The Secret of the Three Cities: An Introduction to Hindu Sakta TantrismThe esoteric Hindu traditions of Tantrism have profoundly influenced the development of Indian thought and civilization. Emerging from elements of yoga and wisdom traditions, shamanism, alchemy, eroticism, and folklore, Tantrism began to affect brahmanical Hinduism in the ninth century. Nevertheless, Tantrism and its key historical figures have been ignored by scholars. This accessible work introduces the concepts and practices of Hindu Sakta Tantrism to all those interested in Hinduism and the comparative study of religion. |
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according action adepts Adyar appears aspects authority becomes beginning Bhaskararaya bindu body Brahman cakra called claim commentary considered contemplative contemporary contexts create deities described desire discipline discussion distinction distinguish divine edition elements Emend esoteric established example external fact five further goddess guru Hindu historical human identified identity important Indian indicate individual initiation intellectual interpretation issue Kaula knowledge liberation lineage lines manifestation mantra means method nature nine non-Tantric offer one's oral original particular path perform physical practice present qualities refers relationship religion religious remarks represent ritual sadhana Sakta Sakti Sanskrit says scripture secret sectarian sense Siva social sound sources specific spiritual sricakra Srividya sruti stage suggests Tannic Tantric Tantrism teachings term theological tradition translation triangles Tripura Tripura Upanisad types understanding universe Upanisad Vaidika various Veda Vedic verse worship