| The Tantric rituals
in there debased form. Were practised in Assam prior to the Vaisnava revival. In the
mediaeval period, some of the Ahom monarchs also patronised Saktism. However, during this
period the cult of Sakti was mostly supported by the aristocracy. But when it came to be associated with magic and charm a large section of
people came under its influence. Its importance was further increased when the idea that
an adept could perform miracles gained ground. Inscriptions are, on the whole, silent
about the Sakti worship in Assam, although some references are there in the inscriptions
of Vanamala and Ratnamala to the temples of Kameswari Mahagauri and Mahagauri Kameswari.
The heyday of Saktism in Assam which began in the mediaeval
period lasted down to the 18th century. Yogini Tantra gives accounts of
mantras, Sadhana (evocation of the Deity), Pujana (worship), Puraskriya (preparatory
rite), Mudra, Bali, Honta, Dhyana, Stotra and Kavaca (charm). |
