220 SKETCH OF THE 



victims are also offered to DEvf, in her terrific forms only, as Kali or 

 DurgX. The worship is almost confined to a few districts ; and, perhaps, 

 is carried to no great extent. 



Although any of the goddesses may be objects of the Sdkta worship, 

 and the term Sakti comprehends them all, yet the homage of the Sdktas 

 is almost restricted to the wife of Siva, and to Siva himself, as identified 

 with his consort.* The sect is, in fact, a ramification from the common 

 Saiva stock, and is referred to Siva himself as its institutor. In the 

 Tantras, as has been noticed, he appears as its professor, expounding to 

 Parvati the mantras, tenets, and observances of the Sdkta worship, whe- 

 ther of the right or left hand description. 



The worship of Devi, thus naturally resulting from the works on 

 which the Sdkta doctrines are founded, is one of considerable antiquity 

 and popularity. Laying aside all uncertain and fabulous testimony, the 



* f sisretfar ttcM wg$ stto^t^* i 

 srer^xRiNefm farmer irxrsnra i 



The joint form of Siva and Sakti is to be worshipped by the virtuous. Whoever adores Sakti, 

 and offers not adoration to Siva, that Mdnlrika is diseased : he is a sinner, and hell will be his 

 portion." For it appears that some of the Sdktas elevate the Sakti above the Saktiman, or deity : 

 thus the Vdmis, in the Sankqra Vyaya, say : 



" 'Sakti gives strength to Siva, without her he could not stir a straw. She is, therefore, the 

 cause of Siva. 



And again ; of the two objects which are eternal, the greater is the Sakti. 



