Kaula Jnana Nirnaya (Calcutta Sanskrit Series)

The seventh case used for the fifth and the sixth for the fourth. In some places, Ātmanepada verb form used for reflexive or self-benefiting action roots are conjugated in Parasmaipada verb form used for transitive or outward-directed action and vice versa. Sometimes the plural is used for the singular and the singular for the plural, the neuter gender for the masculine and the masculine for the neuter. Sometimes dental and cerebral sibilants are used for the palatal, palatal and dental for the cerebral, and palatal and cerebral for the dental. Such practices should be followed in accordance with the instructions of the Tantra esoteric doctrine preachers. These irregularities, and others like them, are to be understood by the yogi through the study of the scriptures. In the commentary also, I have written in this way, relying only on the meaning, to destroy the pride of those who insist on correct literary forms.

It seems that this tradition, though Buddhistic, has been followed in the composition of the present texts. There is nothing unexpected in it. I have tried to show in details in my Introduction that in the present texts there is a medley of doctrines which can be partly traced in the Brahmanical and partly in the Buddhist Tantras esoteric treatises. They represent a system which clearly deviates from the orthodox Brahmanical mysticism.

I have not been able to say much about the definite contribution of Matsyendranātha to medieval mysticism. Tradition claims him to be the first teacher of Haṭhayoga a physical and spiritual discipline focused on balancing the body after Ādinātha the Primordial Lord, i.e., Śiva.