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Sunday 5 July 2015

ABHINAVAGUPTA'S SRI TANTRALOKA AND OTHER WORKS 9 VOLUMES

Abhinavagupta's Sri Tantraloka and Other Works


http://easternbookcorporation.com/book/9788187471868/abhinavagupta's-sri-tantraloka-and-other-works
(The Only Edition with Sanskrit text and English translation 9 Vols)
Tr. By Satya Prakash Singh & Swami Maheshvarananda
2015, ISBN 9788187471868, US$ 304.92)
Rs. 17000 (Free Delivery in India)

About the book :
Tantraloka means light on Tantra-the magnum opus of Abhinavagupta (950-1050 A.D.). Literally Tantra means thread and happens to have been used in one of the earliest usage in the Rgveda (X.53.6) itself in such a deep sense as understanding binding the entire reality together in a single fold of comprehension so beneficial as to transform the human nature of all its baser kind of tendency into the most idealistic form which is known as the divine. This Volume consists of three Chapters, namely, 1,2, and 3. The first Chapter deals with the idea of the Reality as such known as vijnana sattta. Ignorance is the cause worldliness while knowledge is that of liberation; it is not absence of knowledge but absence of it in its integrality. The ultimate object of knowledge is Siva who is of the nature of luminosity and the individual known as jiva is essentially Siva. Consciousness is autonomous in its nature. Luminosity is the basic feature of consciousness. There is the possibility of becoming one with Siva by moving from the earth to Sadasiva by way of assimilation, samavesa. The second Chapter is concerned with deliberation on the way to Siva-hood via the pathless path. Its pathlessness lies in only the initial step suggested by the teacher with the rest of it to follow automatically. It is the kriya yoga which does not require any path to traverse along and is the path of pure consciousness where any action serves as the means of knowledge. The third Chapter deals with Sambhavopaya. The objects get reflected clearly in a clean mirror so does the world becomes reflected in the consciousness provided it has become one with Siva. The force of consciousness is considered as inseparably connected with Siva. The relationship of inseparability between Siva and Sakti produces delight which is the cause of appearance of the world.

Contents :

Vol. 1 : This Volume consists of three Chapters, namely, 1,2, and 3.<BR>The first Chapter deals with the idea of the Reality as such known as vijnana sattta. Ignorance is the cause worldliness while knowledge is that of liberation; it is not absence of knowledge but absence of it in its integrality. The ultimate object of knowledge is Siva who is of the nature of luminosity and the individual known as jiva is essentially Siva. Consciousness is autonomous in its nature. Luminosity is the basic feature of consciousness. There is the possibility of becoming one with Siva by moving from the earth to Sadasiva by way of assimilation, samavesa.<BR>The second Chapter is concerned with deliberation on the way to Siva-hood via the pathless path. Its pathlessness lies in only the initial step suggested by the teacher with the rest of it to follow automatically. It is the kriya yoga which does not require any path to traverse along and is the path of pure consciousness where any action serves as the means of knowledge.<BR>The third Chapter deals with Sambhavopaya. The objects get reflected clearly in a clean mirror so does the world becomes reflected in the consciousness provided it has become one with Siva. The force of consciousness is considered as inseparably connected with Siva. The relationship of inseparability between Siva and Sakti produces delight which is the cause of appearance of the world.<BR>This work for the first time in English along with Sanskrit texts is a valuable asset for scholars, students and researchers of Philosophy, Yoga, Kashmir Saivism, Saivism, practitioners and general readers.

Vol. 2 : Chapter 4 - deals with sakta Upaya - the way to attainment of the Transcendent Reality through the force of Consciousness. Chapter 5 - deals with Al'Java Upaya. It is the way of attainment of the Transcendent by the jiva with its atomicity. Reflection of the Transcendent in the intellect, prana and body is the way to it. Chapter 6 - analyses Essence of Time, analysis of the factor of time, kalatattva. It is Consciousness which appears in space as something external. Chapter 7 - is concerned with with the awakening and blooming of the nerve-centres known as cakras. Chapter 8: This Chapter deals with the problems of manifestation of Consciousness in terms of space, termed as Desadhva.

Vol. 3 : Chapter 8: This Chapter deals with the problems of manifestation of Consciousness in terms of space, termed as Desadhva. Chapter 9: This Chapter has been termed as Tattvasvarupa Prakasanam seeking to determine the form and nature of the Reality.

Vol. 4 : This Volume has four Chapters, namely, 10, 11, 12 and 13. Chapter 10 is devoted to the analysis and enumeration of the basic essences of the system known as the path of tattvas, tattvadhvan. This Volume has four Chapters, namely, 10, 11, 12 and 13. Chapter 10 is devoted to the analysis and enumeration of the basic essences of the system known as the path of tattvas, tattvadhvan. Chapter 12 is known as Anavopaya - Transformation of Individual to Siva-hood. It deals with the problem of transformation or rather restoration of the atomised individual into or to Siva. Chapter 13 is devoted to the idea of Saktipata, Descent of the Force of Consciousness.

Vol. 5 : This Volume includes Chapters 14 and 15 both discuss the process of initiation. Chapter 14 is devoted to delibera!ion on the rite as prescribed in the Sastra. Chapter 15 is concerned with the procedure of initiation as prevailing in the non-dualistic Saivism, Initiation amounts to acquisition of full understanding of the system.

Vol. 6 : Chapters 16 to 27 Deliberation on Teacher's Acts During Initiation Rite of Initiation Beginning from Birth Abridged form of Initiation Prescribed by Lord Siva. Initiation for Immediate Liberation. Process of Initiation of the Ignorant. Initiation in Absentia (Paroksa Diksa). Initiation in Raising the Emblem of Siva (Lingoddharana Diksa).  Rite of Sacred Bath. Deliberation on Post-Mortem Initiation. Post-Mortem Rite According to Trika System.  Duties and Conduct of an Aspirant. Mode of Worship of the Emblem (Linga-Puja).

Vol. 7 : This Volume contains two Chapters. Chapter 28 deals with occasional and incidental rites as well as celebrations, naimittika. This Volume contains two Chapters.<BR>Chapter 28 deals with occasional and incidental rites as well as celebrations, naimittika.

Vol. 8 : This Volume contains eight Chapters, namely 30, 31,32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 as well as translation of 13 minor works of Abhinavagupta as appendices. Chapter 30 deals with mantras applicable to Trika system of worship. Chapter 31 is devoted to the process of formation of the circle, mandala. It speaks of sacrifice known as Diimara. Chapter 32 deals with the system of mudrti. Mudra is that which accords delight to the poser concerned. Khecari is the main amongst the mudriis. Chapter 33 is concerned with the experience of the aspirant's oneness with the whole of the world. Chapter 34 indicates to the way of entry into Siva-hood which is the essential nature of the individual. Chapter 35 deals with the problem of concordance of all scriptural provisions on a certain point. Chapter 36 is devoted to the tracing of the tradition of Saivism. Chapter 37 is the last one of the entire enterprise which is addressed to his supreme Lord Siva with the prayer that it is by virtue of His stimulation that the work has reached this end and that therefore it is He Himself who is prayed for giving solace to all those who may go through it.


Vol. 9 : This Volume contains eight Chapters, namely 30, 31,32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 as well as translation of 13 minor works of Abhinavagupta as appendices. Chapter 30 deals with mantras applicable to Trika system of worship. Chapter 31 is devoted to the process of formation of the circle, mandala. It speaks of sacrifice known as Diimara. Chapter 32 deals with the system of mudrti. Mudra is that which accords delight to the poser concerned. Khecari is the main amongst the mudriis. Chapter 33 is concerned with the experience of the aspirant's oneness with the whole of the world. Chapter 34 indicates to the way of entry into Siva-hood which is the essential nature of the individual. Chapter 35 deals with the problem of concordance of all scriptural provisions on a certain point. Chapter 36 is devoted to the tracing of the tradition of Saivism. Chapter 37 is the last one of the entire enterprise which is addressed to his supreme Lord Siva with the prayer that it is by virtue of His stimulation that the work has reached this end and that therefore it is He Himself who is prayed for giving solace to all those who may go through it.

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