Mandalas and Yantras in the Hindu Traditions

Contents: Notes on contributors. 1. Introduction/Gudrun Buhnemann. 2. Mandala, Yantra and Cakra: some observations/Gudrun Buhnemann. 3. Mandalas and Yantras in Smarta ritual/Gudrun Buhnemann; Part I. Selected Mandala-like structures, Mandalas and Yantras. Part II. Bhadramandalas. 4. Mandalas and Yantras in the Pancaratra tradition/Marion Rastelli. 5. Mandala and Yantra in the Siddhanta school of Saivism: definitions, description and ritual use/Helene Brunner. 6. Icons of inclusivism: Mandalas in some early Saiva Tantras/Judit Torzsok. 7. Mandalas in Abhinavagupta's Tantraloka/Andre Padoux. 8. The Sricakra according to the first chapter of the Yoginihrdaya/Andre Padoux. 9. Vastrupurusamandalas: planning in the image of man/Michael W. Meister. Bibliography and abbreviations. Index.

In recent years Mandalas have attracted much interest among a wider public. The main focus of such interest has been directed towards Tibetan Mandalas, specimens of which have been included in numerous publications. But Mandalas are found across a wide spectrum of South Asian religious traditions, including those of the Hindus and Jains. Hindu Mandalas and Yantras have hardly been researched.

This book attempts to fill this gap by clarifying important aspects of Mandalas and Yantras in specific Hindu traditions through investigations by renowned specialists in the field. Its chapters explore Mandalas and Yantras in the Smarta, Pancaratra, Saiva and Sakta traditions. An essay on the vastupurusamandala and its relationship to architecture is also included." (jacket)