LAKSMI TANTRA

Contents List of abbreviations XI List of names of the letters XIII Introduction to first edition XV Introduction to Indian edition XXXVII I Introducing the sastra 1 II The pure creation 8 III The three (phenomenal) gunas 15 IV Vyuhas and their saktis 19 V Evolution of the material world from prakrti 27 VI The Six kosas of Sakti 35 VII Tattvas and the Jiva as the object and subject of knowledge 39 VII The avataras of Laksmi in the six sheaths 44 IX The exclusive incarnations of Sakti 49 X The three types of God's avataras 54 XI Visakhayupa and the Vibhava incarnations 58 XII The fivefold divine functions 64 XIII The true form of the jiva 69 XIV The true nature of Sakti (Laksmi 73 XV Various methods of attaining ultimate truth 79 XVI Elaboration of the methods to attain ultimate truth 83 XVII The secret method of self-surrender, the fourth method of attaining the highest goal 88 XVII The course of mantras and their characteristics 98 XIX The origin of letters 104 XX Explanation of the matrkas 109 XXI Analysis of the structure of a manta and the qualities looked for in a preceptor and in a disciple 114 XXII Description of Laksmi's mantra-form 119 XXIII Description of matrka 123 XXIV The structure of taraka with its parts and the method of initiation in the practice of meditation 127 XXV Tara- and Anutara-mantras 135 XXVI Elucidation of the seven vidyas, viz. tara, Tara, Anutara, vagbhava, kama, Sarasvati and Mahalaksmi-bijas. 139 XXVII Duties of an adept 144 XXVIII Daily duties of an adept 149 XXIX Distinction between kriyasakti and bhutisakti, otherwise called Agni and Soma respectively 155 XXX The two aspects of Sakti, viz. Soma and Surya, and further elucidation of the Sudarsana-mantra 163 XXXI The Sudarsana (kriyasakti 169 XXXII Tarika in the three states of existence, viz. the gross, the subtle and the absolute states. 177 XXXIII Anga, upanga and other mantras 184 XXXIV The hand postures and method of ritualistic bath 188 XXXV The purification of the body (Bhutasuddhi 202 XXXVI Description of the images and the process of the mental sacrifice 212 XXXVII External sacrifice (construction of the platform for worship; mandala of nine lotuses) 227 XXXVII External worship, Further details with a description of some lesser deities 238 XXXIX Various requisites for external worship 248 XLI The daily duties of an adept 254 XLII The initiation and abhiseka ceremonies 269 XLIII The rite of purascarana, the ritual worship of the mantra of Tarika 278 XLIV Different methods of worshipping the mantra of Tarika 286 XLV Revealing the secret mantras of the Tarika group 297 XLVI Mode of worshipping the Laksmi-mantra and results obtained 302 XLVII Mode of worshipping the Kirti-mantra and results obtained. 310 XLVIII Mode of worshipping the Jaya-mantra and results obtained 314 XLIX Mode of worshipping Maya-mantra and results obtained. Pratistha of an image of Laksmi Narayana. 317 L The Power of the Sri-sukta. 321 LI A brief summary of the Cosmogony 335 LII The mantras 356 LIII Summarizing ritual performances 359 LIV Bhutasuddhi and Anganyasa 361 LV A Yogin's vision of his inner body 363 LVI Missing 366 LVII Summary of the four states of sound and conclusion. 368 Diagram I 369 Diagram II 228 Diagram III, IV and V at the end of the Book 230 Index of terms 373 Index of mantras 391