Critical interpretation with text of Hindu Tantric text.

Description: This book is the distillation of over 16 hours of tape recorded audio lectures. It was Swami Lakshmanjoo's intent, in giving these lecture translations, to disclose in English the esoteric meaning of these 'Siva Sutras of Vasugupta as well as that of the commentary, called Vimarsini, by Ksemaraja, both of which were originally composed in Sanskrit. In attending these lectures it became obvious to this editor that Swami Lakshmanjoo was completely in command of his subject matter. Infact, his command of Sanskrit was superior to that of English, a condition he declared many times during his discourses. So, although absolutely fluent in Sanskrit many times he had to search for the appropriate word in English to clearly elucidate the Sanskrit texts. In fact on occasion he would tell us that he was not looking to translate the Sanskrit closely, but rather to give us the essential meaning of the text.

The Cult of Bhairava in Nepal is an account of the Bhairava faith and conventions of Nepal. The adamantine practice of an early Saiva sect with the pragmatic convention of salvation (nivbriti) and accumulating merits (pravriti margas) as a way of life still persists and has become a part heritage in present day Nepal. Bhairava ensures the safeguarding of inevitable knowledge. He is also the reflection of a fierce aspect of Siva and is the patron sentinel deity in this land of Lord Pasupathinath. In this book, The cult of Bhairava in Nepal, Milan Ratna Shakya deals with the spiritual account as well as the cult, which is based on admiration for Bhairava rife in Nepal under local, intellectual and artistic perspectives. The spiritual realm of Bhairava cult also presents a pleasant merging of Saivism and Buddhism in Nepal. This deity has been worshipped as protector of medieval city-states in Kathmandu Valley and is known by various names like Bhailah-aju, Bhairah dyoh, Konca Bhairava or Ajudhyo in local parlance. This book is not only relevant in Nepal but in all regions where Hinduism is followed. The Cult of Bhairava in Nepal is a complete study of the Bhairava sect.

Siva Sutras are considered to be a revealed book of Yoga: the supreme identity of the individual self with the Divine. Here an English translation of the Siva Sutras has been provided, together with an abstract of each sutra, which throws a flood of light on the entire system of Saiva Yoga. A glossary of technical terms and index are appended for the convenience of the reader. Four commentaries on Siva Sutras are available at present, the Vimarsini commentary of Ksemaraja in prose, the Siva-sutra-vrtti by some anonymous author in prose, the Siva-sutra-varttikam by Varadaraja in verse. The Siva-Sutra-vrtti is so close to Vimarsini that it appears to be either a preliminary draft or a later abstract of the Vimarsini. There is a strong presumption that the author of the Vrtti was Ksemaraja himself. For more information, please head to www.mlbd.co.in

The Vij¤Èna Bhairava is one of the most important Tantrasof Kashmir Shaivism as far as the practical aspect of yoga ofthis school is concerned. It teaches 112 dhÈranÈs or ways ofcentring awareness and entering divine consciousness, whichinclude ordinary and extraordinary experiences, as well astantric methods of spiritual practice such as ku!ÇalinÏ, mantraand mudrÈ. This ancient text is of great relevance for a spiritualityof our times which has to integrate all aspects of life.The present edition, translation and commentary is uniquesince it contains the oral teaching of the last great master ofthe Kashmir Shaiva tradition, Swami Lakshman Joo. In hisexplanation of the dhÈranÈs he gives the deep significanceand practical application of various methods of yoga whichgive direct access to states of higher consciousness.

Ability is an important tool in life. Ability without commitment and awareness is like a vehicle without the engine. The Shiva Sutra enhances one’s awareness in a way one sees an opportunity in a difficulty and not a difficulty in an opportunity. There is an ‘outside reality’ and an ‘inside reality’ of one’s mind. There is also another dimension called ‘spiritual reality’. To harmonize all of them is a great awakening. Ordinary being loves one’s own ‘psycho dramas’ of justification, proving one’s point of view, blaming, being helpless... and this leads one to a state of inner poverty. To free oneself from these lower states of poverty and see them as ‘errors in one’s thinking’ is part of being effective and experiencing inner prosperity. The profound teaching of Lord Shiva introduces us to A Bigger Container where one learns to be charitable to one’s own self. This practice of making A Bigger Container is essentially spiritual. Dive deep into these mystic teachings. —Swami Sukhabodhananda

Kularnava Tantra 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. It calls upon man to wake up to the rare privilege that has been given to him, e.g., human birth in which the being becomes conscious of himself and is offered a choice, a choice between stagnation and rapid progression towards his Godhead. He is asked to purify himself and told how to do it. In unambiguous terms he is told that a wine-drinker is different from the drinkers of ecstasy; the union of delight is between the ascending Shakti and the presiding Lord above, and not between man and woman. The Introduction by Arthur Avalon (Sir John Woodroffe) gives a concise outline of the work. Sri M.P. Pandit, who is a keen student of the Tantras and Vedas, has rendered the work in English in eleven chapters. The Readings are free transla-tions with annotations where necessary, omitting technical details but preserving the spirit and essential import of the original in his characteristically lucid style. The complete text is given in Devanagari after being duly edited by Taranatha Vidyaranya for those who wish to study the book in the original Sanskrit..