Types of Sādhana:
This sādhana is mainly performed in two ways:
First Type (with formal initiation / dīkṣā):
- After receiving the complete Śrīvidyā Pūrṇābhiṣeka Dīkṣā, the sādhana is accomplished. Once the first stage (first step) is completed, the sādhak becomes free for the remaining three stages and remains only as the doer and witness (kartā and draṣṭā). Because after being established in dharma in the first stage, in the subsequent three stages, Parāmbā Herself performs the process of completely absorbing the sādhak into Herself. During this period, Parāmbā also makes the sādhak experience (partially enjoy) all his karmas, thereby freeing him from the bondage of karma — because liberation (mokṣa) absolutely requires freedom from the bondage of karma!
- In this manner, the remaining three stages are naturally and spontaneously completed, and the sādhak is not bound by any strict rules/regulations. This method is considered the supreme (sarvottama) because once the first stage is somehow completed, Parāmbā takes complete independent control over the sādhak. Therefore, the possibilities of going astray, downfall, or mistakes become completely zero!
- However, for those who follow this method, it is absolutely essential to remain under the guidance of a Guru. Only then can the Guru, based on the disciple’s worthiness and receptivity, explain the profound secrets and pave the way for success!
Second Type (Initiation / dīkṣā is not compulsory):
- In this method, one successively worships the four forms (from child to aged) of the same Mahāvidyā Śakti, gradually attaining dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa one after another. At each stage, one has to follow separate specific rules and complete the prescribed sādhana procedure.
- It is not guaranteed that the separate sādhana procedures of all four Mahāvidyās will be completed smoothly in just one or two attempts each.
- If this sequence is successfully completed, then in the fourth stage Parāmbā makes the sādhak partially experience all his karmas, frees him from the bondage of karma, and prepares the path for his mokṣa.
- However, those sādhaks who desire all four puruṣārthas (goals of life) should always stay away from the idea or insistence that they can attain all four puruṣārthas by worshipping only one Mahāvidyā.
- If you worship only the child form (bāla svarūpa) that primarily indicates dharma, it is not necessary that you will also receive wealth and power along with dharma — because the child form Mahāvidyā teaches pure dharma only!
- And if you worship only the youthful form (taruṇa svarūpa) that primarily indicates artha (wealth), you yourself know how easily people forget dharma as soon as they get a little money — because the youthful form Mahāvidyā creates the path of immense wealth!
- Similarly, if you worship only the mature form (prauḍhā svarūpa) that primarily indicates kāma, you yourself know how people forget dharma, ethics, and humanity as soon as they get a little power (even if it is just becoming the head of a small village) — because the mature form Mahāvidyā grants ruling power/authority!
- Therefore, without getting free from the bondage of karma, attaining the fourth puruṣārtha — mokṣa — is nothing more than a daydream. But if you worship and follow the child form Mahāvidyā that indicates dharma, then the saṁskāras born of dharma will definitely inspire you to walk the path of mokṣa!
- Sādhaks who desire all four puruṣārthas should complete the full sequence of all four stages of Śrīvidyā krama. Thus, any sādhak who has completely accomplished all four stages of Śrīvidyā in any lineage undoubtedly reaches from dharma to mokṣa. This is the supreme truth!
Śrīvidyā Sādhana Krama (Sequence)
- Among the ten Mahāvidyās, Goddess Ṣoḍaśī is the third Mahāvidyā and is therefore also called Tṛtīyā. It is noteworthy here that in reality there is only one Ādi-Śakti. Her primal form is ‘Kālī’, and the developed form of the same is ‘Ṣoḍaśī’ — that is why Ṣoḍaśī is also remembered as ‘Rakta-Kālī’. The form of Goddess Tārā is the intermediate developed form between Kālī and Ṣoḍaśī. Primarily two forms are considered main, and accordingly the ten Mahāvidyās are classified into two divisions: ‘Kālī-kula’ and ‘Śrī-kula’.
- The worship of the Mother is mainly done in four forms. Goddess Ṣoḍaśī has mainly four forms: (1) Śrī Bālā Tripura-sundarī or Śrī Bālā Tripurā
(2) Śrī Ṣoḍaśī or Mahā-Tripura Sundarī
(3) Śrī Rāja-rājeśvarī
(4) Lalitā Tripura-sundarī or Śrī Śrīvidyā - The dīkṣā and sādhana of the Mother should also be done in this very sequence: 3-1. Śrī Bālā Sundarī → 8-year-old girl form → Dharma
3-2. Ṣoḍaśī Tripura Sundarī → 16-year-old beautiful maiden → Artha
3-3. Śrī Rāja-rājeśvarī → Youthful form → Kāma
3-4. Śrī Lalitā Tripura-sundarī → Aged form → Mokṣa - The principal deity of Śrī Vidyā is Lalitā Tripura-sundarī. She is the presiding goddess of wealth, luxury, enjoyment, and mokṣa. While some other vidyās specially give mokṣa and some specially give enjoyment (bhoga), the worship of Śrīvidyā brings both within easy reach (in the palm of the hand).
In a Nutshell – Summary of the Complete Sequence
Śrīvidyā sādhana is one of the greatest sādhana-s in the world. Merely chanting the mantra without meditation is not true Śrīvidyā sādhana. Without meditation, one gets only about ten percent of the benefit. Meditation holds special importance in Śrīvidyā sādhana. Therefore, first practice meditation, do japa along with it, and in the end do only meditation.
Sādhana Sequence:
- Śrī Bālā Sundarī → 8-year-old girl form → Dharma
Śrībālā-Tripura-sundarī Mantra:
ॐ – ऐं – क्लीं – सौः
Mantra becomes siddha after 4 lakh (400,000) repetitions. - Ṣoḍaśī Tripura Sundarī → 16-year-old beautiful maiden → Artha
Ṣoḍaśī Tripura Sundarī (Pañcadaśī) Mantra:
ॐ क ए इ ल ह्रीं ।
ह स क ह ल ह्रीं।
स क ल ह्रीं ॥
Mantra becomes siddha after 16 lakh (1,600,000) repetitions. - Śrī Rāja-rājeśvarī → Youthful form → Kāma
Ṣoḍaśākṣarī Vidyā Mantra:
ॐ क ए इ ल ह्रीं ।
ह स क ह ल ह्रीं।
स क ल ह्रीं श्रीं॥
Mantra becomes siddha after 21 lakh (2,100,000) repetitions. - Śrī Lalitā Tripura Sundarī → Aged form → Mokṣa
Sacred Mantra of Mother Lalitā:
‘ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं ऐं सौ: ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं क ए ई ल ह्रीं ह स क ह ल ह्रीं सकल ह्रीं सौ: ऐं क्लीं ह्रीं श्रीं नम:।’
Mantra becomes siddha after 21 lakh (2,100,000) repetitions.
This is the complete traditional sequence and explanation of Śrīvidyā upāsanā as described in the text.