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Devi Rahasya Tantra

There are many compilations or tantrik digests, discussing a variety of topics a sadhaka or sadhvini
needs to know. Below is a summary of the contents of the Devi Rahasya, which will give an idea of the
scope of this type of work. There is little philosophy here; practically the entire contents of the work
deals with mantra, yantra, puja and sadhana of the different gods and goddesses discussed. I have
translated some of these chapters as part of The Magic of Kali. Rahasya means secret and the work
does cover most of the topics a practitioner would need to know. These include purascarana, which is
the preparatory work before puja proper can start. This is very arduous, involving the recitation of
mantra and a ritual which spans many hours. The Devi Rahasya, however, introduces some short-cuts
for the Kaula initiate.
The panchangas (five-limbs) in Devi Rahasya give the essential information for a sadhaka or sadhvini
and give intriguing insights into various aspects of devata worshipped by the Hindu tantrikas. .
Chapter 1
This deals with the characteristics of Guru and pupil, with the planetary positions and times of initiation,
with the attendant disqualifications on both pupils and gurus. It also deals with the sequence of
initiation, the purification of the disciple, and the initiation of Shaktis.
Chapter 2
The different mantras of the Devis are given. The Devis mentioned are Bala (an aspect of Tripurasundari
as a young girl), Panchadashi and Sodasi (Tripurasundari), Tripura, Vidyarajni (Queen of Vidya),
Bhadrakali, Matangi, Bhuvaneshvari, Ugratara, Chinnamasta, Sumukhi (Pretty Face), Sarasvati,
Annapurna (Full of Food), Mahalaksmi, Sarika(Small Bodied), Sarada(Autumnal), Indraksi(Indra's
eyes), Bagalamukhi, Mahaturi(The Transcendent Fourth), Maharajni(Great Queen), Jvalamukhi(Fire-
Faced -- Devi as a volcanic mountain), Bhida, Kalaratri (Night of Time), Bhavani, Vajrayogini,
Dhumravarahi(Smoky Varahi Devi), Siddhalakshmi, Kulavagisvari, Padmavati, Kubjika (Crooked One),
Gauri (Fair One), Khecari, Nilasarasvati, Parasakti.
Chapter 3
Gives the different Saiva mantras such as: Mrtyunjaya(Siva as Conqueror of Death), Amrtesvara,
Vatukabhairava (Siva in His aspect as a terrifying boy), Mahesvara, Siva, Sadasiva, Rudra, Mahadeva,
Karala(Formidable One), Vikarala, Nilakantha, Sarva, Pasupati (Lord of Beasts), Mrda, Pinaki, Girisa,
Bhima, Mahaganapati, Kumara, Krodhanesa, Isa, Kapalisa, Krurabhairava (Cruel Bhairava),
Samharabhairava (Dissolution Bhairava), Isvara, Bharga, Rurubhairava, Kalagnibhairava, Sadyojata
(instantly arising -- a name of Siva as penis), Aghora, Mahakala and Kamesvara.
Chapter 4
The different mantras of Visnu are here given. These are the Laksmi-Narayana mantra, and the mantras
of Radhakrsna, Visnu, Laksmi-Nrsimha, Laksmi-Varaha, Bhargava, Sita-Rama, Janardana, Visvaksena
and Laksmi-Vasudeva;
Chapter 5
The different Utkelana (laying open) of the mantras given above are given. These are mantras which
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themselves open the mantras up to use.
Chapter 6
Gives the vitalising mantras of the Devatas described in chapters 2,3 and 4.
Chapter 7
In this chapter the mantras used for reminding any curses that may have become attached to the mantras
in chapters 2, 3 and 4 are given.
Chapter 8
The method of reciting mantras is here described. The Guru-puja mantra is given.
Chapter 9
Deals with the method of putting together the mantras already described in chapters 2,3 and 4.
Chapter 10
Purascarana, or the performance of acts by which a given mantra may be made efficacious, is described
in this chapter. This is performed by reciting it 400,000, 200,000 or 100,000 times. It should be
performed under a fig tree, in the wilderness, in the cremation ground, in a desert, at crossroads, and
should be started at midnight or midday. Purascarana should be done under auspicious astrological
configurations after having worshipped one' s own guru. A yantra is described which should be used in
its application. The sadhaka has to fill four pots at the cardinal points. At the end of the chapter
alternative methods of doing this necessary act are described. These are through sexual intercourse with
an initiated sakti, by reciting the mantra during the birth of a child of the in-group, on a dead body in a
cremation ground, during the time the Sun takes to rise and set, in a solar or in a lunar eclipse.
Chapter 11
Continues the topic of the previous chapter, and describes the Homa which should be done.
Chapter 12
Describes in code form the unfolding of the different yantras of the Devatas described in chapters 2,3
and 4.
Chapter 13
This chapter describes how an amulet may be made of the yantra of one' s own Istadevata, bound into a
ball, and carried upon the person. This amulet is said to give miraculous results. The yantra should be
drawn upon birch-bark using 8 different kinds of scent. These are described as Svayambhu, Kundagola,
Rocana, Aguru, camphor, musk, honey, and that arising from Malaya (i.e. sandal). The first two are
well-known in the tantras as arising from various Kula women at the menstruation time. The others have
similar significance in the left handed and Kaula tantras. Various methods of purification are given in the
text, and it is declared that the 1,000 names of the particular Devata should be written around the
yantra.
Chapter 14
Gives details of the Rsis or Seers of the various mantras.
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Chapter 15
The sadhana of the cremation ground. begins to be described. This chapter contains only 13 verses but
there is an extensive commentary provided.
Chapter 16
Continues the topic. The different Bhairavas of the elements have to be worshipped. Mahakala-bhairava
is the Seer of the mantra, Ushnik is the metre, Sri Smasana is the Devata, Hrim is the bija, Hum is the
sakti and Krim is the kilaka. The application of the mantra is in the attainment of the four aims of
mankind.
Chapter 17
Purification of the rosary formed from human skulls is discussed here.
Chapter 18
In this chapter rosary and yantra purification is dealt with. The nature of the five products of the cow
and the Yantresvari mantra are also discussed.
Chapter 19
The origin of wine is the subject of this chapter. Nine vessels which form the receptacles in which wine
is kept are discussed. The presiding Devatas of these are Sadasiva, Isvara, Rudra, Visnu, Paramesti,
Indra, Guru,(Jupiter), Sukra (Venus) and the Sun and the Moon taken together.
Chapter 20
Gives further details concerning wine.
Chapter 21
The Santi Stotra commences this brief chapter. This hymn removes the curse attached to wine.
Chapter 22
This continues the topic of wine, and discusses how the same may be purified. It gives details
concerning Anandabhairava and his Sakti Suradevi. The gayatri of the former is given as: Anandesvaraya
vidmahe Sri Suradevyai Dhimahi tanna Ardhanarisvara pracodayat. (Let us think of the Lord of Bliss, let
us contemplate the Auspicious Suradevi. May that half-Siva and half-Sakti form direct us. ) The dhyana
of Tiraskarani Devi is given towards the end of the chapter together with Her prayogas (rituals) etc. She
confers invisibility on a sadhaka.
Chapter 23
This chapter deals with the purification of nine Saktis, who are Nati (actress), Kapaliki(bearing skulls),
Vesya (whore), Rajaki (washer-woman), Napitangana (barber' s wife), Brahmini, Sudrakanya (Sudra's
daughter), Gopalakanyaka (Cowherd' s daughter) and Malakarakanya (Daughter of a Garland-Maker).
The Devata of this rite to follow is called Parambika-. The best time for the rite is at midnight. The puja
sequence is given, and it is stated that the girl should be placed on the left of the sadhaka in a Sri Cakra.
She has to have dishevelled hair, be free from shame, and adorned with jewels. The various mantras of
each of these nine Kumaris are given. Details are given of the left handed cakra of eight or eleven
couples and the mantras to be used.
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Chapter 24
This gives various materials of which a rosary may be made, as also the way knots and so on are to be
tied. The rosary made of human skulls is described, as well as rosaries made from various trees, tulasi
rosaries, crystal, rudraksa, jewels, gold, and rosaries made from lotus seeds and human teeth. The last,
and the first, are to receive specific kinds of purification.
Chapter 25
The purification of yantras and the various materials from which they are made are discussed in detail.
Yantras are spoken of as eightfold as being made from gold, silver, copper, crystal, birch, bone, hide and
Visnu-stone. The mantras for purifying these eight materials are given, and rites performed at night are
discussed at the end of the chapter.
Chapters 26-30
These chapters comprise the Ganapati Pancangam (5 limbs). These limbs are (i) Mantra, Yantra, Dhyana
and the six karmas or magical acts (ii) The worship of Mahaganapati (iii) The Kavaca or Armour of
Mahaganapati (iv) The 1000 Names of Mahaganapati and (v) the Mahaganapati Stotra or Hymn.
Chapters 31-35
The Surya Pancangam or the Five Limbs of the Sun.
Chapters 36-40
The 5 limbs of Laksmi-Narayana.
Chapters 41-45
The 5 limbs of Mrtyunjaya.
Chapters 46-50
The 5 limbs of Durga Devi
Chapter 51
Deals with the rahasya or secret of Durga Devi.
Chapter 52
This brief chapter describes the mantra sadhana of the Durgarahasya, deals with enlivening of the
mantra, and with its putting together.
Chapter 53
Discusses Nilakantha, or the blue-throated manifestation of Siva, when he drunk the poison produced by
the churning of the Milk Ocean. It gives His mantra, dhyana, and the seer.
Chapter 54
Discusses initiation, and its time, and deals with Guru initiation..
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Chapter 55
This chapter discusses Purascarana and deals with the same done for the disciple by the Guru. It
describes, in addition, the best places for doing the same.
Chapter 56
Pancaratnesvari, or the Devi of the five jewels, together with the mantra unfolding of Durga, Sarada,
Sarika, Sumukhi and Bagala are dealt with here.
Chapter 57
Homa done at night in the cremation ground forms the substance of this section.
Chapter 58
Deals with the characteristics of cakra worship, the nature of those sadhakas entitled to it, the placing of
the pot (kumbha) and the giving of bali or animal sacrifice. At the end Kanyapuja, or worship of virgins,
is described.
Chapter 59
This chapter discusses the different paths, such as Daksinacara, Vamacara, and Kulacara.
Chapter 60
Deals with the guru.
Thus ends the Devirahasya proper
Appendices
(i) The 5 Limbs of Jvalamukhi-Devi (ii) The 5 Limbs of Sarika-Devi (iii) The 5 Limbs of Maharajni-Devi
(iv) The 5 Limbs of Bala-Tripurasundari (v) Uddharakosa, a compilation which deals with the mantras
and dhyanas of a host of Tantrik deities, and also contains a compendium of the letters of the Sanskrit
alphabet and their tantrika meaning.
There are 48 tantras mentioned in the text. They are Agamalaharitantra, Agamasiromani, Agamasindhu,
Agamamrtatantra, Agamamrtmanjari, Agamarnavapiyusatantra, Agamalankaratantra, Agamadotatantra,
Uddamaratantra, Kaminikalpa, Kamesvaratantra, Kalaratrikalpatantra, Kalikasarvasvatantra,
Kalipatalatantra, Kalirahasyatantra, Kalisarvasvatantra, Kubjikasiromani, Kulacudamani,
Kulasiddhasantana, Kulikarnava, Chinnarahasya, Chinnasiromani, Jvalasiromani, Tantramuktavali,
Tripurasundarisarvasvam, Tripuratika, Tripuratilakatantra, Tripurasiromani, Tripurarasasarasarvasvam,
Bhairavatantra, Bhairavasarvasvam, Mantrasagara, Mundamalatantra, Rudrayamala, Vamakesvaratantra,
Visvanathasaroddhara, Visvayamala, Saradatilaka, Saradapatala, Saradatika, Syamatantra,
Syamarahasya, Siddhasarasvatatantra, Sundarisiromani, Sundarisarvasvam, Svatantratantra.