SRI MATA'S TANTRA (Soundarya Lahari 31)

Is there any mantra superior to that of Sri Mata? Surely there is none! Vasini Devathas declare in Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra, “ Maha Tantra Maha mantra Maha Yantra Mahasana MahaYaga kramaradhya Maha Bhairava pujitha”--She is the biggest ritual or tantra, highest mantra for Japam or chanting and the representative Yantra, seated on Her great “Pancha Brahmasana! She is worshipped through proper sacrificial rituals. Even Maha Bhairava offers his worship to Her! She is the bestower of the four essentials of our life, Dharma, Artha, Kama. and Moksha or Salvation or Mukti!! These four are called the “ Purusharthas fit to be achieved by every human being! “Purushartha Prada purna Bhogini Bhuvaneswari” She is the bestower of all the Purushathas; She is always full; She is called Bhogini or the Enjoyer and Bhuvaneswari, the Lord of all worlds! Mahakavi Kalidas, in his Syamala Dandaka, describes Sri Mata as “ Sarva mantratmike, sarva yantratmike, sarva tantratmike he Jagan Mathruke”- Oh Mother of worlds! You are the central core of all mantras, yantras and tantras!”

Sankara describes the manner in which the Tantra came to earth! Sankara says, “O Mother!   Iswara, according to different Siddhis, cheated the world with the sixty four “ Maya Sambara Tantras and is enjoying His Divine sport! Your Tantra, because of your compulsion, has come to earth as He has given upadesa to you! This Tantra is the essence and form of all the sixty four Tantras that offer all the four Purusharthas to human beings!”

Pasupati is Lord Siva, the Lord of all creatures including all of us, the mortals! He has helped the humans to achieve one or the other Purusharthas through the sixty four Tantras! Every Tantra is a means to attain a particular Siddhi or special power. Devi has persuaded the Lord to  bring down a single Tantra, of Herself, known as ,” Swatantra!”

This Tantra, by itself enables the mortals to achieve their ends! They can, by adhering to this Tantra realize the four Purusharthas viz Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha which are the four goals of human existence! This single Tantra has the effect or benefit produced by all the sixty  four Tantras!

Lord Siva gives upadesa of the Tantras to Devi in His abode Kailasa! This upadesa is totally recorded by Lord Vinayaka after completion. Later it is communicated to some Maharshi or Siddha Purusha on earth! This practice of communication is continued for ever and continued even today!