Beyond the Influence of the Witch - Black Art vs. Bhakti
In his purports, Śrīla Prabhupāda occasionally discusses the existence of "black arts", tantric practices, witchcraft, and the chanting of malevolent mantras used for material gain or destruction. While these subtle sciences are a reality of the material world, they are categorized as completely materialistic and often abominable. Most significantly, the ācāryas use the imagery of black art as a metaphor for the most subtle obstacles in spiritual life. By understanding the nature of these dark arts, a devotee can appreciate the absolute protection provided by the holy name and the necessity of clearing the heart of all selfish desires.
The Nature and Dangers of Black Art
Black art consists of tantric methods and mantras intended to kill, subdue, or devastate an enemy. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that these methods are extremely dangerous for the practitioner. For instance, when Sudakṣiṇa attempted to destroy Dvārakā using a fiery demon created through black art, the mantra ultimately failed against Kṛṣṇa. According to the laws of these subtle sciences, if such a mantra fails to kill the target, it must kill someone, and thus it kills the original creator. Consequently, Sudakṣiṇa and his assisting priests were burned to ashes by their own creation.
- According to the methods of black art mantras instructed in the tantras, if the mantra fails to kill the enemy, then, because it must kill someone, it kills the original creator. Sudaksina was the originator, and the priests assisted him.
- Having failed to set fire to Dvaraka, the fiery demon went back to Varanasi, the kingdom of Kasiraja. As a result of his return, all the priests who had helped instruct the black art of mantras, along with their employer, Sudaksina, were burned to ashes.
- When Sudaksina was encouraged by Lord Siva in that way, he was sure that he would be able to kill Krsna. With a determined vow of austerity, he began to execute the black art of chanting mantras, assisted by the priests.
- Pisaca worship is called "black arts" or "black magic." There are many men who practice this black art, and they think that it is spiritualism, but such activities are completely materialistic.
Witchcraft and Demonic Personalities
Throughout the Vedic literatures, certain personalities are identified as experts in witchcraft and black arts. Pūtanā was a witch capable of killing children through ghastly sinful methods, and Jarā was a witch who used her skills to join the two halves of Jarasandha's body. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that such practices are often used by extremely lusty persons or those performing abominable tantric activities in crematoriums. These practitioners may even attempt to bewilder the servants of the Lord, as occurred during Lord Caitanya's travels, but they are ultimately unsuccessful against a true devotee.
- After consulting with his demoniac ministers, Kamsa instructed a witch named Putana, who knew the black art of killing small children by ghastly sinful methods, to kill all kinds of children in the cities, villages and pasturing grounds.
- Such abominable tantric activities (like eating meat and drinking wine, practicing the black art of worshiping the goddess Bhavani in a crematorium) performed by so-called svamis and yogis are herein (CC Adi 17.52) condemned by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
- They (Bhattatharis) are very expert in these black arts, and one such Bhattathari bewildered the personal servant of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu while the servant accompanied the Lord in His travels through South India.
- There (in forest) they (parts of Jarasandha's body) were later found by a witch named Jara, who was skilled in the black arts. She managed to join the two parts of the baby from top to bottom. Knowing this, Lord Krsna therefore also knew how to kill him.
The Spiritual Comparison: Bhukti and Mukti as a Witch
The most profound teaching regarding this topic is found in the writings of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī. He compares the desires for bhukti (material enjoyment) and mukti (impersonal liberation) to being influenced by the black art of a witch. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that just as a witch possesses and troubles her victim, these two desires haunt the heart of the living entity, preventing the appearance of pure bhakti. As long as one is possessed by the desire for personal gain or the desire to merge into the Brahman effulgence, the sweetness of love of Godhead remains inaccessible.
- Srila Rupa Gosvami has compared possessing these bhukti (material) and mukti (liberation) desires with being influenced by the black art of a witch: in both cases one is in trouble.
- It is actual for the materialistic person that there is an animal, during daytime she is witch, and at night she is tigress. So din ka dakini rat ka baghini palak palak rahu cuse. The witches, they also, by their black art, they suck the blood of children.
- The kamakhya witches, from the black art. That Putana was like that. They suck the blood of children by some mantra.
- This black art of witchcraft is still practiced by some women in the remote northwestern side of India.
The Protection of the Holy Name
Despite the formidable nature of black arts and witchcraft, Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that they are entirely powerless against the process of bhakti. Witchcraft can only thrive in an environment devoid of the chanting and hearing of the holy name. Furthermore, the practice of bhakti-yoga is the highest science; Śrīla Prabhupāda argues that if practitioners of the black arts can achieve ghostly planets, it is logical and certain that a pure devotee will achieve the supreme planet of Kṛṣṇa or Viṣṇu. Devotion is the ultimate shield and the only path to true spiritual perfection.
- Witches can play their black art only where there is no chanting or hearing of the holy name of Krsna.
- It is very easy to understand through this important verse (BG 9.25) that if by practicing the black arts achieve the ghostly planets, why can the pure devotee not achieve the planet of Krsna or Visnu?
- Bhattatharis know many tantric black arts, such as the art of killing a person, of bringing him under submission, and of destroying or devastating him.
- There are many tantric followers who, wishing to eat meat and drink wine, practice the black art of worshiping the goddess Bhavani in a crematorium. Such fools also consider this bhavani-puja to be as good as worship of Lord Krsna in devotional service.
Conclusion
The existence of black art serves as a reminder of the many subtle entanglements of the material world. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that these practices are not only dangerous but entirely materialistic, distracting the soul from its true purpose. By following the instructions of Śrīla Prabhupāda and the previous ācāryas, we can recognize that the desires for bhukti and mukti are the true witches that must be exorcised from the heart. Through the constant chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, one is fully protected from all subtle disturbances and remains securely on the path toward Kṛṣṇa’s eternal abode.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Black Art. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.