tantra

15.10.2022 Amnayas
The theory and practice related to amnayas are based on the legend that God Sadashiva from his five faces manifested five levels of knowledge – Amnayas, which he passed on to Shakti. The whole story is quite symbolic, because knowledge was transmitted through speech (i.e. the sound “nada”), and, in fact, Sadashiva himself is a symbol of “nada”, which is personified in the form of “maithuna” or “yamala” – an intimate connection between Shiva and Shakti. "Nada" makes Shiva and Shakti tattvas related to each other through the Sadashiva tattva. Read more>>
Tags: :  tantra theory forum interview
Author: Yogi Matsyendranath Maharaj

08.10.2022 The relation between kanda, Kundalini and chakras

Many translate the term कन्द (kanda) as "bulb", "rhizome", "tuber", "root", etc. But where does it come from? And what does it have to do with Kundalini and chakras?

I would translate the term as "bud" which contains a flower in its latent form. Kanda is the source of the potential unfolding, blooming of the flower, and some flowers may even have several rows of petals. The petals that have initially opened are directed upwards and sideways, followed by others, on top of them and from within. There are flowers that bloom on ''several levels'' vertically, but this is a single system. Flowers usually need a balance of sunlight and moisture for their growth. We know that in Tantrism the flower is a symbol of Shakti, and also chakras are often called flowers, lotuses.

20.01.2021 Navanathas and Chaurasi-siddhas
Each of the nine Nathas (Navanathas) is a svarupa of one or another Deity, and Nathas worship not just Deities, but their "svarupas" first and then Deities. “Svarupa” is the true form. For example, the body can be considered as a secondary form and the soul as primary form. Spiritual form is svarupa. In the Tradition, Navanathas have two forms: the first is "bhoga-rupa", the second is "yoga-rupa". “Bhoga” are forms such as Ganesha, Vishnu, Chandra, Parvati, Brahma and others, while “yoga” are forms such as Kantharnath, Santoshnath, Chauranginath, Udayanath, etc. Read more>>
Tags: :  nathas sampradaya yoga tantra
Author: Yogi Matsyendranath Maharaj

30.07.2018 Shiva and Shakti

Natha Sampradaya refers to the Shivaism, but this tradition also worships Shakti - the Goddess. Shakti is a power that allows Shiva to manifest as a form. We know many forms of Shiva - Rudra, Bhairava, Aghora, Sadyojata, Tatpurusha, Sadashiva. Generally, Shiva is the original emptiness, he is beyond all gunas (nirguna), beyond all qualities. He is the super-consciousness (parasamvit), is the omnipresent consciousness, and Shakti is the energy by which this consciousness is revealed.

15.09.2017 Kanda and its location
Many Yogic texts mention a certain area called kanda, which means "bulb" or "root", from where all body’s nadis take a flow. But since the texts sometimes contain different information about the location of kanda, confusion may arise. The reason for the misunderstanding may be that the concept of kanda is associated with tantric symbols which is not explained in the texts in details. Read more>>
Tags: :  yoga tantra sadhana kanda
Author: Lakshminath

09.12.2016 Viṣa and Amṛta in Tantra
Various Sampradayas could define many images of Vedas, Puranas, Tantras, Yoga-Shastras in their own, sometimes diametrically opposing ways. They use metaphorical language which is intentionally called 'sandha-bhasa’ by siddha yogis. This is a language which allows you to find doors to multidimensionality and versatility of meanings. One of such often described terms in Tantras is विष “viṣa” (poison), which is related to a poison consumed by Shiva after Samudra manthan (churning of the ocean by Devas and Danavas). Shiva also wears snakes instead of brahmanical thread and as earrings in his ears and etc. However, you may notice that the same element, for example, the churned ocean could produce opposite elements such as amṛta (nectar of immortality) and poison. Goddess Kundalini in her snake form could be associated with poison, but she is the Goddess of nectar, Sudha as well. Read more>>
Tags: :  amrita kundalini tantra vamachara
Author: Yogi Matsyendranath Maharaj

The worship of the Goddess Tripura Sundari ("Adesh", summer 2014)

Nowadays one of the most large-scaled current venerating the Mother Goddess in India is the cult of the Goddess Tripurasundari.

The name «Lalita Tipurasunadari» is translated as «one who has the nature of a play» (leela or vilasa), also «splendid in the three worlds». She liberates from these 3 worlds or bestow jivanmukti in them. Ususally she has the forms of Bala of 8 years old, Panchadashi of 15 years old, then of the age 16 and 28 years. There are some definite mantras for every age with the corresponding amount of bijas.

Vamachara ("Adesh", summer 2014)

In Hinduism vāmāchāra is considered to be a closed form of worship. It is closed for many reasons, three of them, the most significant, are listed below.

Vāmāchāra uses “impure” (as considered by the orthodox Hindu religion) elements as offerings to deities. A closed system of practice, that is closed, should not be transmitted to those individuals whom Guru considers as morally unscrupulous, able to use these practices to harm themselves and others. Vāma-Mārga practices should not be disclosed to those individuals who have no proper dikshā and blessings from their Guru, it is a secret associated with dikshâ.