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In the arrangement of the Yantra, the dot has the foremost place. It is the basic symbol of the infinitesimal and supreme power. Two kinds of appearance are denoted by dot - The size less appear once that has been accepted in Yantras to depict the supreme power. It is also called as the sound, which represents the omnipresent form of Brahma and the same dot, or the sound the smallest that has been accepted in occultism to depict the visible creation. All the subsequent geometrical forms or shapes are believed to be developed from the dot. The same dot is the symbol of the seeds of the creation or the resonance or sound element that is assumed to be the beginning of the creation. To depict the shape and formless Brahma, his primitive form has been accepted as a dot.
The first stage of the process of the creation is dot. It is also called as the super dot. It is the center of the explosion of the condensed and even powers. Both the elements of Shiva and Shakti are combined in a dot. All the possibilities of creation are assumed to be present in dot. For the beginning of creation conversion of super dot in to supreme dot is must. The supreme dot symbolises the highest creative force. These dots of Shiva and Shakti combine and expand to take the form of a circle. Expansion of a dot in three directions as three dots makes a triangle.
In Occultism the top most part of Shivalinga is assumed as a dot. Similarly, the navel of Vishnu is also symbolised by dot, from which the lotus of creation emerges and develops. Development of Shakti is said to have begun from the center as Shiva or the navel of lotus. In fact dot is the symbol of the smallest Chakra or Yantra, and is said to be the form of eternal joy. All the elements are present in it and from it the performer achieves the supreme position of the devotion.
In the occultism, dot differently symbolize Shiva and Shakti. Shiva is white dot, while Shakti is red dot. A white dot is also refereed to as 'Shukra' in occultism.
In the eye of occultism, two dots for Shiva and Shakti depict the duality of creation. They also depict different stages of the development sequences.
LINE
Two join any two dots, aline is necessary. In the view of occultism, aline is presumed to be a symbol of the power (Shakti) that began creation. It is not necessary that a line must always be depicted in absolute straight and fine form. It could be thick and explamatory as well. Vanakeshvara Tantra describes that at the beginning of creation, goddess assumes the form of a straight line. IN the art of occultism, the basic masculine (Purusha) and feminine (Shakti) elements of creation are depicted as a dot and a coloured line. The initial stage of the creation development is shown as a yellow straight line.
TRIANGLE
In occultism the perfect power or the motion of the life element has been explained by triangle. Among all the geometrical symbols, triangle has an extremely important place. In the evolutionary process of creation, the dot itself takes up the form and hence definition of the triangle.
It is the dot form that takes up the appearance of the sound and when the dot of power (Shakti) joins it, a triangle results,
Thus the three dots, that depict the name, the form and the motion, or power, make up the triangle or assume the shape of the triangle.
A triangle also depicts the entire trio that pertain to creation, such as Triguna, (three Virtues), Trideva (Trinity), Trishakti (Three powers), Tritatva (three elements), Triloka (three worlds), Devatrayes (three gods) etc.
Kama-Kala, that is the combined form of Shiva and Shakti that unite for the sake of creation, that eternal form is the triangle, or the three powers or of the three lingas.
At the center of the Chakra is the super power (Para Shakti) in the form of dot. When this super power is available for evolution (creation), it assumes the shape of a triangle. Tantraloka says that the mystical triangle, that is present in the aethur (Sky) or vacuum, is the Bhaga or vagina. Desires knowledge and action are its abode of the power a chinchini .
As per the occultism, the triangle pointing down wards represent vagina i.e. it is the symbol of mother or nature while those that point upward, depicts masculine elements. Thus, when two triangles, pointing upward or downward and depicting male and female owers overlap, they for a star shape with five angles, that symbolise and five major elements.
A combined form of the two male and female triangles appear as a hexagon also. In the sequences of creation, This hexagonal form is assumed to symbolize the active form of power, that is its royal form. In such a form, two triangles are assumed to be a symbol of Shiva and Shakti union, from which the process of creation begins.
Tabor is yet another form that results from the union of two triangles that depict Shiva and Shakti. It is a symbol of destruction, in while all the processors of country (earth) and the time are assumed to meet and end. Form of tabor is received when the front angle of up pointing and down pointing triangles meet each other.
TETRAGON
After triangle, the sequence of expansion assumes stable forms of the tetragon and circles. Thus in the forms or shapes accepted for symbolic expression tetragon has an important place.
Everywhere in the construction of Yantras, depiction of the limit of the external forms is based on the principle of tetragon. A tetragonal shape is seen in the depiction of the Muladhara. As such its colour is yellow. It is assumed to be a symbol of the element earth. (Fig. 25)
In the assumption of the forms,
a tetragon is obtained by placing of the basal lines of the masculine and feminine forms together.Tetragon is an essential but complete form of the Indian architectures. It is based on the presumption of the circle and emerges from it. This power forms a circle, in its development stages and establishes in the form of the tetragon. Circle and curved line are related to the growth and the motion of the life, where as a tetragon symbolises orderliness.
Tetragon is also assumed to be symbol of Bhupura or a symbolic township. It also indicated the tetragonal form of the temple or the seat and altar of the god. In the tetragonal form of the sanctum sanatorium, four doors are depreciated in the four directions. One door in each direction. These are the entrances for the devotees through which they make an entry in the Yantra-TantraPura (the inner sanctum of the yantra meant for occult) Thus the construction of the Yantras without the help of tetragon seems impossible.
CIRCLE
The combined dot form of Shiva (Purusha) and Shakti (Prakriti) expands to assume the shape of a circle or ring for the sake of creation.
The entire definition of the expansion that pertains to creation is found only in circle or ring from which other linear symbols develop. In every Yantra therefore a circle demarks the relation of the other developmental forms to the central point. Definitions like ring and spiral, besides sphere, halo, mantle, etc. are used for circle and wheel (Chakra).
HEXAGON
Hexagon has an independent significance from that of the triangles. An up pointing and down pointing triangles overlap to give hexagon. But when two triangles are formed with a single base line, with their front angles facing in opposite directions and away from each other, and these angles are cat by straight lines independently with independent existence. (Fig - 64).
OCCULTISM
As a distinct sect of thought and its practical cult form, occultism has been in existence since ancient times in India. It has no difference from common Indian religious streams, but it is an essential part of them. All the religious sects viz, Shaiver, Vaishnava Shakta, Banddha, Jain etc seem to have an equal inclusion of occultism along with its philosophy and cult as it practical application. The knowledge and practical aspects of occultism have always been regarded as mysterious and cryptic. Terminology of the occult scriptures is equally philosophical and cryptic, and appears to be absolute symbolic and formulatory. The hidden message of which can be understood by the learned person of occultism and the performer only.
It is believed in occultism that the knowledge of occult must be experienced internally alone. It’s not possible to express it verbally of through external media, nor is it required. Hence the language of occult tradition is absolutely cultural and symbolic. Detailed description of different subjects according to occultist view is found in different ancient occult scriptures. According to VARAHI TANTRA learned people know the occult that is rich in seven virtues viz-creation delunge, worship of the gods, perfection of all kinds, recreation, perfection of six deeds (Shatakarma Sadhana) and four kinds of Dhyanu yoga.
This definition seems to include the conceptual or theoretical and practical or devotional aspects of occultism. Hence it is clear that the practical or active aspect of this tradition is main and has always been emphasized down by the occult scriptures. First two virtues, mentioned above, show the comprehensive knowledge aspect of occultism, according to which theoretical form of all the possible problems that are related to the origin of the universe and delunge destruction are understood. Thus no question related to creation could escape the view of occultism.
DEFINATION OF OCCULTISM
Something through which all the surrounding things are known is knowledge, whereas something that always expands and protects is occult.
The Hindi world Tantra has originated from the Sanskrita root TATRI that means concept or knowledge.
ONE MORE DEFINITION
According to Vishwasara Tantra, whatever is present in occultism, is also present elsewhere, but what is not present in it, not present anywhere else.
According to Kamkagama of Shaiva Soddhanta : A Tantra (ooult) is so said because it expands those great meanings, which are full of Tatva (elements) and Mantras (Charms), and protects.
The Hindi word Tantra also means shortening or abridging that is, like the symbols of algebra, shortening or abridging of facts into mantras or sutras (formulae)
In the words of John Wudruff (Shakti and Shakta) : Tantra (occult) is, by its nature, an encyclopedic discourse. It is totally practical and has nothing to do with jargons. It kindles the light of knowledge and subsequently shows the path, treading on which one can achieve his goal. Through Tantra (occult) human being can awaken his internal spiritual power.
In the words of Philip Rhodson : Tantra (occult) is a specific expression of Indian soul, art and religion.
Tantra (occultism) is a cult of joy that is concentrated on the philosophy of the universe’s juvenility (youthfulness). Consequently all the lifestyles, rituals incentation, philosophy, signs and symbols that are related to occultism, concentrated on this philosophy thus, occultism has an independent, specific and mysterious point of view which is not possible to express or explain by brief definition, nor such an attempt helps to understand the vastness of Tantra Shastra.
There are five major parts of cult as per the occultism. These are
- Patal,
- Paddhati,
- Kavacha,
- Sahastranama and
- Stotch.
Among them, the fourth that is Sahastranama specifies all kinds of devotions which are the means to achieve different physical and spiritual perfection that in turn have supreme importance in occult. There are well-organised methods through which a person achieves perfection. By the fifth virtue Strota or recitation of God’s name is meant different procedures like Marana, Mohana, Uchhatana etc. which are performed to achieve various goals.
In the sixth virtue (Shatakarma) are included 1) Marana, 2) Mohana, 3) Uchchatana, 4) Keelana, 5) Viheshana and 6) Vashikarana, which are the Mantra knowledge of occultism, recitation of which forms the active or practical part of occultism.
The seventh virtue is Dhyanayoga, whish shows different kinds of deliberation on Dhyana and practice of yoga (which is the foundation of Tantra knowledge.) Training of the body is the basic principle of Tantra knowledge, because of which Yoga is regarded as an indispensable part of occultism. Accumulation of all the physical capacities and their concentration to gain knowledge is the basic system of Yoga and Dhyana. Various rituals are considered as essential for the perfection of these two. In the tantra cult, therefore, Mantra, Yantra, Yoga, Dhyana and Samadhi etc. are accepted as indisoensable means to achieve perfection.
MANTRA
MANANAM VISHVAVIGYANAM SANSAR BANDHANAT|
YATAMKAROTI SANSIDDHOMANTRA ITYVCHYATE TATAH||
The first and foremost important part of Tantra is Mantra. Mantra is infact the life of the Tantra, training, which through a well-designed methodology on can achieve worldly or ultra-worldly objectives. According to Tantra, the letters from A to Gya form the alphabet which is the direct medium of power and the root of cryptic mantras. Mantras formed by them as per the Tantrik (occultism) principles, take the shape of direct energy that causes supernatural spiritual upliftment.
Mantras are the most powerful media to free the practices from illusion or ignorance. In broader sense, all the verbal knowledge comes within Mantra, But in specific occultist sense, Mantra are assumed to show all kinds of expressed or mute sounds. From the explosion caused by the training of Mantras, extremely small power-waves or vibrations result that take the practicer to him goal. Through the Mantra itself, a practicer, mingles his own existence with the eternal power. According to Sharada Tilak Tantra, something through which the world feels and experience knowledge and gets free from the worldly bonds is Mantra.
Mantra or recitational worship is of three kinds :
1) Vachika - Verbal recitation
2) Upanashm - Recitation in low voice
3) Manasik - Recitation of Mantra with out voice or Mental recitation.
Tantra (occultism) recognizes the mental recitation only as the main mental recitation of Mantra is capable to awaken the latent or dormant divine forces present in the practicer. Thus in away, Tantra or the knowledge of occult yet another name for the correct knowledge of Mantra and the perfection of the processes related to it. And the purposes of Mantra is express the mystical feeling and knowledge of occultism in phonetic symbols.
YANTRA
The second indispensable part of occultism is Yantra, that means expression through mystical depiction of figures or shapes, such as Mantra is a phonetic expression. In the cult of occultism worship of Yantra is regarded as essential. Yantra are hence assumed as the symbols of highly spiritual and mystical powers. The word yantra has originated from the root yama that means to regularise, to control or to concentrate. In occult yantra is a means, with the help of which a desired perfection is achieved. It is through the Yantras that the practicer concentrates his internal and external forces and achieves his unification with the God of the Yantra or Mantra.
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