(ii) there are several other books dealing with such sub- jects, such as Indrajala Vidya, Kaksha Puta and Phet- karini Tantra. But so far as is known these books have not yet been properly edited and published. 4. The ancient Kamarupa, which extended from the Karatoya in the Eastern Bengal to the Dikrai in Upper Assam, is said to have been the birthplace of Tantras, and it is a great pity that no endeavours, have yet been made either by the people or by the Government of the country to save from ruin and decay the Tantras that still exist in different parts of Assam. So long the Tantras were despised as works on Black Magic and condemned as a meaningless jabber not only by the foreign critics but by the English-educated Indians as well. The mental attitude of these people appears to be that what they cannot understand themselves can have no meaning at all. One cannot conceal his amazement and delight to see that it remained for a European scholar, Sir John Woodroffe, to deliver this branch of religious literature of India, so interesting to the students of comparative religion, from the depth of degradation to which it was consinged. 5. The book at the first sight appeaks.so uncouth and unintelligible that great pains had to be taken to prepare.the English translation of it. The copy of the book and its first translation was made by Srijut Dimbeswar Neog, B.sc., the editor of the Assamese Quarterly Review Milan, He cannot be found fault with if his translation was not found sufficiently express ive. It had to be thoroughly recast. To an ordinary eye the book will appear full of indeceneios but in the light of science everything will appear, instructive and illuminating. As this book is intended only for a limited circle, I make no apology for presenting it in an English garb. DATED GAU HATI : HENCHANDRA GoswAMr. The 17th Apr 19Q6. )
