62 ENUMERATION OF 



until the reign of the Greek Emperor Justinian, 

 and that the laws of China jealoufly guarded the ex- 

 clusive produ&ion. The frequent mention of filk in 

 the mofi ancient Sanfcrit books would not fully dis- 

 prove that opinion ; but the mention of an Indian clafs, 

 whofe occupation it is to attend filk-worms, may be 

 admitted as proof, if the antiquity of the Tantra be 

 not quefrioned. I am informed, that the Tantras col- 

 lectively are noticed in very ancient compofitions; but, 

 as they are very numerous, they muft have been com- 

 pofed at different periods; and the Tantra which I 

 quote, might be thought comparatively modern. 

 However, it may be prefumed that the Rudra-yamala 

 is among the mod authentic, and, by a natural in- 

 ference, among the molt ancient ; fince it is named in 

 the Biirgamehata, where the principal 'Tantras are enu- 

 merated *. 



In the comparative Tables to which I have referred, 

 the clafles are named, with their origin, and the par- 

 ticular profeffions afiigned to them. How far every 

 perfon is bound, by original inftitutions, to adhere 

 rigidly to the profeftion of his clafs, may merit fome 

 enquiry. Lawyers have largely difcuffed the texts of 

 law r concerning this fubject, and fome difference of 

 opinion occurs in their writings. This, however, is 

 not the place for entering into fuch difquifitions. I 

 mall therefore briefly irate what appears to be the belt 

 eftablifhed opinion, as deduced from the texts of Me- 

 nu, and other legal authorities. 



The regular means of fubfiftence for a Brahmana t 

 are affiiling to facrifice, teaching the Vedes t and re- 

 ceiving 



* Thus enumerated, Cali-Tantri, Mundmdld, Tdrd, Nirbdna* 

 Tantra, Servar fdriin, Bira-Tantra, Singdr-chana, Bhuta-Tantra, 

 ■fan and Qdlicdcalpa, Bhairavi-'L antra, and Bhairavkalpa r 

 Tpdala, Matribehtdancha. Mdya-Tantra, Birtfwara, Bifeves-dra, 

 Samoyd -Tantra, Brdhma-Ydmala-TantPa, Rudra-Ydmala-Tantra, 

 San cirydmala-l antra. Guy atri-Tar.tr a. Cdlicdc.ula Scrvafwa, Culdrn- 

 nava i Ycgini-Tantra, and the Tantra Mehijliamarddini* Thefe are 

 here univerfally known, Oh, Bijairavj, grcateji of -fouls ! And 

 many are the Tantras uttered by Sambuu. 



