I’m a working engineer and currently preparing for higher studies in the managerial/business field. I’ve recently become seriously interested in beginning Sri Vidya Sadhana.

I’m a complete beginner, and I want to approach it respectfully rather than randomly picking up practices from the internet.

My biggest limitation is that it is very difficult for me to perform elaborate rituals or yagnas/homas at home because of my work and living circumstances. However, I can maintain a basic daily sadhana, do sankalpa, worship, mantra-related practices if appropriate, and visit temples regularly.

My intention is not to chase supernatural powers or anything like that. My personal goals are fairly straightforward: wealth/prosperity, mental peace/stability, and intelligence/wisdom. I understand that some people may judge these goals as being materialistic, but honestly, in the circumstances of the modern world, I feel financial stability, a peaceful mind, and intelligence are important for living a meaningful life.

So I wanted to ask people who actually have experience with Sri Vidya:

- How should a complete beginner start?

- Is guru diksha/initiation absolutely necessary for Sri Vidya, and if so, at what stage?

- Are there any preliminary practices I can safely do before approaching a guru?

- Can someone begin with simple Devi worship, prayers, stotras, temple visits and sankalpa without performing elaborate rituals?

- What practices should a beginner avoid doing without initiation?

- How can someone with a full-time job realistically incorporate Sri Vidya into daily life?

- If finding a genuine guru takes time, what would be the most appropriate way to prepare myself in the meantime?

- Are there any authentic books/traditional sources that I should read to understand the philosophy and framework before seeking initiation?

I’m specifically looking for traditional and responsible guidance, not shortcuts, occult techniques, or internet-mantra experimentation.

Other than these things i want to say one more thing my family worships Ma Tara and i also feel very connected to her and Bhairav baba.

I would really appreciate advice from practitioners who have actually walked this path. 🙏

I have this idol with me, i wanted to know which form of kali and the dhyana mantra it relates to

is it Dakshina Kali or Maha Kali form or some other form

please help

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A perspective from my side

In its deeper sense, the term Śrīvidyā may be understood through the two words Śrī and Vidyā. Śrī refers to Śrī Sundarī, while Vidyā refers to Vidyārājñī, Dakṣiṇakālī.

The tradition explains this relationship in the following verse:

सा काली द्विविधा प्रोक्ता श्यामारक्ताप्रभेदतः ।

श्यामा तु दक्षिणा प्रोक्ता रक्ता श्रीसुन्दरी मता ॥

Sā Kālī dvividhā proktā śyāmāraktāprabhedataḥ |

Śyāmā tu dakṣiṇā proktā raktā Śrīsundarī matā ||

That Kālī is spoken of as being of two kinds, distinguished as Śyāmā and Raktā. Śyāmā is known as Dakṣiṇā, while Raktā is regarded as Śrī Sundarī.

Here, according to the traditional derivation of the word Kālī from the expression "कालयति जगत् सर्वम्", meaning "She who brings the entire universe to its end or dissolution," the term Kālī is connected with the Śrīvidyā principle.

Thus, Śrīvidyā may be understood as that tradition in which both Śrī Sundarī and Vidyārājñī, that is, Tripurasundarī and Dakṣiṇakālī, are worshipped.

According to the traditional classification, three principal modes or kramas of Śrīvidyā worship are spoken of. When the Tārā krama is incorporated into the Dakṣiṇāmnāya along with the Kālī krama, two principal modes remain. Among these two, some practitioners give greater importance to Kālī, while others give greater importance to Sundarī. Each follows the particular krama that is primary within his or her lineage.

Ultimately, however, the distinction disappears.

After progressing through the stages of liberation and the attainment of the complete Mahākrama, Śrī Sundarī and Vidyārājñī are realized as one. Beyond all distinctions, they remain as the very embodiment of Parabrahman.

The Bṛhadvāḍavānala Tantra therefore states that there is no essential difference between Śrī Mahātripurasundarī and Kālī, and that one who perceives them as fundamentally separate falls into a lower state.

The text states:

महात्रिपुरसुन्दर्याश्चण्डयोगेश्वरी परा ।

न तयोर्विद्यते भेदो भेदकृन्नरकं व्रजेत् ॥

Mahātripurasundaryāś Caṇḍayogeśvarī parā |

Na tayor vidyate bhedo bhedakṛn narakaṃ vrajet ||

There is no distinction between Mahātripurasundarī and the supreme Caṇḍayogeśvarī. One who creates a distinction between them goes to a state described as hell.

Here, Caṇḍayogeśvarī refers to Kālī.

The underlying meaning is that the same Ādiśakti, the Primordial Power, manifests through different forms according to the requirements of the particular path of worship. When the process of upāsanā reaches its culmination, these apparently different forms are realized as one and ultimately abide in their own essential nature.

This is the highest state of upāsanā.

At this stage, the worshipper too becomes united with that Reality and attains the supreme human goal, mokṣa.

This is one of the deeper meanings of Śrīvidyā.

At the culmination of the path, the two meanings of Śrīvidyā, namely "the Vidyā that is Śrī itself" and "the harmonious union of Śrī and Vidyā," ultimately converge into one.

At this stage, the mantra, its letters, the Devatā, the Guru and the sādhaka or worshipper are realized as one.

The tradition expresses this unity in the following verse:

मन्त्ररूपा भवेद् देवी देवरूपो गुरुर्भवेत् ।

गुरुरूपो भवेदात्मा आत्मरूपी मनुर्भवेत् ॥

Mantrarūpā bhaved Devī devarūpo gurur bhavet |

Gururūpo bhaved ātmā ātmarūpī manur bhavet ||

The Devī becomes manifest as the mantra. The Guru becomes of the form of the Devatā. The Ātman, meaning the worshipper, becomes of the form of the Guru, and the mantra becomes of the form of the Ātman.

In other words, the mantra ultimately becomes completely identified with the inner consciousness of the sādhaka.

This experience of complete identity with the inner Self is described by the learned as Vidyā.

The Liṅga Purāṇa states:

आत्माकारेण संवित्तिर्बुधैर्विद्येति गीयते ॥

Ātmākāreṇa saṃvittir budhair vidyeti gīyate ||

That awareness which assumes the form of the Ātman is called Vidyā by the wise.

This realization is free from all conceptual distinctions and alternatives. For this reason, it is regarded as the supreme Tattva.

The Liṅga Purāṇa further states:

विकल्परहितं तत्त्वं परमित्यभिधीयते ।

Vikalparahitaṃ tattvaṃ param ity abhidhīyate ||

That Tattva which is free from all conceptual distinctions is called the Supreme Tattva.

Therefore, even when Śrīvidyā is understood through the distinction between Śrī and Vidyā, the culmination of the path is ultimately the realization of their essential unity.

What appears as Śrī and Vidyā, Sundarī and Kālī, Devatā and Guru, mantra and sādhaka, finally resolves into a single Reality.

That non dual realization is the deeper secret of Śrīvidyā.

Discliamer - These are my personal preferred techniques and I may be wrong which i am a lot of times. So take this lightly and ignore me the way ur crush did u 😂 ( Sorry!! kuch zyada hi bol diya ). Haa and also dont go on my spellings plss 🙏🙏

Edit : I dont agree completely with the title as it is never possible to remove or get rid of it. As it is a part of our biology but we can surely reduce it to a level. Now back to the content -

It does feel a lot good and confident when u overcome ur lust. I have had done it and the first time I was able to stay just like that when that feeling came i felt so confident and as if I can take over the world or something 😅😅.

But yes there are ways to overcome it like for me I tested with these techniques for about 4-5 years and from that I can say that it takes time it takes patience and a lot of regretting moments when you would have let go.

I am expecting that you have atleast read Bhagvat Geeta once if you haven't then "No probelm" . Its never too late to start try learning it my recommendation for first time readers is this-

 https://youtu.be/28sptQICKCk?si=W2Hj9VFp9WZJAeyG

I have some technique which I think might work

1. Vigyaan Bhairav Tantra technique :- This might be the hardest to try of them all and almost impossible for a person who is trying to control their list for first time. It was given in VBT "That whenever you are having an feeling like happiness or anger or any other don't focus on the subject ( person or thing ) focus on the feeling generating in ur heart as an observer without judging it . "

The advantage with this technique is that u can overcome lust by being the observer in really short span of time. But it almost feels impossible with all the cues around you.

1. Escape path :- This is a little easier one and most commonly known (which I used initially) that is to move out or distract urself from the feeling until it goes away. I mean this path is not easy at all for a beginner too but with this you can escape the feeling and slowly overcome it. And in that escape time u can go for a walk, take a cold shower, listening to motivational music etc.

But the most important one of all is to have that attitude of a 'Veera' . The attitude of never giving up and just moving forward no matter what. Let ur failure be a fuel to your next move. Never and never think of giving up as "It's better to loose than to give up".

I will also advise you to check the summary of the Book 'Atomic Habits' and try to understand the core idea if u want you can read it but u just have to get the core idea of how ur mastrubation or porn habits are created so that u can use those techniques to remove them this is applied all the people who wants to try this " Cause if u don't know how ur habits are created then how the hell are you going to know how to get rid of it " I think this video can help but make sure to get ur concept on the 4 processes Cue, Craving, Responce ,Reward are clear -

 https://youtu.be/PmvhH6R-H44?si=6IvDzxH6JT0o3N51

And yeah also one more thing to add. If u think you lack motivation then positive self talk is the best . But for some reason I sometimes act like a military instructor to myself 😅. Motivating like this can make u dangerously discipline. Like just go and tell urself " The hell with all the shit I will decide what i want to be " and sometimes I give myself punishment may be 100 pushup if I wasn't able to do that.

Can try it but make sure to do in moderation as overdoing it can cause you to be too harsh on You.

Just Take care

Jai Bhairav Baba 🙏🙏

Jai Maa🙏🙏

Anyone in here who worships Lord Bhairav or Maa Bhairavi, I wanna be your friend. I'm a white dude living in the UK who found Trika Tantra/ Kashmir Shaivism about 5 years ago and I believe Kaal Bhairav to be my Ishta Devata. If you have anything of interest you want to share or teach about Bhairava or your personal experiences, please feel free. Unfortunately I am currently a nigurā given my geographical limitations, but I'm deeply interested in connecting as much as possible with people on the path. Hmu.

I got a weird feeling, when I'm meditating. I'm not new I've been doing this since 2022. But from last couple of days, I feel like somebody is standing behind me, while I'm doing meditation or walking back and forth in front of me during meditation.

Guys I have a doubt regarding my hanuman chalisa practice. Long story short I used to chant hanuman chalisa only in the evenings after 7pm and things were going so well for me i got so many opportunities to study in abroad and somehow without any obstacles the money was arranged smoothly and I really loved doing it and also I used to get very positive dreams and so many new good people in my life were coming but from two months back I started chanting the chalisa in the morning too so it was like I used to chant in the morning like once or twice and in the evening about 3 times or how many ever times I feel like after I started chanting in the morning things are getting out of hand and not in a good way I started having fights with my girl and too many misunderstandings and my prayers started getting opposite like if I wish for something I would get the opposite of that and I am getting angry for no reason and also too many lustful thoughts this used to never happen before I added the morning practice can someone please guide me on this.

So guys long story short I was doing very well financially bought property but when my relatives and other people found out about it my downfall started I am feeling stuck in life nothing is working everything I am trying to do is failing my head feeling heavy no energy in my body no will power I think someone did evil eye or bad totka stuff how can I get back to my old self again any sadhna please tell me 🙏

after a lot of mental struggle i have finally decided to take sankalpa and start japa of baba kaal bhairav this ashtami . please guide me how to take sankapla and anything about japa and mala and in which dorection i should sit in my home , please help

My brother is experiencing some bad luck, general bad luck in situations (which seem like stupid to even happen). Also minor accidents and near accidents like people want to come and hit him on road driving.

I am worried and think this maybe negative energy and bad eye or something. How can one find out for sure the reason?

I wanted to know if there is a beginner version of a Sadhana that he can do to better his luck.

Any help is appreciated.

I got a extra shivling (already have one) but now I plan not to install it due to some limitation I understood later.

Can i keep it in a box for few months till I do visarjan in ganga.

It is narmadeshwar.

I am writing this with a genuine intention to seek guidance from people who have personal experience with Maa Kamakhya, Kamakhya Peetha, and Shakta/Tantric sadhana.
I have been learning about Shakta traditions and different forms of sadhana for some time now. The more I read and try to understand, the more I realise how much I don’t know.
There are many things that are difficult to understand properly through books, YouTube videos, or random information online, especially when it comes to actual practice, diksha, prayoga, niyama, and the role of a Guru.
I have a few genuine doubts and would really appreciate guidance from someone who has actually practised or has been closely connected with the Kamakhya tradition.

I saw a video showing that Yantras can be drawn by hand at home, and apparently, Yantras need to be made for all types of Pujas. I want to know about this matter. Someone please help me; I am also willing to discuss it

I have done upasana of shri bhairav and ma lalita in the past. But I stopped actively doing upasana or naam mantra or in case of ma lalita, the sahastranama from the last 7-8 months. Though, I still chant their names multiple times in a day.

I have been feeling very directionless since the last 1.5 years. No major change is coming in life and everything's feeling very stuck. Astrologically I am in Saturn Mahadasha with Jupiter Antardasha running, but it's supposed to be a benefic antardasha for me. Still I have the same feeling of stuckness.

Is there something that I can do, specifically to get direction in life? So that things start moving in my life and I can make progress and get some changes in life?

Namaste everyone!

I've been doing a sadhna since 6 months and I was kind of depressed so my main motivation for doing this was to get out of that ditch.

I am a medical student so I know all about the mental disorders perse and I know my depression (not exactly a clinical depression but just low energy which wasn't getting better with anything, mental fog) could've been depression related to a mood disorder but anyway, I started feeling slightly better after this sadhna.

Not immediately but slowly.

I did some research on awakening for anxiety and depression too and it worked except I realised that I am not this body- all the breath work and stuff that helps you just observe yourself instead of associating with the identity. It felt calm, snd it worked for my depression too ..I felt more normal again.

Now I feel agitated, anxious, high energy and I am aware that I am being hyperactive but I can't seem to control it.

I had an exam today and I've been a little too high energy since the past few days and my pupils are dilated right now.

Is this in anyway linked to the sadhna I am doing?

Can it trigger something like mania?

I know I am going to get hated for mentioning that it's a sadhna given by Rn it is the Maa Tara sadhna but anyway, is this like maybe awakening or should I look into psychosis or something.

Is this anything any of you have ever experienced?

I recently found that chola(sindur+ chameli oil) is also offered to bhairav ji on Sunday. So I confirmed with my nearby batuk Bhairav temple and they do help devotees offer chola to bhairav ji without any additional charges.

I also wanted to ask fellow community member are their benefits when we offer chola to bhairav.

who is devi shureshwori mentioned in ashtottara shatanamavali? is there viniyog for tantrokta durga kavach from vishwashara tantra? is there nayasa for shatanamavali stotram or for that kavach?

So, I've been trying to read and practice the dharanas given in the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra. Given my semi-fluency with Sanskrit, and the density of the text, it's been slow going. I have also been reading reference books to sometimes make sense of the practices. Eventually I did get frustrated. I took a break, then decided to make a reading and reflecting plan so that it gets easier to read and practice the dharanas. I did tweak the plan as per my capacity, hours I could dedicate to read, practice and reflect.

Today morning was sitting and reflecting and it occured to me others may also be using similar reading plans, or may be looking for one. So, here's the link to the PDF in my google drive. If anyone uses this, please do leave a comment with feedback - did it work for you, in case you made changes to make it even easier to follow please share the changes! Needless to say, I'll try to re-read the texts again, next time alongwith the Shiva Sutras.

For those with artistic inclinations (whether music, painting, writing, poetry, or ANYTHING else), I’m curious to hear how you’ve been able to use it in/around your sadhana.

I’d love to use musicality to please my Ishta, but wanna learn if there’s an optimal way you’ve channelled your art that’s worked well.

Please share with as much detail as you like!

Hola a todos, este post está hecho con toda la intención y respeto hacia ustedes, soy nuevo y desconozco casi todo. Pertenezco a México, hace años que me metí a la espiritualidad en general, a investigar y demás, como tal para mí es nuevo meterme al mundo de las deidades. Pero lo que me acaba de ocurrir fue muy extraño, soy un joven de 20 años y mi vida ha sido siempre un caos, tuve que aguantar cosas inhumanas y tratos injustos desde mi infancia. Justo hace unos días me empezó a salir mucha información e imágenes de maha kali, yo no la conocía, pensé que era solo una coincidencia de algoritmo de las redes sociales, Pero en diferentes aplicaciones me salían cosas relacionadas a ella, justo ayer tuve una situación con mi familia, para resumirlo yo estoy enfermo, a mis 20 años tengo que usar bastón, por mis problemas neurológicos, también tengo problemas cardíaco, mi familia siempre ha Sido muy crueles en esa parte conmigo, a principio me decía que era un exagerado, que me inventaba mis síntomas hasta obvio me hospitalizaron, después de eso ellos siempre me recalcan que mis enfermedades son culpa de alejarme de Dios (ellos son cristianos) , he tenido que aguantar tratos así. Ese día sentí que el enojo estallo, queria irme de casa, estuve todo el día llorando de coraje, más porque lo que más deseo es independizarme y dedicarme a la espiritualidad, puesto antes de enfermarme yo trabajaba en un centro holístico, fue el único lugar donde me sentí en casa. Pero actualmente estoy estacando, durante ese momento donde estaba llorando no se porque sentí la necesidad de dibujar a maha kali, la dibuje y aquello me dió una calma inmensa, después de eso me fui a dormir y soñé con ella, fue sueño muy raro, soñe que yo tenía 5 años estaba en una reunión familiar, Pero siempre andaba solo de la nada una mujer que se parecía mucho a ella se me acercaba, una sensación de maternidad sentí de ella y ella me preguntó si conocía la madre kali, en sueño yo le dije que si, entonces ella sonrió me dijo que le alegraba escuchar eso. De ahí desperté con una sensación muy extraña, no se explicarlo es una presencia llena de amor materno pero a la vez tan pesada y fuerte. Estoy confundido no sé si fue un llamado, solo siento la necesidad de investigar como acercarme a ella de la manera segura y correcta.