Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

PRESS NOTICES

charms and diayrams and meaningless syllables said to be instinct with supernatural power with here and there horrible filth. . , . The translator who writes under a nom de plume is clearly an European disciple of some Pandit belonging to the left-hand Shaktas; and he shows great sympathy for the sect, He is always ready to defend any of its doctrines and practices even the most shameful. ‘The spell of Hinduism seems to have worked within him in another direction also for he does not show the slightest scintillation of historical interest in all that he writes, although the whole subject bristles with historical problems. On the other hand, his faithful discipleship has brought him a wonderful understanding of the teaching and cult of the sect. . . his introduction and commentary are of great exegetical value.’’—International Review of Missions, (J. N. Farquahar),

“ Students of Hinduism will be thankful to Mr. Arthur Avalon for this new contribution to the study of Tantric philosophy and culture ... The Tantras are claimed to be the specific Shastra for the Kali-Yuga by the Tantriks, Mr. Avalon seems to have taken these latter at their own valuations ; and this has considerably influenced his whole estimate of these books as Shastras or authorities in the Hindu system. In doing so he has fallen into a series of curious errors, in regard to other and particularly the Vaishnavic denominations.’’—Hindu Review,

“Tt seems not quite clear why Tantra has been hitherto neglected, We have, however, much pleasure in noticing with growing: interest and admiration Mr. Avalon’s activity in his attempts to promote the Tantrik branch of Indian literature,’—The Hindu Spiritual Magazine.

“ The developed intelligence will grasp the situation. It is fully explained in these works. Here it is that we find the value of the so-called Introduction by Mr. Ayalon. It is really a Treatise, well-worth publication as a volume complete in itself . . . It is a fascinating study which can be successfully undertaken only by an Indian student learned in Western methods of investigation or by a Western savant in full sympathy with Indian thought and feeling. The learned editor is competent to undertake this task . , , The laws about drink are peculiar, The Tantra says that as man is sinful, there is no use of total abolition ? It was, therefore, enacted that wine may be taken during worship after purification... It is for the same reason that men are born weak in intellect and their minds are distracted by lust that all the rules of Tantra regulating man’s indulging in matters prohibited by the Smritis are enjoined. .. The fate of the cult is instructive. Its ritual was taken over by and absorbed in the orthodox Brahmanism of the Smritis , . . The result is

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