Synthesis of Buddhist Saiva and Sakta Tantras

The present work is primarily intended to make an Endeavour to introduce an unknown but Unique village, Maluti located in the interiors of Santal Parganas in Jharkhand. It had been the centre of Vajrayana Tantric Sadhana in an age when Buddhism had already been swept away from India, i.e. after the fall of the university of Vilcraingild. Not only that the village Maliiti developed an unique religious culture which is the synthesis of Buddhist, Saiva and Sakta Tantric Sadhana. We find Vajrayana (Sarasvati) being fully assimilated with Saivism (Gailga) and Saktism (Yamuna) and all the three being synthesized in the presiding goddess of the village – Devi Mauliksa. Thus, Devi Mauliksa is unique in the sense that she is simultaneously a Vajrayani – Pauranika and Sakta Untie deity. Not only this, the village had to its credit 108 temples of which are still standing. There are give temples with Sivalinga enshrined. These Siva temples have Vajradanda on their gikhara, instead of a TrigUla or Trident – another example, par excellence, of the rare synthesis of Vajrayana and gaivism. The but – style architecture of the temples is a class in itself which has been termed by us as Malliti style, as distinct from Birbhum and Bankura styles. Terracotta art of each temple is superb and they are neither wall paintings nor stuccoes rather they have been pasted on the wall with Vajialepa, a paste made from local herbs, sand and different other ingredients. Terracotta paintings depicting Ramalila and Krsnalild and other Vaisnava themes are yet another example of synthesis. The narrative of the village is fascinating reflecting the Indian ethos of ‘diversity in unity’ as well as ‘continuity and change’. We hope that the students of philosophy, Tantra, religion, art and culture as well as anthropology, sociology and history will find it useful. And Clio, the muse of history, will be satisfied.

Born in village Rajpur, P.S. Belhar, District Banka (Bihar) in January 1953, Dr. Surendra Jha has passed all examinations from matriculation to M.A. in First Division / class. He topped the list of successful candidates in B.A. previous in 1970 from old Bhagalpur University. He stood first in first class in M.A. (History) from Bhagalpur University in 1972-74 sessions. He obtained his Ph.D. degree from Bhagalpur University. He has successfully supervised three candidates to Ph.D. degree. He has published many articles in standard research journals, presently he is engaged in researches in regional history of Bihar and Jharkhand. He has been teaching in S.P. College, Dumka (Jharkhand) since 1976.

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