A Tantric Family of the Deccan settled at Benares
Summary
This historical sketch recounts the migration of a learned Tantric Brahmin family from the village of Ananta near Kanchi to Benares. The family’s ancestor, Samarapungava Dikshita, lived on land granted by a local king. His descendant Śrīnivāsa Bhatta Gosvamin, an expert in Tantric ritual, moved north and established himself in Benares, where he composed works such as the ‘Śivārcanā‑candrikā.’ Drawing on colophons and local histories, the article traces the family’s genealogy and describes the scholarly activities of Śrīnivāsa and his descendants. It shows how southern ritual traditions were transmitted to northern India and highlights the cosmopolitan nature of Benares as a centre attracting learned migrants from across the subcontinent. The family’s story illustrates the role of kin networks in preserving and disseminating Tantric texts and practices.
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Conclusion
The study concludes that the migration of this Tantric family demonstrates the mobility of scholars in medieval India and the importance of familial lineages in sustaining religious and intellectual traditions.