This book Tripura Rahasyam has been staring at me from my book case for two years now. I really must read it. I think I’ve been putting it off subconsciously because it’s going to present a form of Advaita different than the “hard” non-dualism of Abhinavagupta and perhaps Trīka, of which I am so fond

Ah so it so, that Pañcadaśī mantra is the ultimate mantra? That’s what I’ve learned from wonderfully enlightening pages and comments on Manblunder at least. Is it always that Pañcadaśī is the final mantra sādhaks attain, or are there further mantras for different purposes? Does Pañcadaśī theoretically offer the satisfaction of all pursuits?

Totally agree on all points. Honestly one of the only reasons I’ve had a little success with even self initiation, is because I was able to ask my gurus for guidance and they provided the wisdom and did the puja to ask their ishta deities how I might proceed with the mantras they weren’t familiar with but which I was insistent upon trying anyway. I don’t mean to disparage the importance of guru. In part I am torn by how slow even much of the tantric path is relative to finding a good original grimoire and attempting invocations and evocations to get supernatural results. I mention becuase I think one of the biggest benefits of having a guru and going down mainstream or right hand tantric paths is the safety. For idiots like me who go in thinking it will be so cool to meet a demon, some western black magic and Abhichara is really disastrous, and a guru can save so much suffering. I only hope one day I’ll find a guru specialized in teaching patience without to much effort

Pranaam Krishnaji, I have not been initiated into any of Maa Pratyangira's mantras. I have been given a Siddhi Mantra by Jayantji which I have been chanting for a few months now and I have been following each and every instruction given by him. Other than that, I have been chanting Maa's Sarvarta Sadhaka Kavacham Morning, Evening & Night once each & also Ashtottara Shatnamavali like you had asked me to during evening Puja. I also have a small idol of Maa in my Puja area where I do these recitations. I have not done japa of any of Her mantras other than this, without initiation. I pray to Her daily to show me the way. Ever since I found and read about Maa, it was an instant connection almost as if I have always known about her, when it has only been a few months. I don't know why, but She has become the most important deity to me instantly. I have no explanations to why. None of the other Gods whom I used to pray to earlier, hold that connection as much I have with Maa and quite frankly, sometimes I feel the guilty if I am doing the right thing.It is something that I am still grappling with, even though my devotion & affection for Maa is steady & unwavering. What do you think I should do?

This Stotram is ideally meant for those initiated into Her mantras. If you are already initiated, then you may recite it without any fear. The health condition may not be associated with the japa. If this repeats, then stop reciting the Stotram and wait for some more time to see if it is acceptable to the Divine Mother.

Logically it would seem that we should worship Tripura Bhairavī in Śrī Vidyā, but it is generally not administered to the sādhakas, unless they're very advanced and have a specific desire to worship this form of the Divine Mother. Tripura Rahasyam is one good book to study and understand the deeper secrets associated with the Divine Mother. Ideally, the Tripura Bhairavī mantra should be initiated prior to the Pañcadaśī mantra.

There are so many details associated with a mantra japa, such as the japa procedure, the associated mudras for the nyāsas, mantra pronunciation and also if someone else has practiced the specified mantra prior and gained success etc. Ascertaining the information, clarifying doubts etc might be essential before beginning a spiritual practice such as a mantra japa and for which a guru is deemed necessary. One should try their best to find a guru and if not, proceed with the self-initiation procedures. No matter what we do or how we do the japa etc, earning the grace of the deity is not guaranteed. That should not deter a sincere sādhaka in proceeding with the japa in the prescribed manner. Millions have performed the japa in the past and many more in the future. These have been time tested and many have achieved success with mantras and that is the only reason why people persist with the same to resolve their material problems and ascend spiritually. As you have mentioned, karmas are the primary and fundamental factor. If they allow us to practice the mantra japa, then we have to do our bit to allow the mantras to fruition by infusing faith and sincerity into our practice.

It is best to learn under a guru and seek their guidance for the mantra japa and associated techniques. It gives us confidence that there are people practicing these techniques for ages (lineage) and also hear experiences from other sādhakas.

Dear Krishnaji, Sorry if this question sound foolish. But can saying this entire Stotram in the mind & imagining as me doing the Nyasa cause problems? I was reading comments on another article of Maa Pratyangira where Tripuraghnaji mentioned Pratyangira Khadagamala & I read it like I mentioned above. This was on Monday evening. For nearly 3 days now I have suffered Hyper Acidity & only today has it calmed down a little. Could it be because of this or some other problem?

Not to be argumentative but I’ve met one person who achieved siddhi simply by a couple thousand hours of chanting of a bija, and I’ve heard of several others from reliable sources. No initiation or gurus in these instances. If I’m recalling correctly, some moderately well known texts describe various results for each crore of recitation of, for example, namah shivaya, Rama, Om, or gam ganapataye, and initiation is not mentioned for this exhaustive route. To which, I suspect centuries and millennia of gurus who all stood to benefit by reenforcing and reaffirming the necessity of a guru, have led to a distorted reality where guru is said to be absolutely essential. Certainly a guru can help greatly, but just look at hermeticism or chaos magic: it’s actually relatively easy to perform some metaphysical acts and waking reality adjustment just by reaching a advanced level of equipoise within mind and body (and of fundamental elements and breath) and learning to control and harvest intention. Success here usually arises from private solo practice and self experimentation. People even create their own mantras, mudras, and nyasas, and some rare ones manage to get staggering power imbued into these. From my own gurus, who have accelerated me enormously I must concede, I’ve heard that self initiation with the expectation of several times more Japa than a source text states, can yield success. With enough japa, I am strongly under the impression that even purascarana can be made flexible or redundant. I think many people have this issue on their mind so this is just my two cents. For efficiency and success, certainly one will get there the fastest with human guru initiation and purascarana, but may not be essential especially if one expects results only after years and years. Of course in the end, karmas will be primary and fundamental factor in each case