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Dakṣiṇācāra

The document discusses the term Dakshinachara, which refers to tantric sects that do not engage in heterodox practices and instead follow traditional Hindu practices like asceticism and meditation. Dakshinachara is considered the 'right-hand path' in contrast to the 'left-hand path' of certain tantric practices deemed heterodox. The document provides context on the term from Sanskrit texts and scholars.

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831 views2 pages

Dakṣiṇācāra

The document discusses the term Dakshinachara, which refers to tantric sects that do not engage in heterodox practices and instead follow traditional Hindu practices like asceticism and meditation. Dakshinachara is considered the 'right-hand path' in contrast to the 'left-hand path' of certain tantric practices deemed heterodox. The document provides context on the term from Sanskrit texts and scholars.

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Dakṣiṇācāra

The term dakshinachara ('right-hand path') is a technical term used to refer to tantric sects that do not
engage in heterodox practices. In contrast, vamachara ('left-hand path') is used to describe particular tantric
practices that are considered heterodox.

Etymology
N. N. Bhattacharyya explains the Sanskrit technical term ācāra 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.[1]

Dakṣiṇa means 'right'.[2] 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, and is pure; madhyama, characterized
by rajas, is mixed; and vama, characterized by tamas, is impure. The tantras of each class follow a
particular line of spiritual practice.[3] Dakshinachara consists of traditional Hindu practices such as
asceticism and meditation.

See also
Left-hand path and right-hand path – Dichotomy between two opposing approaches to magic
Pāñcarātra – Ancient Indian religious movement around Narayana-Vishnu (Vaishnavism)
Vaikhanasa – Tradition of Hinduism

Notes
1. Bhattacharyya (1999), pp. 368–69.
2. Macdonell (1996), p. 115.
3. Bagchi (2017), p. .

References
Bagchi, P. C. (2017). "Evolution of the Tantras". Studies On the Tantras. India: Ramakrishna
Math. ISBN 978-8187332770.
Bhattacharyya, N. N. (1999). History of the Tantric Religion (2nd rev. ed.). Delhi: Manohar
Publications. ISBN 81-7304-025-7.
Macdonell, Arthur Anthony (1996). A Practical Sanskrit Dictionary. Munshiram Monoharlal
Publishers. ISBN 81-215-0715-4.

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