The term ''dakshinachara'' ('right-hand path') is a technical term used to refer to
tantric sects that do not engage in
heterodox
In religion, heterodoxy (from Ancient Greek: , "other, another, different" + , "popular belief") means "any opinions or doctrines at variance with an official or orthodox position". Under this definition, heterodoxy is similar to unorthodoxy, w ...
practices. In contrast, ''
vamachara
''Vāmācāra'' ( sa, वामाचार, ) is a tantric term meaning "left-hand path" and is synonymous with the Sanskrit term ''vāmamārga''. It is used to describe a particular mode of worship or '' sadhana'' (spiritual practice) that is ...
'' ('left-hand path') is used to describe particular tantric practices that are considered heterodox according to usual
Hindu
Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
social norms.
Etymology
N. N. Bhattacharyya explains the Sanskrit technical term ''
'' as follows:
The means of spiritual attainment which varies from person to person according to competence.... ''Ācāras'' are generally of seven kinds – Veda, Vaiṣṇava, Śaiva, Dakṣiṇa, Vāma, Siddhāṇta, and Kaula, falling into two broad categories – Dakṣiṇa and Vāma. Interpretations vary regarding the nature and grouping of the ''ācāras''.
''
'' means 'right'. For this reason, the term ''dakṣiṇāra'' is often translated "right-hand path".
Practices
The ''Brahma Yamala'', a tantric text, says there are three currents of tradition (''dakshina'', ''vama'', and ''madhyama'') characterized respectively by the predominance of each of the three ''
gunas'' (''sattva'', ''rajas'', and ''tamas''). According to this text, ''dakshina'' is characterized by ''
sattva
Sattva ( Sanskrit: सत्त्व, meaning ''honesty'') is one of the three guṇas or "modes of existence" (tendencies, qualities, attributes), a philosophical and psychological concept understood by the Samkhya school of Hindu philosophy.Jame ...
'', and is pure; ''madhyama'', characterized by ''
rajas
Rajas (Sanskrit: रजस्) is one of the three Guṇas (tendencies, qualities, attributes), a philosophical and psychological concept developed by the Samkhya school of Hindu philosophy.James G. Lochtefeld, Rajas, in The Illustrated Encycloped ...
'', is mixed; and ''vama'', characterized by ''
tamas'', is impure. The tantras of each class follow a particular line of spiritual practice. ''Dakshinachara'' consists of traditional Hindu practices such as
asceticism
Asceticism (; from the el, ἄσκησις, áskesis, exercise', 'training) is a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from sensual pleasures, often for the purpose of pursuing spiritual goals. Ascetics may withdraw from the world for their p ...
and
meditation
Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm ...
.
See also
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Notes
References
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Hindu philosophical concepts
Hindu tantra
Tantric practices
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