Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

SHAKTI AND SHAKTA

Pijdkdlang vind nanyang purushang manasa sprishet Pija-kale cha Deveshi veshyeva paritoshayet

What then is the meaning of this “competency” the non-existence of which relaxes the ordinary rule? The principle on which worship is done with another Shakti is stated in the Guhyak4likhanda of the Mahakala Sanghita as follows :Vadrishah sadhakah proktah sadhik? pi cha tadrisht Tatah siddhim avapnoti nanyathé varsha-kotibhth

(“As is the competency of the Sadhaka so must be that of the SadhikA. In this way only is success attained and not otherwise even in ten million years”). That is both the man and the woman must be on the same level and plane of development. Thus in the performance of the great ShodhanyAsathe Shakti must be possessed of the same powers and competency as the S&dhaka. In other words a Sahadharmint must have the same competency as the Sadhaka with whom she performs the rite. Next, it is not for any man at his own undisciplined will to embark on a practice of this kind. He can only do so if adjudged competent by his Guru. A person of an ignorant, irreligious, and lewd disposition is, properly, incompetent. Then it is commonly thought that because another Shakti is permitted, unlimited promiscuity isallowed. This is of course not so. It must be admitted that the Sh&akta Tantra at least pretends to be a religious Scripture, and could not as such directly promote immorality in this way. For under no pretence can morality, or SAdhana for spiritual advancement, be served by directions for, or tacit permissions of, uncontrolled promiscuous sexual intercourse. There may of course have been hypocrites wandering around the country and its women who sought to cover their lasciviousness with the cloak of a pretended religion. But this is not Sadhan& but conscious sin. The fruit of Sadhana is lost by license and the growth of sensuality. The proper rule, I am told, is that the relationship with such a Shakti should be of a permanent

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