Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

PRESS NOTICES

haps the most baffling in the whole vast complex of Hindu religion. We wish him success in his labours. —Ouest.

‘< Tantrik literature has been neglected by Sanskrit scholars as well as students of comparative religion ... Mr. Arthur Avalon has devoted himself to the study of these obscure writings with an enthusiasm worthy, some would think, of other Sanskrit writings as yet untranslated. One may join in his hope that much of the prejudice against them will disappear when the Tantras are read in their entirety

_ excellent translation . . . Mr. Avalon and his collaborator deserve to be congratulated on their success in a really difficult task.” —Times of India.

«These two valuable volumes for the first time try to present what may well be described as an inside view of a most important branch of Hindu spiritual culture, not only to the western world but even to the so-called modern reader m Hindustan itself... The translators are—their apparently French pen-name notwithstandingunmistakably English, but without the least little insularity characteristic of their race. They evidently went to the study of these uninviting books with an absolutely open mind, and have availed themselves of every help that they could get from genuine Hindu Pandits and Sadhakas in their study and interpretation of these sacred texts. These and other volumes in preparation will throw considerable light upon an aspect of Hindu thought and culture which has so long baffled the modern intellect.” —Hindu Review.

“ These two works deal with a decadent phase of Indian religion professed by the sect of Shaktas. In the Tantras or Scriptures of this sect we find the lofty conceptions of earlier and purer beliefs often almost entirely obscured by brainless hocus pocus and debasing and sensual rites. Of such a character is the religion which the translator of this work extols and recommends to the world of the twentieth century ! It appears that this Tantra is the first to be translated into English. Unfortunately the programme of similar enterprises projected by the translator deprives us of the hope that it might also prove the last.’’Athenaum. “© To speak frankly, we believe the Tantrik teachings to represent the Hindu spirit at its very worst ... But whatever be the merit of the Tantras from a moral and intellectual point of view, there can be no doubt of their immense influence over India, and as a document of the Hindu mind—almost at its lowest, we think—this translation, made

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