A Peep Into The Tantraloka and Our Cultural Heritage

The book starts with Introduction wherein the authoress introduced numerous Saiva writers discussed thirty-six elements and the cultural heritage of India.

The first chapter gives us the details about Abhinavagupta's birth, place, time, parentage education, teachers and his works etc. The second chapter deals with the contents of the Tantraloka. The III rd chapter deals with the Tantraloka and the human goal. The Pratybhijna Krama, Kula systems are discussed among other significant issues. The IV th chapter introduces Jayaratha as the commentator of Viveka on the book. The V th Chapter discusses the culture, our cultural heritage and how the Tantraloka contributes to the cultural heritage of India. This is followed by conclusion.

About The author

Prof. Koshalya Walli, born in the valley of Shrinagar Kashmir. is M. A. D. Phil., Litt. in Sanskrit, M.A. in Hindi and Diploma in Russian and Bulgarian Lunguages.
Prof. Walli visited Germany, Philadelphia, Greece, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Austria, Austria. Guided a number of Scholars for Ph. D. M. Phil. Degrees.
While working at the Jammu University, she was a member of the University Syndicate, Dean Faculty of Oriental learning, Dean, Arts Faculty, Dean, Arts Faculty, Convenor of the Broad of Studies of Hindi and Sanskrit.

Besides, she has deep rooted interest in social service and is associated with several organizations.

Preface

In early January 1998, I received a letter from the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi inviting me to write a monograph within a stipulated time. The following pages are the consequence of that invitation and encouragement.

Although a Student of Kasmir Saiva though, one has to dive deep in the ocean of technical words to find out the relevant correct meaning. The following pages are an attempt to have a peep into Acarya Abhinavagupta's Tantraloka and its contribution to our national, cultural heritage that in other words is the global cultural heritage, for Indian culture embraces whole humanity.

The Introduction introduces us to the subject Tantraloka that happens to be the source of our national culture heritage. The 1st chapter deals with the author Abhinavagupta-his life and works. The 2nd chapter gives us the details of ten to fifteen chapters and briefs us about the contents of the rest of the thirty-seven Ahnikas of the said work. The 3rd chapter speak about the human goal vis-a-vis the Tantraloka. The 4th chapter introduces us to the versatile commentator Acarya Jayaratha and enlightens us in way with regard to the duties of a commentator. The 5th chapter discusses how human mind can be shaped to decide his goal in life, pick up a means to attain the said goal i. e. realization of his own self, how Tantraloka works as a light House in his direction.

The 6th chapter writes about our cultural richness and the contribution of Tantraloka, towards the developments of our cultural heritage, thereby inspiring us to realize the dream of Viswa Manava (man of the whole world), Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the whole earth is our family) and thus giving a direction to present day constructive activists of the whole mankind, nay with whole creations. The conclusion summarises the central idea of the above-mentioned chapters

My thanks are due to the authorities of the Sansthan who inspired me to writes the followings pages. I am thankful to the manuscript typist Sh. Ramesh Gupta for typing out the script.

I am all gratitude to my respected father, who despite his ill health inspired me to complete the task.