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The worshipper or the sadhaka is the most important factor in the study triangle. The study will as such will include the following - the qualification, the criteria for selection with regard to the sadhaka. Qualification of the initiate. Tantras speak in detail about the necessary qualifications which a sadhaka of the goddess must possess. The sadhaka is well tested by the Guru in two

ways in terms of knowledge and in terms of deeds 154 before he is initiated into the fold of goddess worship. The Sharadatilaka-tantra 155 lays down the general characteristics which a sadhaka must posses. A Guru tests an initiate as to weather he is from a noble family, is pure in body and conduct, is learned, is leaned towards accomplishing the purusarthas, is skilled, is a well-wisher of all living forms, is devoted to his parents, is devoted to serve the teacher by thought, action and deeds, is not egoistic etc... The initiates are classified in three categories 156 as - the excellent, the mediocre and the inferior. The excellent type of initiate is the one who is immersed in devotion in the goddess from the beginning of the initiation process. The mediocre type of initiate is the one who at first is ignorant of power of discrimination, at the approach of the time of initiation sheds his ignorance due to devotion. The inferior type of initiate is the one who is without devotion in the beginning, may or may not be devoted in the middle but, who is full of steady fast devotion in the end. An inferior type of sadhaka is the one who undertakes japa by looking into a book. This undertaking results in the destruction of four things for a sadhaka - longevity, fame, reputation and wealth. Apart from this the initiates are categorised on the basis of caste and gender. It is laid down that only a brahmin is the most eligible to receive initiation. The eligibility decreases with the subsequent castes. Women are not considered to be fit for a complete initiation. There are certain exclusions observed in the initiation process of the castes and the gender. The initiation 154 Sri-vidyarnava-tantra ch.II 155 Sharadatilaka-tantra ch. II.145-150. 156 Sri-vidyarnava-tantra ch. II

of a brahmin should begin with a Vedamantra; the initiation of a Ksatriya should begin with a Samhitamantra; the Vaisya should be initiated with a mantra from the Puranas whereas a Sudra should be given any other naturally occurring mantra¹57. Further it is stated that the mantra given to a Sudra should not commence with a pranava but end in namah¹58. It is laid down that if a Sudra out of infatuation or passion reads the Veda or the Samhita or even the Purana he attains the hell along with his manes. If by the power of wealth he desires to read or listen he becomes without descendants and remains in hell for ever¹59. The tantras 160 allow initiation for the following women - the women who are with their husband; who are abandoned by their husbands but are chaste, pure in conduct, and auspicious looking; who are widows. Initiation of virgin girls too is mentioned. It is stated that a Brahmin woman may be initiated into the mantra of the goddess following the path of Vedic initiation. For the women belonging to the other castes they may be directly initiated into the mantra of the goddess. Irrespective of their caste the women have to suffix namah to their mantra and they are debarred from the usage of the pranava. An exception to this is the Brahmin woman/may be optionally allowed to use the pranava.