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three points by joining which the triangle is formed are the said "Trio"." The deity presiding over this 'Traipuradhāma' is 'Tripura' and the detailed and complete representation of it is 'Srichakra' and the Vidyā relating to it is 'Srividya'. The other names given to Tripura in the Aranyakas are 'Subhaga' 'Sundari' and 'Ambika'. Kanya, Kumārī, Kātyāyani and Durga are mentioned in Taittiriya Aranyaka. Umā Haimavati and Gauri are equally well-known. The worship of this deity is set forth in Saubhagyakānda which is considered to be a part of Atharvaveda. Some of the Mantras of this Kanda are to be found in Aranyakas in the rites relating to Yajna. Literally their meaning is applicable to the Yajnas, while in reality they relate to the worship of the deity. At page 158 of the said work the learned author says Buddhist Tantrism is evidence of Buddhism having risen from Hinduism and having been ultimately mixed up with it. He also says that apart from Buddhistic Philosophy the Buddhistic literature relating to Vyavahāra-dharma and ordinary rules of conduct was based on the Hindu Tantric literature as the Hindu Tantrics were not particular about Varnashrama-dharma. Referring to the Buddhist Tantra Srichakra Sambhāra he says that worship of Sakti including Mandalas, Bija-Nyāsas, Mantras, Mudras, Upachāras Abhişeka and Dhyana as therein described follows Hindu Tantrashastra, the difference being only in the name of the deities. He says that it would be clear to every critical person that a thing is not changed by being differently named. He further says that as there is extensive Brahmanic Tantric literature relating to Kāli and Srividya, there is extensive Buddhist Tantric literature relating to Tārā. He says that among the Hinayānists also Maņimekhalā is worshipped as the deity presiding over the sea and that there is reference to this deity in 'Mahānipāta' and 'Dasanipata'. We may here translate the verse, rendered in Gujarati by the said learned writer from a Tantra at page 81 of the said work, to show that worship of Sakti is universal:"Maheshvaras call her Sakti, Sankhyas Parā Prakriti, worshippers of the Sun Mahārājnī, Buddhists Tārā, Chārvākas Ashā, Pāshupatas Santā, Jainas Sri, followers of Brahma Sraddha, Vaidikas Gāyatri, and the ignorant
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INTRODUCTION
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