Mudra

(2) Fermented or parched grain. In the
secret ritually-based religious practice
known as tantra, fermented grain is the
fourth of the “Five Forbidden Things”
(panchamakara), which, in “left hand”
(vamachara) tantric ritual, are used in
their actual forms, whereas in “right
hand” (dakshinachara) tantric ritual
they are represented by symbolic substitutes. Fermented grain may have intoxicating effects, but it is also reputed to be
an aphrodisiac. “Respectable” Hindu
society strongly condemns the use of
intoxicants and/or sexual license. Thus
the ritual use of this substance must be
seen in the larger tantric context. One of
the most pervasive tantric assumptions
is the ultimate unity of everything that
exists. From a tantric perspective, to
affirm that the entire universe is one
principle means that the adept must
reject all concepts based on dualistic
thinking. The “Five Forbidden Things”
provide a ritual means for breaking
down duality. In this ritual the adept
breaks societal norms forbidding
consumption of intoxicants, nonvegetarian food, and illicit sexuality in a conscious effort to sacralize what is
normally forbidden. Tantric adepts cite
such ritual use of forbidden things as
proof that their practice involves a more
exclusive qualification (adhikara), and
is thus superior to common practice. For
further information see Arthur Avalon
(Sir John Woodroffe) Shakti and Shakta,
1978; Swami Agehananda Bharati, The
Tantric Tradition, 1977; and Douglas
Renfrew Brooks, The Secret of the Three
Cities, 1990.