[Footnote 672: This is the description of the dialect given by Grierson, the highest authority in such matters.] [Footnote 673: See Rajendrala Mitra's article in _J.A.S.B._ XL. 1871, pp. 170-176, which gives the Sanskrit text of the Upanishad. Also Schrader, _Catalogue of Adyar Library_, 1908, pp. 136-7. Schrader states that in the north of India the Allopanishad is recited by Brahmans at the Vasantotsava and on other occasions: also that in southern India it is generally believed that Moslims are skilled in the Atharva Veda.] [Footnote 674: _I.e._, not the Allah of the Koran.] [Footnote 675: This Persian translation was rendered word for word into very strange Latin by Anquetil Duperron (1801-2) and this Latin version was used by Schopenhauer.] [Footnote 676: He is said to have prayed for the success of the Emperor's rebellious son.] [Footnote 677: This Arabic word is interpreted in this context as meaning the special portion (of God).] [Footnote 678: _Census of India_, 1901, Panjab report, p. 122.] [Footnote 679: _Provincial Geographies of India_, Panjab, Douie, 1916, p. 117.] CHAPTER XXXII ŚÂKTISM[680] Among the principal subdivisions of Hinduism must be reckoned the remarkable religion known as Śâktism, that is the worship of Śakti or Śiva's spouse under various names, of which Devî, Durgâ and Kâlî are the best known. It differs from most sects in not being due to the creative or reforming energy of any one human founder. It claims to be a revelation from Śiva himself, but considered historically it appears to be a compound of Hinduism with un-Aryan beliefs. It acquired great influence both in the courts and among the people of north-eastern India but without producing personalities of much eminence as teachers or writers. It would be convenient to distinguish Śâktism and Tantrism, as I have already suggested. The former means the worship of a goddess or goddesses, especially those who are regarded as forms of Śiva's consort. Vishnuites sometimes worship female deities, but though the worship of Lakshmî, Râdhâ and others may be coloured by imitation of Śâktist practices, it is less conspicuous and seems to have a different origin. Tantrism is a system of magical or sacramental ritual, which professes to attain the highest aims of religion by such methods as spells, diagrams, gestures and other physical exercises. One of its bases is the assumption that man and the universe correspond as microcosm and macrocosm and that both are subject to the mysterious power of words and letters.