ACHMAN

While doing sadhana, we do many things which we do without understanding the real meaning of it. Thus one is not able to reap the real benefit of it. One of such a thing is ‘achman’. As per Shaiv Sidhant all of the cosmic creation, including our body is made up of 36 tattvas. As per this sidhant they are ,

A.Shiv Tattva¹ : Shiv Tattva1

B.Vidya tattva²: 

Shakti tattva¹, Sadasivtattva², Ishwartattwa³, Shudhvidyatattva⁴, Mayatattva⁵, Kaaltattva⁶, Niyatitattva⁷, Kalatattva⁸, Ashudhtattva⁹, Ragtattva¹⁰;

C.Kala Tattva³: 

Purushtattva¹, Prakrititattva²,Budhtattva³, Ahamkaartattva⁴, Manahtattva⁵, 5 senses of perception⁶, 5 senses of action⁷, 5 tanmatras⁸, 5 bhoot-tattva⁹. 

These 36 tattvas are divided in to three categories i.e. Shiv Tattva ( one in no), Vidya Tattva (ten in no) and Kalatattva (twenty five in no).

When one sits for sadhana and does three achman, one says Shiv Tattva Shodhyami Swaha, Vidya Tattva Shodhyami Swaha and Kala or Sarva Tattva Shodhyami Swaha. Thus it means when we do achman, we should visualize that with particular achmans/sips particular tattvas in our body are getting cleansed. When we say Shiv Tattva shodhyami Swaha, Shiv Tattva in or body should be cleansed immediately; when we say Vidyatattva Shodhyami Swaha, all the ten tattva coming under it should be cleansed and when we say Kala Tattva Shodhyami Swaha then all the 25 tattvas coming under it should be cleansed. 

Thus we can say that this whole procedure, which takes only a few seconds, must be done with full bhav/emotion and conviction to experience.  More stronger the visualization, more potent the effect of the kriya. It is seen that most people chant and just drink the water without any understanding, it does not mean that one too was not doing that earlier.  One feels, if this prakriya/procedure itself is done with full awareness, one can really cleanse those elements in ones body to make it a fit receptacle for Devi to stay in. Everything has the potential to make us realize that. Whether nyas, achman, poojan, kriays etc. one can achieve the final goal if one keeps on it with full faith & diligence. 

So next time when you sit for ACHMAN, TRY it this way and FEEL it.

Praise be to Guru……Praise be to Mother.

..........…Om!

Note: for details of the 36 tattvas mentioned above, read the article Shaivsidhant dealing in Naad, Kala and Bindu in the blog under Tantra label.