Srividya-Kosa

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Srividya is discipline where abounds considerable mystery esotericism and occultism. There is among common people quite some ignorance concerning its philosophy and practice. There is also a host of doubts and uncertainties among practitioners themselves. The presence of different tradition in Srividya is a further source of confusion. The textual background to Srividya has almost become obscure and obsolete it has become more a matter of individual lineages of practices. In the circumstances there is a need for an authentic and comprehensive account of all three aspects of Srividya viz. the Yantra the mantra and the Tantra. This book is an attempt to provide one.

Along with all textual details concerning the philosophy and practice the philosophy and practice of Srividya relevant iconographic details with illustrations have also been given.

Vidyalankara Sastra chudamini Sangita kalaratna professor saligrama Krishna Ramachandra Rao is a well known scholar who combines traditional learning with modern research. Well versed in Sanskrit Pali Ardhmagadhi and several modern Indian languages and acquainted with Tibetan and some European languages he has written extensively on Vedanta Buddhism Janism Indian culture art and literature.

In his professional career however he was a professor of psychology. He was headed the department of clinical psychology in the national Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience’s Bangalore and the Department of Indian culture in the collision college study center of the university of the pacific. He was the senior associate of national institute of advanced studies (Indian institute of science) Bangalore and guest faculty Indian institute of Management Bangalore and member of the governing council of TTD Tirupati. He has been member of Karnataka state Lalitha Kala academy and Sangita Nritya Academy and Sangita Nritiy academy he has served on the agama board. He is president of Silpa Kal pratisthana. The govt. of Karnataka has honored him with the 1986 Rajyotsava Award. He has received awards from Lalita Kala academy and Sangita Nritya academy. He has been awarded the veda sanman for the year 2000 by the govt. of India he has written more than sixty books in Kannada a play in Sanskrit and a pali commentary on a Buddhist classic. One of his books on Iconography in Kannada has won the state sahitya academy award as also another of his book on the Tirupati Temple.

Srividya is a discipline where abounds considerable mystery esotericism and occultism. There is among common people quite some ignorance concerning its philosophy and practice. There is also a host of doubts and uncertainties among practitioners themselves. The presence of different tradition in Srividya is a further source of confusion. The textual background to Srividya has almost become obscure and obsolete it has become more a matter of individual lineages of practices. In the circumstances there is need for an authentic and comprehensive account of all three aspects of Srividya viz. The Yantra the Mantra and The Tantra here is an attempt to provide one.

Along with all textual details concerning the philosophy and practice of Srividya I have also given here relevant iconographic details. Included in this volume is a mathematical treatment of Sri Cakra as a Yantra. I am indebted to the late Shri R.S. Narasimhan for having prepared this account which is at once relevant and unique. It is given as an appendix and as a separate monograph.

The photographs appearing on pages 123 to 128 are from Srinagar where on a huge rock Srichakra has appeared naturally in an elaborate design. This is under worship and the photographs were sent to me by me friend the well known Kashmiri artist Mr. Santosh I acknowledge his love and courtesy.

I am grateful to my friends the Guptas in the Indian books Centre who have undertaken to bring our this book in a revised edition. The production has been excellent and the Guptas merit all praise for it.