Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

SHAKTI AND SHAKTA

commonly overlooked which exists between the question whether an individual is immoral and whether the teaching and practice which he follows is so. We may with logical consistency answer the first in the negative and the second in the affirmative. Nevertheless we must mention the existence of some practices which seem difficult to explain and justify, even on the general principles upon which Tantrik Sadhana proceeds. Peculiar liberties have been allowed to the Siddha Viras who are said to have taken part in them. Possibly they are non-existent to-day. A Siddha Vira I may incidentally explain, isa Vira who has become accomplished (Siddha) by doing the rite called Purashcharana of his Mantra the number of times multiplied by one lakh (100,000) that the Mantra contains letters. A Pandit friend tells me that the Siddham4larahasya describes a rite (Chf'dachakra) in which fifty Siddha Viras go with fifty Shaktis, each man getting his companion by lot by selecting one out of a heap of the Shakti’s jackets (Chfidé). His Shakti is the woman to whom the jacket belongs. In the Snehachakra (Love Chakra) the Siddha Viras pair with the Shaktis according as they have a liking for them. Anandabhuvanayoga is another unknown rite done with not less than three and not more than one hundred and eight Shaktis who surround the Vira. He unites with one Shakti (Bhogy& shakti) and touches the rest. In the Urna Chakra (Urna =spider’s web) the Viras sit in pairs tied to one another with cloths. A clue to the meaning of these rites may perhaps be found in the fact that they are said to have been done at the instance, and at the cost of, third parties for the attainment of some worldly success. Thus the first was done, I am told, by the Rajas to gain success in battle. If this be so they belong rather to the side of magic than of religion and are in any case no part of the ordinary Sadhana to attain the true Siddhi which is spiritual advancement. It may also be that just as in the ordinary ritual Bréhmanas are fed and receive gifts, these Chakras were, in part at least, held with the 354