The Secret of the Three Cities: An Introduction to Hindu Sakta Tantrism

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University of Chicago Press, 1990 - Body, Mind & Spirit - 307 pages
The 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.
 

Contents

Locating the Text and Tradition
12
Translating Studying and Interpreting
40
Reading the Text
46
Present and Future Tantric Studies
130
Introduction
143
List of Abbreviations
207
Glossary
265
Index
293
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