Sacred Sound And Language In Classical Saiva Siddhanta

Sacred Sound and Language in Classical Śaiva Siddhānta

Sacred Sound and Language in Classical Śaiva SiddhĀnta

"This book attempts to reveal the full implication of the theory of language propounded by the tradition of Indian classical dualist Śaiva Siddhānta. The first part of the study draws an outline of dualist Śaiva Siddhānta withing the contextual setting of Tantric cults. The second part explores the field of theories of language through the discussion between three classical Indian traditions: Mīmāṁsā, Nyāyā, and the school of Bhartṛhari. The third part focuses on the important Śaiva Siddhānta text Nādakārikā by Rāmakaṇṭha, which is translated, analyzed and interpreted in the light of the classical traditions. In the fourth part the findings are further connected to the crucial initiation ritual, the dīkṣā, which shows the theory of nāda (subtle sound) 'in action', not unlike the role of eternal sounds within the orthodox Mīmāṁsā tradition. In the fifth part the dualist Śaiva Siddhānta is presented as a theory of language and sound which points to a radical concept of a (non)existent Self, as a pre-conceptual absolute 'Other' behind the pervasive matter. Thus, liberation is seen as an absolute event, manifested in speech as holding both a revealing and concealing potential; a tension or a strife which ultimately, in Heidegger's terms, conditions the fate of possibility of the (re)appearing of gods."--Back cover.

Sonic Theology