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RELIGIOUS SECTS
Mahabharat, and the name of Tantra, in the sense of a religious text book, does not occur in the vocabulary of AMARA SINHA. It may therefore be inferred, that the system originated at some period in the early centuries of Christianity, being founded on the previous worship of the female principle, and the practices of the Yoga with the Mantras, or mystical formulæ of the Vedas. It is equally certain that the observances of the Tantras have been carried to more exceptionable extremes in comparatively modern times; and that many of the works themselves are of recent composition. They appear also to have been written chiefly in Bengal and the Eastern districts, many of them being unknown in the West and South of India, and the rites they teach having there failed to set aside the ceremonies of the Vedas, although they are not without an important influence upon the belief and the practices of the people.
The Tantras are too numerous to admit in this place of their specification, but the principal are the Śyámá Rahasya, Rudra Yamala, Mantra Mahodadhi, Šáradá Tilaka, and Káliká Tantra, whilst the Kulachúdámani, Kulárnava, and similar works, are the chief authorities of one portion of the Saktas, the sect being divided into two leading branches, the Dakshináchárís and Vámáchárís, or followers of the right hand and left hand ritual.
DAKSHINAS,
BHÁKTAS.
When the worship of any goddess is performed in
or
