Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

SHAKTI AND SHAKTA

Ashvakranté. According to the Shaktamangala and Mahasiddhisara Tantras, Vishnukrantaé (which includes Bengal) extends from the Vindhya range to Chattala or Chittagong. From Vindhya to Thibet and China is Rathakrantaé. There is then some difference between these two Tantras as to the position of Ashvakranta. According to the first this last Kranta extends from the Vindhya to the sea which perhaps includes the rest of India. According to the Mah4siddhisara Tantra it extends from the Karatoy4 River to a point which cannot be identified with certainty in the text cited, but which may be Java. To each of these 64 Tantras have been assigned. One of the question awaiting solution is whether the Tantras of these three geographical divisions are marked by doctrinal and ritual peculiarities and if so what they are. This subject has been referred to in the first volume of the “ Principles of Tantra” wherein a list of Tantras is given.

In the Shakta division there are four Sampradayas namely Kerala, Kashmira, Gauda and Vilasa in each of which there is both outer and inner worship. The Sammohana Tantra gives these four Sampradayas, also the number of Tantras, not only in the first three Sampradayas, but in China and Dravida. Ihave been informed that out of 56 Desha (which included beside Hunas, places outside India, such as China, Mahachina, Bhota, Singhala), 18 follow Gauda extending from Nepala to Kalinga and 19 follow Kerala extending from Vindhyachala to the Southern Sea, the remaining countries forming part of the Kashmira Desha; and that in each Sampradaya there are Paddhatis such as Shuddha, Gupta, Ugra. There is variance in Devatds and Rituals some of which are explained in the Tarasukta and Shaktisangama Tantra.

There are also various Matas such as Kadi Mata called Viradanuttara of which the Devata is Kali; Hadi Mata called Hangsaraja of which Tripurasundar? is DevatA and Kahadi Mata the combination of the two of which Tara is