Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

SHAKTI AND SHAKTA

unauthoritativeness of the Tantra Shastras generally (I do not speak of any particular form of it) has been taken by Indians from their European Gurus.

According to the Shakta Scriptures, Veda in its wide sense does not only mean Rik, Yajus, Sama, Atharva as now published but comprises these together with the generally unknown and unpublished Uttara Kanda of the Atharva Veda, called Saubhagya, with the Upanishads attached to this, Sf&yana’s Commentary is written on the Parva Kanda. These are said (though I have not yet verified the fact) to be 64 in number. Some of these, such as Advaitabhava, Kaula, Kalika Upanishads and others, | am shortly publishing. I may also here refer my reader to the Kaulacharyya Sadananda’s Commentary on the great Isha Upanishad. Included also in “ Veda ” (according to the same view) are the Nigamas, Agamas Yamalas and Tantras. From these all other ShAstras which explain the Artha of Veda such as Purana and Smriti, also Itihasa and so forth are derived. All these ShAstras constitute what is called a “ Many millioned ” (Shatakoti) Samhita which are developed the one from the other as it were an unfolding series. In the Tantrik Sangraha called Sarvollasa by the Sarvavidyasiddha Sarvanandandtha the latter cites authority (Narayani Tantra) to show that from Nigama came Agama. Here I pause to note that the Sammohana says that Kerala Sampraddya is Dakshina and follows Veda (Vedamargastha), whilst Gauda (to which Sarvanandanatha belonged) is Vama and follow Nigama. Hence apparently the pre-eminence given to Nigama. He then says from Agama came YAmala, from Yamala the four Vedas, from Vedas the Puranas, from Puranas Smriti, and from Smriti all other Shdstras. There are, he says, five Nigamas and 64 Agamas. Four Yamalas are mentioned, which are said to give the Sthflarfipa. As some may be surprised to learn that the four Vedas came from the Yamalas (i.e. were

Antargata of the Yamalas) which literally means what is 12