Comparative Study of Mantrashastra

Author(s): Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab

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INTRODUCTION
Woodroffe at page 41 of "Shakti and Shakta" 2nd edition, says:
"Thus it (Tantra Shastra) is the storehouse of Indian occultism. This occult side of the Tantras is of scientific importance, the more particularly having regard to the present revived interest in occultist study in the West. "New thought" as it is called and kindred movements are a form of Mantravidyä. Vashikaranam is hypnotism, fascination. There is "Spiritualism" and "Powers" in the Tantras and so forth. For myself, however, the philosophical and religious aspect of the Scripture is more important still. The Main question for the generality of men is not Power (Siddhi). Indeed the study of occultism and its practice has its dangers; and the pursuit of these powers is considered an obstacle to the attainment of that true Siddhi which is the end of every Shastra."
Sir John Woodroffe says further that although worship of Shakti is in some of its essential features very ancient, it is yet, in its essentials, and in its developed form as known to-day, harmonious with some of the teachings of modern philosophy and science. It may be noted here that a large number of publications particularly in America and England on 'New Thought', 'Will Power', 'Vitalism', 'Creative Thought', 'Right Thought', 'Self Unfoldment', 'Secret of Achievement', 'Mental Therapeutics' and the like, embody principles which are essentially those of some forms of Shakti Sadhană both higher and lower. There are also books of disguised magic as how to control others (Vashikarana) by making them buy what they do not want, how to secure 'affection' and so forth which are in certain. respects on the same level as Shabara Tantra a lower class of book on Mantras, Shabara meaning Chandala the lowest of men.
MAIN OBJECTIONS AGAINST TANTRAS
There are two main objections on which it is said that the Tantras are un Vaidic. The first objection is 'Panchatattva' worship or worship with meat, wine, fish, grain and woman. The second is that they contain magic. Taking up the second objection first Sir John Woodroffe says:
"Magic is not peculiar to the Tantras. It is to be found in plenty in the Atharvaveda. In fact the definition of Abhichåra is 'the Karma described in the Tantras and Atharvaveda'.