The Secret of the Three Cities: An Introduction to Hindu Sakta Tantrism

About this book

The esoteric Hindu traditions of Tantrism have profoundly influenced the development of Indian thought and civilization. Emerging from elements of yoga and wisdom traditions shamanism alchemy eroticism and folklore Tantrism began to affect brahmanical Hinduism in the ninth century. Nevertheless Tantrism and its key historical figures have been ignored by scholars. This accessible work introduces the concepts and practices of Hindu Sakta Tantrism to all those interested in Hinduism and the comparative study of religion.