Arthur Avalon (1865–1936)

John Woodroffe, who wrote under the pseudonym of Arthur Avalon, was a Western scholar in the best traditions who brought important Hindu texts and teachings to the West. This includes the classic work on Kundalina yoga, The Serpent Power. In Shakti and Shakta, Woodroffe explores the teachings of the "Bharata Dharma," the common thread of tradition that links Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, as they relate to the divine feminine, expressed as "Shakti" or power in contrast to "Shiva" or unchanging consciousness.… (altro)

Written by Arthur Avalon, pseudonym for John Woodroffe, a leading authority on Shaktic and Tantric thought, this book is considered the prime document for study and application of Kundalini yoga. It probes the philosophical and mythological nature of Kundalini; the esoteric anatomy associated with it; the study of mantras; the chakras, or psychic centers in the human body; the associated yoga and much, much more. Two important Tantric documents are included: The Description of the Six Chakras and Five-fold Footstool.… (altro)

Including Tantrik Texts-Volume II, Edited by Arthur Avalon The Serpent Power is a description and explanation in full detail of Kundalini Shakti and the yoga effected through it, a subject occupying a pre-eminent place in the Tantra Shastra. It consists of a translation of two Sanskrit works 'Shat-Chakra Nirupana' (description of and investigatin intothe six bodily centres) and 'Paduka Panchaka' (Five-fold foot-stool of the Guru). This edition contains also the Sanskrit Texts of the works here translated and nine half-tone plates taken from life showing some positions in Kundalini Yoga besides eight original coloured plates of the Chakras. Sir John Woodroffe (Arthur Avalon) Jurist and Sanskrit Scholar A man of studious and retiring habits, he devoted his leisure from judicial duties in the main to Sanskrit and Hindu philosophy and specialised in the shakti system to an extent not equalled probably by any other British Orientalist. Early in his career, he published under the name of 'Arthur Avalon', studies in the Tantrik texts and works on Tantra. His last book under this name was Serpent Power, consisting of two works on Laya Yoga translated form the sanskrit with Introduction and Commentary. A second edition came out in 1924. It was under his own name that Woodroffe published among many other works, Shakti & Shakta being essays and addresses on the Shakta Tantra Shastra and in 1922, Garland of Letters being studies in the Mantra Shastra. (The Times, London, 18th Jan. 1936) Sir John Woodroffe was an emnent lawyer, a respected Judge and a profoundly sympathetic and understanding student of Indian culture. Few names are more honoured in the world of sanskrit scholarship than that of Arthur Avalon, who with the devoted aid of his wife, made it his life-work to spread abroad the grand truths enshrined in the Tantrik literature, divested of e cloud of ignorance and the cobwebs of prejudice...among those pioneers who awakened India to a sense of her own past greatness and a virlle self-respect, Sir John takes an honoured place (The Hindu, Madras, 18th Jan. 1936) Mr. Avalon in his publications insists on the greatness of the tantra and seeks to clear away by a dispassionate statement of the real facts the cloud of misconceptions which have obscured our view of this profound and powerful system... the work of translation has been admirably done. It is at once faithful, simple and graceful in style and rhythm. (Sri Aurobindo In Arya) Contents Pubishers' note to the fifth edition Preface to third edition Note to second edition Preface Introduction: I Introductory II Bodiless consciousness III Embodied consciousness (Jivatma) IV Mantra V The centres or lotuses (Chakra, padma) VI Practice (Yoga: Laya-Krama) VII Theoretical bases of this yoga Text (Translation): Description of the six centres (Shat-chakra Nirupana) The fivefold footstool (Padukapanchaka) Text (Sanskrit) Appendices (Sanskrit)… (altro)