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RELIGIOUS SECTS
authorities, and by a very general belief of their occurrence. The members of the sect are enjoined secrecy, which, indeed, it might be supposed they would observe on their own account, and, consequently, will not acknowledge their participation in such scenes. They will not, indeed, confess that they are of the Śákta sect, although their reserve in this respect is said, latterly, to be much relaxed. It is contrary, however, to all knowledge of the human character, to admit the possibility of these transactions in their fullest extent; and, although the worship of the SAKTI, according to the above outline, may be sometimes performed, yet there can be little doubt of its being practiced but seldom, and then in solitude and secrecy. In truth, few of the ceremonies, there is reason to believe, are ever observed; and, although the Chakra is said to be not uncommon, and by some of the zeallous Śáktas it is scarcely concealed, it is usually nothing more than a convivial party, consisting of the members of a single family, or at which men only are assembled, and the company are glad to eat flesh and drink spirits, under the pretence of a religious ob
धर्माधर्मकलास्नेहपूर्ण वह्नौ जुहोम्यहम् । स्वाहान्ते वायुमन्त्रेण शुक्रमादाय पार्वति ॥ श्रीचक्रे तर्पयेद्देवि ततः सिद्धिमवाप्नुयात् । सम्पूज्य कान्तां संतर्प्य स्तुत्वा नत्वा परस्परम् ॥ संहारसन्धया मन्त्री शक्तिवीरान्विसर्जयेत् ।
The zeal that is prescribed might suit some more civilized associations:
