The Goddess of Tantra - An Old and Rare Book

Tantra which IS a special branch of Shakti Cult In Hinduism, provides a systematic and scientific method by which high spiritual powers can be achieved in human Iife for realization of the 'self' that leads one to the path of salvation.

The ultimate goal of Tantra sadhana is the unification of the finite soul with the Cosmic Soul, for which the Tantrika chiefly relies on pure love for the Divine Mother, the cosmic dynamic energy. The Tantric knowledge is based on the theory of Shiva and Shakti who represent the consciousness within and the conscious force that works through the three gunas : sattva, rajas and tamas by their power of creation, preservation and destruction.

To a Tantrika the existence is eternal, whether in a mamested or an unmanifested condition. The knower of Shakti is Shiva who is without action. without growth and without changes, and is ever existing i:l beautitude.

This book deals mainly with Tantra Sadhana with the help of illustrations of the important yantras (diagrams of the cosmic symbolism) that are commonly used in the spiritual practices by the Tantrikas.

Pranab Bandyopadhyay (b. 1925) obtained his M.A. In 'Modern Indian Languages' from Calcutta University in 1949, has been widely published in India and abroad; has written more than 60 books on poetry, literature, indology, religion social science, biographical monographs and various other subjects; is an Indo-Anglian poet of international reputation, has been regularly broadcasting from All India Radio for the last 35 years of more; his biography is included In 'International Who's Who in Poetry' and also 'Men of Achievement' published by the International Biographica Centre, Cambridge, England, and also in 'Indian Authors Who's Who' published by Sahitya Akademy, India; and was awarded Honorary D.Lit. in 1980.