Shiva and the Primordial Tradition: From the Tantras to the Science of Dreams

by Alain Daniélou

An extensive examination of the underpinnings of the Shaivite Tradition • Reveals the influence of Shaivism on the Western world • Discusses Shaivism’s understanding of sacred sexuality • Presents the connections between Vedic poetry and metaphysics In Shiva and the Primordial Tradition, Alain Daniélou explores the relationship between Shaivism and the Western world. Shaivite philosophy does not oppose theology, cosmology, and science because it recognizes that their common aim is to seek to understand and explain the nature of the world. In the Western world, the idea of bridging the divide between science and religion is just beginning to touch the edges of mainstream thought.This rare collection of the late author’s writings contains several never-before-published articles and offers an in-depth look at the many facets of the Samkhya, the cosmologic doctrines of the Shaivite tradition. Daniélou provides important revelations on subjects such as the science of dreams, the role of poetry and sexuality in the sacred, the personality of the great Shankara, and the Shaivite influence on the Scythians and the Parthians (and by extension, the Hellenic world in general). Providing a convincing argument in favor of the polytheistic approach, he explains that monotheism is merely the deification of individualism--the separation of humanity from nature--and that by acknowledging the sacred in everything, we can recognize the imprint of the primordial tradition.

Genres: Spirituality, Religion, Hinduism

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Alain Daniélou :
1935-1948, études du sanskrit, philosophie, théologie, musique dans les écoles traditionnelles hindoues à Bénarès ;
1948-1954, professeur à l'université hindoue de Bénarès ;
1954 1956, directeur de la bibliothèque de manuscrits et des éditions sanskrites d'Adyar à Madras;
1956-1963, membre de l'Institut français d'indologie et de l'Ecole française d'Extrême-Orient ;
1963-1977, directeur de l'Institut international d'études comparatives de la musique à Berlin et Venise.

Reviews

[Ashish Om Gourav · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is how a book on religion or theology ought to be written without laying too much importance on historical accuracy & simplistic coherence. The exposition of symbolic nature in the religious development around us is remarkable and is a life-changing experience.

[Valentín Serrano García · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leer a Alain Daniélou resulta muy gratificante, tanto por su estilo apasionadamente místico como por su modo de abrazar el hinduismo más tradicional y esotérico. Te sumerge en el fuego indio y te arrastra a un discurso encarnizadamente carnal, acompañándolo siempre de vibración musical (su gran pasión). De ahí que sea considerado un referente por la gran Chantal Maillard.

Dicho de esto, deben hacerse dos precisiones. Una es que el autor está próximo ideológicamente a la corriente tradicionalista (Schuon, Guenon, Coomaraswamy...), lo que implica ciertos juicios de valor conservadores. Por supuesto, y como Eliade o Corbin, eso no le impide abrazar la sexualidad más exacerbada, la homosexualidad y la bisexualidad (relacionándolas con el shivaismo) e, incluso, mostrar un talante más progresista que Eliade, al establecer puntos de contacto sutiles entre el shivaismo, por un lado, y Baudelaire, Rimbaud o Ginsberg por el otro (tal y como viene a ensayar el autor del prólogo). La segunda es que toma partido, aunque no inflexible, por unas tradiciones hindúes en detrimento de otras (críticas demoledoras al mismísimo Sankara y a la tradición Bakhti -devocional-) y también por ciertos devaneos mágicos (telepatía, profecía...).

No se les puede considerar un conjunto de ensayos de valor rigurosamente académico. Ciertas reflexiones y teorías (tan vehemente afirmadas por él) tienen poca o ninguna base. Pero, sin duda, ello importa poco y, al leerlo, se entiende por qué. Las secciones dedicadas a la música hindú son muy recomendables.

[Johnny Cordova · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of mostly-short essays published posthumously. Serves as a nice little survey of Danielou's core ideas and good introduction to his work. Start with this one and move on to the much more comprehensive While the Gods Play.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good collection of works.

[Chels Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of the book was very interesting. And despite having a degree in religion and a interest in Shiva, the book had new information, rarely found in traditional text books.

He relates the book for almost any audience, spanning most major eastern and western religions.

Towards the end, however, I did become bored with the beauty aspect. And I didn't bother to read the appendix chapter by the translator, which seemed to be a bit to esoteric. Having taken philosophy course I still found it, well mostly I found the last chapters boring.

Disregarding the last 3 chapters (including the appendix chapter) it was a really interesting and light read. And nice dip of the toe in the cosmic ocean that is Shiva centred Hinduism.

[Bad Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

an interesting exploration of shaivism in the context of modern hinduism, but not what i had hoped for from the title.

[Vidal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fidedigno.

[Pinar · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice/interesting/western exploration of shaivism. but almost no detailed explanation about "tantras", and "science of dreams"