Shaktism: Tantra and Mantra in Sarala Mahabharata
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Orissa Review Buddhism, Tantrism could practical ways to realize flourish luxuriously. Tantrism spiritual excellence. Tantrism, became almost an inseparable in other words, is the most part of Buddhism right from the direct, the surest and the safest Shaktism: time of Nagarjuna, one of the path to gain knowledge and celebrated Buddhist monks4. In achieve realization. the mainstream of Indian Tantra and The other name of religious practice we notice two tantra is Agama. The branch courses; one Vaidic, the other Mantra in of knowledge that is capable of Tantric. As the trend of history giving both enjoyment and shows, tantrism gained its Sarala detachment is Agama. popularity all across the Indian Tantrism, however, is divided sub-continent during the Mahabharata into three major streams± medieval period and was practised widely by the religious Agama, Nigama and Yamala. The one that comes directly Dr. Satyabrata Das preachers of almost all faiths and creed. from the lips of Lord Shiva is Dr. U. N. Sahoo called Agama; the one that Tantra or tantrism, as comes from Shakti is called we commonly perceive, refers Nigama; the third one that to the Holy Scriptures relating comes neither from Lord Shiva to Shaktism. This however is a nor Shakti is called Yamala. The tradition of tantra in India narrow perception. In fact Though Yamala comes neither is very ancient. Historians fail tantra, as a concept and from Lord Shiva nor Shakti, to determine exactly when it branch of knowledge, is quite still it has its intimate links with began. However, the majority broad and versatile. In its both. As a matter of fact, there of Scholars and Researchers broader perspective tantrism is not much of difference agree that tantrism flourished refers to the branch of between Agama and Nigama. at some point of time between knowledge that protects and Agama is further divided into 5th and 6th century1. We get liberates its practitioners. As a two sub-branches ± Sadagama ample references to tantrism Western scholar Sir John and Asadagama. in the ancient Vedic literature. Woodroff looks at it, tantra is In course of time we find the holy Bible of the Hindus that The Sadagama creed evidence of the application of they practise for the liberation prescribes in all details the tantra in Hinduism, Buddhism of their souls5. Thus tantrism rituals and the code of and Jainism. The latter is not at all theoretical. Rather, conduct for the follower or Buddhism is popularly known it is a lively, vibrant branch of practitioner. Whereas, as Tantric Buddhism2. It knowledge that is practised Asadagama is relatively more flourished between 8th and 12th and applied directly in life. In flexible and accommodative. century A.D.3 Historians argue this we find a very sophisticated However, tantra is a much out that owing to the favourable and exhaustive analysis of broader field of knowledge that attitude and circumstances of human body system and the includes medicine, philosophy, October - 2010 1 Orissa Review chemistry, astrology, mantra, flourished in ancient Kalinga. Khandava fire (in which the yantra and yoga. In course of time Saivism, Khandava forest was It is fascinating to note Vaishnavism and Shaktism all completely destroyed) and that both tantrism and the fused themselves with the taught the latter a number of Vedas are very intimately Buddhist Sahaja Yana and tantric techniques such as related. Often their relationship Vajra Yana and created a Stambhana, Mohana, Basikarana, Uchattana etc. is compared with Jeevatma wonderful integration. We may recall how the celebrated Similarly, Sarala mentions how and Paramatma. Buddhist monk Nagarjuna had Mayavati, had mastered most The tradition of mastered the Mayura Vidya of these Tantric techniques such tantrism in Orissa is very and popularized his own creed as Stambhana, Mohana, ancient. Since as early as the ³Sunya Vada´ during 6th Basikaran, Uchattana and third and the second century century A.D. In the 7th Century Gutika etc. Mayavati (the B.C. tantrism has been there three great Buddhist scholars mother of the Pradyumna), the in the ancient Kalinga, the (Manjushree, Budhisree and wife of Kamadeva, as Sarala modern Orissa. Different kings Chandragami) popularized mentions, offers princess and rulers patronized tantrism the Buddhist Nagantaka Subhadra such Tantric and helped promote this sect. philosophy. This Mayura techniques like mantra Anjana Especially during the tenure of Vidya was basically Tantric in and Gutika that helps her win the Bhaumakara dynasty it got its approach. Both the over Arjuna. In this context a lot of attention and patronage Nagantaka and the Sarala gives extensive and reached the pinnacle of its Yogantaka philosophy ended references to mantra, tantra glory. Evidences are galore that up in the Tantric activities like and yantra. At that point of time in the ancient Kalinga there tarana and marana. it was a usual practice to resort were a great many tantra Sarala Mahabharata is to those techniques to win over Sadhakas who could do indeed a treasure-trove of a man or woman. spectacular things that amazed tantra. There are extensive Sarala further mentions the kings and rulers. And in turn discussions on the various how Kamaksya Devi knew all they gained the royal aspects of tantrism in this great those tantric techniques like confidence and support. That epic. For example, Shatkarma Stambhana and Mohana etc. took them a long way in (a tantric method capable of She could serve lakhs and lakhs consolidating their position and achieving impossible things like of people by cooking only a popularity. gratifying the sensual desires, pot-full of rice. She was in fact Since the historic getting rid of the incurable the divine power who blessed invasion of emperor Ashoka, diseases and protecting oneself all the tantric practitioners. In ancient Kalinga has been the against natural disasters etc) a similar account Sarala nourishing ground of has been mentioned widely in mentions how Krupi, the wife Buddhism. The two sects of Sarala Mahabharata. We may of Dronacharya, could feed Buddhism (Sahaja Yana and recall how Agnidev (the God thousands of soldiers of the king Vajra Yana), those were of Fire) was pleased with of Drupada. She too knew the heavily influenced by tantrism, Arjuna after the great Tantric method. Sahadeva, one 2 October - 2010 Orissa Review of the Pandava brothers, was Sri Krsna some dust charged Kamapala (of Kaunri) the latter a veteran in the art of with mantra that made all the refrained himself from it at the Stambhana, Mohana and cow-herd boys fall into deep instruction of Goddess Anjana. Sarala mentions how sleep instantly. All those Kamakshi. At another point it Lord Shiva Himself was mantras could make is mentioned that Bhairavi of seduced by a demoness impossible possible. They Kamrup had offered a mantra (Hiranyaksi). He forgot his could give super-natural (Called Kamyak) to Bhima to wife Parvati (temporarily powers to the mortals and cure win the war and to keep the though) and enjoyed the incurable diseases. army well-fed only with a demoness Hiranyaksi. Similarly, Arjun was an handful of rice. Goddess Sarala Dasa also expert in Garedi mantra. As Kamakshi was pleased with mentions about various Sarala Dasa mentions prince Bhima and taught him some mantras those are effective in Uttara Kumar was bitten by a mantra like Stambhana and realizing various worldly poisonous Cobra while getting Ulluka to help and facilitate the ambitions and desires. For the arms out of the tree trunk. Raja Suya Yanja organized by example, Gorekhanath had Arjun instantly cured him by Sri Ram at the end of the offered stambhana mantra to reciting the Garedi mantra. Mahabharata war. Nakula. Lord Shiva had also Sarala mentions how In yet another episode blessed Nakula with the Aswatthama was shooting Sarala talks about princess mantra to restrain himself from powerful arrows charged with Bhanumati¶s knowledge of the sleep and sex. Sri Krsna, as some intricate Mantras. In science of tantra that could Sarala mentions, had given the another situation Sarala take care of the hospitality of Ulluka mantra to the mentions how Agnidev (God all the aspiring princes in the Pandavas that could make them of Fire) was pleased with Arjun Swayamvara ceremony. It invisible. It was a very effective after the latter set the was Bhanumati herself who strategy to evade enemies. In Khandava Forest on fire and oversaw the whole affair by her another episode we get the offered him a Mantra that could Tantric power and everything account of Sri Krsna who multiply the arrows that Arjun ended in a grand manner. sustained injury on his fore- shot at his enemies. In yet head as he was trying to sneak Similarly, in the context another context Sarala into Sri Radha¶s chamber. He of the abduction of mentions how Mayavati gave bled profusely. Sri Brahma Kamadhenu by the Astavasus some Mantras (like anjana and touched the wound reciting the Sarala talks of the Go Harana gutika) to Subhadra that Kataksya Mantra and Sri (abduction of cows) mantra. In helped her quench the sex Krsna got instant relief. another episode Sarala passion of Arjun. Here Sarala Brahma gave Sri Krsna a mentions how lord Shiva has mentioned about the mantra balm that was charged with brought king Drupada back to that could open any locked- mantra. When the latter senses (as he lays unconscious room. It is called Ulluka. applied that balm in his eyes He after doing penance for eighteen could even see clearly in the Similarly, when Bhima years) by applying tarana dark. Further, Brahma gave advanced to fight with king mantra. In yet another instance October - 2010 3 Orissa Review we see how Arjun could bring at midnight she is Mohini were Kali, Tara, back to life the dead Kaurava (enchantress) and Chamunda.