RELIGIOUS SECTS OF THE HINDUS. 223 



The object of the worship is, by the reverence of Devi or Sakti, who is 

 one with Siva, to obtain supernatural powers in this life, and to be identifi- 

 ed after death with Siva and Sakti. 



According to the immediate object of the worshipper, is the parti- 

 cular form of worship ; but all the forms require the use of some or all of 

 the five Makdras* 3Idnsa, Malsya, Madya, Maithuna, and Miidrd, flesh, 

 fish, wine, women, and certain mystical gesticulations. Suitable Mantras 

 are also indispensable, according to the end proposed, consisting of 

 various unmeaning monosyllable combinations of letters of great imagi- 

 nary efficacy. t 



* They are thus enumerated in the Sydma Rahasya : 



Wine, flesh, fish, Mudrd, and Maithuna, are the five-fold Makdra, which takes away all sin. 



•j- Many specimens might be given, but one will be here sufficient. It is the combination 

 H and S as ^J, and is one of the very few to which any meaning is attempted to be given : it is 

 called the Prdsdda Mantra, and its virtues and import are thus described in the Kuldrnava. 



" He who knows the excellent Prasdda Mantra, that was promulgated by the fifth Veda, /'the 

 Tantras) and which is the supreme form of us both, he is himself Siva : this Mantra is present in all 

 beings that breathe from Siva, to a worm, and exists in states of expiration and inspiration." The 

 letter H is the expirated, and S the inspirated letter, and as these two acts constitute life, the 

 Mantra they express is the same with life : the animated world would not have been formed without 

 it, and exists but as long as it exists, and it is an integral part of the universe, without being distinct 

 from it, as the fragrance of flowers, and sweetness of sugar, oil of Sesamum seed, and Sakti of Siva. 

 He who knows it needs no other knowledge — he who repeats it need practice no other act of adora- 

 tion. The authority quoted contains a great deal more to the same purpose. 



