Bagchee

Bhavani Nama Sahasra Stutih (The Thousand Names of Bhavani): A Page from Rudrayamala Tantra

Bhavani-namasahasra-stutih is an eulogy of a thousand divine names of Bhavani Para-Sakti. It celebrates the qualities and characteristics of the Primordial Mover. Basically a treatise on non-duality in the Sakta tradition dealing with the secrets of Kundalini-yoga, its philosophy is quite akin to the karma-doctrine of Kashmir Saivism. It also provides hints on the Kula, the Spanda and the Pratyabhijna systems of Saiva philosophy. This Sakta text is based on the voluminous Rudrayamala Tantra which figures in the list of Bhairava Agamas. The famous Vijnanabhairava and Paratrisika, held in the highest esteem by Kashmiri Saiva scholars, constitute two chapters of the same Tantra. This essentially reveals close affinity between the cults of Sakta and Saiva thought.The mistakes and misprints detected in the text, have been removed and corrections made in consultation with Pandit Raghunath Kokiloo, a learned Pandit, who is a follower of the Sakta tradition of Sahib Kaul (17th century) of Kashmir. The present work is a maiden translation into English of the Sanskrit text, also offering a commentary with footnotes and relevant quotations from other sacred works. These features render the book useful to the general reader and the Sakta scholar alike. "It is a profound experience", observes Sri M.P. Pandit,, "to read this exposition".