Shardatilaka Tantram

by Arthur Avalon

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Sharadatilaka is the essence of the Tantras, the first cause for the attainment of Dharma, Artha, Karma, Moksha (religious merit, wealth, desire and liberation).

In 25 chapters the celebrated author - Lakshmana Deshikendra - deals with the theory and practice of Tantrik worship. It is said that Lakshmana was impelled to write this treatise because of his compassion for men who wanted to know about all the different forms of worship, but could not do so by reason of the voluminousness of the different Tantras, each dealing with a single form of worship and in abstruse character.

The commentary on the Sharada gives an adequate idea of not only the greatness of the spiritual culture of India but shows the progress that had been made in every sphere of human activity.

In expounding the text the commentator - Raghava - cites passages not only from the Mantrashastra, but has drawn his materials from mathematical and astrological works, Ayurveda, the Vedas and the Upanishads, the Puranas and the Samhitas, the Shrauta Sutras and the Grihya Sutras, the Brahmanas and the Shulvashastras, the Darshanas, the Chhandas, the Pancharatras, and a host of other authorities.

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 Begal and in 1915 Chief Justice at the Calcutta High Court. He also was appointed Standing Counsel to the Government of India. He was appointed Tagore Law Professor at the Calcutta University. After retiring to England he became Reader in Indian Law at the University of Oxford .

Alongside his judicial duties he studied Sanskrit and Hindu philosophy and was especially interested in the esoteric Hindu Tantric Shakti system. He translated some twenty original Sanskrit texts, and under his pseudonym Arthur Avalon he published and lectured prolifically and authoritatively on Indian philospohy and a wide range of Yoga and Tantra topics. His work helped to unleash in the West a deep and wide interest in Hindu philosophy and Yogic practices.

His most popular and influential book, a major contribution to the appreciation of Indian philosophy and spirituality, is The Serpent Power - The secrets of tantric and shaktic yoga.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.