Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

SHAKTI AND SHAKTA

nude with an upper garment of human skin and tiger skin round the loins. They have a skull headdress, carry bone rosaries, a staff and Damaru like Shiva. The. Herukas are described in the Tibetan books as being beautiful, heroic, awe-inspiring, stern and majestic). Blazing in the nine kinds of physical magnificence and splendour, they proceeded to the Malaya Mountain,—the abode of the Rutra. On the four sides of the Mountain, were four gates, Hach gate was guarded by a Demoness, bearing respectively a Mare’s, Sow’s, Lion’s and a Dog’s head. These the Glorious One conquered, and united therewith in a spirit of nonattachment. From their union were born the following female issue: (1) The White Horse-faced, (2) The Black Sow-faced, (3) The Red Lion-faced, (4) and the Green Dogfaced daughters. Proceeding still further He met another cordon of sentries, who, too were females, bearing the heads of (1) Lioness (2) Tigress (3) Fox (4) Wolf (5) Vulture (6) Kanka, (7) Raven and (8) Owl. With these Demonesses too, the Glorious One united in a spirit of non—attachment, and blessed the act. Of this union were born female offspring, each of whom took after the mother ia outward shape or Matter, and after the father in Mind. Thus were the eight Phra-men-mas or Demi-goddesses born: viz: The Lionheaded, Tiger-headed and so forth. Being divine in mind, they possess prescience and wisdom, although from their mother they retained their shape and features, which were

those of brutes. Then again proceeding further inward, He came upon

the daughters of the Rutras and of Rakshasas; named respectively, Nyobyed—m& or “ She who maddens,” Tagjedma “She who frightens,’ Dri-medma “The unsullied,” Kempam& “She who dries one up,” Phorthogma “She who bears the Cup" and Zhyongthogma the “‘ bow! bearer.”

The Glorious One united with these in the same manner, and from them, were born the eight Mé4trik&s of the eight Sthfnas, (sacred places) known as Gaurim& and so forth.

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