Tantras: Their Philosophy and Secrets (An Old and Rare Book)

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

The manner in which the Second Edition of this Volume has been received by the intelligensia emboldens us to bring it out in an enlarged form.

In the present edition the Volume has been thoroughly revised some portions of it have been rewritten and recast, and a number of new chapters containing the latest information available on the subject matter have been included to render it easily intelligible by the general readers.

Among the new additions in the Volume special mention may be made of a chapter on the origin and development of the Tantras, and the scope and special features of Buddhist Tantras. Another chapter which is likely to be of interest to the readers is that devoted to the discussion on the part mysticism plays in the way of Tantric Sadhana.

Another new addition in the present volume is a discussion on the Ten Mahavidyas whom the Tantrics deeply venerate and worship reverentially. The ideas behind the conception of these goddesses and their relationship with one another have also been exploided.

For elucidation of the subject matter we have quoted, at times in length, form various prominent writers, to whom our best thanks are due. Much of the information on the Buddhist Tantras has been drawn from the following books, viz., Sadhanamala, Vol. II, by Dr. B. Bhattacharya, Advaya Vajra Sangraha by M. M. Dr. Haraprasad Sastri, Two Vajrayana Works by Dr. B. Bhattacharya, Studies in Tantra by Dr. P. C. Bagchi, to whom we are much indebted. Finally we acknowledge our thankfulness to Sri Promode Kumar Chatterjee whose books on Tantra, in Bengali, have been much helpful in tracing the evolution of the Tantras.

In conclusion it may be said that Tantra is a big subject, and hence much necessarily remains unsaid in the present Volume. If it awakens interest in this subject, which it is intended to do, further details may be incorporated in the next edition. Any suggestion for the improvement of the Volume in the following edition will be thankfully accepted.