Abhinavagupta's Hermeneutics of the Absolute Anuttaraprakriyā

Bäumer, Bettina:
Abhinavagupta's Hermeneutics of the Absolute Anuttaraprakriyā : an Interpretation of his Parātrīśikā Vivaraṇa / Bettina Bäumer. Foreword by André Padoux. - Shimla : Indian Institute of Advanced Study ; New Delhi : D.K. Printworld, 2011. - xv, 332 S. : Ill.
ISBN 978-81-246-0572-1
Rs. 1000,00
US$ 22,73 (Eastern Book Corp.)
US$ 40,00 (D.K. Printworld)
US$ 55,00 (Vedams Books)
DDC: 294.5513

Beschreibung
The Paratrishika Vivarana by the great Kashmiri philosopher and mystic Abhinavagupta is an extensive commentary on the Paratrishika Tantra, and it is one of the most profound texts, not only of non-dualist Kashmir Shaivism, but of Indian philosophy and mysticism in general. The present work attempts to make this difficult text accessible, by culling out the important themes and offering an interpretation. The main focus is on the understanding of the Absolute (Anuttara) and the ways to realize it. The central theme of mantra also leads to a mysticism of language with its philosophical implications. All these reflections and practices are inscribed in the theory that "everything is related to the totality", "every part contains the whole of reality" (sarvam sarvatmakam). It is this holistic vision of Abhinavagupta, based on the Tantras, which makes this work so relevant in our times of fragmented aspects of life and knowledge in search of integration. No doubt, in the view of the Tantra and of Abhinavagupta, language and mantra provide the key.
This fascinating book is an important contribution to studies and interpretations on Kashmir Shaivism, its spirituality and philosophy, and on Abhinavagupta in particular. [Verlagsinformation]

Inhalt
Foreword by Andre Padoux
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. The Entrance Gates: Mangalashlokas (Benedictory Verses)
2. The Supreme Dialogue
3. Anuttara: The Unsurpassable and its Meanings
4. Khecarisamata: Harmony with the Power of Consciousness Moving-in-the-Void
5. The Three Grammatical Persons and Trika
6. The Heart -- the Resting Place of I-Consciousness
7. From the Absolute to Manifestation: Anuttara to Kaulikasgrshti
8. Levels of Manifestation: Emanation of Phonemes and Tattvas
9. The Core Mantra: Hridayabija, The Seed of the Heart
10. Transcending Ritual
Conclusion
Appendices 
   1. Verses of the Paratrishika.
   2. List of Quotations in the Paratrishika Vivarana.
   3. Stotra Fragments of Abhinavagupta quoted in the Vivarana.
   4. Comparison between the PT Versions of Vivarana and Laghuvritti.
   5. Abhinavagupta: Anuttarashtika -- Text and Translation.
   6. Bibliography.
   7. Index/Glossary.

Autorin
BETTINA BÄUMER, born in Austria is living and working in Varanasi (India) since 1967 and is a scholar of Sanskrit, Indian philosophy and art with specialization in Shilpashastra and temple architecture of Orissa and above all in Kashmir Shaivism. She has been Director of a research institute on Indian art in Varanasi and coordinator of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Varanasi. Since 1995, she is regularly teaching as visiting Professor at the universities of Vienna, Berne and Salzburg. Her present position is Fellow, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla. She has authored five books in German and a number of books and scholarly articles in Sanskrit and English, including three volumes of Kalatattvakosha : A Lexicon of Fundamental Concepts of the Indian Arts edited by her. She became a disciple of Swami Lakshman Joo in 1986 and has been teaching Kashmir Shaivism and its texts for a number of years.

Quellen: D.K. Printworld; Eastern Book Corp.; Vedams Books; WorldCat