Intro to Sri Vidya Tantra—Part 4

Continued from Part 3 of this series.

As discussed in the first part of this series, we will explore the Sri Vidya tradition by dividing it into nine significant steps. In the previous post, we covered Step 1: Revering Ganesha. Now, we progress to the second.

Sri Vidya Step 2: Invoking The Masculine

The Sri Vidya tradition aims to help you experience oneness with Divine Energy. While many covet the outcome, they are unaware that bearing the presence of this vast reservoir-like Energy is not a child’s play.

Robust physical health is almost a non-negotiable requirement for practicing this tradition to its fullest. The good news is that, regardless of your ailments, Sadhana may help you prepare your body and mind.

The more Sadhana we do, our body and mind are ready to accept Divine Energy.

Parama Shiva and Maha Vishnu

Central to this second step is the invocation of Parama Shiva and Maha Vishnu. The Sadhana of these masculine energies helps us better prepare for the mantras of Sri Vidya.

Please keep in mind that Rudra Shiva and Vishnu Dev were historical figures who lived and breathed as described in the Puranic scriptures. However, Parama Shiva and Maha Vishnu are Tantric concepts.

In our current context, Parama Shiva symbolizes mindfulness and tranquility. Meanwhile, Maha Vishnu denotes faith and surrender of our ego. These spiritual qualities serve as the foundation for advancement on our spiritual path, especially in Sri Vidya.

Taken for Granted

Have you ever noticed how we often take things and people that are easily accessible for granted? For example, a guru from the past or someone who is beyond our reach appears more alluring than the one before us. The history of my beloved Om Swami illustrates this point.

My friend-guru used to travel through airports and other places where only a handful even stopped to look at or care for him. Someone I knew even derided him: What purpose does a Tantra practitioner have in cities? These people are better off in jungles.

Then, as he rose to fame, many sought him out for initiation and protection, including the one who mocked him. People were even envious of me (who had chosen a not-so-popular mentor purely for his wisdom) for having had the opportunity to learn from him one-on-one.

The scenario is the same with mantras. We go in search of exotic-sounding mantras while ignoring simple yet profound chants that are easily accessible.

Simple yet Profound

Amongst many masculine mantras, the simple yet profound Shiva Panchakshari and Vishnu Dvadasha Akshari are epitomes of potency in our journey to oneness with Divine Energy.

I can personally testify to the transformative power of the Shiva Panchakshari mantra. I received a divine vision of Shiva and Shakti by chanting this mantra more than a million times with bhakti for three years. That’s how powerful this simple mantra is, and the same applies to Vishnu Dvadasha Akshari.

The best part is that these mantras do not even require initiation. You can start chanting them now, with no negative consequences whatsoever. To take it a step further, you can perform the Sadhana of these masculine chants for free on the Sadhana App.

In Sri Vidya

Later in this series, I will discuss the Kundalini Sadhana, in which the masculine energies govern the Three Granthi or Energy Knots.

Further, Vishnu’s mantras cleanse the Svadhisthana or Sacral Chakra, and those of Shiva cleanse the Ajna or Third Eye Chakra. The third masculine energy, Brahma, works with Ganesha to cleanse the Muladhara or Root Chakra.