Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

APPENDIX II

THE VEDAS AND THE TANTRAS BY

SJ. BRAJA LAL MUKHERJI, M.A.

Y purpose in this paper is not to give to the public any

pre-conceived opinion, but is simply to put together cer-

tain facts which will enable it to form a correct opinion on the subject.

These facts have been collected from sources as to the authenticity of which there is no doubt. There is no dispute that most of these works disclose the state of Vaidik society prior to the 6th century B.C. and that at the time when the said works were composed the Vaidik rituals were being observed and performed. Certain elements which have been assumed to be non-Vaidik, appear in the said works or at least in many of them, and they have been summarily disposed of by some scholars as supplementary (Parishishta), or interpolations (Prakshipta). The theory that these portions are interpolations is based on the assumption that the said elements are non-Vaidik or post-Vaidik and also on the assumpfion that at the times when the said works were composed, the Anushtup-chhandah was not known; and that therefore, those portions of the said works which appear in Anustubh, must be Jater interpolations. We need not go into the propriety of these assumptions in this paper; bnt suffice it to say, that the first assumption simply begs the question, and the second one is not of any importance in connection with the subject of this paper; in as much as, the statements made in the Anustubh portions are corroborated by earlier authorities as to whose antiquity there is no question, and in anv case, the fact that the statements have been made are proof of earlier usage or custom.

Vaidik sacrifices are divided into three classes (1) PaikaHaviryajnas and (3) Soma sacrifices; and there are

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yajnas, (2)