoudescribeasimpleritualthatIcanusetocalmandcentermymindsothatIcan

focusonmymantrainmeditation?

15.WhatarethemajordifferencesbetweenKaula,orleft-hand,TantraandSamaya,or

right-handTantra?Howdotheritualsinthesetwotantricpathsdiffer?

16.Whatisthesignificanceofalcohol,meat,fish,mudra,andsexintheritualsofleft-hand

Tantra?Howaretheseobjectsandexperiencesused?

17.Inright-handTantra,theritualsconsistofusingwater,flowers,sandalwoodpaste,turmeric,

rice,blacksesameseeds,lamps,incense,sweets,fruits,clothes,ornaments,etc.Arethese

ingredientsabsolutelynecessary?Iftheyaren’tavailable,arethereanysubstitutes?

18.Insomedepictionsoftantricgodsandgoddessestheyappeartobesimilartous,andin

othersquitedifferentfromus.Sometimestheyarebeautifullydressed,andatothertimes,

theyarenude.Whatisthebasisoftheirpersonification?Howdotantricsexplainthe

all-pervasivenatureofdivinitythatispersonifiedinsuchdetail?



19.WhentantricsfromIndiaperformrituals,theyrecitemantrasandprayersinSanskrit.Tantrics

fromTibetrecitetheirprayersinTibetanandtantricsfromSoutheastAsiareciteinPalior

intheirlocallanguages.Whentheritualisthesameandtheritualingredientsarethesame,

doesthedifferenceinlanguagebringdifferentresults?

10.Ihaveheardatantriccanperformritualsforothers.Howcanapersonreapthefruitsofa

ritualperformedbysomeoneelse?

11.Someofthetantricritualsarecompletelyforeigntome—forexample,Kumaripuja,theritual

worshipofavirgingirl.Isthisritualworshipmorethansymbolic?Isitareflectionofsome

elementinIndiancultureorisitaroadmapofaspiritualprocessandexperience?

12.Howdoyouworshipormeditateonayantraoramandala?Doyouvisualizeeverytriangle,

circle,anddeity?Doyouvisualizetheyantrainanuprightpositionasthoughitishangingon

awall?Doyouvisualizeitinsideyou?Isitpartofyouorareyoupartofit?

13.Doesitmakeadifferenceifyoumakeayantraoramandalawithcoloredriceorwithgrains

ofsand?Doesitmakeadifferenceifyoudrawayantraonawoodenboardoronagold

plate?Doesitmakeadifferenceifthegeometricalformisreplacedbyaclusterofdeities

correspondingtotheyantraorthemandala?

14.Whatisyourfavoritetantricritual?Doyoupracticeitinyourdailylife?Iftheanswerisyes,

willyoushareitwithus?

15.Ifyouhadtopickjustonetantricritualtohealhumanheartsandhealourplanet,which

practicewoulditbe,andwhy?



Secret of Tantric Rituals Bonus

Extra Bonus Questions from Students of Tantra(Answered online at HimalayanInstitute.org/resources)

11.Youmentionedthattherearedifferentformsoforaspectsofsacredfire.Whyarethereso

manyandwhataretheirfunctions?

12.AspartofTantra,especiallyleft-handTantra,allwehearandreadisthatyoudrinkalcohol,

beromantic,andevenenjoysex.Commonsensetellsmethatbeingwildcan’tleadyouto

innerpeace,andindulgencecannotleadyoutofreedom,andyetthisiswhatnormally

attractspeopletoTantra.Doesthisgettingdrunkandbeingromanticreallyconstitutetantric

spirituality,orarewemissingsomethinghere?Ihopeyoucanexplainthisthoroughly.

13.Youmentionedthatthereisawayofprotectingyourself,orthatthereisawayofnotbeing

affectedbyyourenvironmentdespitethefactthatyouarefullyconnectedtotheoutside

world.Inotherwords,ataspirituallevel,youknowandexperienceyourselftobepartofthe

worldandtheworldtobeapartofyou.Andyet,atamentalandemotionallevel,youare

completelyuntouchedbytheundesirable,unwantedthoughts,feelings,andconditionswhich

fillthisworld.Howdoyoudothat,especiallywhenyouaredoingyourspiritualpractices?

14.Iunderstandairpollution,waterpollution,andcontaminationofsoil.Ialsounderstandthe

bodybeingaffectedbytoxins.ButIhaveneverheardofsoundpollution.Iunderstandthat

adeafeningsoundcandisturbus.Butthatsoundcanpollutetheearth’satmosphere,and

thatsoundcanpollutethecelestialrealmbafflesme.Onceasoundisover,it’sgone.How

doesitpollute?Whatislefttopolluteanything?

15.Whatarethetonguesoffire?Howmanyarethere,andwhataretheirfunctions?



Secret of Tantric Rituals Resources

Prana Dharana: The Living Tantra Master Practice(Visit HimalayanInstitute.org/resources to see a guided practice of prana dharana, taught

by Pandit Tigunait.)

Prana Dharana—infusingthesixthchakrawiththelifeforce—inthreesteps:

Step 1. Bhastrika

Afterestablishingastablesittingpostureandasmooth,relaxedbreathingpattern,practice

bhastrikapranayamawithawarenessinthenostrils.(Bhastrikaisarhythmic,vigorouspranayama

inwhichboththeinhalationandtheexhalationareforceful.VisitHimalayanInstitute.org/resources

forinstructions.)

Step 2. Pracchardana

Whilepracticingbhastrika,slightlyconstrictthethroattodirectyourenergyandfocustothe

roofofthemouth(thesoftpalate).Thisispracchardana—strikingandvibratingthesoftpalate

withthebreath.

Step 3. Vidharana

Whenyourfocusisdrawntotheajna chakra,theeyebrowcenter,andintensifiesthere,finish

withastrongexhalationandadeepinhalationthroughthespotofintensefeeling.Retainthe

breath(kumbhaka)withyourfocusattheeyebrowcenter,andfillthisactivatedspace(theajna

chakra)withintention,purpose,andmeaning.Fillthespaceaboveandaroundthefocalpoint

attheajnachakrawithawareness.Retainthebreathforaslongasitiscomfortable,intensifying

andconcentratingthepranicforce.Thisisvidharana—anchoringpranainaspecialspace.

Nowyoucanbringthatpranicforceanywhereyouwant,insideoroutsideyourbody,anduse

itanywayyouwant.




Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra(Visit HimalayanInstitute.org/resources to hear a guided practice of the maha mrityunjaya mantra,

taught by Pandit Tigunait.)

Themaha mrityunjayamantraisahealingandnourishingmantraandis,inasense,theheart

oftheVedas.Thehealingforceawakenedbythismantrasendsforthitsripplesfrombodyto

psycheandfrompsychetosoul.Itstrengthensourpowersofwill,knowledge,andaction,thus

unblockingtheflowofenthusiasm,courage,anddetermination.Thevibrationofthismantra

awakenstheinternalhealingforcewhileattractingnature’shealingagents,creatingan

environmentwheretheforcesfrombothoriginsconverge.Thismantraconnectsustothe

healerwithinandhelpsusreceivethefullnourishmentfromfood,herbs,oranydiscipline

undertakenforourtotalwellbeing.

om, tryambakaà yajämahe

sugandhià puñhöi-vardhanam

urvä-rukamiva bandhanän

må(i)tyor-mukñhéya mä’må(i)tät

Translation:Imeditateon,andsurrendermyselfto,theDivineBeingwhoembodiesthe

powerofwill,thepowerofknowledge,andthepowerofaction.IpraytotheDivineBeingwho

manifestsintheformoffragranceinthefloweroflifeandistheeternalnourisheroftheplantof

life.Likeaskillfulgardener,maytheLordofLifedisentanglemefromthebindingforcesofmy

physical,psychological,andspiritualfoes.MaytheLordofImmortalityresidingwithinfreeme

fromdeath,decay,andsicknessandunitemewithimmortality.

Seminar Three-Forbidden Tantra--46

Final for ART

om, tryambaka yajāmahe

sugandhi puhivardhanam

urvārukamiva bandhanān

m(i)tyormukhīya mā'm(i)tāt




Online ResourcesatHimalayanInstitute.org/resources

Secret of Tantric Rituals Practices Online

RitualInvocationsandPrayers(audio)

InvocationsofGaneshaandBatukaBhairava

Prayertothe64Yoginis

InvocationofKshetrapalaandDashadikpala

Invocationofgroupof33divinities

ConstructingtheSarvatoBhadraYantra

PanditjiandMeeraTigunaitshowinghowtoconstructtheSarvato

BhadraYantra(video)

FireRitualManual

Themantras,translations,andinstructionsforconductingfirerituals(text)

PreparationsforFireRituals

Panditjishowinghowtobuildakunda(firepit),andhowtomakesamagri

(theingredientsusedinfirerituals)(video)

LivingTantraHavan

Panditjiexplainingandconductingafireritual(video)

TrikhandaandSamharaMudras

Panditjidemonstratinghowtoformtwoimportantmudrasforrituals(video)



Recommended Reading

From Death to Birth,byPanditRajmaniTigunait

At the Eleventh Hour,byPanditRajmaniTigunait

Tantra Unveiled,byPanditRajmaniTigunait

The Pursuit of Power and Freedom,(KathaUpanishad),byPanditRajmaniTigunait

Path of Fire and Light,bySwamiRama

Yantra, the Tantric Symbol of Cosmic Unity,byMadhuKhanna

AnytranslationofchoiceofthefollowingUpanishads:

Kena, Shvetashvatara, Mundaka,andPrashna

HealYourself,HealtheWorld:AMantraforPeaceandProsperity,”byRolfSovik,

Yoga + Joyful Livingmagazine,Nov/Dec2007

Supporting Practices Online

HathaYogaSequences(videounlessotherwisenoted)

HathaYogaSequence1

HathaYogaSequence2

HathaYogaSequence3

AsanainPreparationforBhastrikaPranayama

StrengtheningtheLowerBelly

Other Supporting Practices Online(videounlessotherwisenoted)

DiaphragmaticBreathing:TheFoundationforPranayama

BhastrikaPranayama

AnulomaPranayama

UjjayiPranayama

AgniSara

NauliKriya

ThreeSittingPosturesforPranayamaandMeditation

NadiShodhanamPranayama(audio)

Documents

Secret of Tantric Rituals - s3. Dharana Practice ... Much of efficacy of rituals depends on use of mantra d. Importance of maintaining purity of atmosphere and thoughts and speech