The Five M-s in Tantra, i.e. the concept of Panchamakara or Panchatattva in tantric practices

Panchamakara, or Panchatattva is Tantric terminology for five transgressive substances that are used in Tantric practices. These five substances are madya, mamsa, matsya and fish, as well as mudra (gesture) and maithuna ("sexual intercourse). These elements, which are considered to be taboo-breaking and can only be practiced by "left-hand" tantrics ("vamacarins), while "right-hand" tantrics ("daksinacarins), oppose them.
 
Spiritual leader, Prabhat Ranjan Sakar described the five M's as having dual meanings. One crude (left-handed Vamachara) and one subtle, Dakshinachara

These five M-s of Tantra are:

1. The first M is for Madya, which means Wine-Amrita. This divine nectar drips from the brain's glands onto the tip and can be captured using Khechari Mudra.
2. The second M is for Mamsa means Meat-Control of speech. Symbolically, it is denoted by the Khechari Mudra, in which the tongue can be swallowed back to simulate eating meat.
3. The third M is for Matsya, and it stands for Fish. The two key prana energy channels in the body, Ida and Pingala, can be controlled by pranayama. They can be visualized as two fish-like structures of figure-8 shape interwoven like two fish.
4. The fourth M is for Mudra, which is a ‘hand gesture’ in Sanskrit. These gestures are made to activate the Kundalini, which then passes through the central energy channel, the Sushumna nadi (energy channel).
5. ... and lastly the fifth M stands for Maithuna. It is a term that means sexual intercourse or female sexual discharge – which is indicative of raising the Kundalini to the Sahasrara (Crown) Chakra.

The spiritual leader Sarkar says that the Five M-s are intended to help people practice yoga sadhana (meditation) in "midst of crude pleasures" and gradually decrease their consumption of wine, meat, and fish.

It is important that one does not indulge in these five M-s and learns to resist the temptation of these activities, so that they can practice the subtle art and method of Tantra-meditation- which ultimately allows them to raise their energy-vibration, direct their prana-vayu (consciousness) thru the central Sushumna energy channel and raise their Kundalini energy to experience profound states of ascension and enlightenment!

Read further:

• Why Tantra has a ‘bad’ reputation!!!
• Understanding the basics of the Tantric Spiritual Pathway
• The two main Tantric pathways of Transformation- Dakshinachara and Vamachara

Categories:
Myths And Beliefs,   Tantra Mantra Yantra   and   Vedic Tradition​

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