Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

SHAKTI AND SHAKTA

the Vedas, Shastras and Puranas like fire in wood, by his freedom from fear of the Pashu, by his adherence to the truth, and by his open performance of the Panchatattva ritual. Open and frank he cares not what is said.” He offers the Panchatattvas openly. Then follows a notable passage. “ Just as it is not blameable to drink openly in the Sautiamani Yajna, so in Siddhantachara wine is drunk openly. As it is not blameable to kill horses in the Ashvamedha Yajna, so no offence is committed in killing animals in this Dharma.” Nitya Tantra says that an article, be it pure or impure, becomes pure by purification. Holding a cup made of human skull, and wearing the Rudiaksha, the Siddhantacharl moves on earth in the form of Bhairava Himself. The knowledge of the last Achara, that of the Kaula, makes one Shiva. Just as the footprint of every animal disappears in that of the elephant so every Dharma is lost in the greatness of Kuladharma. Here there are no injunctions or prohibitions, no restriction as to time or place, in fact no rule at all. A Kaula is himself Guru and Sadashiva and none are superior to him. Kaulas are of three classes, inferior (the ordinary or Pidkrita Kaula), who is ever engaged in ritual such as Japa, Homa, Pfja, follows Virachara (with Panchatattva) and strives to attain the highland of knowledge ; middling is the Kaula who does SAdhanA with the Panchatattva, is deeply immersed in meditation (Dhydna) and Samadhi; superior, the Kaula who “Oh Mistress of the Kaulas sees the imperishable, and all pervading Self in all things and all things in the Self.” He isa good Kaula who makes no distinction between mud and sandal-paste, gold and straw, a home and the cremation ground. He isa superior Kaula who meditates on the Self with the self, who has equally regard for all, who is full of contentment, forgiveness and compassion. Nitya Tantra (Patala III) says that Kaulas move about in various shapes, now as an ordinary man of the world adhering to social rules (Shishta) at other times 80