Yoga, bhoga, and ardhanariswara : individuality, wellbeing, and gender in Tantra

"This book offers a social-scientific interpretation of the Hindu and Buddhist traditions of Tantra dating back 15 centuries. It is a self-reflexive study approached with an insider's empathy and the perspective of an Indologist, anthropologist, mystic and practitioner of the cult.?The work includes a discussion of non-modern Indic themes: mandala as a trope and its manifestations in South Asian regions such as Nepal; yoga and Indic individuality; the concept of bhoga; disciplined wellbeing; gender; and Indic axiology. Using personal praxis to inform his research, the author examines three core themes within Tantra--a 'holonic'/mandalic individuality that conduces to mystical experience; a positive valorisation of pleasure and play; and cultural attitudes of gender-mutuality and complementarity, as neatly encapsulated in the icon of Shiva as Ardhanariswara. This analysis, as captured by the Tantric mandalas of deities in intimate union, leads to his compelling metathesis that Tantra serves as a permanent counterculture within the Indic civilization.?This second edition with a new Afterword, will greatly interest those in anthropology, South Asian studies, religious studies, gender studies, psychology and philosophy as also the general reader."--Provided by publisher. This book offers a social–scientific interpretation of the Hindu and Buddhist traditions of Tantra dating back 15 centuries. It is a self-reflexive study approached with an insider's empathy and the perspective of an Indologist, anthropologist, mystic and practitioner of the cult. The work includes a discussion of non-modern Indic themes: mandala as a trope and its manifestations in South Asian regions such as Nepal; yoga and Indic individuality; the concept of bhoga; disciplined wellbeing; gender; and Indic axiology. Using personal praxis to inform his research, the author examines three core themes within Tantra — a ‘holonic'/mandalic individuality that conduces to mystical experience; a positive valorisation of pleasure and play; and cultural attitudes of gender-mutuality and complementarity, as neatly encapsulated in the icon of Shiva as Ardhanariswara. This analysis, as captured by the Tantric mandalas of deities in intimate union, leads to his compelling metathesis that Tantra serves as a permanent counterculture within the Indic civilization. This second edition, with a new Afterword, will greatly interest those in anthropology, South Asian studies, religious studies, gender studies, psychology and philosophy, as also the general reader. "Cover"--"Title"--"Copyright" -- "Dedication" -- "Contents" -- "Preface" -- "Foreword" -- "Chapter 1 Introduction: Three Non-modern Indic Themes" -- "Chapter 2 The Kathmandu Valley: The Mandala as Indic Trope" -- "Chapter 3 Yoga and Indic Individuality" -- "Chapter 4 Bhoga and Disciplined Eudaemonism" -- "Chapter 5 Ardhanariswara and Indic Gender" -- "Chapter 6 Tantra as Counter-culture: The Core Axiology of Indic Culture" -- "Afterword to the Second Edition: The Aesthetics of Tantra and the Re-enchantment of the World" -- "Bibliography Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Preface 9 Foreword 11 Chapter 1 Introduction: Three Non-modern Indic Themes 18 Chapter 2 The Kathmandu Valley: The Mandala as Indic Trope 60 Chapter 3 Yoga and Indic Individuality 84 Chapter 4 Bhoga and Disciplined Eudaemonism 152 Chapter 5 Ardhanariswara and Indic Gender 188 Chapter 6 Tantra as Counter-culture: The Core Axiology of Indic Culture 226 Afterword to the Second Edition: The Aesthetics of Tantra and the Re-enchantment of the World 231 Bibliography 244 Index 263