________________
255
as LAKSHMI, SARASVATI, the Mátris, the Nayikás, the Yoginis, and even the fiend-like Dákinis and Śákinis, are admitted to a share of homage. With them, as well as with the preceding sect, SIVA is also an object of veneration, especially in the form of BHAIRAVA, with which modification of the deity it is the object of the worshipper to identify himself'.
The worship of the Vámácháris is derived from a portion of the Tantras: it resolves itself into various subjects, apparently into different sects, of which that of the Kaula, or Kulina, is declared to be pre-eminent2. The object of the worship is, by the reverence of DEVÍ or SAKTI, who is one with SIVA, to obtain supernatural
1
OF THE HINDUS.
2
भैरवो ऽहमिति ज्ञात्वा सर्वज्ञो ऽहं गुणान्वितः । इति सञ्चिन्त्य योगीन्द्रः कुलपूजां समाचरेत् ॥
"I am Bhairava, I am the omniscient, endowed with qualities. Having thus meditated, let the devotee proceed to the Kula worship."--Śyámá Rahasya.
सर्वेभ्यश्चोत्तमा वेदा वेदेभ्यो वैष्णवं परं । वैष्णवादुत्तमं शेवं शैवाद्दचिणमुत्तमं ॥ दक्षिणादुत्तमं वामं वामात्सिद्धान्तमुत्तमं । सिद्धान्तादुत्तमं कौलं कौलात्परतरं न हि ॥
"The Vedas are pre-eminent over all works, the Vaishnava sect excels the Vedas, the Saiva sect is preferable to that of VISHNU, and the right hand SAKTA to that of SIVA- the left hand is better than the right hand division, and the Siddhanta is better still-the Kaula is better than the Sidhhánta, and there is none better than it."-Kulárnava. The words Kaula and Kulina are both derivatives from Kula, family; and the latter is especially applied to imply of good or high family: these terms have been adopted to signify, that those who follow this doctrine are not only of one, but of an exalted race.
