Hymn to Kali by Arthur Avalon (John Woodroffe)

Description

This 1922 work presents Woodroffe’s masterful English rendition of the Sanskrit Karpurādi Stotra, a traditional hymn to the fierce yet liberating Goddess Kali. Accompanied by his extensive scholarly commentary, it delves into the hymn’s tantric meaning and symbolic layers, offering both devotional and academic insight. John Woodroffe — known by his pseudonym Arthur Avalon — was a pioneering British Orientalist and lawyer who were deeply trained in Sanskrit and Tantra. His translations and commentaries, including this hymn, played a central role in introducing and contextualising Hindu Tantra in the West. The book has been influential among scholars of Hinduism, students of Shaktism, tantric practitioners, and devotees of Kali. It’s frequently cited as an essential reference for both its lyrical beauty and its precision in capturing esoteric symbolism.

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