Kularnava Tantra - Introduction, Readings, SKT text (384p) [Anomolous].pdf

Kularnava Tantra - Introduction, Readings, SKT text (384p) [Anomolous].pdf

Paperback: 357 pages
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass,; 1 edition (January 1, 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 8120809734
ISBN-13: 978-8120809734

The Kularnava is an authority in Tantric literature. It is one of the basic works of the rituals and philosophy of the Sakta Tantrism following the Kulacara, the most advanced of the Sakta way. The learned introduction in English gives detailed information about the constitution of the text and esoteric philosophy and practices peculiar to the school. The complete text is given in Devanagari for those who wish to study the book in the original Sanskrit.

This edition of the Kularnava Tantra is valuable for both scholars and practitioners. Arthur Avalon (really a composite figure of Sir John Woodroffe and his Indian translators; Woodroffe didn't actually know much Sanskrit, he was better with smoothing the translation) presents a clear introduction and relatively good translation of the text. But what is really valuable here is the original Sanskrit.

The reviewer below who mentioned he felt like he was "missing something" is right, though somewhat misguided about what he's missing. Although half the book is in Sanskrit, it is simply the translated text in its original form so that one can study the original, which is the best way to read it. Studying any text in translation is problematic, because the bias of the translator colors the reading - in Sanskrit this is particularly problematic, and in Tantras doubly so, because of the layers of meaning and subterfuge for which Sanskrit and Tantric verse are famous. Scholars will find the original text fairly clean. However, for those unable or unwilling to pursue many years of Sanskrit study, the translation is decent, although not always entirely correct.

As for practitioners, it is important to remember that this text leaves out crucial information, which is common amongst Tantric texts. A qualified teacher within the Shakta Kula should be able to fill in these gaps according to their lineage, but the language of this text is full of holes that "Avalon" doesn't adequately fill. From the practice perspective, it is crucial to study this text under the guidance of a qualified teacher.

With the guidance of a pandit, this is an incalculably rich resource; on one's own, it is vital reading material for anyone interested in this field, especially Shakta Tantra.