RELIGIOUS TEXTS AND INDIAN PHILSOPHY

S SANKARANARAYANAN

What are these mahavidyas? Why are they distinguished from one another though they all proceed from and lead to the same one Reality? The author explains with his usual lucidity : “ Each is a particular Cosmic f unction and each leads to a special realisation of the One Reality.The secrets of these vidyas are buried deep in Sastras. and oral traditions Classic expose of sri vidya and the sri cakra, Sri Shankaranarayanan has dwelt upon the manifestation of the Primal Divine Shakti in the form or this variegated, manyplaned Universe. In the present work he explains the process of this manifestation. For, as he points out, creation is not a sudden precipitation it is a graded self-revelation. T. The Tantra celebrates the Ten as the maha vidyas, Great Sciences, that hold the creation in their celestial grasp/

ISBN 97 8 81 988192 2 2 / Rs 325.00

S SANKARANARAYANAN

The worship of Sakti is the life-breath of our great Dharma. There are many sacred texts and many well trodden paths which are capable of bringing the grace of the Mother. Even so, there is a sacred text which occupies a special place, a scripture of undying fame. Crowning all Tantric literature and tradition, it acts as a touchstone to all the doctrines established by them. It is a great Sadhana Sastra, practical science, teaching how to approach with special privilege and win the favour of the unique manifestation of the Mother Durga, The text is Devi Mahatmyam, Saptasati. Verily, this scripture can claim to be the repository of Mantras and this commands a very high position amongst the Tantric texts, as in each chapter are mentioned covertly many Mantras
328pp / ISBN 978 93 83811 92 / Price Rs 425.00

DR N RAMAMURTI

The Soundarya Lahari is not only a poetic text. It is a tantra textbook, giving instru-ctions on Puja and offerings, many Yantra, almost one to each shloka describing the tantra technique of performing devotion connected to each specific shloka and details the results ensuing therefrom. There are many interpretations and commentaries but best of these are arguably those that provide word to word translations, as also the Yantra, the devotion to be performed and the results of the devotion
RS 395.00

RAMACHANDRA DIKSHITAR

India is a land of many cults, and a critical and historical study of these cults, no doubt, affords abiding nterest to students of ancient Indian culture. The present volume attempts to study :the cult of Lalita from a historical stand-point. Though this study is ainly · based on the Lalitopakhyana section of the Brahmanda Purana, an endeavour is ma.de to review other phases of the Sakti cult and its place in Vedic literature, and particularly to examine its philosophic basis.

ISBN 978 81 988192 5 3/ RS 295.00

DR S CHAMU

THE sculpture of Nataraja has evoked greater curiosity and interest in the minds of scholars and art-lovers all over the world than that of any other deity of the Hindu pantheon.With the help of the extensive devotional literature which has grown around the deity over long centuries, they have made a bid to put their fingers upon the hidden meaning of Nataraja.Yet, it cannot be said that they have covered all the esoteric aspects of Nataraja or all the areas to which His sculpture points.
The Essentials of Shaivism, The Upanishads, Vedas, Yoga, Nataraja and his various aspects, The Agamas, The cult of Nataraja,form a core of the text of theese notes.
Rs 295.00

ALLADI MHADEVA SASTRI

Sankaracharya's immortal Hymn Dakshina murti stotra and Dakshinamurti Upanishad and the two works of Suresvaracharya’s Manasollasa and Pranava Vartika, herein epitomise the whole Vedanta Doctrine, as expounded by the two authors in their commentaries on the Upanishads, form a good introduction to a study of the subject. The author, Mahadeva Sastri, in his introduction to Sures'varacharya's Manasollasa, refers to various philosophical systems of his day, treating briefly of the origin, methods, and fundamental tenets of the several systems of Vedanta it refers to, so that the reader may have a comprehensive view of the whole range of Indian philosophy, at whose summit, towering high above all, stands Vedanta, the pinnacle of Aryan thought..

ISBN 978 81 99018 05 1 / Rs 325,00

N VENKATRAMANAYYA

The Vedic literature, specially the Brahmana portion, embodies several stories which record the birth of Rudra.Nothing is, however, known from the Rg Veda about Rudra’s birth, though his identification with Agni may be taken as an anticipation of the Brahmana legends.The Rg Veda lays special emphasis on two aspects of Rudra’s chara-cter. He was mainly a God of destru-ction, whom none could escape but at the same time he was kind and bene-ficent.ISBN 978 81 9881921 5/144pp/295.00

J M NALLASIVAM PILLAI

Sivagnana Botham is regarded as the Muthal Nul, Revealed book of the Saiva Religion and Siddhanta Philosophy. This Philosophy is called The Siddhanta Philosophy and is the special Philosophy of the Saiva Religion, the Philosophy of the Religion in which at least every Tamil speaking Hindu is more or less brought up and the one Philosophy which obtains predominance in the Tamil Languages. The system is based primarily on the Saiva Agamas. But the authority of the Vedas is equally accepted and the system is then called Vedanta Philosophy or Vedanta Siddhantha Philosophy or Vaithika Philosophy. However it is the Agama which gives the Philosophy its form and language.

ISBN 978 81 966930 7 7 / Price Rs 295.00

K NARAYANA SWAMY AIYAR

The word "Vidyas", as stated at the beginning of this book, are not mere knowledge but different kinds of meditations, which conduce to getting the knowledge and other results. These Vidyas are based upon the authority of The Major or 12 Upanishads amplified in the minor ones. Of them, it is the Gayatri vidya that is the most important. It forms the key by which we are enabled to unlock the mysteries contained in the other Vidyas. And it is upon it that the Upanishads throw more light.Of the Thirty two vidyas, The vidyas are, as said above, different kinds of meditation. They are meant for advanced souls who scales from the third world to the fourth and hence to higher worlds, till they reach the highest. But is taking up the different kinds of meditation, each soul has to adopt one which is su is suited to its growth and mature in the scheme of evolution.
ISBN 978 81 99018 09 9 /
RS 350.00

SIR JOHN WOODROFFE
ARTHUR AVALON

This book is an attempt made for the first time to explain the intricacies of Mantra Sastra. The Mantra sastra is worthy of a close study which when undertaken, will disclose elements of value to minds free from superstition of metaphysical bent and subtle seeing - sookshma darsana. A prfound doctrine, ingeneously though gaurdedly set forth, is contained in the Tantras of the Mantra Sastra, or Agama. The Basal principles are as old as the Upanishads which proclaimed that all was Chit (consciousness). The author explains and stresses that Mantra Sastra is not a mere senseless rubbish as it has been supposed to be a term which is commonly applied to the Tantra World An essential book to understand the basic principles of Mantra and as applied to Tantra enumerated by one of the foremost
Rs 400.00

ANANTHA BHATT

This is a collection of Compilation of important shanti mantras collated from earlier manuscripts and as practiced from several decades in improving the day to day life of an indivudal and eradicating doshas relating to Grahas, Nakshatras and remedial measures such as homas and its actual Practical practice with mantras.The Actual practice of each shanthi homa has been presented in sanskrit text. Contains very rare practices and its methods. Also containts texts of Sutras as recited during the shanti homas.

ISBN 978 81 99018 00 6/ PRICE RS 225.00

DR K K PILLAY

This excellent monograph is the outcome of a Thesis submitted by the author in 1952 to the Madras University. The study was done under the expert guidance of the gret historian Dr. K A Nilakanta Sastri. It is a historical study of the Sucindram temple which affords a fertile field for investigation into different aspects of life spread over-lapping vistas of time. The daily rituals in the temples and its importance and practices are well presented by the detailed analysis of the source materials from Tamil and Sanskrit. Though there are differences in details of worship between Saiva temples and Vaishnava temples, the art of worship is essentially one and the same. A comparative analysis of different ritualistic rites for the Saiva and Vaishanava temples have been amply studied.
Rs 695.00

H JANARDANA ACHARYA

There is a prevalent misconce-ption that the Sahasranama caters to only certain beliefs and believers like Vaishnavites in other words, that it is sectarian and is taboo for others like Saivites, Skandas, Sourahs, Shakthas, Ganapathas, etc. Will a Saivite admit that his Shiva is not omnipresent and all-pervading? If his answer is an emphatic ‘No’, then the Sahasranama applies to him as much as to the Vaishnavites. This argument holds good for the worshippers of all other aspects of Divinity. They have only to take off their blinkers. The Sahasra-nama is catholic and universal.

ISBN978 81 988192 3 9/272pp/ 395.00

i

T RAJAGOPLACHARYA

ISBN 978 81 988192 8 4/248pp/395.00The traditional account of the Alvars and the Acaryas given above facilitates the discussion of the question of their age, the estimate of their literary and other merits and the value to be attached to their . works in the formation of the Visistadvaita school of philosophy The Srlvaisnava chroniclers make justly a distinction between the Alvars and the Acaryas, the former being saints who had realized Brahman and had personal enjoyment of His grace, whereas the latter were learned propounders and elaboraters of the philosophy contained in the works of the Alvars. This is an edited version of the Lecture series, given by Late T A Gopinath Rao as part of the Sir Subramanya Iyer lecture on the History of Sri Vaishnavas in the year 1917 December at Madras University. Published in 1923. The chapters from this section forms the lecture series
RS.395.00

DR CARL GUSTAV DIEHL

in this study he delves on the importance of Rituals as an instrument of purpose. Probes through set of different source materials, like Classical Tamil and Sanskrit texts on Agamas, personal contacts with the temple priests, a detailed study of Tamil Agamas, the importance of Rituals in Saiva and Vaishnava temples, Religious temple festivals, Temple festival calendars, Astrological texts and remedies, Mantrika texts, The daily rituals in the temples and its importance and practices are well presented by the detailed analysis of the source materials from Tamil and Sanskrit. Though there are differences in details of worship between Saiva temples and Vaishnava temples, the art of worship is essentially one and the same. A comparative analysis of different ritualistic rites for the Saiva and Vaishanava temples have been amply studied.
Rs 495.00

DR N P UNNI

The Tantra, with its vast literature embodying intricate ritualistic details occupies a very important place in the religious life of India. It was regarded as top secret to be expounded by the preceptor to the disciple who had been properly initiated. The several chapters enumerate the importance of Tantra in other religious practices such as Budhism, Jainism etc. It is intended to serve as an introduction to an induce- ment for wider and more detailed study. Broadly speaking the vast literature of the Tantras of the various sects is ritualistic in nature in the main.These rituals have got many intersting features, both from the standpoint of the religious history of India
Rs 350.00

M N DWIVEDI

A clear explanation of the Yoga-Sutras suited to the wants of the general reader, without omitting whatever is critical in the several commentaries, The author has prepared a literal translation of the Sutras adding explanatory notes drawn from various sources. the commentaries of Vachaspatimisra, Bhoja, and Ramananda Saraswati, and the Yoga-Vartika of Vijnana-bhiksu, and Dr. Rajendralala's and Govindadeva Sastri' s translations, and from the Marathi translation of Ramananda Saraswati's Maniprabha by the learned Sastri Rajarama Bodas.
RS 225,00

RAMA PRASAD
The book is sure to throw a good deal of light upon the scientific researches of the ancient Aryans of India, and it will leave no doubt in a candid mind that the religion of ancient India had a scientific basis. It is chiefly for this reason that I have drawn my illustrations of the Tatwic Law from the Upanishads. There is a good deal in the book that can only be shown to be true by long and diligent experiment. The last chapter of the book is the English translation of the Siva swarodaya which is considered as the source for all yoga treatises.
Rs 350.00

GANGANATH JHA
Yoga Sara Sa?graha was composed by Vijñana Bhik?u primarily with the intention of explaining in detail the entire secret of Yoga sastra, Recognizing the excellence of this text. This edition contains a complete translation in English and explanation of the concepts of Yoga in its simplest form, the conceptual details of Yoga, how it is practiced and the nuances of Yoga philosophy. The Yoga Sara Sangraha Sanskrit text is duly translated into English with suitable notes and explanations of the text. The Original Sanskrit Text by Vignana Bhikshu has been added to make the book more authentic and as material source for further reading and research
RS 325.00

K S RAMASWAMY SASTRI

This work, Tantra Rahasya by Ramanujacharya is a primer of the Prabha-kara System of Purva Mimamsa Philosophy and its object is to illustate mainly the five important topics of the Prabhakara system of Purva Mimamsa Sastra namely Pramana, Prameya, Sastra, Sastrartha and Mimamsa with a special stress on its necessity. The object of this work is to state clearly the view points of the Prabhakara on the five important topics viz. Epistemology, Meta-physics, Verbal testimony, of Vedic and non-Vedic sentences, import expressed by the Sastra or Vedic injuctions and necessaity of Mimamsa Sastra or the discussion on Dharma, learnt from the Vedic passages..
Rs 350.00

CHINTAHARAN CHAKRAVORTY

The Tantra, with its vast literature embodying intricate ritualistic details occupies a very important place in the religious life of India. It was regarded as top secret to be expounded by the preceptor to the disciple who had been properly initiated. The several chapters enumerate the importance of Tantra in other religious practices such as Budhism, Jainism etc. It is intended to serve as an introduction to an inducement for wider and more detailed study. Broadly speaking the vast literature of the Tantras of the various sects is ritualistic in nature in the main.These rituals have got many interesting features, both from the standpoint of the religious history of India and from the standpoint of comparative religion
Rs 225.00

PRATYAGATMANANDA
SRI RENGA GURUJI

Yantram or the Mystic Diagram plays an Important role in the mystic doctrine and practice everywhere. To study it is to study the basic factors of the creative process and the progress along what has been called ‘the home line’. Pratyagatmananda Saraswati Swamiji’s interpretation in these notes are abstruse and technical, and require a close and specialised study.
Sri Renga Guruji analyses the intricacies of the Sri Chakra in the light of the tantric texts and its practice. The Shree Chakra worship which has been in vogue throughout our country have all been centres of Siva and Shakti worship Also. The great centres of Shaivism of the South have automatically been centres of Shree Chakra worship alike. Rs 125.00

G SUBRAMONIA PILLAI

The tree, is worshipped in Tamilnad, not as a deity in itself, but as the abode of Gods and Spirits. One cannot but arrive at the Universal irresistible conclusion that the adoration of trees and plants, in virtue of the supernatural qualities or divine essence supposed to be inherent in them, is almost universally diffused over the globe and that this form of religion is of the greatest antiquity. Every big temple in South India has a holy tree of its own, pregnant with the significance of its hoary past. These trees are now cs]alled Sthalavriksha (the holytree of the sacred place) The Author, has covered new ground and done pioneering work in collecting together and presenting in a succinct manner all available references to tree worship found scattered in the entire range of Tamil literature Rs.195.00

SUBRAMONIAN KATIRESU

What religion is, what its functions and purposes are, how religion becomes necessary and similar aspects are treated in the first chapter entitled” Religion in general. This is followed by the chapter on “ Saivism” which is practically an introduction to the other chapters. A religion is expected to teach us the relation between God and Soul and between soul and nature or Pasa as we call it. God, Soul and Pasa are found in chapters 3, 4 and 5 respectively. To the practical and working knowledge of Bhakti or Love to God, and worship, the things essential for the practice of our religion, are devoted chapters 6 and 7. Authenticative statements of the Saiva Siddhanta Philosophy and religion is found in Sivagnana Botham and Sivagnana Siddiar which are summarised in chapter 8. The last chapter gives a descriptive list of our scriptures and sacred books
Rs 150.00

H D GRISOWLD

Varuna is the creator of heaven and earth. He fixed the earth and sky asunder, lifting up the spacious vault of heaven and spreading the earth out beneath. The greatness of Varuna is revealed in creation. Varuna’s attributes are wisdom, greatness, creative power, sovereignty, holiness (manifesting itself in wrath on account of sin), and mercy, when the sinner is penitent. But Varuna not only forgives sin, but also gives wisdom to the simple, i. e. enables them to learn wisdom through experience of the fetters of sin and then he restores worldly prosperity. Varuna cannot be identified with the heaven, for the three heavens are in him. A magnificent statement of the transcendence of Varuna. He is the Container, not the contained
Rs 125.00

K N SIVARAJA PILLAI

Agastya’s composition of many Rg Vedic hymns and medical works in Samscrit is answered by his ·numerous mystic and medical treatises in Tamil with such a residence in the very centre of the foremost Tamil Natu of those days, he is credited with having founded the first Tamil Academy and having presided over it, besides writing an Extensive Tamil Grammar and sundry other works on medicine, mysticism, and even magic Tradition, Viewing the Agastya tradition as a whole from its inception to its most recent development, it strikes us as an imaginative structure of magnificent proportions
Rs195.00

A MAHADEVA SASTRI

Nityotsava of Umanandanatha, is a supplement to the Parasurama kalpa Parasurama Kalpa sutra is a digest of Sri Vidya, a system of Divine Mother’s worship compiled by one Parasurama from the several systems of the same which prevailed in his day. The commentator traverses many points of doctrine and practice as stated in these earlier texts. This is said to have been written in 1753 of the Saka Era which corresponds to 1831 A. D. Contains a very detailed method of practicing Tripurasundari Avaranapuja. Nityotsava Tantras being inaccessible, as also because of the prevailing ignorance in the matter of the theory and practice of this science in modern days, the Mantras have been given in their entirety in the Appendix and, it is hoped
Rs 425.00

N SUBRSMONIA IYER

The present book is an English rendering of Sri Vidya saparya vasana written in Tamil by Sri N Subramonia Iyer, the founder of the Brahma vidya vimarsini Sabha,. It embodies the ideas given in the course of his lectures to the members of the sabha explaining the philosophic background or the philosophic import of the several sections of Srividya form of worship. . It is also meant for those who owing to the study of wrong sources have entertained views about the ritual prejudicial to the real understanding of the philosophy that it inculcates.The work shows great insight and mastery and deserves the public appreciation in abundant measure. So little we know about Saktism that we require many works to bring into our minds the full radiance of the religion of Shakti.
RS, 395.00

DR N RAMAMURTY

This book helps the readers, to clearly understand the meanings, traditions / methods of performing worship, etc., in simple English. It also elaborates the details about Devee worship, Sreechakra, Sreevidyaa, etc. Especially the Pari bhaasha verses are astonishing ones– the way they explain the unique method of splitting the verses into names.The book called Sree Lalitâ Sahasranâmam is a treasurehouse, which contains within itself, whatever tatva relating to Úreedevee, in sacred writings, scriptures, Vedas and Upanishads. It is like ocean of milk containing nine gems. No other hymn can be equated to this hymn. An important aspect of this book is that it has to be read repeatedly, think aloud in the mind and enjoy the reading. To enable this, this book has been written in a smooth and easy flow and easily understandable even by laymen, Rs 850.00

DR N RAMAMURTY

It is not a surprise that we have some commonalities between Lalitā Sahasranāma with Soundaryalaharee and Saptashatee, since all the three are on Shree Devee. But the other two Viśṇu Sahasranāma and Shree Bhagavad Geeta are about/ on different God(s). But still we have lot of similarities in names, functions, characteristics, etc. every name is compared with the corresponding meanings/ analogies in 20+ Upanishads, various mantras, Brahma Sūtram, Devee Bhāgavatam, Mahā Shoḍanyāsam, Nitya Shoḍashikārnavam, different Sūtras, Shiva and other Purāṇas, Soundaryalaharee, Shree Lalitā Trishatee, Shree Lalitopākyānam, Shree Varivasyā Rahasyam, Shreemad Bhagavad Geeta, Shree Vidyasaparyapaddhati, Srutis, Smrutis, Viśṇu Sahasranāma and what not?
Rs 195.00

DR N RAMAMURTY

Shri Chakra is a unique and complex design representing both the Divine Mother and her abode. The worship of Shri Chakra in a proper manner, as mentioned in the scriptures is sure to bestow all forms of prosperity and inner purity for the devotee. the details of Śree Chakra, mainly the method of drawing is explained and hence this book. Complete method of drawing Śree Chakra is explained in Mathematical terms. Some sample data for the length of the lines and angles are provided in the annexure.In the book, the author has presented a mathematical perspective of the Shri Chakra. This will be extremely useful for students and seekers as well. For completeness some details of Āvarana-s and the method of worship are also given in a separate chapter.
RS.80.00

K NARAYANASWAMY IYER

This is a popular text on Advaita Vedanta, Puranic in form and philosophical in content. It is also known by other names like Arsa Ramayana, Jnana Vasistha, Maha Ramayana, Vasistha Ramayana and is ascribed to sage Valmiki himself. It is a free translation trying to present the ideas contained in the text in a lucid manner using at times the explanations of the Sanskrit commentaries. There are some peculiar traits in the feature of this work as contra distinguished from other spiritual works in the Sanskrit literature.
Rs 450.00

K NARAYANASWAY IYER

The present book brings to light in a detailed manner the scientific basis, content of the different Puranas and their character, Light on the age of the universe, how they have been codified into the different yugas, the representation of the characters in the Puranas, the stories presented in different Puranas, scientific relevance based on the modern discoveries and how they are able to answer the evolution of nature, the time concept of the Modern world. All these ideas have been presented in an excellent manner.
Rs 395.00

MS.VENKATRAMANAYYA

The Evolution of the South Indian temple is a complicated process and a discussion of the subject must necessarily be complex. The course of the investigation seem to indicate that the temple is the result of a long process of development which spreads over several centuries. The temple, which is invariably associated with gods, had at one time no connection with them.Every part of our temple had an indigenous origin, and a careful perusal of history tells us how the unification of its various parts into a single whole bas been brought about.
Rs 175.00

DR N RAMAMURTY

This book tries to address the advaita principles in Sâkta religion, the Advaita as expounded by Sree Âdi Sankara in all his teachings, works, discourses, etc. ‘A’– none, ‘dvaita’ – dual – Advaita means there is no-two or non-duality. This theory was propounded and globalised by Sree Âdi Sankara. He also established the shanmata, six sub-religions of Hindu religion. Sâkta – the worshipers of Úakti, is one of those six sub-religions. Here an overview has been made taking into consideration three texts viz., Lalitâ Sahasra-nâma, Soundaryalaharee and Saptashatee. Sree Kânchi Kâmakoti Paramâchârya’s his talks have been taken as primary input for this book
Rs 95.00

DR N RAMAMURTY

This introductory book on Chandi yagna deals with the benefits of the yagna, as it can aid in clearing off the obstacles and hurdles on the path to success. Goddess Durga, the chief deity of this yagna will gift the performers with the power to balance the passion and dispassion, indulgence and denial. She is the primordial energy that is responsible for the creation, sustenance and destruction of this entire universe. She is the sum total of the energies of all beings of this universe. The Chandi Yagna and the Deity - Chandi is a very fierce and powerful deity. By performing the Mahaa Chandi Yagna, one can become free of evil eyes, curses, obstacles and they are also blessed with a lasting health, wealth and prosperity.
Rs. 90.00

DR N RAMAMURTY

Vedic Mathematics is not only a sophisticated pedagogic and research tool but also an introduction to an ancient civilization. Rooted in the ancient Vedic sources , India’s intellectual, scientific and aesthetic vitality blossomed and triumphed not in only in Astronomy, Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, and Various Sciences, but also in Philosophy and Performing arts. With more and more excavations in this subject, quiet a lot of complicated calculations/applications are made simple and easy. It is seen in any standard book on Vedic Mathematics the different types of problems are considered and solutions provided using one or more of the formulae or corollaries. However, in this book each of the formulae/corollary has been individually explained with example(s). This makes this book a unique of its kind.
Rs 190.00