18
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In which scriptures can we find the original stories of the Mahavidyas?
First of all it's a very very long answer.
PurAnic accounts of how the DashamahAvidyAs manifested
The following account appears in Devi PurAna, however the same appears also in the BhAgavata PurAna (...
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14
votes
Which are these so-called Garuda scriptures, by mastering which, one can digest even poison?
This is a reference to the Garuda Tantras, a set of Agamas which are now lost. Here is what pages 39- 42 of this book say:
No Garuda or Bhuta Tantras have been found.... The Shrikanthiyasamhita ...
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12
votes
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What is the difference between Dakṣiṇācāra and Vamachara Tantrism?
The sadhana of panchamakara is very a deep, secret and extensive subject. But since you don't have any backgrounds i am keeping my answer elementary and short.
According to the levels of advancement ...
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12
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What is the theory of creation of the universe as per agama/tantra section of Hinduism
I have posted it in my groups and blogs and reposting it here in parts.
षट् त्रिंशत् तत्त्वानि विश्वम्
ShaT triMshat tattvAni vishvaM (ParashurAma kalpasUtra.) This universe is nothing but ...
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12
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What is Vigyana Bhairava Tantra?
There have been, in India, two main ways of approach to Reality or the Essential Nature of Self,
Vivekaja mārga. (the path of distinction or discrimination). Systems following this mārga are ...
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12
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Does Tantra say cow is sacred animal?
Yes obviously. Like all other Hindu scriptures they also hold the same opinion about cows.
Trinam vapya-vidhAnena chedayenna kadAchana | VidhinA gAm dvijam
vApi hatvA pApairna lipyate ||
If ...
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11
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What is Sri Vidya?
Among the Dasa mahAvidyAs, the third mahAvidyA is Devi Shodashi or Goddess TripurA or TripurAsundari. Here is how they are mentioned in a verse from the ViswasAra Tantram:
KAli TArA MahAvidya ...
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11
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How can I start Tantra sAdhnA? Which all are the scriptures I need to study to have in-depth knowledge?
"How can I start Tantra Sadhana?" and "What are the scriptures I need to study in order to gain a thorough knowledge of Tantras?" are two separate questions unrelated to each other.
One can not ...
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9
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Do all Shaiva Siddhantins reject Vamachara practices as sinful?
Tirumular in Tirumantiram condemns Vamachara practises like drinking wine:
326: The Wicked Drink In VAma Tantra
Lust and drink, fit for the wicked are they;
In ritual unholy they drink and ...
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9
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How is tantric sex, meat eating and alcohol consumption justified?
As explained in this answer, Tantra is quite a deep subject and is meant to be kept as top secret too. Neither i will be able to explain to you its secrets nor you will be able to grasp what is being ...
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8
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Who are all the Gurus of Abhinavagupta and what Paramparas did they come from?
Durvasa Rishi created one mind-born daughter, whom he initiated completely in the monistic way. Known as the Ardhatryambaka school of the Bhairava Tantras, this teaching manifests itself secretly from ...
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8
votes
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Worshipping Lord Sharabha in Tantra
It is a noteworthy diety in shakta and shaiva tantric traditions. Also usually known by names like Sri Sharabheshwara or Sri Pakshiraaj. less audience is aware of such deities. It is also linked with ...
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8
votes
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Scriptural sources for different classification & types of mantra and their science
Mantras (मन्त्र) means “mystical formula” or a ritual formula used in worship , meditation , Yajnas (Sacrifices ) , devotion etc. in Vedic or Tantric practices and is associated or is of some ...
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8
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Why does Prakirti / MahaKundalini Shakti descend from her blissful state into worldly phenomena?
First verse of Pratyabhijna Hridayam states:
chiti swatantrA vishwasiddhi hetU: (pratyabhijna Hridayam 1.1)
The cause of manifestation of Universe is freedom (swAtantrya) of Universal ...
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8
votes
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What is the position of the Tantras among the holy scriptures?
Upendra Kumar Das writes in the introduction of the KulArnava Tantram:
One thing we need to fix our mind upon here. Hindu Dharma has two ways -
the Vedic way and the Tantric way - and they are ...
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8
votes
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About UcchistaGanapathi and why its regarded as highest Ganesha form
I don't think it is mentioned as the supreme form of Lord Ganesha but it's worship is different from the usual worship. Because it is done (as the word Ucchistha already indicates) in an impure state ...
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8
votes
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Understanding the history and construction of beeja mantra
Shiva Sutras by Jaideva Singh, Section II(comprises of 10 Sutras) greatly deals with mantras, mudras and science, etymology behind it.
The very first Sutras says:
Cittam mantrah.
चित्तम् in ...
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8
votes
How many Tantra (Sakta Agamas) texts are there?
Arthur Avalon mentioned in the Principles of Tantra(English translation of the Bengali work Tantratattva written by his guru Shivachandra Vidyârnava) that each Krântâ has it's own 64 sets of ...
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8
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Is Kurma Purana really both highly praising and degrading Shaivas at the same time?
In the passages you have provided what is praised is the Pashupata Yoga (also called the Pashupata Vrata) and what is condemned are sects like Pashupata. So, there is no contradiction as the same ...
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7
votes
Why people are afraid of Aghoris?
Aghora is one of the 'vaama-marga' in Hinduism i.e. left-hand-path is considered vaamachaara. The normal Hindu rituals are dakshinachara or colloquially called right-hand path.
Aghoris believe that ...
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7
votes
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Questions about the image of goddess Chhinnamasta?
ChinnamastA means the one with severed head. In the shAkta tradition, she is the sixth cosmic goddess of the ten "mahAvidyAs". Her form is very fierce and hence has attracted many ...
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7
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What is Shaktipata?
Shaktipata is the most essential part of the the Tantrik Deeksha Samskara. It literally means the transfer of energy from Guru to the disciple.
In KulArnava Tantram Lord Shiva clearly says, that ...
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7
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What are the letter of alphabets (varnas) associated with each of the Seven Chakras?
chakras have various number of petals which reflect their current. The life current in chakra is linked to its petals too. They are present in astral body.
moolAdhAra chakra - four petals - व श स ष (...
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7
votes
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Is there Vigyan Bhairav Tantra in Hindi available online?
You can download Vigyan Bhairav Tantra Hindi and Sanskrit by Vraj Vallabh Dvivedi eBook from archive.org
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7
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Does Kundalini Shakti once awakened cures all major disorders of mind and body?
“As one opens the door with a key, so the yogi should open the gate to liberation with the kundalini. The great goddess sleeps, closing with her mouth,, the opening through which one can ascend to the ...
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7
votes
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How many stages are there in Samadhi? Does Patanjali yoga sutras mention different stages of Samadhi?
Yes, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras mention different stages of Samadhi.
Swami Vivekananda's Raja Yoga on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras:
वितर्कविचारानन्दास्मितानुगमात् सम्प्रज्ञातः ॥१७॥
17. The ...
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7
votes
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Will a sati go to heaven or hell?
There are scriptures that have a contradictory view. These 2 verses from Manu Smriti proove that Sati wasn't enforced or even common during those days.
He who takes care of his deceased brother's ...
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7
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How many Devi Sahasranamas are there in scriptures?
Few more Sahasranamas dedicated to Devi (Adi Parashakti) are also there.
Durga Sahasranama from Skanda Purana
https://sanskrit.safire.com/pdf/DURGA_SAHA.PDF
Durga (a.k.a Parvati) Sahasranama from ...
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6
votes
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Sources describing rituals for collecting herbs
Well, for collecting leaves like Durva, Bilva and Tulasi to be used in Puja there are certainly some mantras that are used.
Tulasi chayana mantra:
Om TulasyamritanAmAsi Sada Twam Keshava PriyA | ...
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