Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

SHAKTI AND SHAKTA

in this Tantra prohibited Sadhana with the fifth Tattva with other Shaktis in the case of men of ordinary weak intellect ruled by lust; but for those who have by Sadhana conquered their passions and attained the state of a true Siddha Vira, there is no prohibition as to the mode of Latésadhana. With this I deal later, but meanwhile I may observe that because there isa Shakti in the Chakra it does not follow that there is sexual intercourse, which, when it occurs in the worship of householders, ordinarily takes place outside the Chakra. Shaktis are of two kinds—those who are enjoyed (Bhogy& Shakti) and those who are worshipped only (Pfijy&) as earthly representatives of the Supreme Mother of all. Those who yield to desire, even in thought, as regards the latter commit the sin of incest. with their mother. Similarly there is a widespread practice amongst all Shaktas of worship of Virgins (Kumaripfija) a very beautiful ceremony. So also in Brahmaradjayoga there is worship of virgin only.

It is plain that up to this point there is (apart from the objection of other Hindus to wine) nothing to be said against the morality of the SAdhan4 prescribed, though some may take exception to the association of natural function of any kind, however legitimate, with what they regard as worship. This is not a question of morality and I have dealt with it. The reader will also remember that the ritual already described applies to the general mass of worshippers, and that to which [ am passing is the ritual of the comparatively few, and so called advanced Sddhakas. The charge of immorality against all Shaktas whether following this ritual] or not fails, and people need not run away in fear on hearing that a man is a “T&ntrik.” He may not be a Shakta Tantrik at all, and if he is a Shakta he may have done nothing to which the world at large will take moral exception. I now pass to another class of cases. Generally speaking, we may distinguish not only between Dakshinachara and

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