Mahanirvana Tantra by Arthur Avalon (John Woodroffe)

Description

'Mahanirvana Tantra' is a book by Arthur Avalon (the pen name of Sir John George Woodroffe), first published in 1913. This pivotal work is the English translation and commentary on the Sanskrit Mahānirvāṇatantra, an esteemed Tantric scripture, widely regarded as foundational for Shakti worship, Kundalini Yoga, and Tantric ritual. Woodroffe, a British Orientalist and judge in colonial India, introduced European readers to Tantric philosophy by translating esoteric Sanskrit texts under the pseudonym "Arthur Avalon," a name evoking mystical tradition. His translation delineates core doctrines—rituals, iconography, mantra, and the celebrated “five Ms” (madya, mamsa, matsya, mudra, maithuna)—and explores how these are employed symbolically or literally within Vamachara traditions. The text played a significant role in introducing non-dualist Tantra to the West, influencing early 20th-century Indology and Western yoga movements. Woodroffe’s scholarly commentary brought rigor and depth, dispelling misconceptions and highlighting Tantra’s philosophical sophistication and pragmatic spiritual aims.

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