Reverence for Women

The Kaulas regarded female gurus very highly and there were many examples of yoginis or female tantriks. In Yoni Tantra Patala 7 we find:----‘‘Women are divinity, women are life, women are truly jewels.’’

This sentiment is echoed in many other tantras such as Shakti Sangama Tantra, DevÌrahasya and elsewhere. A woman is the goddess:----‘‘Worship carefully a woman or a maiden as she is Shakti, sheltered by the Kulas. One should never speak harshly to maidens or women.’’ (KJN, Patala 23) ‘‘In Kaula every woman is thought of as a manifestation of the Goddess. No man may raise his hand, strike or threaten a woman. When she is naked, men must kneel and worship her as the Goddess. She has equal rights with men on all levels.’’ (Occult World of a Tantrik Guru, Values Vol.IX)

In both Kulachudamani Tantra and the Brihad Nila Tantra, the Kaula is instructed to recite a mantra inwardly whenever he sees a woman. ‘‘Women are heaven; women are dharma; and women are the highest penance. Women are Buddha; women are the Sangha; and women are the perfection of Wisdom.’’ (CT 8,30)