Goddess Traditions in India : Theological Poems and Philosophical Tales in the Tripurārahasya

This book on the Tripurārahasya, a South Indian Sanskrit work which occupies a unique place in the Śākta literature, is a study of the Śrīvidyā and Śākta traditions in the context of South Indian intellectual history in the late middle ages.Associated with the religious tradition known as Śrīvidyā and devoted to the cult of the Goddess Tripurā, the text was probably composed between the 13th and the 16th century CE. The analysis of its narrative parts addresses questions about the relationships between Tantric and Purāṇic goddesses. The discussion of its philosophical and theological teachings tackles problems related to the relationships between Sākta and Śaiva traditions. The stylistic devices adopted by the author(s) of the work deal uniquely with doctrinal and ritual elements of the Śrīvidyā through the medium of a literary and poetic language. This stylistic peculiarity distinguishes the Tripurārahasya from many other Tantric texts, characterized by a more technical language.The book is intended for researchers in the field of Asian Studies, Indology, Philosophical, Theological or Religious Studies, Hindu Studies, Tantric Studies and South Asian Religion and Philosophy, in particular those interested in Śākta and Śaiva philosophic-religious traditions.ISBN : 9780367277031 Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of Abbreviations Acknowledgments Introduction The Text Mythical Origin and Transmission of the Text The Textual Sources of the Tripurārahasya Period of Composition and Place of Origin of the Tripurārahasya Editions and Translations of the Tripurārahasya 71 Notes Part I: Myths and Rituals Chapter 1: The Tripurārahasya and the Śrı̄vidyā Tradition Dı̄kṣā Mantra Pañcadaśākṣarı̄ Ṣoḍaśākṣarı̄ Pūjā Notes Chapter 2: The Iconic Form of the Goddess Notes Chapter 3: Tripurā as Kāmākṣı̄ and Lalitā Tripurā and Kāma: Kāmākṣı̄ Tripurā as Lalitā Notes Chapter 4: The Island of Jewels and the Śrı̄cakra The Origin of the Island of Jewels The Island of Jewels The Śrı̄cakra Notes Part II: Philosophical and Theological Teachings Chapter 1: Tripurā as Immanent and Transcendent Divine Consciousness Tripurā as Ultimate Reality The Goddess and the World Notes Chapter 2: The Reformulation of the Svātantryavāda and Ābhāsavāda 548 Notes Chapter 3: The Goddess as Word-Energy The Levels of the Word The Sonorous Body of the Goddess The Sixfold Pathway Notes Chapter 4: The Path towards Jı̄vanmukti First Teachings The Ever-Present Self Samādhi The Jı̄vanmukta The Secret Doctrine of Tripurā Conclusion Notes Part III: Synopsis of the Māhātmyakhaṇḍa of the Tripurārahasya : With an Annotated Translation of the Stotras and of Selected Passages Descent of the Scripture ( Śāstrāvatāra) Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Presentation of the Spiritual Teachers Story of Paraśurāma Chapter 3 The Sage Saṃvarta Chapter 4 Dattātreya and His Teaching Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Tripurā as Mother of the Worlds Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 The Goddesses as Forms of Tripurā The Threefold Kumārı̄ Chapter 10 Lakṣmı̄ and the Deeds of her Son Kāma Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapters 16–17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Kāma and Tripurā Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Gaurı̄ Chapter 26 (continuation) Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Marriage of Pārvatı̄ and Śiva Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Origin of the Cult of the Śivaliṅga Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Kāma and Tripurā/Kāmākṣı̄ Chapter 36 Birth of Skanda Chapter 37 Bhāratı̄ Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Kātyātanı̄ Chapter 41 Caṇḍikā Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Kālı̄ Chapter 44 Durgā Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Lalitāmāhātmya Rebirth of Kāma Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Birth and First Deeds of Bhaṇḍa Chapter 49 Chapter 50 Chapter 51 Chapter 52 Maṇidvı̄pa and Śrı̄cakra Chapter 53 Chapter 54 Chapter 55 Chapter 56 Chapter 57 Chapter 58 Antecedents of the Fight between Bhaṇḍa and Lalitā Chapter 59 Chapter 60 Chapter 61 Chapter 62 The Battle Chapter 63 Chapter 64 Chapter 65 Chapter 66 Chapter 67 Chapter 68 Chapter 69 Chapter 70 Chapter 71 Chapter 72 Chapter 73 Chapter 74 Chapter 75 Chapter 76 Chapter 77 Lalitā Triumphant Chapter 78 Conclusion Chapter 79 Chapter 80 Notes Bibliography Works of Reference (Dictionaries, etc.) Primary Sources (Texts, Editions and Translations) Secondary Sources Index of the Translated Passages and Stotras General Index "This book on the Tripurārahasya, a South Indian Sanskrit work which occupies a unique place in the Śākta literature, is a study of the Śrīvidyā and Śākta traditions in the context of South Indian intellectual history in the late middle ages. Associated with the religious tradition known as Śrīvidyā and devoted to the cult of the Goddess Tripurā, the text was probably composed between the 13th and the 16th century CE. The analysis of its narrative parts addresses questions about the relationships between Tantric and Purāṇic goddesses. The discussion of its philosophical and theological teachings tackles problems related to the relationships between Sākta and Śaiva traditions. The stylistic devices adopted by the author(s) of the work deal uniquely with doctrinal and ritual elements of the Śrīvidyā through the medium of a literary and poetic language. This stylistic peculiarity distinguishes the Tripurārahasya from many other Tantric texts, characterized by a more technical language. The book is intended for researchers in the field of Asian Studies, Indology, Philosophical, Theological or Religious Studies, Hindu Studies, Tantric Studies and South Asian Religion and Philosophy, in particular those interested in Śākta and Śaiva philosophic-religious traditions"-- Provided by publisher This book on Tripurarahasya is a study of Srividya & Sakta traditions in South Indian intellectual history, late middle ages, for researchers in Indology, Asiam, Philosophical, Theological/Religious, Hindu & Tantric Studies, South Asian Religion & Phil., & Sakta & Saiva phil-religious traditions.