This book is an interesting study of the concept and philosophy of mantras which were used by the Hindus Buddhists and Jains alike for their daily meditation and ritualistic purposes. It explains from a nonEurocentric perspective but and from an Indic perspective though written by a European since Westerners considered mantras as ‘obscure’ ‘meaningless’ and ‘quite superstitious’ and grotesque in nature. This book is a collection of essays compiled on Mantra Sastra which is part of Tantra Sastra. It contains chapters on the doctrines of sabda philosophy and mantras like Om and Gayatri Mantra which are the most important mantras for Hindu ascetics and layman alike in their pursuit of the Almighty. Some of the chapters in this book were published in journals associated with oriental studies such as Vedanta Kesari and East and West. This book is recommended for those interested in the study of Hindu soteriology and the assessment of shruti worship and other traditions. About the Author Sir John Woodroffe (18651936) also known by his nom de plume Arthur Avalon was a British Orientalist and a jurist. He was educated at Oxford University and served as a lawyer at Calcutta High Court. Later he became the Reader of Indian Law at the University of Oxford and a recipient of the Court of Arms. He wrote extensively on Tantra Shakti and Yoga. His selected works include Introduction to the Tantra Sastra Shakti and Shâkta Hymns to the Goddess Bharati Shakti: Essays and Addresses on Indian Culture India: Culture and Society Is India Civilized? Essays on Indian Culture etc.
