Kularnava Tantra

Kularnava is one of the major Tantra of the Kaula School. It commands great authenticity, authority and respect. It has been profusely quoted by almost all the later Tantric works. However, its language, as is the case with most of the other Tantras, mostly conveys information in a codified form not easily discernible by everyone. The purpose behind such a use is to keep the secrets of the teachings confined only to the Sadhakas initiated in the system. Therefore, as the work stands, it cannot be understood easily by ordinary readers. Perhaps for this reason Sir Arthur Avalon also wanted to publish a Translation of this Text. However, he could not find time to do so and the work has been completed by an ordinary student as myself. Mr. M. P. pandit has published a very erudite study of this Tantra in English but it can in no way be regarded as a verbatim translation. Moreover, he has left many Ullasas even in his commentary.

When I undertook the work of this translation, I never thought it to be so difficult. As I proceeded, I found that at places the information is highly codified and at others, I Was at my wits end. No Dictionary, either modern or classical can be useful in the interpretation of such passages. Consequently, I had to go through a large number to Tantras, besides discussion the matter with some of the orthodox Tantrics.

Now, as the work has been completed, I can say that almost all the information has been decodified and Translated according to my capacity. The Mantras, various Nyasas and other Ritualistic details have been translated and explained. However, as the long Mantras of Nyasa and some of the bigger Mantras would have been cumbersome in Roman, I have chosen to give them in Devanagari script. Sadhakas and these Sadhakas may well be familiar with the Nagari script. Apart from this all other passages have been invariably translated. However, I hope that the Sadhakas would, in the script of the instructions of Lord Siva, maintain the secrecy of the Mantras and other rituals.

For the purpose of this Translation althought, I have followed the Text constituted by Sir Arthur Avalon, yet at places, I have adopted some of the variant readings as the main readings because they made better sense. Such changes have been made at many places.

I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to some of my Tantric friends, who want to remain anonymous, for the help they so readily gave to me in the interpretation of the typical passages.

I would also like to express my gratitude to Mr. M. P. Pandit whose brilliant study of Kularnava has been of great help to me. Wherever I have found his sentences as translation of the Text, I have adopted them, making changes only to bring them literally closer to Text.

With all its faults and failings the work is now in the hand of the readers and I hope they would be kind enough to enlighten me with my shortcomings so that I may make amends in the future editions.