History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c99.1987

v7.c99.1987

Śākta or Śāktas (vide Lalitā-māhātmya): all women are fit for intercourse to Ś. worshipper except the wives of his guru or the wives of Vīra kind of worshippers 1093; are mentioned among six *darśanas* by Vāyupurāṇa 1042, belief of, that female jackal is a messenger of Kālī and is auspicious 808; Bengal and Assam, chief strongholds of Śākta cult 1076, chief characteristics of the cult of 1041-2, cult of Ś. promises men both *bhoga* and *yoga* 1092n; cult of, prevalent long before 8th century A. D in India, especially in Bengal and Assam 1041; eight *kṣetras* of 1039; great aim of Śākta is to realise his identity with yantra, mantra, guru and devī 1138, have no higher means of happiness and liberation than the fifth tattva 1093; list of works on Ś. doctrines in English 1048n, principal work of Ś is Devīmāhātmya 1041; Purāṇas that eulogise Devī 1042; several Upaniṣads relied upon as the basis of Ś cult by Rāghavabhaṭṭa and Bhāskararāya, but those upaniṣads are later writings 1045; Ṛg. V. 47. 4 is fancifully interpreted by Ś as referring to their views 1218, Śāktavidyas are said to be Kādī, Hādī or Sādī 1045n, sect mark of Ś and Śaivas was *tripuṇḍra* 1076n; special form of worship which sometimes assumed debased or revolting forms 1042; wine was not prohibited only when it was taken for pleasure 1094, word Śākta means 'one who is a devotee of Śaktı' (cosmic power or energy) 1041.