Dr Venganoor Balakrishnan

One has to fulfil several conditions to be the priest of a temple. One has to study the Vedas as per the Tantric system and the necessary chants to win the grace of the deity.
A priest is supposed to maintain the life force of the idol in a peaceful air, having settled its wrath by chanting mantras, performing pujas and by systematically observing other duties and dictates.
A good priest must also be able to liberate devotees from the worries and fears that emerge from material life.
Various mantras or chants provide the application of sounds to influence the deity. The scriptures say, “mananaat thraanaat cha manthra” (since it implies inference and as it yields safety, thereof it is a mantra). It can be said that mantra is that which safeguards the mind and Tantra is that which safeguards the body.
Tantra Shastra or the science of Tantra has four organs: Manthropaasanavidhi (the way in which an observer pleases the deity with chants), Purascharanavidhi (the way in which pujas are performed effectively), Yanthralekhanavidhi (the way in which yantras are prepared properly) and Prayogavidhi (the way in which chants are applied).
Performance of homas, pujas, reciting of sookthas (hymns), use of holy ash, certain ghees, and holy water for escaping from ailments, evil spirits or other worries call for appropriate application of mantras.
Each mantra has its deity. When one pleases the deity with respective mantras and homas, the desired end can be achieved.
Tantric rites are classified as Brahmanam and Abrahmanam (Brahmin and non-Brahmin). Performance wise they are classified into three — Satwika, Raajasa and Thaamasa. The deities of these three gunaas (features) should be pleased with the respective mantras. The rites can be used for protection from ailments, fear, poverty, evil spirits and redemption from sin. These rites come under Santhi.
Enticement is another kind of rite in which it is believed that even enemies are persuaded to change their mind.
The third kind of rite can bring to a standstill the evil activities of one’s enemies. The belief in ancient India was that these rites can even help control cruel animals and poisonous snakes. Sorcery is also used to turn one enemy against another.
Utchchadanom is another kind of rite by which someone can be ousted from power. It is usually used to drive away evildoers from a land.
The most powerful rite is Maaranam, which literally means killing. In black magic this kind of karma is performed to cause the death of the enemy
Each mantra has its own rishi (the one who espied it or to whom it was revealed first), tchandas (the style of chanting), devata (deity), shakti (life-force), keelakom (that which supports and empowers it and acts as a link between Aatman and Paramatman), kavachom (the power that protects the observer), shadanganyasam (system that prescribes touching of six parts of body while chanting), dhyanam (posture of sitting and gestures) and form.
It is believed that rites performed strictly as per the Tantric rules can work miracles.

— Dr Venganoor Balakrishnan is the author of Thaliyola, a book on Hindu beliefs and rituals.
He has also written books on the Vedas and Upanishads. The author can be reached
at drvenganoor@yahoo.co.in