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Sketch of the Religious Sects of the Hindus c7.s2.t2: Vamis, or Vamacharis

Sketch of the Religious Sects of the Hindus c7.s2.t2

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Vamis, or Vamacharis

c7.s2.t2.1

The Vámís mean the left hand worshippers, or those who adopt a ritual contrary to that which is usual, and to what indeed they dare publicly avow.* They worship Deví, the Sakti of SIVA, but all the goddesses, as LAKSHMÍ, SARASWATÍ, the Mátris, the Náyikas, the Yoginis, and even the fiend-like Dákinis, and Sákinis, are admitted to a share of homage. With them, as well as with the preceding sect, SIVA is also an object of veneration, especially in the form of BHAIRAVA, with which modification of the deity it is the object of the worshipper to identify himself.†

c7.s2.t2.2

* The following verse is from the Syáma Rahasya—

c7.s2.t2.3

अन्त:शाक्ता: बहि:शैवा: सभायां वैष्णवा: मता: ।
नानारूपधरा: कौला विचरन्ति महीतले ॥

c7.s2.t2.4

"Inwardly Saktas, outwardly Saivas, or in society nominally Vaishnavas, the Kaulas assuming various forms, traverse the earth."

c7.s2.t2.5

† भैरवोऽह मितिज्ञात्वा सर्वज्ञोऽहंगुणान्वित: । इतिसचिन्त्य योगिन्द्र: कुलपूजां समाचरेत् ॥

c7.s2.t2.6

I am Bhairava, I am the omniscient, endowed with qualities. Having thus meditated, let the devotee proceed to the Kula worship. — Syáma Rahasya.

c7.s2.t2.7

The worship of the *Vámácharis* is derived from a portion of the *Tantras*: it resolves itself into various subjects, apparently into different sects, of which that of the *Kaula*, or *Kulína*, is declared to be pre-eminent.* 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 identified after death with SIVA and SAKTI.

c7.s2.t2.8

According to the immediate object of the worshipper, is the particular form of worship; but all the forms require the use of some or all of the five *Makáras*,† *Mansa*, *Matsya*, *Madya*, *Maithuna*, and *Mudrá*, 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 imaginary efficacy.‡

c7.s2.t2.9

* सर्व्वभ्यासोत्तमावेदा वेदेभ्यो वैष्णवपरं । वैष्णवादुत्तमं शैवं शैवाच्छिवमुत्तमं ॥ दक्षिणादुत्तमं वामं वामात्सिद्धान्त मत्तमं । सिद्धान्तादुत्तमं कौलं कौलात्परतरं नहि ॥

c7.s2.t2.10

" The *Vedas* are pre-eminent over all works, the *Vaishnava* sect excels the *Vedas*, the *Saiva* sect is preferable to that of VISHNU, and the right hand SAKTA to that of SIVA—the left hand is better than the right hand division, and the *Siddhanta* is better still—the *Kaula* is better than the *Siddhanta*, and there is none better than it."—*Kulárnava*. The words *Kaula* and *Kulína* are both derivatives from *Kula*, family; and the latter is especially applied to imply of good, or high family : these terms have been adopted to signify, that those who follow this doctrine are not only of one, but of an exalted race.

c7.s2.t2.11

† They are thus enumerated in the *Syáma Rahasya* :

c7.s2.t2.12

मद्यमांसञ्च मत्स्यञ्च मुद्रामैथुन मेवच । मकार पञ्चकञ्चैव महापातक नाशनम् ॥

c7.s2.t2.13

Wine, flesh, fish, *Mudrá*, and *Maithuna*, are the five-fold *Makára*, which takes away all sin.

c7.s2.t2.14

‡ Many specimens might be given, but one will be here sufficient. It is the combination H and S as ह्स, and is one of the very few to which any meaning is attempted to be given : it is called the *Prásáda Mantra*, and its virtues and import are thus described in the *Kulárnava*.

c7.s2.t2.15

श्रीप्रासादपरमन्त्रमूर्ध्वाम्नाय प्रतिष्ठितं । आद्ययोः परमाकारं योवेत्तिसः शिवःस्वयं ॥

c7.s2.t2.16

Where the object of the ceremony is to acquire an interview with and controul over impure spirits, a dead body is necessary. The adept is also to be alone, at midnight, in a cemetery or place where bodies are burnt or buried, or criminals executed : seated on the corpse, he is to perform the usual offerings, and if he does so without fear, the *Bhútas*, the *Yoginis*, and other male or female goblins, become his slaves.

c7.s2.t2.17

In this, and many of the observances practised, solitude is enjoined ; but all the principal ceremonies comprehend the worship of SAKTI, and require for that purpose the presence of a female, as the living representative and the type of the goddess. This worship is mostly celebrated in a mixed society, the men of which represent *Bhairavas* or *Viras*, and the women *Bhairavis* and *Náyikás*. The SAKTI is personated by a naked female, to whom meat and wine are offered, and then distributed amongst the assistants, the recitation of various *Mantras* and texts, and the performance of the *Mudrá*, or gesticulations with the fingers, accompanying the different stages of the ceremony, and it is terminated with the most scandalous orgies amongst the votaries.* The ceremony is entitled the *Sri Chakra*, or *Púrṇábhisheka*, the Ring, or Full Initiation.

c7.s2.t2.18

शिवादि क्रिमिपर्यन्तं प्राणिनां प्राण वर्त्मनां ।
निश्वासोच्छ्वास रूपेण मन्त्रयं वर्त्ततेप्रिये ॥

c7.s2.t2.19

“He who knows the excellent *Prasáda 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 adoration. The authority quoted contains a great deal more to the same purpose.

c7.s2.t2.20

∗ It might have been sufficient to have given this general statement, or even to have referred to the similar but fuller account of Mr. Ward: his information was, however, merely oral, and may therefore be regarded as unsatisfactory ; and as it seems to be necessary to show that the charge is not altogether unfounded, I shall subjoin the leading rites of the *Sakti Sodhana*, or *Sri Chakra*, as they are prescribed in the *Devi Rahasya*, a section of the *Rudra Yámala*.

c7.s2.t2.21

The occurrence of these impurities is certainly countenanced by the texts, which the sects regard as authorities, and by a very general belief of their occurrence. The members of the sect are enjoined secrecy,

Cites (4)