The Serpent Power — Arthur Avalon (Sir John Woodroffe) (1924)
“He commenced his work with a Hindū’s heart, with a Hindū’s regard and a Hindū’s faith, and so his translation is what it ought to be. The Introduction not only reveals the learning of its author, but is also proof that he has understood in what light Hindūs regard the Tantra Shāstra.”—Hitabādi.
“In perusing the author’s Introduction to the Mahā- nirvāna Tantra we have been bewildered with astonishment.
p. ii
We could never have dreamt that it was possible for a Modern Christian Englishman to so fully understand such matters as the Mode of Tāntrik Sādhanā. The author has certainly learnt a great deal of the inner and secret doctrine of the Tantra. We have never heard even from any Bengali Pandit such a clear exposition of Mantra Shakti as the author has given. It seems as if the World- Mother has again willed it and has again desired to manifest Her power.”—Sāhitya.
“The first really important work that I know of on the Spirit of any Ritual-philosophy.”—Das Reise Tagebuch Einer Philosophen (Hermann Keyserling).
“A magnificent historical and philological record due to the author who has taken upon himself with complete success a task which might seem to be thankless, but which is in reality fecund, opening for the first time an enormous and almost unknown branch of Indian literature.” —Isis (M. Masson D’Oursel).
“Mr. Avalon is doing a very great service for students of religions by making a small part of it (Tantra-Shāstra) accessible. The Treatise (Principles of Tantra) is the most remarkable presentment on the subject which has yet appeared. It is full of points of very great interest.” —The Quest (W. Mead).
“Is clearly a European disciple of some Pandit belonging to the left-hand Shāktas and he shows great sympathy for the sect. He is always ready to defend any of its doctrines and practices, even the most shameful. On the other hand his faithful discipleship has brought him a wonderful understanding of the teaching and cult of the sect . . . of great exegetical value.”—International Review of Missions (Dr. J. N. Farquahar).
p. iii
“For the student of religions there is then a mine opened for his enquiries. The whole work bears the stamp of conscientiousness and accuracy.”—Literarishches Zentralblatt fuer Deutschland.
“The first impression was of amazement and delight. The Mahānirvāna is one of the most important of Hindū philosophical works combined with elaborate ritualism, and its translation therefore by a European involved certainly a prodigious amount of study, sympathy and real understanding. Of the ‘Introduction’ alone it may be said that for its lucidity, conciseness, directness and for its depth of penetration and insight it may itself claim to be a standard work on the much abused Tantras. We have rarely come across such an illuminating exposition of the Principles of Devī Worship.”—Prabuddha Bhārata.
“Most meritorious productions. From what has been said it is clear that Avalon is right when he declares that up to now this literature has been too often judged and more often condemned without knowing it and that the Tantras deserve to become better known than has been the case hitherto.”—Ostasiatische Zeitschrift (Dr. Professor M. Winternitz).
“Arthur Avalon has rendered an eminent service to the Cause of Sanskrit Literature.”—Calcutta Review (Mahā- mahopādhyāya Satish Chandra Vidyābhūshana).
“We suspect that Arthur Avalon is one of the learned Pandits of Bengal whose native speech has not been without influence upon his almost impeccable English. We value highly the work done, if for no other reason than that it gives us a real insight into the jargon of the ritual and the worthlessness of Tāntrik Philosophy.”—The Nation (New York).
p. iv
“Illuminating discussion (“Serpent Power”). The Author makes some rarely fine brilliant definitions . . . throughout maintains a strictly scientific attitude, though he is obviously impressed with the extraordinary nature of the Tāntrik Doctrine.”—Britain and India.
“There is no doubt that he has an extensive and peculiar knowledge of the subject of which he treats.”— Luzac’s Oriental List (Dr. Barnett.)
“The first fact which strikes the student of Eastern Philosophy is the Author’s extraordinary knowledge and the second is his impartiality” (Shakti and Shākta).—New India.
BOOKS BY SIR JOHN WOODROFFE
Rs. a. p.
BHĀRATA SHAKTI (Addresses on Indian culture), 3rd Edition ... ... 1 8 0 IS INDIA CIVILIZED? 3rd Edition ... 2 8 0 THE SEED OF RACE, 2nd Edition ... 1 0 0 SHAKTI AND SHĀKTA (Essays and Addresses in the Tantra Shāstra), 2nd Edition ... 7 8 0 GARLAND OF LETTERS (Varnamāla), Studies in the Mantra Shāstra ... ... 7 8 0 THE WORLD AS POWER—REALITY ... 2 0 0 THE WORLD AS POWER—LIFE ... 2 0 0 THE WORLD AS POWER—MIND ... 2 0 0 THE WORLD AS POWER—MATTER ... 2 8 0 THE WORLD AS POWER—CAUSALITY AND CONTINUITY ... ... 2 0 0 THE WORLD AS POWER—CONSCIOUS- NESS. (In Preparation.)
IS INDIA CIVILIZED?
PRESS OPINIONS
“Foreign domination has been much more than mainly political. It is the cultural and social conquest of India which is the really important one, insidious in its cause but permanent in its results. Alien culture threatens to obscure the soul of India, to swamp the Indian culture. Therefore Sir John Woodroffe’s latest book is most opportune. His style is simple and convincing. The fundamental principles of Indian culture are examined with great power of insight. Sir John’s purpose is to defend the minds of young India against defilement—to create a strong working faith in their own ideals, and for this India will be very grateful.”—The Commonweal (M.S.M.).
“Powerful exposition of Indian culture. . . Many wise political, social and religious observations abound in its inspiring pages. We can commend its perusal to all who are seekers after the truth. If it serves to induce the Europeans to abate some of their racial pride, prejudice and intolerance, and the Indians to have a more correct appreciation of their culture, then it must be regarded as a most opportune publication at the present moment when the great catastrophe in the West has shaken the faith in the basic principles of Western culture and has given a powerful stimulus to the spirit of introspection and enquiry.” —The Leader.
p. viii
“Deep insight into what is of true value in Indian culture—clear with an enthusiasm all the more effective because restrained. It is his conception of India that is the great inspiration in the book. His conception of life is Indian through and through. I have read this book all one afternoon, marking page after page its trenchant criticisms of our detractors, its pen pictures of Indian life and culture, and especially its illuminating description of what some of our philosophies really mean. It is as if once again as of old, one heard an ancient Guru talking to his disciples. It is a noble book for every Indian home.” —New India (C. Jinarājadāsa).
“He commenced his work with a Hindū’s heart, with a Hindū’s regard and a Hindū’s faith, and so his translation is what it ought to be. The Introduction not only reveals the learning of its author, but is also proof that he has understood in what light Hindūs regard the Tantra Shāstra.”—Hitabādi.
“In perusing the author’s Introduction to the Mahā- nirvāna Tantra we have been bewildered with astonishment.
p. ii
We could never have dreamt that it was possible for a Modern Christian Englishman to so fully understand such matters as the Mode of Tāntrik Sādhanā. The author has certainly learnt a great deal of the inner and secret doctrine of the Tantra. We have never heard even from any Bengali Pandit such a clear exposition of Mantra Shakti as the author has given. It seems as if the World- Mother has again willed it and has again desired to manifest Her power.”—Sāhitya.
“The first really important work that I know of on the Spirit of any Ritual-philosophy.”—Das Reise Tagebuch Einer Philosophen (Hermann Keyserling).
“A magnificent historical and philological record due to the author who has taken upon himself with complete success a task which might seem to be thankless, but which is in reality fecund, opening for the first time an enormous and almost unknown branch of Indian literature.” —Isis (M. Masson D’Oursel).
“Mr. Avalon is doing a very great service for students of religions by making a small part of it (Tantra-Shāstra) accessible. The Treatise (Principles of Tantra) is the most remarkable presentment on the subject which has yet appeared. It is full of points of very great interest.” —The Quest (W. Mead).
“Is clearly a European disciple of some Pandit belonging to the left-hand Shāktas and he shows great sympathy for the sect. He is always ready to defend any of its doctrines and practices, even the most shameful. On the other hand his faithful discipleship has brought him a wonderful understanding of the teaching and cult of the sect . . . of great exegetical value.”—International Review of Missions (Dr. J. N. Farquahar).
p. iii
“For the student of religions there is then a mine opened for his enquiries. The whole work bears the stamp of conscientiousness and accuracy.”—Literarishches Zentralblatt fuer Deutschland.
“The first impression was of amazement and delight. The Mahānirvāna is one of the most important of Hindū philosophical works combined with elaborate ritualism, and its translation therefore by a European involved certainly a prodigious amount of study, sympathy and real understanding. Of the ‘Introduction’ alone it may be said that for its lucidity, conciseness, directness and for its depth of penetration and insight it may itself claim to be a standard work on the much abused Tantras. We have rarely come across such an illuminating exposition of the Principles of Devī Worship.”—Prabuddha Bhārata.
“Most meritorious productions. From what has been said it is clear that Avalon is right when he declares that up to now this literature has been too often judged and more often condemned without knowing it and that the Tantras deserve to become better known than has been the case hitherto.”—Ostasiatische Zeitschrift (Dr. Professor M. Winternitz).
“Arthur Avalon has rendered an eminent service to the Cause of Sanskrit Literature.”—Calcutta Review (Mahā- mahopādhyāya Satish Chandra Vidyābhūshana).
“We suspect that Arthur Avalon is one of the learned Pandits of Bengal whose native speech has not been without influence upon his almost impeccable English. We value highly the work done, if for no other reason than that it gives us a real insight into the jargon of the ritual and the worthlessness of Tāntrik Philosophy.”—The Nation (New York).
p. iv
“Illuminating discussion (“Serpent Power”). The Author makes some rarely fine brilliant definitions . . . throughout maintains a strictly scientific attitude, though he is obviously impressed with the extraordinary nature of the Tāntrik Doctrine.”—Britain and India.
“There is no doubt that he has an extensive and peculiar knowledge of the subject of which he treats.”— Luzac’s Oriental List (Dr. Barnett.)
“The first fact which strikes the student of Eastern Philosophy is the Author’s extraordinary knowledge and the second is his impartiality” (Shakti and Shākta).—New India.
BOOKS BY SIR JOHN WOODROFFE
Rs. a. p.
BHĀRATA SHAKTI (Addresses on Indian culture), 3rd Edition ... ... 1 8 0 IS INDIA CIVILIZED? 3rd Edition ... 2 8 0 THE SEED OF RACE, 2nd Edition ... 1 0 0 SHAKTI AND SHĀKTA (Essays and Addresses in the Tantra Shāstra), 2nd Edition ... 7 8 0 GARLAND OF LETTERS (Varnamāla), Studies in the Mantra Shāstra ... ... 7 8 0 THE WORLD AS POWER—REALITY ... 2 0 0 THE WORLD AS POWER—LIFE ... 2 0 0 THE WORLD AS POWER—MIND ... 2 0 0 THE WORLD AS POWER—MATTER ... 2 8 0 THE WORLD AS POWER—CAUSALITY AND CONTINUITY ... ... 2 0 0 THE WORLD AS POWER—CONSCIOUS- NESS. (In Preparation.)
IS INDIA CIVILIZED?
PRESS OPINIONS
“Foreign domination has been much more than mainly political. It is the cultural and social conquest of India which is the really important one, insidious in its cause but permanent in its results. Alien culture threatens to obscure the soul of India, to swamp the Indian culture. Therefore Sir John Woodroffe’s latest book is most opportune. His style is simple and convincing. The fundamental principles of Indian culture are examined with great power of insight. Sir John’s purpose is to defend the minds of young India against defilement—to create a strong working faith in their own ideals, and for this India will be very grateful.”—The Commonweal (M.S.M.).
“Powerful exposition of Indian culture. . . Many wise political, social and religious observations abound in its inspiring pages. We can commend its perusal to all who are seekers after the truth. If it serves to induce the Europeans to abate some of their racial pride, prejudice and intolerance, and the Indians to have a more correct appreciation of their culture, then it must be regarded as a most opportune publication at the present moment when the great catastrophe in the West has shaken the faith in the basic principles of Western culture and has given a powerful stimulus to the spirit of introspection and enquiry.” —The Leader.
p. viii
“Deep insight into what is of true value in Indian culture—clear with an enthusiasm all the more effective because restrained. It is his conception of India that is the great inspiration in the book. His conception of life is Indian through and through. I have read this book all one afternoon, marking page after page its trenchant criticisms of our detractors, its pen pictures of Indian life and culture, and especially its illuminating description of what some of our philosophies really mean. It is as if once again as of old, one heard an ancient Guru talking to his disciples. It is a noble book for every Indian home.” —New India (C. Jinarājadāsa).
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