Sri Tantralokah Volume Six: Chapters 15-37 (Sanskrit Text with English Translation and Commentary)

Tantraloka is a magnum opus of the Indian Tantrika-world, written in the Tenth Century, in the light of Kashmir Saivism by the great polymath Sri Abhinavagupta. This great work does not only include all the philosophical and Tantrika essence of monistic Kashmir Saivism but is also often considered the apex of Indian Tantrika Philosophy. Abhinavagupta explains in detail in its thirty seven chapters the all-inclusive vision and way to truth, the Prakasa state of Parama Siva. This publication is the first attempt to unfold this Prakasa (Light) for the English-speaking horizon.

Gautam Chatterjee, a seer, polymath and an oft-quoted author, learned Indian philosophy, especially Kashmir Saivism from Thakur Jaideva Singh and prof. Vraja Vallabh Dviwedi. He was Adjunct Professor in Banaras Hindu University. His film on Kashi Saivism is Ananda Bhairavi. His frequently-referred books are 'White Shadow of Consciousness' and Agamas in Indian Dramatics and Musicology'.He has translated the entire Tantraloka' by Abhinavagupta for the first time from classical Samskrit into English in six volumes.

Abhinavagupta's magnum opus 'The Tantraloka' is a great work in the ambience of tantragama treatise. This precept of right descriptions of almost all branches of saiva and sakta agama. The right will to translate the entire work into English (direct from Samskrta) is reflected in the mind of Mr. Gautam Chatterjee. As the result, the translation work of the ten chapters has been completed with illustrious explanatory notes. I pray to Lord siva, who blesses with his Trisula of powers i.e. will, knowledge and action, may accomplish the translations of the entire work. I believe, all the scholars of the tantragama will appreciate this work with their blessings.

Situated on the upper portion of the Trisula of Jnanaguru Lord Samkara, Kasi, represents the whole world, so it is quite natural that people from Bengal come here and stay. In such a family, on 18th August 1963 (Bhadrapada masa), this child was born to enhance the joy of his mother Meera and father Amaresh Chandra Chatterjee, in order to flourish the grace of his lineage as his sun-sign is Leo (simhasthasurya).

Sisyaprajneva bodhasya karanam guruvakyatah', by such blessings from scriptures, the spiritual mother Rangama blessed and elevated this fortunate. After completing his education in science subjects from Banaras Hindu University, he cultivated his skill in the field of musicology, and drama-art. He performed his teachings in these subjects in Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith. His mother Smt. Meera Devi was initiated (consecrated) by the ascetic Rangama and benefited by the teachings of great sages like Anandmayi Ma. M.M. Gopinath Kaviraja and others.

By the blessings of these great dignities, Gautam's interest arisen the spirituality. He mastered himself by the grace of great scholars like Swami Lakshman Joo, Sri Govind Gopal Mukhopadhyay, Thakur Jaideva Singh and others in the area of literature, music art and Pratyabhijnasastra. He interviewed art stalwarts such as Satyajit Ray, Kumar Gandharva, Kelucharan Mohapatra, Nirmal Verma Badal Sircar and others and published it with the concerned seminars. He had keen interest in journalism so he enriched the journals Dharmayug, Svatantra Bharat, Rastriya Sahara and the Hindu with his talent, and got great fame.

At present, with Abhinava Gupta Academy, busy with the scholarly works regarding Natyasastra and Pratyabhijnasastra, researches and seminars, Mr. Chatterjee is constantly engaged to accomplish his right resolves. I wish for the success of his zeal.

In 2006, he published his own collection of ten plays (as a playwright) 'Dasarupaka' in Hindi. In the preface of this book, he has discussed the ideas of his own and other scholars. Here, the effort is praiseworthy but we can not approve every idea presented in this preface. Here discussed topics as the Buddhist tantras are inspired by Gautam Buddha, there are effects of Tantras on Natyasastra, the period mentioned here of Guhyasamajatantra, Prapancasaratantra is the work of Adya Samkaracarya, the use of the word Sandha Bhasa (the twilight or upside down language) are expected to have genuine proofs. We must not forget that the Jains are more harmonious to the nation than the Buddhists.

In the English translation of 'the Tantraloka', Mr. Chatterjee has written valuable notes as required by the help of several works with great pain and hard work. His effort in this respect is very much appreciable. I stop myself by saying that this method should be followed in the entire work.

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