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INTRODUCTION
spiritual worshipper and voluntarily aid him in whatever he does though he never desires their aid. It is thus that Mantravāda which is principally connected with Adhidaivikavāda leads to Adhyātmavāda and is practised even by persons striving only for final beatitude. Om, Hrim, and Arham are the Mantra Bijas usually recited by such Adhyātmikas.
We may here mention that of the various Tāntrika Sampradãyas already mentioned the Jains may be said to follow Kashmere Sampradaya, for the reasons that Jain worship is essentially Sāttvika and that Jains are known from the most ancient times to worship Sarasvati or Sệtadevatā, the goddess of learning, and the principal quality of Tirthankara is omniscience universal knowledge, and Sarasvati
s known to be a Sāuvika deity, principally worshipped in Kashmere Sampradaya, and Kashmere is known to be her abode.+ It is true that sometimes she is worshipped there under the name of Tripurā, but it is only another name of Sarasvati. It is said by a Tāntrika writer that of the 51 or 52 Pithas in various parts of India, the Pitha at Kashmere is of Kșīra-Bhavānix who can be easily identified with Sarasvati who is known to be of milk-like whiteness. According to Bhagavati Bhāgavata the Pitha there is of Medhā or intellect. According to a legend the famous scholar Hemacandrācārya also proceeded towards Kashmere for the Sadhanā of Sarasvati but she was pleased to grant him the desired boon on the way and he returned to Cambay having achieved his object. Similarly as Jain Acāra is Sättvika it can be
* See Nirvāņakalikā P. 34 where Shakti of Arhan is said to be Jnānashakti i. e. Sarasvati. + ata a aa argrafafar I'erradiazifagai $ The Pithas are considered to be 72 or 108 according to other authorities.
The Pitha is situate near Gandharval which is fifteen miles to the north of Srinagar, the capital of Kashmere. The temple of Kșirabhavāni is in the midst of a Kunda or tank. The deity is variously known as Yogamāyā or Mahāmāya. A fair is held in her honour on Jyestha Suklā Astami each year. See p. 639 Shakti-issue Vol. IX Kalyāņa, 1934.
