Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

SHAKTI AND SHAKTA

of its followers. The injunction laid upon the Sadhaka is that he “ should do good to other beings as if they were his own self.” Atmavat sarvabhittebhyo hitam kuryydt kuleshvart. (Kularnava Tantra XII 63.) In the Kularnava Samhita (a different and far inferior work to the Tantra of that name) Shiva recites some horrible rites with the flesh of rat and bat; with the soiled linen of a Chandala woman, with the shroud of a corpse, and so forth ; and then he says “My heart trembles (hridayam kampate mama) my limbs tremble (gatrani mama kampante) my mouth is dry oh Parvati (mukham shushyate Parvati!) Oh gentle one my mind is all disturbed (kshobho me jayate bhadre.) What more shall I say ? Conceal it (Na vaktavyam) ‘“ conceal it, conceal it.” He then says :—“ In the Kali age Sadhakas are generally greedy of money. Having done greatly sinful acts they destroy living beings. For them there is neither Guru nor Rudra nor Thee nor Sadhika. My dear life they are ready to do acts for the destruction of men. Therefore it is wrong to reveal these mattersoh Devi. I have told Thee out of affection for Thee, being greatly pleased by Thy kisses and embrace. But it should be as carefully concealed by Thee as thine own secret body. Oh Parvati all this is greatly sinful and a very bad Yoga. (Mahapatakayuktang tat kuyogo ’yamudahritah).”

Kalikdle sadhakastu prayasho dhandlolupah

Mahakrityang vidhdyaiva pranindng badhabhéginah

Na gurur napi Rudro vd naiva tvang naiva sadhika

Mahéprénivinadshdya samarthah pranavallabhe

Etat prakaéshanam devi doshdya parikalpyate

Snehena tava deveshi chumbandlinganaistathé

Santushyaiva mayé devi sarvam etat prakashitam

Tvaya gopyang prayatnena svayoniriva Parvati

Mahdpataka-yuktang tat kuyogo’ yamudahritah

“None of these things are ever to be done by Thee Oh Daughter of the mountain (Sarvatha naiva kartavyang tvaya Parvatanandini) Whoever does so, incurs the sin of

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