History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c92.160

v7.c92.160

The path of the Tantras was in its higher level one of *Upāsanā* or *Bhakti*, though it very often degenerated into magic and moral depravity. The deity worshipped viz. Parameśvarī presented three aspects to the *upāsaka*¹⁷⁶⁷ (devotee) viz. gross (*sthūla*), subtle (*sūkṣma*) and *para* (highest). The first aspect is represented by the form of Devī with hands, feet and other limbs, which is fit for worship with the hands and the eyes of the devotee; the second aspect consists of mantras, which are fit for apprehension with the organs of hearing and speech by those who have the good fortune to receive the mantras from a worthy guru. The third aspect (*para*) is one to be apprehended by the mind of the sādhaka and described as all-pervading consciousness and the like (in Nityāṣoḍaśikā VI. 49-50).