Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

MATAM RUTRA

filled all space. They were of the peaceful, the wrathful, the half-peaceful and the half-wrathful orders, in inconceivably large numbers. They began to surround the Rutra-Tharpa-Nagpo, who being unable to bear the pain of being stretched asunder cried in agony :—

““Oh, I am defeated! The Horse and the Sow have

defeated the Rutra.

“The Buddhas have defeated the Demons.

“Religion has conquered Ir-religion,

“The Sangha has defeated the Tirthikas,

‘Indra has defeated the Asuras,

“The Asuras have defeated the Moon

“The Garuda has defeated the Ocean

“ Fire defeats fuel, Wind scatters the Clouds

“ Diamond (Vajra) pierces metals

“Oh it was I who said that last night’s dream por-

tended evil.

“Oh slay me quick, if you are going to slay me.”

As he said this his bowels were involuntarily loosened and from the excreta which, being thus purified, fell into the Ocean, there at once arose a precious sandal tree, which was a wish-granting tree. This tree struck its root in the nether world of the Serpent-spirits, spread its foliage in the Asura-lokas, and bore its fruits in the Deva-lokas. And the fruits were named Amrita (the essence and elixir of life).

Then the two, Chief Actor and Actress, Hayagriva and Vajra-Varahi acted the joyful plays called the ‘ Plays of Happy Cause, ‘Happy Path and Happy Result,’ in the nine glorious measures. (That is plays in which the actors are happy being the male and female Divinities, in this case Hayagriva and Vajra-Varahi. They are the cause ; their play being exoterically “ Dalliance”’ (Lila) and their result the dispelling of Egoism which is Illumination).

Just as a victor in a battle, who has slain his enemy, wins the armour and the accoutrements of his slain opponent,

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