Essay name: Isanasivagurudeva Paddhati (study)
Author:
J. P. Prajith
Affiliation: Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit / Department of Sanskrit Sahitya
This essay studies the methods of worship in the Isanasivagurudeva Paddhati (also known as the Tantra Paddhati). This text deals with many topics such as architecture and iconography. But this essay focuses on ceremonies and the ritual practices associated with Gods, Goddesses and other deities (Devatas).
Chapter 1 - History and scope of Tantric Literature
19 (of 56)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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two very highly developed and refined intellectual streams exist side by side there is always bound to be conflicting claims regarding their relative superiority. But these disputes and claims have no more value than the age-old question whether the seed preceded the tree or vice- versa. Although the present controversy is not as fierce, the heat of claims of superiority among some Vaidiks in certain places doesn't seem to cool down despite the passage of time. However, at the present point of time, there appears a lot of confusion and ambiguity among priests of either pursuit as to what exactly their philosophy symbolizes or epitomizes.40 Pramānas of Tantra Every Indian traditional philosophy or school of thought, be it theist or atheist, had its own distinct Pramānas and Pramākaras. From Carvaka, considered to be the most ancient, to the Pourāṇiks had 8 Pramāṇas and 8 Pramākaras which form their theoretical foundation. They are 1. Pratyakṣa, 2. Anumāna, 3. Sabda, 4. Upamāna, 5. Arthapatti, 6. Anupalabdhi (Abhāva), 7. Sambhava, 8, Aitſhya. The specific Pramāṇas meant for each school of thought is authoritatively put forth in sarvamatasangraha thus: प्रत्यक्षमेक� चार्वाकः, कणादसुगत� पुनः अनुमान� � तच्चाथ सांख्याः शब्द� �, ते पि न्यायैकदेशिन� [pratyakṣameka� cārvāka�, kaṇādasugatau puna� anumāna� ca taccātha sāṃkhyā� śabda� ca, te pi nyāyaikadeśino] /प्येकमुपमानं � केचन, अर्थापत्या सहैतान� चत्वार्याह प्रभाकरः [pyekamupamāna� ca kecana, arthāpatyā sahaitāni catvāryāha prabhākara� ] 23
