216 SKETCH OF THE 



t 



shmi with Vishnu ; but it is said, that she is equally in all things, and 

 that all things are in her, and that besides her, there is nothing. 



\-5 - 



Although the adoration of Prakriti or Sakti is, to a certain extent, 

 authorised by the Purdnas, particularly the Brahma Vaivartta, the Skanda, 

 and the Kdlika, yet the principal rites and formulae are derived from an 

 independant series of works, known by the collective term of Tantras. 

 These are infinitely numerous, and in some instances of great extent ; 

 they always assume the form of a dialogue between Siva and his bride, in 

 one of her many forms, but mostly as Uma and Parvati, in which the 

 goddess questions the god as to the mode of performing various ceremo- 

 nies, and the prayers and incantations to be used in them. These he 

 explains at length, and under solemn cautions that they involve a great 

 mystery, on no account whatever to be divulged to the profane. 



The followers of the Tantras profess to consider them as a fifth 

 Veda, and attribute to them equal antiquity, and superior authority. | The 



* Thus in the Kdsi Khanda — 



Thou art predicated in every prayer— Brahma and the rest are all born from thee. Thou art 

 one with the four objects of life, and from thee they come to fruit. From thee this whole universe 

 proceeds, and in thee, asylum of the world, all is, whether visible or invisible, gross or subtle in its 

 nature : what is, thou art in the Sakti form, and except thee nothing has ever been. 



f Thus, in the Siva Tantra, Siva is made to say — 



