The Advaita Vedānta of Brahma-siddhi


Book Description

The Brahma-siddhi, 'The Demonstration of Brahman' is Mandana Misra's largest work, his most important and the sole one dedicated as a whole to Vedanta. The topics occurring in the doctrine of this work which the present author intends to study here in this book are inter-related; they all have to deal with the nature and functioning of error, whether every-day error or the transcendental error, avidya, which makes us see the multiplicity of phenomena where there is nothing but the utter oneness of brahman. Thet also demonstrate the number of different sources upon which Mandana depended in erecting his own system. In spite of the number and variety of these sources Mandana created a system, the closed coherence of whose parts is a cause of admiration, even if one does not always accept his conclusions.Two appendices are also added to give a glimpse of Mandana Misra's date and his order of works. An exhaustive bibliography has been provided to facilitate the curiosity of readers. An index of important words has also been given.




Siddhis (Supernatural Powers)


Book Description

The Sanskrit word for ‘Siddhi’ means “perfection,” “accomplishment” or “success”. It refers to the fact that siddhis are the fruit of the perfect achievement of spiritual practices. Siddhis are generally the powers to control the self, control others and control the natural world. Although siddhis appear to be supernatural, they are actually accessible to all humans in this birth itself. They arise naturally when, through spiritual practices etc., the emptiness and openness of the mind is realized.A Siddha means ‘realized, perfected person,’ a term generally applied to a practitioner who has, through his practice, realized his dual goals of siddhis and body-immortality. The most authentic text sources for attaining Siddhis are: (i) ‘Yoga Sutras of Patanjali’, (ii) Srimad Bhagavantam, and (iii) Kashmir Shaivism (in Hinduism); (iv) ‘The Visuddhimagga’ (the Path of Purification), through Kasina Meditation (in Buddhism), (v) ‘Atma Siddhi Shastra’, (in Jainism), which includes Labdhis, and (vi) ‘Sri Guru Granth Sahib’ (in Sikhism), besides many other texts like Hanuman Chalisa, Samkhya Philosophy etc. These concepts of Siddhis, are explained in details, in this book consisting of twelve chapters. The book is strongly supported by over 110 verses in Sanskrit (shlokas) along with their Roman script, translation and explanation in English language. This Book is humbly dedicated to Maharishi Patanjali, Author of Patanjali Yoga Sutras.




Siddhi


Book Description




Indian Witchcraft


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The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols


Book Description

Based on the author's previous publication The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs, this handbook contains an array of symbols and motifs, accompanied by succinct explanations. It provides treatment of the essential Tibetan religious figures, themes and motifs, both secular and religious.




Prejudice, Discrimination and Racism against Africans and Siddhis in India


Book Description

Africa and India have a long history of people-to-people contact, as well as cultural, educational and economic exchanges based on mutual interests. They also share imperial and post-imperial experiences. The longstanding relations between the two continents experienced a new twist and a giant leap forward following the Africa-India summit in 2008. However, recently a series of violent incidents against the growing sub-Saharan African communities in India has taken centre stage and made global news headlines: the Indian and international media have portrayed violent and deadly assaults on sub-Saharan Africans in India as prejudice, discrimination, and racism. This book provides a collection of studies that examine prejudice, discrimination, and racism towards Blackness in India with a special focus on the lived experiences of sub-Saharan Africans and Siddhis (Afro-Indians). In addition, the topics in this volume cover ideological, cultural, and linguistic affinities between Africa and India. The volume is divided into four parts of two chapters each: the first two chapters introduce the focus of the book on sub-Saharan Africans living in India. These are followed by two contributions that examine prejudice, discrimination, and racism towards Africans and Siddhis. Two further essays theorise prejudice and racism in India and the ways they are experienced by sub-Saharan Africans and Siddhis. The final two chapters of the book explore ideological, linguistic, and cultural affinities between India and Africa. The volume also features contributions by two prominent Africanists. The Foreword is written by Professor Souleymane Bachir Diagne, the Director of the Institute of African Studies at Columbia University. Professor Diagne was awarded the Edouard Glissant Prize for his work in 2011 and the Frantz Fanon Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. The Afterword is authored by Professor Aparajita Biswas, the former Director of the Centre for African Studies at the University of Mumbai and the current President of the African Studies Association of India. Professor Biswas is one of India’s most respected Africanists with an extensive publication record on African topics and numerous teaching, research and fellowship positions in universities across the world.




The Journey from Africa to Karnataka SIDDHIS A Inside Study of Culture & Crimes


Book Description

India is the second thickly populated country in the world next to China with 1.21 billion people belonging to different races, religion, castes, tribes, languages and cultures who live together and lead their life. The country is blessed with rich culture and heritage. The culture of India is one of the oldest cultures in the world. The cultural diversities are seen in the form of people, religion, languages, their customs and festivals. India's culture has been adorned by migrating population, which over a period of time got absorbed into the very Indian way of life.




Indian Esoteric Buddhism


Book Description

Despite the rapid spread of Buddhism the historical origins of Buddhsit thought and practice remain obscure.This work describes the genesis of the Tantric movement and in some ways an example of the feudalization of Indian society. Drawing on primary documents from sanskrit, prakrit, tibetan, Bengali, and chinese author shows how changes in medieval Indian society, including economic and patronage crises, a decline in women`s participation and the formation of large monastic orders led to the rise of the esoteric tradition in India.







Secrets of Yogic Breathing


Book Description

Championing your breath is the key to truly enjoying the fruits of your yoga practice, because it is through caring about your breathing that your tapas, your stubborn dedication and your pointed, daily toil will yield its important inner rewards. Through working with your breath in using this dvd/book set I hope you will turn to and trust your breath during times of celebration and challenge, that you will cultivate healthy breathing habits, and view breath as the key to unlocking the secrets to all yoga techniques. In presenting this material I aim to transform your ideas about the role that your breath can play in your daily practice, to see how the consciousness that you develop through breath awareness leads you into the greater spiritual context of your life. I aim to set your imagination ablaze on the vital subject of breathing as your principal source of Self knowledge.