· Avalon, Arthur, The Serpent Power: The Secrets of Tantric and Shaktic Yoga, Dover Publications, New York, 1974, First Published 1919.
A very old yet incredibly useful representation of Kundalini by a very influential scholar. Although Avalon has a tendency to run on and on with no particular point, there are useful discussion of subtle body physiology, mantric usage and the theoretic basis of Kundalini yoga. In addition, he has included translations of the Sat-Cakra-Nirupana and the Panduka-Pancaka, which are two important Tantric texts. .
· Bharati, Agehananda, The Tantric Tradition, Rider and Company, London, 1965.
A cross-traditional consideration of Tantra in both its Hindu and Buddhist manifestations. The major thrust of this essay is to explore and redefine key terms, both Sanskrit and Tibetan. There are also interesting discussions of the concepts of mantra, initiation, sadhana, and iconography.
· Bhattacharyya, Nerndra Nath, History of the Sakta Religion, Munishiram Manoharlal, New Delhi, 1973.
A clear overview of many of the important goddesses in the Hindu religious tradition. There is some interesting discussion of village goddesses. The text is interesting in its sociological consideration of Devi worship
· Brooks, Douglas Renfrew, The Secret of The Three Cities: An Introduction to Hindu Sakta Tantrism, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1990.
This is a basic introduction to the esoteric tradition of Sakta Tantrism organized through the analysis of one major text, Tripura Upanisadbhasya, by Bhaskararaya. The first part of the book lays out some essentials while preparing the reader for the difficult task ahead of interpreting a Sakta text. Brooks also addresses the complex relationships between the written and oral traditions of theology and ritual.
· ------Auspicious Wisdom: The Texts and Traditions of Srividya Sakta Tantrism in South India, SUNY, Albany, 1992.
An extremely insightful, yet sometimes overly technical (it was his Ph.D. dissertation) representation of the Srividya texts and tradition. There are excellent discussions of mantra and Sricakra contained within the text. There is also an extremely engaging discussion of the interpretation of tantric ritual which, although lacking in "data" content, makes some interesting and insightful observations.
· Brown, C. Mackenzie, God as Mother: A Feminine Theology in India: An Historical and Theological Study of the Brahmavaivarta Purana, Claude Stark and Co. Hartford, 1974.
An interesting look at the feminine theology associated with Radha/Prakrti in contrast with the overarching male-dominated Vaisnava tradition.
· Carman, John, B., The Theology of Ramanuja, Yale University Press, New Haven, 1974.
This is an interesting look at the life, lineage, and disciples of Ramanuja. The text looks a his theological view in relationship to later Indian Religious thought, as well as compared to western theological conceptions.
· Chakravarti, Sudhendra Chandra, Philosophical Foundations of Bengal Vaishnavism: A Critical Exposition, Academic Publishers, 1969.
This is an excellent elaboration of Bengali Vaishnavism. The author looks at the relationship of this system to other forms of religious thought in India and especially contrasts it to that of the Vedanta. The function and characteristics of Bhakti, Karma and Jnana are also explored.
· Dasgupta, Shashibhusan, Obscure Religious Cults: As Background of Bengali Literature, University of Calcutta, Calcutta, 1946.
Although fairly old, (the pages are falling out of the binding in our library's copy) this work is still a gold mine of information. There is a great deal of information contained in her which exists no where else, including a very good discussion of the internalization of sun and moon symbology. There are sections on The Nath-Siddhas, the Bauls, the Sahajiyas and much more.
· Dhavamony, Mariasusai, The Love of God According to Saiva Siddhanta, Oxford University Press, London, 1971.
This work is an extremely useful piece which looks at the changing meanings of the terms "Bhakti" and "Anpu." It is an interesting look at the experience of a Jivan Mukta
· Dimock, Edward C., The Place of the Hidden Moon, Erotic Mysticism in the Vaishnava-Sahajiya Cult of Bengal, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1966.
In the course of this work, Dimock looks at the sect and specifically its relationship to Tantra and Bhakti. In addition, he also raises many issues of contention with Dasgupta, the first westerner to discuss this sect. He suggests that while Tantra has influenced these people, they have their own definitive ideas about aesthetics, poetry, and the achievements of the union of mystic love.
· Gupta, Sanjukta, Dirk Jan Hoens and Teun Goudriaan, Hindu Tantrism, E.J. Brill, The Netherlands, 1979.
A classic work in Tantric studies composed of two essays by each of the three authors. The essays themselves have a tendency to get overly technical, yet if one can wade through the jargon there is much to be learned from this work. The three main sections are: First an introduction, history and philosophical look at the phenomena, secondly a look at the transmission and the fundamental constituents of the practices, and lastly a look at the modes of worship and meditation.
· Jung, Carl Gustav, The Psychology of Kundalini Yoga: Notes of a Seminar Given in 1932, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1996.
I found this book incredibly useful in translating concepts which I could intellectually grasp into a full understanding. He does an excellent job with the lower cakras especially the Muladhara Cakra. There is also a useful introduction which elucidates some of the basic concepts.
· Khanna, Madhu, Yantra: The Tantric Symbol of Cosmic Unity, Thames and Hudson, London, 1979.
An interesting look at the symbol of the Yantra and its use in ritual, meditation, Architecture, etc. There are numerous plates contained in this text which are very interesting. The piece is well done and should be looked at by anyone seriously looking at Tantra.
· Marfatia, Mrudula I. The Philosophy of Vallabhacarya, Munshiram Manoharlal, Delhi, 1967.
This book is extremely dense yet seems to offer illumination for the adept scholar. The author looks at Vallabhacarya in relation to Sankara with specific reference to the key doctrines of this teacher.
· Mookerjee, Ajit and Madhu Khanna, The Tantric Way, Thames and Hudson, London, 1979.
A brief overview of the "Tantric World view." The text itself is fairly superficial at times and seems to be framed in terms of a fusion between Eliadean and Jungian categories. The text focuses upon art, science and ritual. It is an excellent and readable introduction to the subject for anyone who has never had the opportunity to look at Tantra.
· Ramanujan, A.K. Speaking of Siva, Penguin, Baltimore, 1973
This text is an excellent introduction to the concept of Bhakti by an extremely important scholar. The text looks mainly at South Indian traditions and has some good translations from Kannada. There is also an appendix which contains a summary of the six stages of mystical experience as understood by the Vira Shaiva Tradition.
· Singh, Lalan Prasad, Tantra: Its Mystic and Scientific Basis, Concepts Publishing Company, Delhi, 1976.
A somewhat useful introduction of Tantric thought. The author begins by contexting his study in terms of the Vedas. Subsequently, he distinguishes between Buddhist and Hindu Tantra. In addition, there are useful sections on Kundalini, Sadhana, Mantra, Diksa and Yantra.