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O Dearest One! the waters of Ganga, or of any other river, tank, pond, well, or pool, or of the celestial Ganga,
are equally purifying (72). O Thou of auspicious Vows! the ashes from a place of sacrifice and cleansed earth
are excellent, and the skin of an antelope and grass are as purifying as earth (73). O Auspicious One! what
need is there to say more about purity and impurity? Whatever purifies the mind that the householder may do
(74). Let there be external purification upon awakening from sleep, after sexual intercourse, making water,
voiding the bowels, and at the close of a meal, and whenever dirt of any kind has been touched (75).
Sandhya, whether Vaidika or Tantrika should be performed thrice daily, and according as the worship
changes so does its service (76). The worshippers of the Brahma-Mantra have performed their Sandhya when
they have made japa of the Gayatri, realizing within themselves the identity of the Gayatri and Brahman (77).
In the case of those who are not Brahma-worshippers, Vaidika Sandhya consists of the worship of and
offering of oblations to the Sun and the recitation of the Gayatri (78).
O Gentle One! In all daily prayers recitation shouldbe done one thousand and eight or a hundred and eight or
ten times (79). O Devi! the Shudras and Samanyas may observe any of the rites proclaimed by the Agamas,
and by these they attain that which they desire (80). The three times of performance (of Sandhya) are at
sunrise, at noon, and at sunset (81).
Chapter 8 - The Dharmma and Customs of the Castes and Ashramas 106
Mahanirvana Tantra (Tantra of the Great Liberation)
Shri Devi said:
Thou hast Thyself said, O Lord! that when the Kali Age is in full sway for all castes, commencing with the
Brahmamas, Tantrika rites are alone appropriate. Why, then, dost Thou restrict the Vipras to Vedic rites? It
behoveth Thee to explain this fully to Me (82-83).
Shri Sadashiva said:
O Thou Who knowest the essence of all things, truly hast Thou spoken. In the Kali Age all observances bear
the fruit of enjoyment and liberation when done according to the rites of the Tantras (84). The
Brahma-Savitri, though known as Vaidika, should be called Tantrika also, and is appropriate in both
observances (85). It is, therefore, O Devi! that I have said that when the Kali Age is in full sway, the
twice-born shall alone be entitled to the Gayatri, but not the other Mantras (86). In the Kali Age the Savitri
should be said by the Brahmanas, preceded by the Tara, and by the Kshatriyas and Vaishyas, preceded by the
Kamala and Vagbhava Vijas respectively (87). In order, O Supreme Devi! That a distinction may be drawn
between the twice-born and the Shudras, the daily duties are directed to be preceded by Vaidika Sandhya
(88). Success, however, may also be attained by the mere following of the ordinances of Shambhu. This is
verily true, and I repeat it is true and very true, and there is no doubt about it (89). O Adored of the Devas!
even if the stated time for the saying of the daily prayer is past, all who desire emancipation and are not
prevented by sickness or weakness should say, "Ong the Ever-existent Brahman" (90). The seat, clothes,
vessels, bed, carriages, residence, and household furniture of the worshipper should be as clean as possible
(91). At the close of the daily prayers the householder should keep himself occupied with household duties or
the study of the Vedas; he should never remain idle (92). In holy places, on holy days, or when the Sun or
Moon is in eclipse, he should do inward recitation, and give alms, and thus become the abode of all that is
good (93).
In the Kali Age life is dependent on the food that is eaten, fasting is therefore not recommended, in lieu of it,
the giving of alms is ordained (94). O Great Queen! in the Kali Age alms are efficacious in the
accomplishment of all things. The proper objects of such alms are the poor devoted to meritorious acts (95).
O Mother! the first days of the month, of the year, of the lunar half-months, the fourteenth day of the lunar
half-month, the eighth day of the light half of the lunar month, the eleventh day of the lunar half-month, the
new moon, one's birthday, the anniversary of one's father's death, and days fixed as those of festivals, are
holy days (96-97).
The River Ganges and all the great Rivers, the house of the religious Teacher, and the places of the Devas are
holy places. But for those who, neglecting the study of the Veda, the service of mother and father, and the
protection of their wife, go to places of pilgrimage, such holy places are changed to hell (98-99). For women
there is no necessity to go on pilgrimage, to fast, or to do other like acts, nor is there any need to perform any
devotion except that which consists in the service of their husband (100). For a woman her husband is a place
of pilgrimage, the performance of penance, the giving of alms, the carrying out of vows, and her spiritual
teacher. Therefore should a woman devote herself to the service of her husband with her whole self (101).
She should ever by words and deeds of devotion act for the pleasure of her husband, and, remaining faithful
to his behests, should please his relations and friends (102).
A woman whose husband is her vow should not look at him with hard eyes, or utter hard words before him.
Not even in her thought should she do anything which is displeasing to her husband (103). She who by body,
mind, and word, and by pleasant acts, ever pleases her husband, attains to the abode of Brahman (104).
Remaining ever faithful to the wishes of her husband, she should not look upon the face of other men, or have
converse with them, or uncover her body before them (105).
Chapter 8 - The Dharmma and Customs of the Castes and Ashramas 107
Mahanirvana Tantra (Tantra of the Great Liberation)
In childhood she should remain under the control of her parents, in her youth of her husband, and in her old
age of the friends and relatives of her husband. She should never be independent (106).
A father should not marry his daughter if she does not know her duty to a husband and how to serve him, also
the other rules of woman's conduct (107).
Neither the flesh of human beings, nor the animals resembling them, nor the flesh of the cow, which is
serviceable in various ways, nor the flesh of carnivorous animals, nor such meat as is tasteless, should be
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