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The Anatomy of the Tantras. OR the first time one of the most popular and
English.* (*Shiva Sanhita, translated by Shris Chandra Basu, B.A., F.T.S., Vakil, High Court, NorthWestern Provinces, Published by Hira Lal Dhole, 127, Masjid Bari Street, Calcutta, 1887.) Being considered as mystical works, the Tantras have not received that attention at the hands of Oriental Scholars which their contents undoubtedly deserve. Though it is an undeniable fact that the magic and black arts form the chief topics in a Tantric work, yet valuable information regarding the customs, manners, sciences, etc., of the Hindus during the middle ages, when groaning under the tyrannies of the Mahomedan rule, can be gathered from them, when read between the lines.
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All credit is due therefore to Babu Shris Chandra Basu for being the first to translate a Tantra into English, and thus enabling the English-knowing public to become acquainted with the contents of these mystical works. It would have been an invaluable help to the readers of the Tantras, had the learned translator added some notes to his excellent translation, explained some of the mystic rituals of the Tantrists, 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
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