The Vira or "hero” is one of the ritual expression modes used in tantra, a secret, ritual-based religious practice.
The tantric "hero" is said to be someone who not
only consumes the Five Forbidden Things (panchamakara) in their purest form,
but also uses this inversion of normal moral rules to affirm the ultimate unity
of all things in the universe.
Aspirants who adopt a heroic mode frequently worship a
powerful but dangerous deity, with the ultimate affirmation of this unity being
the affirmation of one's identity with that deity.
If one succeeds, various powers are said to be conferred,
but if one fails, illness, insanity, or death are said to result.
This isn't a risk-free path, but it gets the heroes to their
desired destination quickly.
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