Ascetic Mysticism

Contents:
• Asceticism and Eroticism in early Indian Mythology
• The Vedic Antecedents of Šiva
• Šiva and Brahmà: Opposition and Identity
• Šiva and Kàma
• Šakti in the Upa-Puràças
• The Tàntric Šakti-Cult
• Ritualistic Aspect of the PURÀÇiC ŠAKTI-CULT

Themes covered:
• Erotic powers of the Ascetic
• Rejuvenation of the Ascetic
• Sexual pleasures, Two forms of Immortality
• Householder and Ascetic in Society
• Indra as Phallic God of Fertility
• The Seven Sages and their Wives
• Šiva and Pàrvatì as the Parents of Skanda
• The Golden Seed of Fire
• Birth of Skanda and Birth of the Maruts
• Šàkta Upa-Puràças, Sarvarùpà Devì
• Devì Puràça, Kàlikà Puràça, Mahà-Bhàgvata Puràça Concept of Šakti in Devì Puràça
• Šakti in the Mahà-Bhàgavata Puràça Kàli, the goddess of the Tantràs
• Daša–Mahàvidyàs, Kuçœalinì Šaktì Yoga
• Philosophy of the Šàkta Tantras
• Nature of the Tantric Sàdhanà
• Adhikàris of Devì-worship, Devì Vratas
• Devì Pùjà, Durgà-Pujà, Pašubali
• Human sacrifice Devotees of Šakti in the Puràças