Iconography of Hindu Tantric Deities

While Volume I of this two-volume monograph focuses on the deity pantheon of the sixteenth-century Mantramahodadhi, this volume compares for the first time deity descriptions extracted from two earlier and closely related texts, the anonymous Prapancasara (ca. tenth century) and Laksmanadesika's Saradatilaka (tenth/eleventh centuries). The latter work, though based on the Prapancasara, treats the topics independently and incorporates new deity descriptions while omitting others. Both texts are still influential and are frequently cited. The Sanskrit text of the 78 deity descriptions extracted from the Prapancasara and the 101 descriptions from the Saradatilaka is based on a comparison of different printed editions of these texts, as well as citations found in other works. The Sanskrit text is presented with a literal translation and remarks on the iconography. The introductory section addresses basic questions related to these two works. In addition, a new edition and translation of the important chapters I (on cosmogony) and 25 (on yoga) of the Saradatilaka are presented in two appendices. A large number of illustrations of deities complement the volume. The print edition is available as a set of two volumes (9789069801193).