"The Mother Goddess and Tantric Shaktism", Part VI

[Guest guest]

Okay, this is the last installment of this series. Hope you all

enjoyed it. There are some other sections of the book that might be

pertinent to Shakti Sadhana and of interest to its members; if

anyone's interested in another series, let me know ...

 

THE MOTHER GODDESS AND TANTRIC SHAKTISM (continued ...)

 

The origin of Shaktism was spontaneous, evolving out of the

prehistoric Mother Goddess cult and symbolizing the facts of

primitive life. But its development was manifold, [occurring] not

through any particular channel, but like [many diverse] streams --

some big, some small -- issuing from a single source.

 

Each of these streams -- and also their combined courses -- have to

be understood on the basis of:

 

* the material mode of life, which provides the rationale for the

types of religious beliefs; and

 

* the practices developing among peoples belonging to different

cultural grades; and

 

* the diverse historical conditions under which the Female Principle

made its way into other forms of Indian religious systems.

 

>From the 10th Century onward, the Shakta-Tantric cults gained a

qualitatively changed character and became woven into the texture of

all the religious practices current in India. It was due to the fact

that the Shakta-Tantric cults:

 

* offered a sharp criticism and rejection of all external

formalities in regard to religious practices and spiritual quests;

 

* revived the mystical, obscure and esoteric (but protestant and

heterodox) elements of the existing religious systems; and

 

* upheld a new philosophy of life, which consisted in the

recognition of (a) the guru as essential for any spiritual exercise

and quest; (b) the human body as the seat and habitat of all

religious and spiritual experience; and © the experience of

ultimate reality as one of inexpressible happiness and absolute non-

duality.

 

In the field of social life, the Shakta-Tantric principles offer a

set of values quite opposite in character to the authoritarian and

patriarchal structure upheld by the writers of the Smrtis and

violently enforced in practice by the ruling class. We do not know

whether the Shakta-Tantrikas were really persecuted for their

radicalism, but there is evidence to show that attempts were made

from different corners to blacken their ideals.

 

 

(Excerpted from Bhattacharyya, Narendra Nath, "The Indian Mother

Goddess," 2nd Edition. South Asia Books, New Delhi, 1977.)

[Guest guest]

Namaste,

 

Ann Moura has suggested quite persuasively, that an earlier stratum

of belief existed in the Indus Valley region, which she refers to

as 'Sindus', prior to Vedic culture.

 

She thinks this previous culture may have been Dravidian, and that

the duality of Shiva-Shakti [and indeed Shaktism] stems from this

time.

 

Her book is entitled 'The Evolution of a World Religion: Origins of

Modern Witchcraft'.

 

m6

 

 

 

, "Devi Bhakta"

<devi_bhakta> wrote:

> Okay, this is the last installment of this series. Hope you all

> enjoyed it. There are some other sections of the book that might be

> pertinent to Shakti Sadhana and of interest to its members; if

> anyone's interested in another series, let me know ...

>

> THE MOTHER GODDESS AND TANTRIC SHAKTISM (continued ...)

>

> The origin of Shaktism was spontaneous, evolving out of the

> prehistoric Mother Goddess cult and symbolizing the facts of

> primitive life. But its development was manifold, [occurring] not

> through any particular channel, but like [many diverse] streams --

> some big, some small -- issuing from a single source.

>

> Each of these streams -- and also their combined courses -- have to

> be understood on the basis of:

>

> * the material mode of life, which provides the rationale for the

> types of religious beliefs; and

>

> * the practices developing among peoples belonging to different

> cultural grades; and

>

> * the diverse historical conditions under which the Female

Principle

> made its way into other forms of Indian religious systems.

>

>

> From the 10th Century onward, the Shakta-Tantric cults gained a

> qualitatively changed character and became woven into the texture

of

> all the religious practices current in India. It was due to the

fact

> that the Shakta-Tantric cults:

>

> * offered a sharp criticism and rejection of all external

> formalities in regard to religious practices and spiritual quests;

>

> * revived the mystical, obscure and esoteric (but protestant and

> heterodox) elements of the existing religious systems; and

>

> * upheld a new philosophy of life, which consisted in the

> recognition of (a) the guru as essential for any spiritual exercise

> and quest; (b) the human body as the seat and habitat of all

> religious and spiritual experience; and © the experience of

> ultimate reality as one of inexpressible happiness and absolute non-

> duality.

>

> In the field of social life, the Shakta-Tantric principles offer a

> set of values quite opposite in character to the authoritarian and

> patriarchal structure upheld by the writers of the Smrtis and

> violently enforced in practice by the ruling class. We do not know

> whether the Shakta-Tantrikas were really persecuted for their

> radicalism, but there is evidence to show that attempts were made

> from different corners to blacken their ideals.

>

>

> (Excerpted from Bhattacharyya, Narendra Nath, "The Indian Mother

> Goddess," 2nd Edition. South Asia Books, New Delhi, 1977.)

[Guest guest]

Hi m6:

 

You write: *** Ann Moura has suggested quite persuasively, that an

earlier stratum belief existed in the Indus Valley region ... prior

to Vedic culture. ***

 

This is not a theory; it is objectively true. The cities of

Mohanjodaro and Harappa were archaelogically excavated beginning in

the 1920's; there was indeed a vast, sophisticated civilization (the

Harappan or Saraswati Civilization) in the pre-Vedic ages. If you

review the first post of this series, Bhattacharya refers to the

Harappan culture.

 

*** She thinks this previous culture may have been Dravidian, and

that the duality of Shiva-Shakti [and indeed Shaktism] stems from

this time. ***

 

These assertions are less certain, but there is plenty of evidence

that points in this direction, as Bhattacharya points out. If you

search "Harappan" in the message archives you should find quite a lot

of material on this topic.

 

Aum Maatangyai Namahe

[Guest guest]

Namaste Devi Bhakta,

 

This is a fascinating topic.

 

Ann Moura goes on to explore interactions between this 'Goddess and

God' culture, and its immediate neighbours in the Middle East; and

quite logically, one is led to wonder - why the influence of one of

the oldest civilisations on earth, is not recorded in our (western)

history books ... this civilisation appears to have traded

extensively with everyone around it, and must have exerted a profound

influence on the younger, growing civilisations which came after it.

 

Why has Harappan vanished from the history books?

 

I believe this is a hot issue - Moura is of the opinion that Harappan

religion had a deep impact on East and West, and the subsequent Vedic

culture has been trying to - initially eradicate - alter 'Sind'

religion to fit in with Vedic doctrine, ever since.

 

But personally, I don't think Moura goes far enough - in terms of

linear time - since one author in particular has seen a resemblance

of standing stone-centred stone circles in Britain and Ireland, to

the ubiquitous figure of the Shivalinga: that well-known abstract

icon celebrating the interaction between Goddess and God - which

brings us back to the Sindus Civilisation.

 

Could it be then, that the first farmers of the European Neolithic -

arriving from the East - brought not only the secret of agriculture

with them, but also the worship of the Goddess and the God, as well?

 

Hence also my interest in the 10th century CE, Tantric circular

temple at Orissa: 64 Yoginis surrounding Shiva (the standing stone at

the centre) equate to the 64 petals of a lotus - flowers often being

seen as beautiful emblems of the female, giving us another version of

the sacred Shivalinga; almost exactly replicating in form, some of

the ancient European stone circles, from the New Stone Age.

 

Is this not tremendously exciting food for thought?

 

Om Jai Shiva, Om Tara!

 

m6

 

, "Devi Bhakta"

<devi_bhakta> wrote:

> Hi m6:

>

> You write: *** Ann Moura has suggested quite persuasively, that an

> earlier stratum belief existed in the Indus Valley region ... prior

> to Vedic culture. ***

>

> This is not a theory; it is objectively true. The cities of

> Mohanjodaro and Harappa were archaelogically excavated beginning in

> the 1920's; there was indeed a vast, sophisticated civilization

(the

> Harappan or Saraswati Civilization) in the pre-Vedic ages. If you

> review the first post of this series, Bhattacharya refers to the

> Harappan culture.

>

> *** She thinks this previous culture may have been Dravidian, and

> that the duality of Shiva-Shakti [and indeed Shaktism] stems from

> this time. ***

>

> These assertions are less certain, but there is plenty of evidence

> that points in this direction, as Bhattacharya points out. If you

> search "Harappan" in the message archives you should find quite a

lot

> of material on this topic.

>

> Aum Maatangyai Namahe

[Guest guest]

Namaste m6:

 

You ask, *** Why has Harappan vanished from the history books? ***

 

It really hasn't. It's a very hot area of research and speculation

right now. (For a good introduction, visit

http://www.harappa.com/har/har0.html ).

 

Unfortunately, the culture's script has not yet been convincingly

deciphered, and the slim physical evidence that survives allows just

about any interest Group to extrapolate their personal beliefs from

this ancient culture.

 

I tend to think that Harappan culture is not disappear at all --

that it was not obliterated by invaders and/or by Vedism, but rather

that it was absorbed and continues to flow as one of the many

undercurrents influencing modern Indian culture. I have no doubt

that much of Hindu culture in general and Shaktism specifically runs

in an uninterrupted line back to Harappan culture.

 

*** Moura is of the opinion that Harappan religion had a deep impact

on East and West ***

 

I don't know; maybe. Baring and Cashford note that some Middle

Eastern religious systems are older, and may have influenced

Harappan religion rather than vice-versa. It is still impossible to

say for sure.

 

 

*** the subsequent Vedic culture has been trying to - initially

eradicate - alter 'Sind' religion to fit in with Vedic doctrine,

ever since. ***

 

This could reflect the absorption I mentioned. Anyone who has

studied India is struck by her amazing ability to absorb new

influences without losing her essential character. I think the wide

range of religions falling under the broad rubric of "Hinduism"

reflect a spectrum of beliefs -- some of which devalue or even

loathe the Devi; and some which say She is all there is, period.

These different emphases co-exist (sometimes amicably, sometimes

not), and have co-existed far back into history.

 

 

*** Hence also my interest in the 10th century CE, Tantric circular

temple at Orissa ... almost exactly replicating in form, some of the

ancient European stone circles, from the New Stone Age. Is this not

tremendously exciting food for thought? ***

 

It sure is!

 

Aum Maatangyai Namahe

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

 

This is for mutual information that there is no difference between vedic &

harappan/mahanjadaro civilizations. please refer to a famous Sanskrit vedic

scholar who has deciphered the seals of mohanjaro/harappa.

 

The great acharya of kanchi has said that it is clearly a myth that before the

advent of Christ we have something called dark age but there existed the

vedic civilization flamboyant to the fullest. let us not forget this.

 

The Aryan theory of people coming from north pass etc are very good fiction .

They don't take into account of a lot of facts for example. sage aghastya went

to south from north. he had a disciple by name tolkapiar whose grammar book is

the base of Tamil(Dravidian) still the oldest book ever found. every child of

Sanskrit will agree that calling calling a person as Aryan is equally popular

as calling a person as Mr is popular in English.

 

Typically there is custom of marriage wherein from the top of Himalayas to

southern tip of India we follow a custom as prescribed by the Vedas. this is the

great sabthapati - revolving seven times this is common throughout India.

 

so is this a myth

 

kindly send in your comments

with warm regards

shankar

[Guest guest]

Dear Shankar:

 

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. My 2 paise:

 

*** there is no difference between vedic & harappan/mahanjadaro

civilizations. ***

 

I realize that this is one of several popular theories, but -- like

the others -- it has neither been disposatively proven or disproven.

 

*** please refer to a famous Sanskrit vedic scholar who has

deciphered the seals of mohanjaro/harappa. ***

 

Indeed, there are several "famous scholars" who claim to have

deciphered the Harappan script. All have adherents (and agendas), but

none have achieved general concensus, either in the religious or

scholarly communities.

 

*** The Aryan theory of people coming from north pass etc are very

good fiction . They don't take into account of a lot of facts for

example. sage aghastya went to south from north. ***

 

You are correct that the old Aryan Invasion theory has been largely

debunked. But again, it does not necessarily, logically follow from

this that "there is no difference between vedic & harappan/

mahanjadaro civilizations."

 

*** so is this a myth ***

 

Maybe; but maybe not. I tend to think that the truth is somewhat more

complicated.

 

*** kindly send in your comments ***

 

Here you have them.

 

Aum Maatangyai Namahe

[Guest guest]

, krishnamoorthy shankar

<junk74_in> wrote:

> Dear friends,

>

> This is for mutual information that there is no difference between

vedic & harappan/mahanjadaro civilizations. please refer to a famous

Sanskrit vedic

> scholar who has deciphered the seals of mohanjaro/harappa.

 

So far as I am aware, this has not been accomplished; although there

are various claims - none of which are universally accepted.

 

If your argument rest on the 'Indus Script', I'm afraid it is not

sound.

 

I look forward to the day that these seals are definitively

deciphered.

> The great acharya of kanchi has said that it is clearly a myth that

before the advent of Christ we have something called dark age but

there existed the

> vedic civilization flamboyant to the fullest. let us not forget

this.

>

> The Aryan theory of people coming from north pass etc are very good

fiction . They don't take into account of a lot of facts for example.

sage aghastya went to south from north. he had a disciple by name

tolkapiar whose grammar book is the base of Tamil(Dravidian) still

the oldest book ever found. every child of

> Sanskrit will agree that calling calling a person as Aryan is

equally popular as calling a person as Mr is popular in English.

>

> Typically there is custom of marriage wherein from the top of

Himalayas to southern tip of India we follow a custom as prescribed

by the Vedas. this is the great sabthapati - revolving seven times

this is common throughout India.

>

> so is this a myth

>

> kindly send in your comments

> with warm regards

> shankar

[Guest guest]

Dear friend,

I dont have the answers for you presently.kudos to ur

research.i will revert after understanding the subject

a bit more deeper.sorry

with warm regards

shankar

--- Devi Bhakta <devi_bhakta wrote:

> Dear Shankar:

>

> Thanks for your thoughtful comments. My 2 paise:

>

> *** there is no difference between vedic &

> harappan/mahanjadaro

> civilizations. ***

>

> I realize that this is one of several popular

> theories, but -- like

> the others -- it has neither been disposatively

> proven or disproven.

>

> *** please refer to a famous Sanskrit vedic scholar

> who has

> deciphered the seals of mohanjaro/harappa. ***

>

> Indeed, there are several "famous scholars" who

> claim to have

> deciphered the Harappan script. All have adherents

> (and agendas), but

> none have achieved general concensus, either in the

> religious or

> scholarly communities.

>

> *** The Aryan theory of people coming from north

> pass etc are very

> good fiction . They don't take into account of a lot

> of facts for

> example. sage aghastya went to south from north. ***

>

> You are correct that the old Aryan Invasion theory

> has been largely

> debunked. But again, it does not necessarily,

> logically follow from

> this that "there is no difference between vedic &

> harappan/

> mahanjadaro civilizations."

>

> *** so is this a myth ***

>

> Maybe; but maybe not. I tend to think that the truth

> is somewhat more

> complicated.

>

> *** kindly send in your comments ***

>

> Here you have them.

>

> Aum Maatangyai Namahe

>

>

>

 

 

 

 

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