Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

CHINACHARA

and thousands of beautiful and youthful women whose hearts were gladdened with wine, and whose minds were blissful with enjoyment (Vilasa). They were adorned with clothes which inspired love (Shringaravesha) and the movement of their hips made tinkle their girdles of little bells. Free of both fear and prudish shame they enchanted the world. They surround Ishvara and are devoted to the worship of Devi. Vashishtha wondered greatly when he saw Him in the form of Buddha (Buddharfipi) with eyes drooping from wine. “What” he said “is Vishnu doing in His Buddha form? This way (Achéra) is opposed to Veda (VedavAdaviruddha). I do not approve of it (Asammato mama.”) Whilst so thinking, he heard a voice coming from the ether saying “Oh thou who art devoted to good acts think not like this. This Ach4ra is of excellent result in the SAdhana of Tarint. She is not pleased with anything which is the contrary of this. If thou dost wish to gain Her grace speedily, then worship Her according to Chinachara.” Hearing this voice, Vashishtha’s hairs stood on end and he fell to the ground. Being filled with exceeding joy he prayed to Vishnu in the form of Buddha (Buddharfipa). Buddha, who had taken wine, seeing him was greatly pleased and said “ Why have you come here ?” Vashishtha bowing to Buddha told him of his worship of Tarini. Buddha who is Hari and full of knowledge (Tattvajnana) spoke to him of the five Makdras (M: that is the five commencing with the letter M or Madya, or wine and so forth) which are in Chindchara (Majndnam Chindchaéraddikadranam) saying that this should not be disclosed (a common injunction as regards this ritual and renders it from the opponents’ standpoint suspect). ‘ By practising it thou shalt not again sink into the ocean of being. It is full of knowledge of the Essence (Tattvajniana) and gives immediate liberation (Mukti).” He then goes on to explain a principal feature of this cult, namely its freedom from the ritual rules of the ordinary worship above which the Sadhaka has risen), It 111