The Krama Tantricism of Kashmir (Volume-1)

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

The Krama Tantricism of Kashmir is intended as a ground work of the Krama system, an almost neglected area of Kashmir Saivism. The Author has very ably reconstructed the history and metaphysics of the system after rummaging through relevant literature, both in print and manuscript form. The Krama philosophy is a synthetic and complex whole where the different strands of Saiva Philosophy, Sakta esotericism and the Tantric synoptic view are seen. In this first of the two volumes, the author has given a general and historical survey in seven chapters---Krama as a distinct system, the nomenclature, as a Tantric system, mutual exchange from allied systems, different traditions and sub-schools, sources and literature and Krama's place in Kashmir Saivism. Contains chronological table of Krama authors, classified Bibliography and indexes.

About the Author:

Navjivan Rastogi obtained his Ph.D. in Sanskrit from the University of Lucknow. Since 1968 he has been on the teaching staff of Abhinavagupta Institute of Aesthetics and Saiva Philosophy in the same University. In 1987 he migrated to the parent Department of Sanskrit as Reader.

Rastogi's specialized field of study is Kashmir Saivism. He is the co-editor of the Volume of Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies, devoted to that philosophical school. An author of several scholarly papers, his published works include the Tantraloka of Abhinavagupta (8 volumes, co-edited with late Prof.R.C.Dwivedi) and Introduction to the Tantraloka: A study in Structure.

1. Krama: A system of Saiva philosophy in its own right
2. Traditional recognition of its independence
3. External evidence establishing its individuality
4. Main features:
(a) Krama as a Sakti-oriented and Tantric system
(b) Leaning towards monistic-dualistic character of Reality: Its implications and consequences
(c) Spiritual progression, and Mohsa as synthesis of Bhoga and Moksa: Key features
(d) Absolutic functionalism: A significant aspect
(e) Positive emphasis on the epistemic side of our experience
(f) Preference for Prakrta and certain minor features

1. Krama Naya
(a) Anuttara-krama
(b) Anupaya-krama
(c) Devata-krama
(d) Mahakrama
(e) Mahartha-krama
(f) Auttara-krama
2. Mahartha or Mahartha-naya
3. Mahanaya
4. Mahasara
5. Atinaya
6. Devatanaya or Devinaya
7. Kalinaya
8. Conclusion

1. Rise of Tantricism in Krama: a later development
2. Tantra-Prakriya versus Kula-prakriya: Krama as a part of the Tantra-prakriya in the Tantraloka
3. Tantra-prakriya analyzed
(a) Characteristic features of Tantra as outline in the Tantrasara
(b) Mahesvarananda and Ramyadeva on Tantra as well as the Tantric character of Krama
(c) Characteristics features of Krama as a Tantric system
4. Two phases of the Krama Tantricism
5. Experience, pure and simple: pivot of the Krama Tantric thinking

1. Nature and scope of the proposed enquiry
2. Krama versus Spanda with regard to the concepts of reality and fourfold Absolutic functionalism
3. Krama and Kula: Bilateral process of influence
4. Krama and Tripura: Reciprocal impact
5. Impact of Buddhist Tantricism on Krama: Sadangayoga, Anakhya and some other minor doctrines
6. Bhartrhari's impact on Krama
7. Kashmir Saivism and Pancaratra: certain unsettled issues
8. Impact of Krama on Tantricism in general

1. Potential richness of the krama system
2. The Sahasa sub-school
3. The Chumma sub-school
4. Sahasa and Chumma are identical
5. Another sub-school of Krama
6. Divergent traditions and tendencies with regard to the specific problems
(a) Two traditions regarding the nature and status of the Absolute and its consequences
(b) These two traditions vis-d-vis pentadic and quartic tendencies with special reference to the Absolute functioning
(c) Quartic tendency
(d) Pentadic tendency
(e) Dispute about the extact number of parts of the Krama Yoga
(f) Several minor controversies referred to
7. Source of the quartic and pentadic tendencies

1. Kashmir: the land of origin of the Krama system
2. Origin and early history:
(a) Esoteric symbolism as part of the Krama history: Theory of three Oghas
(b) Various traditional accounts of the initial phase of the Krama system
(c) Consistent account of the early history of the system
3. Creative period of the Krama system- rise and decay (9th- 18th century)
4. History backdrop of these phases
5. Chronological position and contribution of the individual authors:

(i) Vatulanatha
(ii) Gandhamadana
(iii) Niskriyanandanatha
(iv) Vidyanandanatha
(v) Saktyanandanatha
(vi) Sivananda
(vii) Vasugupta
(viii) Three female disciples of Sivananda- Keyuravati, Madanika and Kalyanika
(ix) Kallata
(x) Govindaraja, Bhanuka and Eraka
(xi) Pradyumna Bhatta
(xii) Somananda
(xiii) Ujjata
(xiv) Utpala
(xv) Udbhatta
(xvi) Stotrakara, i.e., Siddha Natha
(xvii) Bhaskara
(xviii) Laksmanagupta
(xix) Bhatta Utpala
(xx) Bhutiraja I
(xxi) Kuladhara
(xxii) Bhatta Damodara
(xxiii) Abhinavagupta
(xxiv) Ksemaraja
(xxv) Varadaraja
(xxvi) Devabhatta (Devapani?)
(xxvii) Hrasvanatha
(xxviii) Cakrabhanu
(xxix) Cakrapani
(xxx) Bhojaraja
(xxxi) Somaraja
(xxxii) The great-grand (Paramesthi) teacher of Jayaratha (Visvadatta ?)
(xxxiii) Somaputra
(xxxiv) Ramyadeva
(xxxv) Lostadeva
(xxxvi) Srivatsa- author of the Cidgaganacandrika
(xxxvii) Ojaraja
(xxxviii) Sivananda II: Grand-teacher of Mahesvarananda
(xxxix) Mahaprakasa
(xl) jayaratha
(xli) Mahesvarananda
(xlii) Sitikantha
(xliii) Ananta Saktipada
(xliv) Bhattaraka
(xlv) Sivopadhyaya

6. Certain Krama works by anonymous authors including exclusive Krama Agamas
(a) The Krama Agamas
(i) Pancasatika or Devipancasatika
(ii) Sardhasatika
(iii) Krama-rahasya
(iv) Krama Sadbhava
(v) Kalikakrama (vi) Kramasiddhi
(b) Non Agamic Krama works
(i) Krama-sutra
(ii) Siddhasutra
(iii) Mahanayapaddhati
(iv) Kramodaya
(v) Amavasyatrimsika
(vi) Rajika

(a) Chronological tree of the Krama authors
(b) Classified Bibliography
Original Sources
(A) Manuscripts
(B) Exclusive Published Krama Literature
(C) Texts pertaining to the Kashmir Saivism
(D) Texts pertaining to other Tantric systems
(E) Other relevant texts
Secondary Sources
(A) Works and these pertaining to Kashmir, Kashmir Saivism and Krama system
(B) General sources containing references to the Kashmir Saivism
(C) Research Papers, Articles and Journals pertaining to Kashmir Saivism
(D) Works pertaining to Tantra and Tantricism in general
(E) Works relating to systems of philosophy in general
(F) Research Papers and articles relating to the Tantric as well as other systems of philosophy
(G) Lexicons, Bibliographies and Catalogues, etc.
(c) Name Index
(d) Work Index
(e) Subject Index
(f) Corrections