Parasurama Kalpasutra is a tantric text on the worship of the Mother Goddess. The term ‘kalpa’ denotes a manual laying down rules governing religious rites. Parasurama, the fifth avatar of Lord Vishnu, is said to be the author of Parasurama Kalpasutra.
The work is in the form of aphorisms divided into ten sections. The cryptic and terse statements made in the aphorisms cannot be understood without the aid of the commentary of Rameshwara, composed in 1831 AD.
Parasurama Kalpasutra Text Details
The person competent to receive instruction in Srividya worship should have a pure mind.
All the tantras are not outside the purview of Vedas and are authoritative even during the Kali Yuga.
They are fit to be expounded by the adherents of Vedas.
The text holds that Vedas have been composed by Lord Shiva and hence there is no possibility of human blemishes in Vedas.
The tantric treatise explains the nature of devotion and how it can help to fulfill desires.
It requires one to have a good comprehension of one’s own mind.
Initiation forms the primary step in the tantric practices, since one does not have the competence to perform the tantric rites without being initiated.
The initiated have to abjure desire, anger, greed, pride, jealousy, etc.
The text describes three kinds of initiation – by the transfer of Shakti (energy), by placing the feet (sambhavi) and by imparting a mantra, and the procedure for each one of them.
The preceptor has to import to the disciple the codes of conduct elaborated later in the text.
After initiation, one has to worship Lord Vinayaka for the removal of impediments in the worship of Srividya. Then the text describes in detail the worship of the Goddess Lalita.