Roots of Wisdom, Branches of Devotion - Plant Life in South Asian Traditions - Fabrizio Ferrari

Roots of Wisdom, Branches of Devotion - Plant Life in South Asian Traditions - Fabrizio Ferrari

7. The Herbal Arsenal and Fetid Food: The Power of Plants in Early Tantric Exorcism Rituals

Roots of Wisdom, Branches of Devotion - Plant Life in South Asian Traditions - Fabrizio Ferrari

Michael Slouber [+-]
Western Washington University, USA
Michael Slouber is Visiting Assistant Professor of South Asian Studies in the Department of Liberal Studies at Western Washington University.

Description

This chapter discusses early medieval Bhūta and Bāla Tantras. On the basis of unedited manuscript sources, the author describes the role played by plants in religion and life as seen through the lens of exorcism rituals. Datura, red oleander, mustard seeds, rice, sesame, garlic, fig, Flame of the forest, wood-apple: these and many more formed the basis of tantric exorcisms. Plants were used to attract, feed and repel demons. They were made into incense, oil, and weapons, as well as cakes, mannequins and medicines. Auspicious and noxious qualities of sacred plants and trees were infused into water, milk and cooling ointments, or made into sweet fragrances or foul-smelling fires. In short, the universe of early tantric exorcism ritual was suffused with plants whose powers resonate in contemporary exorcist practice across South Asia.

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Citation

Slouber, Michael. 7. The Herbal Arsenal and Fetid Food: The Power of Plants in Early Tantric Exorcism Rituals. Roots of Wisdom, Branches of Devotion - Plant Life in South Asian Traditions. Equinox eBooks Publishing, United Kingdom. p. 145-164 Jun 2016. ISBN 9781781791202. https://www.equinoxpub.com/home/view-chapter/?id=30834. Date accessed: 28 Mar 2024 doi: 10.1558/equinox.30834. Jun 2016

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