textual sourses of shakta traditions

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93 Jaya Kali

 

we can speak of at least three traditions which can be named shaakta -

kaula [in which i include kali-kula, tara-kula, krama etc], shri-vidya

[this is again subdivided into shri-kula and vedantic shri-vidya] and

pauranika-shaakta [ordinary folk shaktism]. so, there are different

sourses...

 

1. for kaula-shaakta tradition most important texts are -

 

a. Kaula-tantras [aka Kaulaagamas], numerous texts of different

schools. we may name Kularnava-tantra, Kali-tantra, Yoni-tantra,

Mahanirvana-tantra, Meru-tantra, Kubjikamata-tantra and so on.

b. writings of tantric masters. for example, Tantra-aloka by Shri

Abhinavagupta, Kaulavali-nirnaya by Paramahamsa Jnanananda,

Tara-rahasya by Brahmananda Giri, Shyama-rahasya by Purnananda,

Kaulajnana-nirnaya by Matsyendranatha, Sarvollasa by Sarvananda,

Mahartha-manjari by Maheshvarananda, Kulapujana-chandrika,

Kaula-vilasa etc.

c. compendiums of quotes and mantras from various tantras -

Purashcharyarnava, Pranatoshini, Mantra-maharnava, Shakta-pramoda etc.

d. pauranic sourses - Kalika-purana and Mahabhagavata-purana.

e. several Upanishads - Kaula-upanishad, Tara-upanishad,

Kali-upanishad etc.

 

2. for Shri-vidya -

 

a. corresponding tantras - Jnanarnava-tantra, Vamakeshvarimata-tantra,

Tripurarnava-tantra, Shrividyarnava-tantra, Kamakala-vilasa etc.

b. shubhagama-panchaka [as i know it is lost]

c. pauranic sourses - Lalita-trishati and Sahasranama.

d. Parashuramakalpa-sutra and Shrividyaratna-sutra.

e. writings by tantric masters - Subhagodaya-stava, Saundarya-lahari

by Adi-shankara, Shritattva-chintamani by Purnananda, commentary on

LSN by Bhaskararaya, commentary on PKS by Rameshvara etc.

f. several Upanishads - Tripura-tapaniya etc.

 

3. for pauranic shaktism -

 

a. puranas - Devibhagavata-, Devi-, Chandi- Puranas, parts from

Markandeya, Brahmavaivarta, Brahmanda etc.

b. folk mythology, local cults etc.

 

 

KRIM HUM STRIM

 

Love is the law, love under will.

 

A.