Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

SHAKTI AND SHAKTA

this way all the oil of passion is gradually expelled and no more can re-enter, for the water of Jnana will then have wholly takenits place. Here again the general principle of the method is good. As the Latins said “If you attempt to expel nature with a pitchfork it will come back again.” You must infuse something else as a medicament against the ills which follow the natural tendency of desire to exceed the limits which Dharma sets.

The Tantrik Pandit Jaganmohana Tarkdélangkara in his valuable notes appended to the commentary on the Mah&nirvana Tantra of Hariharananda Bh4aratf the Guru of the celebrated ‘‘ Reformer” Rajé Ram Mohan Roy (Ed. of K. G. Bhakta 1888) says “ Let us consider what most contributes to the fall of a man, making him forget his duty, sink into sin and die an early death. First among these are wine and women, fish, meat, Mudra and accessories. By these things men have lost their manhood. Shiva then desires to employ these very poison in order to eradicate the poison in the human system. Poison is the antidote for poison. This is the right treatment for those who long for drink or lust for women. The physician must however be an experienced one. If there be a mistake as to the application the patient is likely to die. Shiva has said that the way of KulAch&ra is as difficult as it is to walk on the edge of a sword or to hold a wild tiger. There is a secret argument in favour of the Panchatattva, and those Tattvas so understood should be followed by all. None however but the initiate can grasp this argument and therefore Shiva has directed that it should not be revealed before anybody and everybody. An initiate when he seesa woman will worship her as his own mother and Goddess (Ishtadevat&) and bow before her. The Vishnu Purana says that by feeding your desires you cannot satisfy them. It is like pouring ghee on fire. Though this is true, an experienced spiritual teacher (Guru) will know how, by the application of this poisonous medicine, to kill the poison of

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