An Introduction To Tantric Philosophy: The Paramarthasara Of Abhinavagupta With The Commentary Of Yogaraja

Book Summary

The Paramaerthasaera, or the Essence of [the Teachings on] Supreme Reality by Abhinavagupta (Xth-XIth AD) is a compendium of the monistic doctrine of Trika Saivism. This book offers the first commented English translation of both the text and its commentary by Yogaraeja (XIIth AD), along with a corrected Sanskrit text, introduction, indices and appendices. In an attempt to follow the principles of Yogaraejas commentary, the authors unfold the metaphysical as well as mystic meanings of the text. In this process, they have taken recourse to both traditional Indian exegesis and the current interpretations among scholars of Kasmir Saivism. This edition may be of interest to Indologists and specialists of Kasmir Saivism, as well as to specialists and students of religious studies, philosophy and anthropology. The ParamaI"rthasaI"ra, or a Essence of Ultimate Realitya (TM), is a work of the Kashmirian polymath Abhinavagupta (tentha "eleventh centuries). It is a brief treatise in which the author outlines the doctrine of which he is a notable exponent, namely nondualistic SIaivism, which he designates in his works as the Trika, or a Triada (TM) of three principles: SIiva, SIakti and the embodied soul (nara). The main interest of the ParamaI"rthasaI"ra is not only that it serves as an introduction to the established doctrine of a tradition, but also advances the notion of jivI"anmukti, a liberation in this lifea (TM), as its core theme. Further, it does not confine itself to an exposition of the doctrine as such but at times hints at a second sense lying beneath the evident sense, namely esoteric techniques and practices that are at the heart of the philosophical discourse. Its commentator, YogaraI"ja (eleventh century), excels in detecting and clarifying those various levels of meaning. An Introduction to Tantric Philosophy presents, along with a critically revised Sanskrit text, the first annotated English translation of both Abhinavaguptaa (TM)s ParamaI"rthasaI"ra and YogaraI"jaa (TM)s commentary. This book will be of interest to Indologists, as well as to specialists and students of Religion, Tantric studies and Philosophy.

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