This version of Mahanirvana Tantra (edition 1913) has been coping from www.happYoga.org .

This copy has survived in Russia (former USSR) and was available in public libraries. That is really amazing story. Because that was very hard time for spirituality ,yoga ,tantra. On www.happyoga.narod.ru/22_index_mahanirvana_tantra.htm or ( http://www.happYoga.org ) there are also foto of images of all pages of this tantra (PDF format ) .You could check if there any mistakes

YANTRA

OF GAYATRI DEVI. (For

description see p. xciii.)

TANTRA
OF THE GREAT LIBERATION,
(MAHANIRVANA TANTRA)

A TRANSLATION FROM THE SANSKRIT, WITH INTRODUCTION AND COMMENTARY

BY

ARTHUR AVALON
LONDON LUZAC & CO. 46, GREAT RUSSELL STREET, W.C.
(Opposite the British Museum)

1913

TANTRA OF THE GREAT LIBERATION

WORKS ON TANTRA BY THE AUTHOR

PRINCIPLES OF TANTRA (TANTRATATTVA). Vol. I.
[In the press.

THE SIX CENTRES (SHATCHAKRANlRUPANA). OCEAN OF KULA TANTRA (KULARNAVA TANTRA).

[In preparation.

TANTRIK TEXTS
VOL.

I. TANTRABHIDANA with VlJANIGHANTU and MUDRANIGHANTU. II. SHATCHAKRANlRUPANA of Purnananda Svami, with Commentary of Shankara. PADUKAPANCHAKA, with Commentary of Kalicharana. With these are notes from the Tika of Vishvanatha on the Second Patala of Kaivalya Kalika Tantra. III. and IV. PRAPANCHASARA. [In preparation.

VOL.

VOLS.

BY ARTHUR AND ELLEN AVALON

HYMNS TO THE GODDESS. (From the Tantra and other Shastra and the Stotra of Sankaracharyya.)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Kailasa Shiva and Shakti Guna - - - The worlds - - Inhabitants of the worlds Varna - - - Ashrama - - Correspondence between Macrocosm and Microcosm - - - The Ages Scriptures of the Ages The Human Body i. The five Sheaths (a) A n n a - m a y a, Kosha (b) Prana-maya Kosha (c) Mano -maya, Vijnana and Ananda-maya Koshas ii. Nadi iii. Chakra (a) Muladhara (b) Svadishthana (c) Mani-pura (d) Anahata (c) Vishuddha (f) Ajna iv. Sahasrara padma The three temperaments Guru and Sishya Initiation - - Abhisheka - - Sadhana ... PAGE xvii xix xxxi xxxvi xxxviii xlii xliii Worship generally i. Forms of achara ii. Mantra iii. The Gayatri Mantra iv. Yantra v. Mudra vi. Sandhya vii. Puja viii. yajna ix. Vrata x. Tapas xi. Japa xii. Sangskara xiii. Purashcharana xiv. Bhuta-shuddhi xv. Nyasa xvi. Panchatattva xvii. Chakrapuja Yoga - - - i. The seven Sadhana. (a) Shodhana (Shatkarmma) (b) dridhata (asana) (c) S t h i r a t a (Mudra) (d) D h a i r y a (pratyahara) (e) laghava (pranayama) (f) pratyaksha (dhyana) (g) nirliptatva (samadhi) PAGE Ixxvi Ixxviii Ixxxiii xc xcii xciv xcv xcvii xcviii xcix c ci cii cv cvi cvii cxi cxx cxxi

xlv xlvi xlix I li li Iii

Iii Iv Ivii Ivii Iviii lix Ix Ixi Ixii Ixlii Ixv Ixxi Ixxiii Ixxiv Ixxv

cxxv cxxvi cxxvii

cxx viii cxxviii cxxx cxxxi

iii

iv TANTRA OF THE GREAT LIBERATION

page ii. Forms of Samadhi; Four aims of Being yoga cxxxi Hi. Shatc h ak r abheda cxxxii Sin and Virtue cxxxvi Karmma cxxxviii page cxl cxlii cxliii cxliii cxliv cxlvi

i. ii. I ii. iv. Siddhi

Dharmma Kama A rtha Moksha .

MAHANIRVANA TANTRA
CHAPTER I
QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE LIBERATION OF BEINGS
PAGERS

SS i-io: Scene of revelation of Tantra. 11-16: Dialogue between Shiva and Shakti. 17-50: Description of the Ages. SS 51-74: Teaching of Shiva - i-i4 CHAPTER II INTRODUCTION TO THE WORSHIP OF BRAHMAN SS 1-31: Necessity of Tantra Shastra. SS 32-54: Shiva speaks of the Supreme - -

- 15-22

CHAPTER III
DESCRIPTION OF THE WORSHIP OF THE SUPREME BRAHMAN SS l-io: Shiva discourses of the Brahman. 11-31: Mantroddhara. 37, 38: Brahma-Mantra. 39-49: Anganyasa, Karanyasa, and Pranayama for Brahma-mantra. 50, 51 Dhyana for same. 52-57: Worship and Mantra. 58-65 Stotra to Brahman. 66-72: Brahmakavacha. 73, 74 Salutation to Brahman. 75-104: Worship of Brahman. 105-113: Sandhya Brahmagayatri. 105-113: Purash-charana in case of Brahma mantra. 120: Sangkalpa. i2i-i.! 8: Brahma-mantra. 129-142: Guru and initia-tion. 143-154: Brahma-mantra - - . - 23-45

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER IV
THE MANTRAS, PLACING OF THE JAR, AND PURIFICATION OF THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP
PAGIS

{{ 1-8: Worship of the Supreme Devi. 9-18: Shiva discourses on the Goddess. 19: Pashubhava. 20-23: Kulachara. 24-35: Praise of the Supreme Creatrix Kali. 36-46: Secret worship and Kulachara. 47-55: How we are to know when the Kali yuga is in force. 56: Drinking of wine in Kaliyuga. 57-67: Whom the Kali age can not harm. 68-69: Merits of Kali yuga. 70, 71: Slaves of the Kali Age. 72-83: Necessity of truth. Concealment of Kauladharmma. 84-104: Necessity of following the Tantrik ritual. 105, 106: Worship of Devi. - 46-59

CHAPTER V
THE REVELATION OF THE MANTRAS, PLACING OF THE JAR, AND PURIFICATION OF THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP {{1-8: Praise of Devi and Her worship. 9-13: Mantroddhara of Devi mantra. 14-17: Japa. 18, 19: Tantrik mantras. | 20-32: Necessity of Tantrik worship. 33-43: Worship of Devi. 44-54: Tantrik Sandhya. 55-61: Dhyana of Devi. 62-67: Devi Gayatri. 68-92: Worship of Devi. $93105: Bhutashuddhi. 106-110: Nyasa. 111-112: Dhyana. 113-135: Nyasa. 136-141: Dhyana of Devi 142-151: Mental worship of Devi. 152-156: Japa. S 157-170: External worship of Devi. 171-179: Yantra. j 180-205: Kalasha and purification of wine. 206-216: Purification of meat, fish, and grain - 60-103

CHAPTER VI
PLACING OF THE SHRlPATRA, HOMA, FORMATION OF THE CHAKRA. AND OTHER RITES { i: Description of Pancha-tattva. 2, 3: Wine. 4-6: Meat. { 7, 8: Fish. 9, lo: Grain (mudra). 11-13: Shuddhi. { 14: Maithuna. 15: Substitute prescribed for pushpa. { 16: Necessity of purification: 17-20: and of Shakti. $ 21-106: Chakra ritual and worship of Devi. 107, io8: Sacrifice. 109-110: Pashugayatri. 111-118: Sacrifice of animals. 119164: Homa. 165-173: Japa. 174-2oo: Continuation of Chakra ritual - 103-137

vi TANTRA OF THE GREAT LIBERATION

CHAPTER VII
HYMN OF PRAISE (STOTRA), AMULET (KAVACHA). AND THE DESCRIPTION OF THE KULA-TATTVA
Pages

{ ^^: Further discourse on Devi worship. 8-54 . Hymn to the Devi entitled Adya-kali-svarupa. 55-68: Devi Kavacha entitled Trailokya-vijaya. 6994: Purashcharana. S 95-loi: Description of Kula and Kulachara. 102-1 ll: Characteristics of Puncha-tottva - 138-157

CHAPTER VIII
THE DHARMMA AND CUSTOMS OF THE CASTES AND ASHRAMAS { 1-20: Description of Varna and Ashrama. 21-75: Duties of householders. 76-81: Sandhya. 82-93: Vaidik and Tantrik rites. 94, 95: Fasting and alms. 96. 97: Holy days. 98-101: Pilgrimage. 102-107: Duties of women. 108, (19: Food. 110-117: Duties of castes. 118-132: Duties of Kings. 113-142: Agriculture and trade. 143-150: Duties of Servants. 151, , 152: Marriage. 153-203: Description of Bhairavi Chakra. 204-220: Description of Tattva-chakra. 221-284: Ascetics. 285-287: Necessity of ritual worship. 288-290: Yet liberation cannot be obtained thereby .... 158-192

CHAPTER IX
THE TEN KINDS OF PURIFICATORY RITES (SANGSKARA) { 1-13: The ten sacraments (Sangskara). 14-39: Kushandika. 40-45: Dhara Homa. 46-50: : Svishti-krit Homa. 51-566: Vyahriti Homa. 57-70: Shanti-karmma. 71-84: Charu-karmma. 85-106: Ritusangskara. 107-116: Garbhadana. 117-127: Pungsavana. 128-130: Pan-chamrita. 131-138: Simantonnayana 139-145: Jata-karmma. 146-157: Namakarana. 158164 (14: Nishkraniana. 165-170: Annaprashana. 171-185: Chudakarana. 186-230: Upanayana. 231-284: Udvaha 193-333

TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER X

RITES RELATING TO VRIDDHI SHRADDHA, FUNERAL RITES, AND PURNABHISHEKA

vii

pages

{{ 1-5: Vriddhi Shraddha and Kushandika. 6-10: Consecration of waters, images, houses, and gardens. 11-74: Vriddhi Shraddha, Abhyudayika Shraddha, Ekoddishta Shraddha, Parvvana Shraddha, Preta Shraddha. 7578: Period of uncleanliness. 79: Cremation. 8o: Prohibition of Sati. 81: Burial. 82-94: Obsequial rites. 95, 96: Honouring of Kaulika. 97, 98: Days for ceremonies. 99. loo: Building of or entry into new houses. 101-103: Worship of Devata. 104-108: Worship of Kaula. 109-ip9: Initiation of Kaula, Purnabhisheka. 200, 201: Guru. { 202: Worship of Kaula. 203212: Pashu, Vira, Kaula 233-261

CHAPTER XI THE ACCOUNT OF EXPIATORY ACTS

H 1-4: Devi questions Shiva as to the liberation of men of the Kaliyuga. 5-11: Shiva's praise of the Devi. 12-17; Shiva speaks of sin. 18-103: Punishments by the King for various offences. 104: Even Kula-dharmma, if not properly followed, leads to sin. 105-123: Excessive and wrongful wine-drinking. 124-133: Wrongful eating and sexual error. 134-142: Killing of animals. 143: Killing to be avoided except for sacrifice. 145, 146: 111 speaking. S147, 148: Voyages. 149151: Fasting. 152-155: III habits and disease. 136-162: Defilement by death. l63, 164: Purification after seeing certain acts done by others. 165: Pursuits forbidden by twice-born. 166: Tridina vrata. 167: Violation of secrecy. i 68: Respect 262-280

CHAPTER XII
AN ACCOUNT OF THE ETERNAL AND IMMUTABLE DHARMMA 1-4: Laws. 5, 6: Relationship. 7-66: Inheritance. S 67-74: Periods of uncleanliness. 75-79: Adoption. 8o: Observance of Dharmma by person inheriting. 81, 82: Uncleanliness in case of death. 83-87: Disappearance. 88-92: Ancestral and self-acquired property. 93, 94: Dedication to religious uses. 95-96: Gift of self-

viii TANTRA OF THE GREAT LIBERATION

PAGES

acquired property. 97: Self-acquisition with help of paternal property. 98: Acquisition of lost ancestral property. 90-101: Paternal and self-acquired property, 102) 2: Lifting hand against parents. 103: Murderer does not inherit. 104: Eunuchs and cripples. 105, 106: Finding of lost property. 107-112: Pre-emption. "3-li4: Reclaimed lands. 115: Excavation and building to danger of public. 110, 117: Water rights. 118-I2I: Mortgage: sale: deposit. 122: Uses of joint property. 123: Sale. 124: Brahma marriage. 125: Adoption of only son or Shaiva marriage of only wife or daughter. 126, 127: Agency. 128: All dealing to be in accordance with Dharmma. 129: Men should always act fur the good of the world ------ 381-204 CHAPTER XIII INSTALLATION OF THE DEVATA iff 1-13: On Mahakali. 14-22: On images and those for whom they are necessary. 23-28: On the dedication of Temples. bridges, trees, gardens, and waters. 29-35: Dedication of images and vahana. 36-38: On gift of flags and flagstatfs. 39, 4c: Other gifts to Devata. 41: The reward for such: liberation is only for those who act without Hope of reward. 42-125: Ritual of dedication. 120-135: Mantras fur consecration. 136; Worship of Vahana. 137: What Devatas should be worshipped. 138-310: Order of the rites and their mantras: Pratishtha of the illustrious Adya ------- 295-333

CHAPTER XIV
THE CONSECRATION OF SHIVA LINGA AND DESCRIPTION OF THE FOUR CLASSES OF AVADHUTAS j 1-25: On the worship of Shiva Linga. 26-29: Adhivasa rite of Devata. 30, 31: Bathing of Devata. 32-38: Nyasa. and Dhyana. 39: Prana Pratishtha. 40, 41: Mula mantra of Mahesha. 42, 43: Consecration and worship of Devi in Gauripatta. 44, 45: Dhyana of the Great Devi; worship of Bull and ten Dikpalas. 46, 47: Mantra of Bhagavati. 48-52: Ritual: completion of Adhivasa. 53-55: Worship of other Devatas. 56-94: Worship of Linga and Tarini. 95-102: Omissions and faults in

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ix
PA ges

worship. 103-106: Necessity of Sadhana for those who act with a view to the fruits of action. 107: Good and evil action. 108: Result of good action. 109, 110: No liberation until all action, good or bad, is destroyed. 111-121: Knowledge alone secures liberation. 122: Description of different bhavas. 123: Definition of yoga and puja. 124-126: Ritual unnecessary for those who have attained Brahma-jnana. 127, 128: The detached soul is liberated. 129-134: Nature of the Atma. 135-140: Atmajnana. 141-172: Four classes of avadhutas. 173-178: Worship of Kaulika Yogi. 179-180: Kaula-dharmma. 181193: Kulachara and the Kaulas. 194: End of first portion of Maha-nirvana Tantra. 195-199: Fruit of reading this Tantra. $j 200-211: Glorification of this Tantra, - 334-35

This version of Mahanirvana Tantra (edition 1913) has been coping from www.happYoga.org . This copy has survived in Russia (former USSR) and was available in public libraries. That is really amazing story. Because that was very hard time for spirituality,yoga, tantra. On www.happyoga.narod.ru/22_index_mahanirvana_tantra.htm or ( http://www.happYoga.org ) there are also foto of images of all pages of this tantra (PDF format ) .You could check if there any mistakes