10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
John Woodroffe: Vital If You Don't Know Sanskrit, January 8, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Shakti and Shakta (Paperback)
Sir John Woodroffe, also known as Arthur Avalon, was the foremost expert on Tantra of his time. His exposition of these Hindu Tantras, while colored by his British Colonial background, are excellent resources for one studying the Tantra, whether Hindu or Buddhist in strain.
According to John Woodroffe, the foremost scholar on Tantra, and translator of its greatest works (including the Mahanirvana Tantra):
" The Indian Tantras, which are numerous, constitute the Scripture (Shastra) of the Kaliyuga, and as such are the voluminous source of present and practical orthodox "Hinduism." The Tantra Shastra is, in fact, and whatever be its historical origin, a development of the Vaidika Karmakanda, promulgated to meet the needs of that age. Shiva 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" (Chap. IX., verse 12). To the Tantra we must therefore look if we would understand aright both ritual, yoga, and sadhana of all kinds, as also the general principles of which these practices are but the objective expression." (Introduction to Sir John Woodroffe's translation of "Mahanirvana Tantra.")
An additional note would be that those reading this and other related Hindu Tantras avoid trying to practice them without a 'sadguru' (True Teacher). Within the tantras themselves it is constantly stressed that while Tantra is a continuation of the Vedic tradition and necessary for this time, practice requires that the student have a Guru from whom to learn. American sensationalist sex-mongerers don't know the least thing about what Tantra really comprises, like that its many verses, throughout its shastras (especially the Hindu Agamas and Tantras) are triple-layered in meaning, and thus take what Tantrik experts term a gross, subtle and ultimate meaning. For this reason, while commentary by scholars is valuable, the guidance of a guru for actual practice is indispensable.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
:A MUST FOR TANTRIC STUDIES Kaula doctorine and ritual, October 13, 2000
This review is from: Shakti and Shakta (Paperback)
I had never thought that one day ı would find serpent power anywhere except usedbook store.Well Shakti and Shakta ,a tantric book (that ı had found it in our schools library)which indicates the same subject as Serpent power(tantric rite and complex stages of tantric consiousness).ıf you are deeply interested in tatrism and want a reference source,this is the book of your dreams.No matters it is out print or can not be found.HERE!!! the same sources related with it and dont miss serpent power.Tantric texts;Karpuradi stotram(tantric hymn book to kali)This book is added at the end of the serpent power but only in sanskrit forms with devanagari letters,Tantra of the great liberation(Mahanırvana tantra)by Arthur A.Well the only advice that I can give is' get one of the works of Arthur Avalon before they become outprint'.Im Indiology student and this offer is completely sciencetific...If you are interested in tantrism, even less even much.As you see A MUST FOR KAULA THEOLOGY.
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