Text 18.1 (Commentary)

[Guhyagarbha-Tantra, Text section 18.1]

Then the Transcendent Lord, the Great Joyous One, uttered this meaningful expression concerning the great offerings which are pleasing. [1]

[Tibetan]

de-nas bcom-ldan-'das dgyes-pa chen-pos mnyes-pa'i mchod-pa chen-po 'di ched-du brjod-do / [1]

Commentary:

[Commentary (550.6-556.1):]

The third section (of the extensive exegesis of the branches of the means for attaining the maṇḍala of wrathful deities in accordance with the path—see p. 1147) concerns the offerings which should be made (to the wrathful deities). It has three subdivisions, namely, the background motivation, an explanation of the meaning of its words, and a summary of the chapter.

[The first (comments on Ch. 18.1):]

Once the maṇḍala had been revealed, then the Transcendent Lord (de-nas bcom-ldan-'das), who is the Great Joyous One (dgyes-pa chen-pos) with respect to the display of offering-clouds, uttered this meaningful expression concerning the great offerings which are pleasing (mnyes-pa'i mchod-pa chen-po 'di ched-du brjod-do) on account of their outer, inner and secret natures.^[1]

The second subdivision has three parts, namely, a general teaching on the offerings connected with rites of sexual union and "liberation", a particular exegesis of the offerings of the desired attributes which are sacramental substances, and a description of their beneficial attributes or accomplishments which are attained.

[i. The first of these has two aspects, among which the former concerns the offerings associated with rites of "liberation” (It comments on Ch. 18.2):]

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Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

On the distinctions between outer, inner and secret offerings, see also above. Introduction, p. 121, note 219.