Ancient Mystical Bengali Book

delhiwala · Mar 25th, 2009, 03:06

Hi ! Can anyone here tell me from where I can get an English Commentary on Caryagitis/Charyapadas ?

I am looking for commentary/explanations and not mere translation of the verses, which I already have.

Thanks in advance !

(Mod note: I think this query fits best in the books music & movies forum)

atala · Mar 26th, 2009, 01:08

Do you know whether a commentary exists? From the texts themselves which repeatedly say to approach a guru I would gather that there is none; certainly no esoteric one, maybe just an academic one then? I suppose you researched it online, like from here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charyapada
A
Where I would look is in the library of the Asiatic Society in Kolkata
http://www.asiaticsocietycal.com/library/index.htm

In your place I would not dismiss other English translations because often different attempts at translation offer different perspectives, as well as sometimes some elucidating footnotes. Often academic people got their first inspiration to work on a type of literature from a personal exposure of some kind, like meeting someone who had a deeper understanding of the said texts. At any rate, nothing to lose, but perhaps something to gain for you.

In Delhi I would check out the Piccadilly Book Stall, because the owner has often unusual texts on obscure subjects somewhere hidden away. Also the Kolkata Book Fair can be an accidential source. Good luck. Probably there would be University libraries to check as well, but others may know more about this.

atala · Mar 27th, 2009, 23:05

Edward C. Dimock's The Place of the Hidden Moon; Erotic Mysticism in the Vaishnava-sahajiya Cult of Bengal Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass 1991, has as a way of introduction of the term sahajiya and also passim a number of explanations of carya padas.

Else look for Sukumar Sen's edition and introduction in his Caryagiti padavali. The doctrine behind the songs is discussed in English in S.B. Dasgupta's Obscure Religious Cults as a Background to Bengali Literature, Calcutta 1946, pages 39-57.

delhiwala · Mar 27th, 2009, 23:13

Oh ! Thanks Atala !

Thanks a lot !

gachchami · May 12th, 2009, 18:46

i just saw this - i've been trying to read up on the caryagitis myself...if you're looking for work on the buddhist caryagitis, perkvaerne's work is supposed to be good though i haven't been able to get hold of it in bookshops in bombay..i alos recall reading some ancient stuff by benoytosh bhattacharya on vajrayana which may give you some background..

delhiwala · May 13th, 2009, 00:53

Thanks Dear !

Where can I get them ? Do you have some more details please ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by gachchami

i just saw this - i've been trying to read up on the caryagitis myself...if you're looking for work on the buddhist caryagitis, perkvaerne's work is supposed to be good though i haven't been able to get hold of it in bookshops in bombay..i alos recall reading some ancient stuff by benoytosh bhattacharya on vajrayana which may give you some background..

gachchami · May 22nd, 2009, 15:36

where in delhi? i don't know..but if you're in bombay the asiatic is a good place

atala · May 23rd, 2009, 20:13

As Benoytosh Bhattacharyya wrote standard works on Tantra, you should be able to find his publications, if in print, in Delhi at Picadilly Book Stall at Shankar Market, C.P. If not in print, at any well stocked university library.

His titles:
http://www.tantraworks.com/BiblioInternet.html

I have actually met his son, at Shastri Villa in Naihati, W.B. B. B. must have been a very interesting person, a savant.

delhiwala · May 24th, 2009, 01:27

atala,

Many thanks ! Seems you are a like minded person, interested in Tantra.......

Can you recommend some other books (apart from this list) also...

Quote:

Originally Posted by atala

As Benoytosh Bhattacharyya wrote standard works on Tantra, you should be able to find his publications, if in print, in Delhi at Picadilly Book Stall at Shankar Market, C.P. If not in print, at any well stocked university library.His titles:
http://www.tantraworks.com/BiblioInternet.htmlI have actually met his son, at Shastri Villa in Naihati, W.B. B. B. must have been a very interesting person, a savant.

machadinha · May 24th, 2009, 01:37

Just about the person to have translated into English the original tantric texts would have to be Arthur Avalon (pen name of Sir John Woodroffe, 1865–1936).

I found his books scattered around Indian bookstores say a decade ago alright; it didn't strike me as much this time, but then scouring around bookstores was less of a project of mine.

Since they are mostly the originals btw, don't expect them to be easy to comprehend to a layman. I'd expect he must have published some of his own views on it though; not sure really.

ps As so often btw, the Internet Sacred Text Archive http://www.sacred-texts.com/ turns out to be a good resource.

They compile anything in the public domain; so apparently including Avalon's works; look for his personal name there too.

Probably more on the general subject of tantra there too; happy browsing

kristalsoldier · Nov 12th, 2009, 06:24

You may also try checking in the National Library near the Alipore Zoo if you are in Calcutta. If you can convince the Chief Librarian, he or she may allow you to go down into the stacks in the basement, under escort of course! That National Library is a treasure house. I have found many an obscure book therein!

delhiwala · Nov 13th, 2009, 01:40

Thanks !

Mar 25th, 2009, 03:06	#1
delhiwala IM what IM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indeyah ! Posts: 4,817	Ancient Mystical Bengali Book Hi ! Can anyone here tell me from where I can get an English Commentary on Caryagitis/Charyapadas ? I am looking for commentary/explanations and not mere translation of the verses, which I already have. Thanks in advance ! (Mod note: I think this query fits best in the books music & movies forum) __________________ Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone. - The Dhammapada

May 23rd, 2009, 20:13	#8
atala 8 years in India Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Switzerland Posts: 978	As Benoytosh Bhattacharyya wrote standard works on Tantra, you should be able to find his publications, if in print, in Delhi at Picadilly Book Stall at Shankar Market, C.P. If not in print, at any well stocked university library. His titles: http://www.tantraworks.com/BiblioInternet.html I have actually met his son, at Shastri Villa in Naihati, W.B. B. B. must have been a very interesting person, a savant. Last edited by atala : May 24th, 2009 at 00:30.

May 24th, 2009, 01:37	#10
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,391	Just about the person to have translated into English the original tantric texts would have to be Arthur Avalon (pen name of Sir John Woodroffe, 1865–1936). I found his books scattered around Indian bookstores say a decade ago alright; it didn't strike me as much this time, but then scouring around bookstores was less of a project of mine. Since they are mostly the originals btw, don't expect them to be easy to comprehend to a layman. I'd expect he must have published some of his own views on it though; not sure really. ps As so often btw, the Internet Sacred Text Archive http://www.sacred-texts.com/ turns out to be a good resource. They compile anything in the public domain; so apparently including Avalon's works; look for his personal name there too. Probably more on the general subject of tantra there too; happy browsing __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links Last edited by SitaParityaga : May 24th, 2009 at 07:25. Reason: more of the same

Nov 12th, 2009, 06:24	#11
kristalsoldier Inside/Outside Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Nowhere at the moment Posts: 54	You may also try checking in the National Library near the Alipore Zoo if you are in Calcutta. If you can convince the Chief Librarian, he or she may allow you to go down into the stacks in the basement, under escort of course! That National Library is a treasure house. I have found many an obscure book therein! __________________ "Living just for dying...Dying just for You..." "Tum ho toh Hum hai! Hum ho toh sab kuch hai!"

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Mar 26th, 2009, 01:08	#2
atala 8 years in India Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Switzerland Posts: 978	Do you know whether a commentary exists? From the texts themselves which repeatedly say to approach a guru I would gather that there is none; certainly no esoteric one, maybe just an academic one then? I suppose you researched it online, like from here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charyapada A Where I would look is in the library of the Asiatic Society in Kolkata http://www.asiaticsocietycal.com/library/index.htm In your place I would not dismiss other English translations because often different attempts at translation offer different perspectives, as well as sometimes some elucidating footnotes. Often academic people got their first inspiration to work on a type of literature from a personal exposure of some kind, like meeting someone who had a deeper understanding of the said texts. At any rate, nothing to lose, but perhaps something to gain for you. In Delhi I would check out the Piccadilly Book Stall, because the owner has often unusual texts on obscure subjects somewhere hidden away. Also the Kolkata Book Fair can be an accidential source. Good luck. Probably there would be University libraries to check as well, but others may know more about this.

Mar 27th, 2009, 23:05	#3
atala 8 years in India Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Switzerland Posts: 978	Edward C. Dimock's The Place of the Hidden Moon; Erotic Mysticism in the Vaishnava-sahajiya Cult of Bengal Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass 1991, has as a way of introduction of the term sahajiya and also passim a number of explanations of carya padas. Else look for Sukumar Sen's edition and introduction in his Caryagiti padavali. The doctrine behind the songs is discussed in English in S.B. Dasgupta's Obscure Religious Cults as a Background to Bengali Literature, Calcutta 1946, pages 39-57.

Mar 27th, 2009, 23:13	#4
delhiwala IM what IM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indeyah ! Posts: 4,817	Oh ! Thanks Atala ! Thanks a lot !

May 12th, 2009, 18:46	#5
gachchami Gachchami Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 44	i just saw this - i've been trying to read up on the caryagitis myself...if you're looking for work on the buddhist caryagitis, perkvaerne's work is supposed to be good though i haven't been able to get hold of it in bookshops in bombay..i alos recall reading some ancient stuff by benoytosh bhattacharya on vajrayana which may give you some background..

May 22nd, 2009, 15:36	#7
gachchami Gachchami Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 44	where in delhi? i don't know..but if you're in bombay the asiatic is a good place

Nov 13th, 2009, 01:40	#12
delhiwala IM what IM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indeyah ! Posts: 4,817	Thanks !

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