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.
