Auspicious Wisdom: The Texts and Traditions of Srividya Sakta Tantrism in South India (Suny Tantric Studies) - Hardcover

Brooks Ph.D., Douglas Renfrew

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0791411451 ISBN 13: 9780791411452

Publisher: State University of New York Press, 1992

Synopsis

Rooting itself in Kashmir Shaivism, Srividya became a force in South India no later than the seventh century, and eventually supplanted the Trika as the dominant Tantric tradition in Kashmir. This is the first comprehensive study of the texts and traditions of this influential school of goddess-centered, Sakta, Tantrism. Centering on the goddess's three manifestations--the beneficent deity Lalita Tripurasundari, her mantra, and the visually striking sricakra--Srividya creates a systematic esoteric discipline that combines elements of the yogas of knowledge, of devotion, and of ritual. Utilizing canonical works, historical commentaires, and the interpretive insights of living practitioners, this book explores the theological and ritual theories that form the basis for Srividya practice and offers new methods for critical and comparative studies of esoteric Hinduism.

About this title

About the Author:

Douglas Renfrew Brooks is Assistant Professor of Religion and Director of Asian Studies, University of Rochester. Brook's textual and historical investigations of Sakta tantrism are augmented by extensive field work and experience among contemporary practitioners. He is also the author of The Secret of the Three Cities: An Introduction to Hindu Sakta Tantrism.

About this edition

• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0791411451
• ISBN 13: 9780791411452
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 328