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THE ANATOMY OF THE TANTRAS
and tried to show what scientific truths are contained in them. In the elaborate introduction to his translation Babu Shris Chandra has in a masterly manner handled the subject of Yoga. But unfortunately this introduction even does not contain any explanation of the Tantric rituals and technical words.
The Tantras throw a flood of light upon the anatomical kuowledge of the Hindus-especially they give a more clear description of the nervous system of mani than is to be found in the Hindu medical works. Trying to explain the mysteries of man-to understand the relation he bears to God, the Almighty Creator, the Yogis and the Tantrists had inade a special study of the pervous syste... And undoubtedly this knowledge they had gained by dissection.* [*In ancient India, dissection was compulsory for two classes of people, viz.:-the Yogis and the Physicians. Thus the great medical autbor of the Hindus, Sushruta, says that''an Yogi (holy man] should dissect in order that he may know the different parts of the human body." [Wise's Commentary on the Hindu Medicine, p. 48].
The language of the Tantras being too allegorical and too mystical to be understood by the unipitiated, it is very difficult to identify the Nadis, the Chakras and the Padmas described in them.
However, some of the spots are easily identifiable from their simple and lucid description. Thus it is apparent that the "nectar-rayed moon" [Vide Shiva San
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