Of related interest: Pancaratra Text Sanjukta Gupta Otto Schrader inl916 recommended the Laksmi Tantra for the study of Pancaratra philosophy. Among the vast number of Pancaratra Agamic texts the Laksmi Tantra stands out because it deals almost exclusively with Laksmi, the divine creative impulse, intelligence, potency, potentiality, power, majesty and speech. The focus of the text is on Pancaratra philosophy (including cosmogony) and the practice of yoga based on it, with its attendant Mantra Sastra. It records the earliest Vaisnava speculation on the paradox of a Supreme God who is totally identified with Brahman, the unique and transcendent Conscious Reality, and is at the same time the creator of a dualistic universe which cannot be related to Him. ArthurAvalon This work teaches the tantric rituals in great details and propounds the basic philosophy of Tantrism, revealing the best aspects of Saktism. The tantra also teaches the doctrine of duties, incorporating the laws of Manu, the Bhagavadgita, and sermons of the Buddha. Arthur Avalon Divided into 36 Patalas, the book deals with the worship of Devatas in the tantric way. As a special study, the reader is referred to the Patalas on the tantric Bhutasuddhi, the worship of Tripura Vidya, Japa, Bija, Yantra, Mudra, and so forth which are the distinguishing marks of tantric ritual. Delhi (INDIA) E-mail:
[email protected] Website: www.mlbd.com ISBN: 81-208-0972-6 Rs.495(Cloth) The Kularnava is perhaps the foremost Tantra of the kaula School and is constantly cited as an authority in Tantric literature. It is worthy of close study by those who would understand the tenets and practice of the tradition of which it is a Sastra.