Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

TANTRA SHASTRA AND VEDA

of Vaidik truth. No Shakta will however say that. Subject to this, I do not know of anything which it omits and should have included, or states contrary to the tenor of Vaidik doctrine. If there be anything I shall be obliged, as a student of the Shastra, to any one who will call my attention to it. The Shastra has not therefore up to this point shown itself as a “Hell” in opposition to the Vaidik “ Heaven.”

But it may be said that I have omitted the main thing which gives it its bad and unvaidik character namely the ill-famed Panchatattva or worship with meat, wine, fish, grain and woman. I have also omitted the magic to be found in some of the ShAstras.

The latter may be first shortly dealt with. Magic is not peculiar to the Tantras. It is to be found in plenty in the Atharvaveda. In fact the definition of Abhichara is “the Karma described in the Tantras and Atharvaveda.” Abhichara is magical process with intent to destroy or injure. It is Hingsa-Karma, or act injurious to others. There is nothing anti-vaidik then in Magic. I may however here also point out that there is nothing wrong in Magic (Shatkarma) per se. As with so many other things it is the use or abuse of it which makes it right or wrong. If a man kills by Marana Karma a rival in his business to get rid of competition and to succeed to his clients custom, he commits a very grave sin—one of the most grievous of sins. Suppose however that a man saw a tiger stalking a child, or a dacoit about to slay it for its golden ornament; his killing of the tiger or dacoit would, if necessary for the safety of the child, be a justifiable act. Magic is however likely to be abused and has in fact been abused by some of the Tantriks. I think this is the most serious charge established against them. For evil magic which proceeds from malevolence is a greater crime than any abuse of natural appetite. But in this, as in other matters, we must distinguish between what the Shastra says and the practices