Ritual

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but at the same time maintains perfect lucidity and self-control, the
resulting experience of which is neither hallucinogenic nor
artificial. His experience is an everlasting one, whereas a 'chemical
pilgrimage' is principally indulged in spasmodically for momentary
thrills invariably bringing depression and in many cases
ending with drug addiction.
In tantric rituals, particularly in the twilight (sandhya) rituals
performed at the conjunction of day and night or at midnight, a
secret language known as Sahdhya-bhasha or Sahdha-bhasha is
used by which a state of consciousness is expressed in ambiguous
terms with erotic meanings. The symbolic contents of these terms
are not intelligible to non-initiates, thus, for example: 'inserting his
organ into the mother's womb', 'pressing his sister's breasts',
'placing his foot upon the guru's head', 'he will be reborn no
more'. In sandha terminology, the 'organ' is the contemplating
mind; the 'mother's womb' is the Muladhara chakra, or base
centre; the 'sister's breasts' are the heart centre (Anahata chakra),
and the 'guru's head' is the brain centre (Sahasrara). These code
terms, if translated, mean, to quote Agehananda, 'He practises
mental penetration through the successive centres, and when he
reaches the uppermost centre, he will not be [re-] born. According
to some scholars, Sandhya-bhasha means 'twilight' or 'secret'
language, though others call it Sandha-bhasha, or 'intentional'
language, in which many passages of tantric texts are composed.
Whatever its meaning, it has an equivocal significance, partly to
conceal the real meaning of the terminology from non-initiates
but also, as Eliade says, 'Chiefly to project the yogin into the
"paradoxical situation" indispensable to his training.' 8 The process
of destroying and reinventing terminology, and even a guru's
abusive language, recall present-day 'agression rituals' practised in
group psychotherapy as a form of linguistic catharsis, using
offensive language as a means to avert psychotic behaviour and to
live constructively with the collective psyche. In tantrism,
however, abusive language has a double meaning, 'concrete' and
'symbolic', mainly to transubstantiate that experience into
awareness.
Tantric rites and rituals can be performed either on the mental
plane or by the use of mantras or sacred words, diagrams, deities,
ritual ingredients. These accessories are not considered and used
according to their function in daily life but have deep spiritual
significances. Mantras are indispensible to tantric discipline.
Literally translated, the word mantra means 'that which when
reflected upon gives liberation'. A mantra cannot be enlivened