From
the Publisher
The word yoga and the various concepts associated with it
are being interpreted and understood with great interest the
world over especially in recent years. This work by a noted
research scholar, Dr. T. N. Mishra explores the meanings of
the word yoga and its moral and philosophical annotations, and
conducts an intensive study of the philosophies and practices
that bear reference to it. A thorough research, Yoga-Tantra
and Sensuousness in Art goes into the theoretical foundations
of Yoga, tracing ists roots to the sacred scriptures and
explaining the goal of Yoga, the discipline it involves, Yoga
psychology, its techniques and stages, and classification and
practice of Yoga as Mantra-Yoga, Laya-Yoga, Hatha-Yoga and
Raja-Yoga. It comprehensively examines the aim and philosophy
of Yoga-Tantra and the way to awaken the Kundalini through the
cakras practicing Yoga-sadhana of the Natha siddhas (the
ulta-sadhana) and Yoga sadhana as found in Vaisnava and
Buddhist Sahajiya. Citing interesting examples, it importantly
deals with Yoga and Tantra as reflected in Indian art: the
impact of the philosophy of Yoga-Tantra with its subtle
sensuality on Indian secular and religious architecture and
sculpture.
Abounding in illustrations and extensive in notes and
references to ancient scholarly treatises and exponents of
Yoga and to modern researches on the subject, the book will
interest all scholars of Indian art, philosophy and
spirituality and appeal to general readers on Yoga as well.
Author Description
Dr. T. N. Mishra has researched various aspects of Indian
philosophy and art and architecture in a career spanning more
than three decades. He has published articles in reputed
journals on the subject and authored works that include
Buddhist Tantras and Buddhist Art: Ancient Indian Bricks and
Brick Remains: Westernization of Indian Art and Impact of
Tantra on Religion and Art. At present, he is Assistant
Curator at the prestigious Bharat Kala Bhavan at the Banaras
Hindu University, Varanasi.
Preface
The word yoga perhaps received the highest attention of
readers among other Sanskrit words and the word is being
interpreted, globally. In this book the author makes a humble
attempt to explain the word yoga. During the course of
exploring the meaning, certain related aspects needed
discussions. These include an analysis of the philosophy of
yoga-tantra, a clear cut understanding of Ulta-Sadhana or
Regressive Process, etc. The moral and philosophical
annotations of the word yoga also calls for an intensive
introspection of the yogic sadhana of Sahjiyas and the yogic
sadhana in Buddhism. The present writer made a thorough
research on the aforesaid issues and the outcome of this book
is his personal realization of the subject. Finally, an
attempt has been made to understand the concept of Yoga and
Tantra as reflected in Indian art through the ages and how
such concepts moulded Indian art and introduced the philosophy
of Yoga-Tantra, on the one hand, and the evident yet, subtle
sensualism, on the other, in the religious as well as secular
art of India.
Contents
|
Preface |
v |
|
Acknowledgements |
ix |
|
List of Illustrations |
xi |
|
Introduction |
1 |
| 1. |
Yoga |
10 |
| 2. |
Practice of Yoga |
19 |
| 3. |
Philosophy of Yoga-Tantra |
34 |
| 4. |
Ulta-Sadhana (Regressive Process) |
48 |
| 5. |
Yogic Sadhana of Sahajiya |
56 |
| 6. |
Yogic Sadhana of Buddhists |
60 |
| 7. |
Religious Cult and Sensuousness in Art |
77 |
|
Plates |
101 |
|
Glossary |
113 |
|
Bibliography |
125 |
|
Index |
131 |
