Principles of Tantra (2 Vols.)

by Sir John Woodroffe

This book contains the Tantratattva of Shriyukta Shiva Chandra Vidyarnava Bhattacharyya Mahodaya.

The work here translated is that on an Indian mind unaffected by western thought. Apart from its intrinsic merits, it has such value as being the record of the views of an English educated Hindu, who finds in the conclusions of recent western science a corroboration of his ancient eastern beliefs. Its author modestly says: "I have attempted to give the reader the result of a general survey of the philosophy upon which Tantrik Sadhana, or self-culture, is based. But in so recondite and unfamiliar a subject, when the correctness of every individual interpretation may be called in question, the reader is requested to go himself to the source, and there, with faith and devotion, and under the guidance of a Guru, drink of its waters.

This book is also known as "The Tantra-Tattva of Sriyukta Siva Chandra Vidyarnava Bhattacarya Mahodaya." It is the major source in English on the theory and practice of right-handed Tantra. Written in the 19 century by an Orthodox Hindu who himself practiced the disciplines of Tantra Shastra. The book is a treatise on various aspects of the philosophy and practice of Tantra. It includes chapters on Tantric scriptures, ritualistic worship, the Guru, and Shakti. Many accounts on the subject of TANTRA have appeared in Book form over the years but most of these are cursory. These accounts are as a rule make general statements by way of condemnation of it. Sir John Woodroffe also known as Arthur Avalon, has on the other hand had researched solely on this subject and removed all the negative condemnation by strictly sticking to the facts.

The Book "Principles of Tantra" brought out in two volumes says it all and can not be missed by any student of Tantra.

Table of Contents:

Part I

Preface by Arthur Avalon

Introduction by Arthur Avalon

Invocation

Preface by Sriyukta Siva Candra Vidyarnava Bhattacarya Mahodaya

Chapters

I. Appearance and Applicability of the Tantra scripture Necessity for the Scripture Understanding of the Scripture Doubts Concerning the Scripture Reasoning on the Scripture On Meeting Sadhakas
II. What is the Necessity for the Tantras when there is the Veda? Introduction of Tantra Monism, Vedanta, and Sankarcarya
III. The Ephemeral and Modern Monism Difference between and similarity of Veda and Tantra Consensus of other Scriptures as regards the Authority of the Tantra The Direct and Superior Power of Tantra
IV. Gayatri Mantra and image worship Worship of Gayatri The Vacya and Vacaka Saktis of a Mantra V. Commands of Sastra On Formlessness and Form VI. Worship of Devatas VII. What is Sakti?
VIII. What is Sakti? - Continued IX. Siva and Sakti
X. Worship of the Five Devatas Tantrik Initiation Loss of Tantras and Treatise on this Scripture

Part II

Preface by Arthur Avalon

Introduction by Sriyukta Barada Kanta Majumdar

XI. On Mantra
XII. Lettered and Unlettered Sound
XIII. On the Guru
XIV. Discussion Upon, And Selection of the Guru Women Gurus Guru Family and Family Guru The Guru Profession The Characteristics of Disciples The times for Initiation XV. Worship in General
XVI. The Play of Gunas Adhyatmikism
XVII. Outer Worship
XVIII. Ordinances Relating to Worship
XIX. Ceremonial worship Bhava Entrance into the House of Worship Removal of Obstacles Seat Rules Relating to Direction in Worship Time for Worship Place of Worship Worship of Siva Order of Worship
XX. Ceremonial Worship-Continued Purification off the Five Purification of the Twelve Purification of Elements Nyssa Mental Worship Invocation Articles used and Acts done in Worship

About the Author:

Sir John Woodroffe (1865–1936), also known by his pseudonym Arthur Avalon, received his B.C.L. (Bachelor of Civil Law) from University College, Oxford. He moved to India, where he practised law. He became Advocate-General of Bengal and in 1915 Chief Justice at the Calcutta High Court. There, he was especially enthusiastic in siding with British authority against Indian nationalists, moreso than his contemporaries on the bench. He also was appointed Standing Counsel to the Government of India. He was appointed Tagore Law Professor at Calcutta University. After retiring to England he became Reader in Indian Law at the University of Oxford, and finally moved to France in his retirement, where he died in 1936. Woodroffe, however, lived somewhat of a double life in India. Alongside his judicial duties he studied Sanskrit and Hindu philosophy, especially the system of Shakta Tantra, as a disciple of Shiva Chandra Vidyarnarva Battacharya. As the first Western scholar of Tantra, he played an important role in bringing interest to the subject, though in the process sanitized Tantra of some elements that Westerners may have considered unsavory. Because many contemporary scholars and pandits - both Western and Indian - were calling Tantra the scourge of India and a threat to Western domination, Woodroffe's scholarship was tremendously important in providing a clearer view of what Tantra actually was, what the Tantras themselves actually contained, and what Tantrikas actually practiced. In trying to justify Tantra, however, his work was often flawed, contradicting itself, and often bending over backwards to show that Tantra was deeply rooted in, and the ultimate manifestation of, the principles of Vedanta.