The Canon of the Śaivāgama and the Kubjikā

Tantras of the Western Kaula Tradition

By Mark S. G. Dyczkowski

Subjects: Tantra
Series: SUNY series in the Shaiva Traditions of Kashmir
Paperback : 9780887064913, 297 pages, November 1987
Hardcover : 9780887064944, 297 pages, November 1987

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Table of contents

Acknowledgements

PART ONE The Saiva Agamas

Preliminary Remarks

The Saivagamas

Saivagama —Its Major and Secondary Divisions

The Pasupatas and Lakulisa

The Kapalikas

Other Tantras of the Vamasrotas

The Garuda and Bhuta Tantras

The Daksinatantras

The Pitha System of Classification

The Tantras of the Four Pithas

The Mantrapitha

The Vidyapitha

PART Two The Kaula Tantras

The Kulagama

The Mouth of the Yogini

The Amnaya Classification

The Amnayas of the Kaulatantras

The Amnaya Classification and the Four Amnayas According to the Cincinimatasarasamuccaya

Analysis

The Kaulatantras and Saivagama

The Pascimamnaya —The Cult of Kubjika

Kubjika, the 'Crooked One'

The Origins of the Kubjika Cult

PART THREE Appendices

Appendix A

A History of the Study of the Kubjika Cult

Appendix B

The Manthanabhairavatantra

Appendix C

The Canon of the Jayadrathayamala

The Pitha Division

The Mantrapitha

The Vidyapitha

The Mudrapitha

The Mandalapitha

The 'Eight Times Eight' Bhairavatantras

The Srotas Division

Conclusion

Appendix D

Manuscripts of the Kubjikatantras

Abbreviations

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Description

This book serves as an introductory study of Tantric Śaivism in its original scriptural sources. It traces the features and content of the canon of the Śaiva Tantras, making use of many unpublished manuscripts from Kashmiri Śaiva authors.

The book is also an introduction to the literature of the Kubjikamata. As Kundalini, Kubjika is worshipped as the Goddess who is curled up and sleeping, waiting to be awakened. The author explores her place in the Tantric literature.

Mark S. G. Dyczkowski took his first degree at Banaras Hindu University and then his doctorate at Oxford University. He is presently associated with Sampurnananda Sanskrit University in Varanasi.

Reviews

"This is a sincere, scholarly approach toward exploring a highly significant aspect of Indian thought and culture. Its most striking feature is the exploitation of extensive manuscript material which has remained inaccessible and, therefore, navailable hitherto. It will be useful to all those interested in Tantra, Kashmir Shaivism, and the Hindu religious practice known as Sadhana. " -- Navjivan Rastogi, Abhinavagupta Institute of Aesthetics and Saiva Philosophy, The University of Lucknow, India

"There are several interesting insights and thought-provoking statements which may prove to be new starting points for futher research. The literature is studied with vigor and almost 'pioneering' courage. " -- Teun Goudriaan, Instituut voor Oosterse Talen Rijksuniversiteit, Utrecht, Netherlands