The Great Book of Tantra: Translations and Images from the Classic Indian Texts (Paperback)

~ Indra Sinha (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This collection of rare erotic and Tantric literature is drawn from classical, medieval, and modern periods, lavishly illustrated with Tantric paintings.

About the Author

Indra Sinha is an Indian scholar and Sanskrit translator educated at Cambridge University. His other books include the highly successful Illustrated Kama Sutra.

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Park Street Press (July 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089281487X
• ISBN-13: 978-0892814879
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #639,574 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to & history of tantra, beautiful artwork, July 8, 2002

By A Customer

The author of this book has written a fascinating study of tantric ideas and practices, focusing on their relation to gnosis, ie., mystical knowledge of god acquired via the winding left-hand path.

Apparently the author was upset when her book was published - it has been marred (gasp!) by the inclusion of dozens and dozens of beautiful, full color illustrations of hindu religious and erotic artwork.

I hope I'm not out of line in suggesting that, from the standpoint of the reader, the artwork is a GOOD THING. Actually, this is the best single source of information conmnection tantra with gnosticism I have have ever seen AND the best single collection of indian erotica I have ever seen.

TWO BOOKS IN ONE! YEAH!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars simply excellent, June 6, 2000

By	Craig Chalquist, PhD, author of TERRAPSYCHOLO... (Bay Area, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This is NOT a book of sexual Eastern imports. It deals with the spiritual discipline known as tantra, illustrating its explanations with images and excerpts from the sacred texts. Invaluable.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tantra or Erotica?, December 2, 2004

By	Victoria Truver "Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir ... (Riverside, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For the reader who would enjoy a book which contains an overall treatment containing history of tantra, some tantric scripture and descriptions of tantric worship, this is quite possibly the best choice. I was delighted with the series of colorful ritual paintings loaded with hidden tantric meaning. The other blatantly erotic paintings did not detract but seemed to be simply a publisher's attempt to sell the book to a larger market. (The author asked the publisher not to include any erotic pictures.) These more erotic illustrations were perfect examples of works done by skilled painters and craftsman and could be enjoyed as such. The most fascinating aspect of this book is the manner in which tantra is not only compared with other religions and mythology, but how the author has shown that tantra has evolved from these sources. This book is written simply enough for the novice but also contains more specific information of interest to an advanced reader.