Author: Sir John Woodroffe
Publisher: Ganesh & Company
Year: 2001
Language: English
Pages: 454
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8185988188
Description
First published in 1927, this work is a valuable commentary on the Indian Tantras which constitute the Scripture of the Kaliyuga, and as such are a voluminous source of present and practical orthodox Hinduism. The Tantra Sastra is a development of the Karmakanda promulgated to meet the needs of that age.
Yet of all the forms of Indian Sastra, the Tantra is that which is least known and understood, a circumstance in part due to the difficulties of its subject-matter and to the fact that the key to much of its terminology and method rests with the initiate. The present translation is, in fact, the first published in Europe of any Indian Tantra. An inaccurate version rendered in imperfect English was published in Calcutta by a Bengali editor some twelve years ago, preceded by an introduction which displayed insufficient knowledge in respect of what it somewhat quaintly described as the mystical and superficially technical passages of this Tantra.
Siva says: For the benefit of men of the kali age, men bereft of energy and dependent for existence on the food they eat, the Kaula doctrine, O auspicious one! Is given (Ch.IX, verse 12). To the Tantras we must therefore look if we would understand aright both ritual, yoga, and sadhana of all kinds as they exist to-day, as also the general principles of which these practices are but the objective expression.
Contents
CHAPTER I
The Liberation of Beings
CHAPTER II
The Worship of Brahman -Verses
CHAPTER III
The Worship of Brahman (Contd.)
CHAPTER IV
The Worship of Sakti
CHAPTER V
Mantras and Purification
CHAPTER VI
Mantras and Rites
CHAPTER VII
Hymn and Amulet
CHAPTER VIII
Castes and Asramas - Verses
CHAPTER IX
The Ten Sacraments
CHAPTER X
Rites and Initiation
CHAPTER XI
Expiatory Acts
CHAPTER XII
The Eternal Dharma
CHAPTER XIII
Installation of the Devata -Verses
CHAPTER XIV
Consecration and Avadhutas