History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c92.22

v7.c92.22

The question whether Buddhist Tantras were prior to Hindu Tantras or *vice versa* is difficult to decide It appears probable that both arose nearly about the same time. Vide 'The Śāktas' by E. A Payne pp. 72-74 for discussion of views In the Sādhanamālā (a Vajrayāna work consisting of 312 small works composed according to Dr. Bhattacharya from the 3rd century A D to 12th century A D.) four *pīṭhas* (chief centres) of Vajrayāna¹⁶⁷³ are mentioned viz. Kāmākhyā, Sirihaṭṭa (or Śrīhaṭṭa), Pūrṇagiri and Uḍḍiyāna The first two are respectively identified with Kāmākhyā or Kāmarūpa (three miles from Gauhati) and modern Sylhet. The exact situation of the other two is a controversial matter. M. M. H. P. Shastri identified Uḍḍiyāna (which is most frequently mentioned as a pīṭha) with Orissa. His son Dr B. Bhattacharya thinks it most probable that Vajrayāna Tāntricism arose in Uḍḍiyāna (p. 46 of Intro. to B. E.). Dr. Bagchi in 'Studies in the Tantras' pp. 37–40 furnishes good grounds for holding that Uḍḍiyāna was near Swat valley in N. W. India and Grousset 'In the footsteps of Buddha' pp. 109–110 holds the same view. The Bārhaspatya-sūtra (ed. by F. W. Thomas) names eight Śāktakṣetras (III. 123–124). In his Intro. to Sādhanamālā (vol. II. p. LXXVIII) Dr Bhattacharya holds that the Hindu tantras were introduced on the model of the Buddhist tantras. But Winternitz (in 'History of Indian Literature', Eng. tr., vol. II. p. 401) states that this view of Dr. Bhattacharya is contrary to the facts and the present writer agrees with this view.