Author: Sanjukta Gupta
Translator(s): Sanjukta Gupta
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
Year: 2007
Language: English
Pages: 398
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8120817354
Description
Visnuism is one of the chief religions of the Hindus and the Pancaratra is the oldest surviving Visnuite sect. Among the vast number of Pancaratra Agamic texts the Laksmi Tantra stands out because it deals almost exclusively with Laksmi, the divine creative impulse, intelligence, potency, potentiality, power, majesty and speech.
The focus of the text is on Pancaratra philosophy and the practice of yoga based on it..
A deeper insight into the historical development of the Visnuite sects, into their ritual, occultism and building of temples and images can only be obtained from the scientific study of these ancient Pancaratra texts which formulate the relevant basic concepts. The theological and ritualistic aspects of the Pancaratra system have attracted scholars for some time past and a number of texts have been edited. Some of these publications are of a high standard and include illuminating introductions. Amongst these, Professor F O Schrader's Introduction to the Pancaratra still ranks as the most comprehensive.
Otto Schrader in 1916 recommended the Lakshmi Tantra for the study of Pancaratra philosophy. Among the vast number of Pancaratra Agamic texts the Laksmi Tantra stands out because it deals almost exclusively with Laksmi, the divine creative impulse, intelligence, potency, potentiality, power, majesty and speech. The focus of the text is on Pancaratra philosophy (including cosmogony) and the practice of yoga based on it, with its attendant Mantra Sastra.
It records the earliest Vaisnava speculation on the paradox of a Supreme God who is totally identified with Brahman, the unique and transcendent Conscious Reality, and is at the same time the creator of a dualistic universe which cannot be related to Him. The key to solving this riddle is the Divine Sakti. By dealing with the role of Sakti in the creation and maintenance of the world, and in the saving of devotees who totally rely on God’s mercy and benevolence, the Laksmi Tantra succeeds in overcoming sectarian boundaries.
Contents
List of abbreviations
List of names of the letters
Introduction to first edition
Introduction to Indian edition
Introducing the sastra
The pure creation
The three (phenomenal ) gunas
Vyuhas and their saktis
Evolution of the material world from prakrti
The six kosas of Sakti
Tattvas and the jiva as the object and subject of knowledge
The avataras of Laksmi in the six sheaths
The exclusive incarnations of Sakti
The three types of God’s avataras
Visakhayupa and the Vibhava incarnations
The fivefold divine functions
The true form of the jiva
The true nature of Sakti (Laksmi)
Various methods of attaining ultimate truth
Elaboration of the methods to attain ultimate truth
The secret method of self-surrender, the fourth method of attaining the highest goal
The course of mantras and their characteristics
The Origin of Letters
Explanation of the matrkas
Analysis of the structure of a mantra and
the qualities looked for in a preceptor and in a disciple
Description of Laksmi’s mantra-form
Description of matrka
The structure of taraka with its parts and
the method of initiation in the practice of meditation
Tara-and Anutara-mantras
Elucidation of the seven vidyas, viz. tara, Tara, Anutara, vagbhava, kama, Sarasvati and Mahalaksmi-bijas
Duties of an adept
Daily duties of an adept
Distinction between kriyasakti and bhutisakti,
otherwise called Agni and Soma respectively
The two aspects of Sakti, viz. Soma and Surya,
and further elucidation of the Sudarsana-mantra
The Sudarsana (kriyasakti)
Tarika in the three states of existence, viz. the gross,
the subtle and the absolute states
Anga, upanga and other mantras
The hand postures and method of ritualistic bath
The purification of the body (Bhutasuddhi)
Description of the images and the process of the mental sacrifice
External sacrifice (construction of the platform for worship; mandala of nine lotuses)
External worship. Further details with a description of some lesser deities
Various requisites for external worship
The daily duties of an adept
The initiation and abhiseka ceremonies
The rite of purascarana, the ritual worship of the mantra of Tarika
Different methods of worshipping the mantra of Tarika
Revealing the secret mantras of the Tarika group
Revelation of Sri’s various manifestations
Mode of worshipping he Laksmi-mantra and results obtained
Mode of worshiping the Kirti-mantra and results obtained
Mode of worshipping the Jaya-mantra and results obtained
Mode of worshipping Maya-mantra and results obtained.
Pratistha of an image of Laksmi-Narayana
Diagram I
Diagram II
Diagrams III, IV, V
Index of terms
Index of mantras