Abhinavagupta: The Kula Ritual
Abhinavagupta: The Kula Ritual (As Elaborated in Chapter 29 of the Tantraloka) John R. Dupuche,
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
ISBN: 8120819799
DDC: 291
Edition: Hardcover; 2003-01
Summary:
In Abhinavagupta's encyclopaedic work, the Tantraloka (Light on the
Tantras), he describes the various tantras of his day and places at
their apex the most extreme of them, the Kula ritual, which proposes
the use of wine and meat and intercourse with women of the low
castes. Is Abhinavagupta's esteem of the Kula ritual just the shadow
side of genius, an abberation best forgotten? This book is a
translation - the first into English of any chapter of the Tantraloka
of Abhinavagupta's version of the Kula ritual. It also provides a
translation - the first into any language - of Jayaratha's
indispensable commentary. It shows the structure of the text, which
is not a confused mass of codes and activities but is articulated as
finely as an Indian temple. The translation is accompanied by a
commentary, the appendices, including a glossary and index of words.
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