{"collection":"tantra","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/tantra/htk/htk06.htm","path":"tantra/htk/htk06.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/tantra/htk/htk06.htm","text":"Hymn to Kali, by Arthur Avalon (Sir John George Woodroffe), [1922]\nO MAHE\u015aI, 1 even should one of poor mind 2 at any time recite but once another doubled B\u012bja of Thine, composed of \u012a\u015b\u0101na, 3 and V\u0101ma\u015brava\u1e47a, 4 and Bindu; 5 then, O Thou who hast great and formidable ear-rings of arrow form, 6 who bearest on Thy head the crescent moon, such an one becomes all powerful, 7 having conquered even the Lord of Speech 8 and the Wealth-Giver, 9 and charmed countless youthful women with lotus-like eyes. 10\nCOMMENTARY\n'Mahe\u015bi'\nPossessor of the great Power of creating, preserving and withdrawing.\n'At any time' (Kad\u0101cit)\nDurg\u0101r\u0101ma-Siddh\u0101ntav\u0101g\u012b\u015ba is of opinion that by the use of Kad\u0101chit it is meant that unlike other religious Karma which can be done only in a state of purity (\u015auci), Japa of the Mantra of K\u0101l\u012b can be done at any time whether one is in a state of purity or not (\u015aauc\u0101\u015bauca-k\u0101la). Here he says one should not give up the worship if there be a birth or death in the house. The Tantra-\u015a\u0101stra says that one should do Japa of the Mantra, whether one is in the state of purity or not, and whether walking, standing or sleeping.\n'Recite' (Japati)\nMeditate upon.\n'Of dual aspect' (Dvandvam)\nHaving the dual aspect of \u015aiva-\u015aakti. The Tantra-\u015a\u0101stra speaks of the King of Mantras being generated by the union of \u015aiva and \u015aakti\n'Another B\u012bja' (B\u012bjamanyat)\nThy causal (K\u0101ra\u1e47a) aspect which is the B\u012bja H\u016b\u1e41. In the Y\u0101mala it is said, 'It is with the double \u015aabdab\u012bja (which is H\u016b\u1e41) that She awakens the mass of \u015aabda.'\n'\u012a\u015b\u0101na'\nIs \u012a\u015bvara. Kathopani\u1e63ad says, 'Puru\u1e63a is the size of only a thumb. He is like smokeless fire, the Ish\u0101na of what has been and will be. He is to-day and He is to-morrow. This is That.' Indu is immortality. V\u0101ma\u015brava\u1e47a is the power of granting speech and of attracting forms (R\u016bpa). The Tantr\u0101bhid\u0101na says, '\u016a is Bhairava, subtle, Sarasvat\u012b . . . attractor of forms.'\nWho dost grant Nirv\u0101\u1e47a liberation. The Mah\u0101nirv\u0101\u1e47a-Tantra says, 'The forehead of Her who is Nity\u0101, K\u0101lar\u016bp\u0101, Ar\u016bp\u0101, and \u015aiva Himself is marked with the moon on account of immortality.'\n'Dost bear the half-moon' (Chandr\u0101rddhac\u016bde) 'Earrings'\nWhose earrings (things very dear) are formed of two S\u0101dhakas who are like Mahe\u015bvara and simple as boys; that is child-like simple S\u0101dhakas who have true knowledge are dear to Her. In the Vivekac\u016bd\u0101ma\u1e47i it is said, 'Just as a boy plays with toys heedless of hunger and other pain so the wise man plays happy, unattached and selfless.' Such a S\u0101dhaka attains all forms of knowledge and riches and can charm the whole world.\n(Mah\u0101ghorab\u0101l\u0101vata\u1e41se)\nThere is however another reading given by Durg\u0101r\u0101ma-Siddh\u0101ntav\u0101g\u012b\u015ba namely Mah\u0101ghor\u0101bal\u0101vata\u1e41se, that is whose earrings are formed of frightful arrows (B\u0101na).\n47:1 p. 48 \u015aakti or Mahe\u015ba the Lord of even Brahm\u0101, Vi\u1e63\u1e47u and Rudra (V). The Dev\u012b as \u012a\u015bvar\u012b, (Ruler), of the Universe and Spouse of Nirgu\u1e47a Mahe\u015bvara. \u012a\u015bvara, according to the Li\u1e45ga-Pur\u0101\u1e47a, when associated with Tamas, is Rudra the Destroyer; with Rajas, the One born from the golden egg, Brahm\u0101; and with Sattva, Vi\u1e63\u1e47u.\n47:2 p. 49 Mandacet\u0101h who is not capable of devotion to thy lotus feet according to Commentator K.B.; for, as the Brahm\u0101\u1e47da-Pur\u0101\u1e47a says, all sin is expiated by remembrance of the feet of the Supreme \u015aakti.\n47:3 That is, Ha.\n47:4 The 'left ear,' or long vowel \u016b.\n47:5 N\u0101da-bindu\u2014that is, H + \u016b + \u1e41 = H\u016b\u1e41 H\u016b\u1e41. He who makes Japa of H\u016b\u1e41 is more praiseworthy than Deva or Asura (Vi\u015bvas\u0101ra-Tantra) (K.B.)\n47:6 Worn by K\u0101l\u012b: reading B\u0101na instead of B\u0101la as to which see post.\n47:7 Vi\u015bvas\u0101ra (K.B.).\n47:8 B\u1e5bhaspati, Guru of the Devas.\n47:9 Dhanada, i.e. Kubera, Lord of Wealth, King of the Yak\u1e63as; according to one account the son, and, according to another, the grandson of Pulastya (see Muir, O\u1e62., T. iv, 481, 488; v, 483; i, 492).\n47:10 That is, to them are given eloquence and learning, riches and beauty.","title":"Hymn to Kali: Text: Verse 2","type":"page"}