1.

“Let those who suffer from the toils of samsara seek release: the perfect devotee does not suffer; for he can both visualize and experience life and the universe as the revelation of that Supreme Divine Force (sakti) with which he is in love, the all-comprehensive Divine Being in its cosmic aspect of playful, aimless display (lila) ” which precipitates pain as well as joy, but in its bliss transcends them both. He is filled with the holy madness of that <<ecstatic love>> (prema) which transmutes the world.

<<This very world is a mansion of mirth, Here I can eat, here drink and make merry.>>

Artha (prosperity), kama (the fulfillment of sensual desires), dharma (the enactment of the religious and moral rituals of everyday life, with an acceptance of the burden of all the duties), and moksa (release from it all) are one. The polarity of moksa and the trivarga is transcended and dissolved not in introverted realization alone, but in living feeling as well. By virtue of his talent of love for the merciful Goddess, the true devotee discovers that the fourfould fruit of artha, kama, dharma, and moksha falls into the palm of his hand.”(H.Zimmer)

***

2.

“A man should worship a divinity (devatā) by becoming a divinity himself. One should not worship a divinity without oneself becoming a divinity. If a person worships a divinity without becoming himself a divinity, he will not reap the fruits of that worship.”

(Fragment from Gandharva Tantra, quoted by Heinrich Zimmer in his beautiful “The Philosophies of India,” which I felt compelled to revisit)

(Featured image: © Anca Tăbleț / Viziunea Interioară)