SRIVIDYA SPHURANA (THOUGHTS) – PART 23 - By Bhuvananandanatha

[AUM.Ravi]

Guruji: Initially there is only one achara i.e. kaula. In fact, there is no categorization of Srividya earlier.
The initial introduction of Srividya itself is kaula. Basis of this vidya is sixty four (64) tantras. Some of these tantras were told by Shiva to Shakti and some were told by Shakti to Shiva. The practitioners of this achara is known as Bhairava and Bhairavi. Later, because of some reasons, five more tantras evolved.
These tantras are known as Shubhagama panchakas. These were given by Lord Shiva in the embodiment of Dakshinamurthy to Sanakaadi rishis. These Shubhagama Panchakaas are based on Veda. Sadhakas
who follow these Veda tantras are known as Dakishnacharas. Sadhakas who follow any of the 64 tantras known as Kaulacharis. From then onwards people started categorizing Srividya in two ways i.e. kaula and Dakshina. The difference between these two acharas is in use of puja articles and methods. In most of the cases mantras are same.

Chanchal: Guruji, What is Vamachara and Samayachara?

Guruji: Vamachara is the branch of Kaulachara. There is no achara named Vamachara in fact. Please observe that even in Sri Lalitha Rahasya Nama stotras only Kaula, Dakshina and Samaya were referred
but not Vama. Because of some different puja methods Vamachara cult has been started. Samayachara is beyond all these acharas. A sadhaka who practices either Kual, Vama or Dakshina will finally reach to
Samayachara. Please note that he should reach to Samayachara stage. Then only one can say his sadhana is fructifying. Coming to the main differences, either in Kaula or Vama, pancha Ma kaaras will be used. Pancha Makaaras are artilces/methods start with letter Ma. They are Matsya (Fish), Maamsa (Meat), Mudra (A type of item prepared with Meat), Madya (alcohol) and Maidhuna (intercourse). This is the reason why Kaulachara is told as Veda bahya (not supported by Veda). Some people will not accept this achara. There are two sects in Kaulachara. They are Purva Kaula and Uttara Kaula. Purva kaulas will worship an image of
Srichakra drawn on a Bhurjari patra, copper, silver, gold etc. Uttara Kaulas will worship a woman’s yoni (vaginal) directly. Now a days, If you see, most of the people worship an image of Srichakra drawn on a Bhurjari patra, copper, silver, gold etc. Hence all those practitioners, whether pancha Ma kaaras used or not, are kaulas only.

The word kaula means laukik. A worship with an image (idol, yantra etc) is nothing but kaula only. The only difference is pancha Ma kaaraas. Your laukik (material) desires will be fructified through kaula worship but not self-realization.

Chanchal: Guruji, in that case Vigraharadhana (idol worship) is not good?
Guruji: Not at all. In Hindu cult there is no idol worship. Ignorant people only feel that there is idol worship. Whatever idols you see in our temples and other places are not mere idols. To say strong, they are not idols at all. They have prana i.e. life. Some of the idols are Swayambhu i.e. they evolve themselves and some are incarnated with prana pratistha. How can we say a thing having prana is
simple idol? If you go to a temple you feel some positive vibrations. Because of these vibrations your heart and mind feel some sort of unexplainable relaxations. This is the proof of divine life in temples.
Please note that an idol without prana (life) is jada (inexistence) only. This is the main difference between Hindu and other religions. This is the reason why Budhisam de-popularized later.

Chanchal: Great guruji. What you said is hundred percent logical. I am proud to be a Hindu.

In mean time Purna interfered and told…

Purna: If you observe Guruji’s words, you will come to know that all are one and same. Bahya (outer) devata and antar (inner) devata are one and same. This will help you to understand Aham Brahmasmi state.

Chanchal: It seems to be. But I do not have that much knowledge to understand the intrinsic concepts at present. Definitely I will try to reach that state by doing sadhana well. He replied and asked Guruji, what
are the other main differences of these acharas? What is Samaya and how a sadhaka should reach Samaya state? Please forgive my ignorance and throw some light on this Guruji.

Guruji started explaining him…..