Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

CHINACHARA

what Mantra they became Siddha.” The same Tantra (IV. 10) defines a Bhairava as follows: “* He who purifies these five (i.e. Panchatattva) and after offering the same (to the Devat&) partakes thereof is a Bhairava.” Buddha then is said to be a Kula-bhairava. It is to be noted that Buddhist Tantriks who practice this ritual are accounted Kaulas. Shiva replied “He Jan&rdana (Vishnu) is the excellent Deva in the form of Buddha (Buddharfipi)”. It is said in the SamayAchara Tantra that Tara and Kalika, in their different forms, as also Matanggi, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, and Dhfimavati belong to the northern Amnaya. The Sixth Chapter of the Sammohana Tantra mentions a number of Scriptures of the Bauddha class, together with others of the ShAkta, Shaiva, Vaishnava, Saura and G&napatya classes.

Vashishtha is spoken of in the XVIIth Chapter of the Rudrayamala and the Ist Patala of the Brahmaydmala. The following is the account in the former Tantrik Scripture :—

Vashishtha, the self-controlled, the son of Brahma practised for ages severe austerities in a lonely spot. For six thousand years he did Sadhana, but still the Daughter of the Mountains did not appear to him. Becoming angry he went to his father and told him his method of practice. He then said “ Give me another Mantra Oh Lord since this Vidya (Mantra) does not grant me Siddhi (success) otherwise in your presence I shall utter a terrible curse.”

Dissuading him Brahma said ‘Oh son who art learned in the Yoga path do not do so. Do thou worship Her again with whole-hearted feeling, when She will appear and grant you boons. She is the Supreme Shakti. She saves from all dangers. She is lustrous like ten million suns. She is dark blue (Nila). She is cool like ten million moons. She is like ten million lightning-flashes. She is the spouse of Kala (Kalakamini), She is the beginning of all. In Her there is neither Dharma nor Adharma. She is in the form

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