"This book reconstructs the tantalizing tale of Sri Sabhapati Swami (ca. 1828-1923/4), today a little-known swami who was originally from Tamil Nadu in southern India, and historically contextualizes a fascinating type of yoga that Sabhapati claimed would lead to an experience of being "like a tree universally spread." The practical method of having this experience, in technical terms called the samadhi or "composure" of sivarajayoga or the "Royal yoga for siva," was published in English and multiple Indic languages and lavishly illustrated in diagrams on subtle and physical bodies. This book is the first book-length treatment on Sabhapati Swami, scholarly or otherwise, and uses critically-edited sources printed in Tamil, Devanagari, and Bengali scripts to reveal the expansion of his literature across South Asia and globally, the vast majority of which has never before been considered in any scholarly work to date. The book shows how intertwined Sabhapati's yoga is with historical Tamil saiva and Siddha movements, including the mythos of the rishi Agastya, and also with Hathayoga and mantra-based ritual. It also takes into account his and his followers' wrestling with the Victorian scientific worldview and their rationalization of Hindu philosophical discourses in the colonial period. Finally, the book demonstrates the extent to which Sabhapati's teachings were integrated into esoteric religious movements such as the Theosophical Society, the Thelema of Aleister Crowley, and New Thought, and suggests that a reappraisal of scholarship on the roots of yoga in these movements is long overdue"--

The famous JyotirLinga of MahaakaaLeshwar is situated over the bank of the sacred river Shipra. Lord Omkaareshwar's temple is situated over an Island inside the river Narmadaa. On the other side of Narmada is the temple of Lord Maamaleshwar. Lord Baeidyanath's temple, situated in Deoghar. One of the old Tapovana also exists near Deoghar. This book talks in detail of all these deities, the places around them and their spiritual and scriptural significance.

In this book the author has first investigated the concept of the devadasi as found in the cultural history of South India, especialy in Tamil Nadu. Hereafter the function and form of the devadasi tradition are examined within the Temple Ritual of Tamil Nadu. This is not the study of the fact of the devadasi tradition, but of its meaning and the mode of production of that meaning.

Invented History, Fabricated Power begins with an examination of prehistoric beliefs (in spirits, souls, mana, orenda) that provided personal explanation and power through ritual and shamanism among tribal peoples. On this foundation, spiritual power evolved into various kinds of divine sanction for kings and emperors (Sumerian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Indian, Chinese and Japanese). As kingships expanded into empires, fictional histories and millennia-long genealogies developed that portrayed imperial superiority and greatness. Supernatural events and miracles were attached to religious founders (Hebrew, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Islamic). A unique variation developed in the Roman Church which fabricated papal power through forgeries in the first millennium CE and the later “doctrine of discovery” which authorized European domination and conquest around the world during the Age of Exploration. Elaborate fabrications continued with epic histories and literary cycles from the Persians, Ethiopians, Franks, British, Portuguese, and Iroquois Indians. Both Marxists and Nazis created doctrinal texts which passed for economic or political explanations but were in fact self-aggrandizing narratives that eventually collapsed. The book ends with the idealistic goals of the current liberal democratic way of life, pointing to its limitations as a sustaining narrative, along with numerous problems threatening its viability over the long term.

India, bounded by the majestic Himalayan ranges in the North and edged by an endless stretch of golden beaches, is the land of hoary tradition and cultural diverse. Vivid kaleidoscope of landscapes, glorious historical sites and royal cities, misty mountain hideaways, colourful people, rich civilizations and festivities craft India Incredible. Recent years have witnessed the educational scene, especially the higher education sector in the State undergoing a sea change in respect of quality, diversity and accessibility in tune with the global trends. Kerala’s surge in the educational front is to be viewed in the backdrop of the country’s great legacy in education. India has been a major seat of learning for thousands of years. The country was home to Takshashila, the first university in the world and Aryabhama, the inventor of the digit Zero. In fact, education in Kerala has now become more value added and affordable, thanks to the pro-active initiatives of the State Government and active involvement of the private sector. Moreover, in the higher education market, Kerala has a significant edge in respect of cost which means that there would be growing influx of candidates into the state from outside the state for better and affordable professional education in the days to come. With the most sought after professionals and excellent network of institutes Kerala is becoming the very preferred educational destination in the world. And, we are equipped for you with some elucidations which step-up her significance in the educational map. In Campus Plus, we propose some valuable information along with a number of educational institutes in the State which will be useful for the students and parents in the higher education scenario.

India, bounded by the majestic Himalayan ranges in the North and edged by an endless stretch of golden beaches, is the land of hoary tradition and cultural diverse. Vivid kaleidoscope of landscapes, glorious historical sites and royal cities, misty mountain hideaways, colourful people, rich civilizations and festivities craft India Incredible. Recent years have witnessed the educational scene, especially the higher education sector in the State undergoing a sea change in respect of quality, diversity and accessibility in tune with the global trends. Kerala’s surge in the educational front is to be viewed in the backdrop of the country’s great legacy in education. India has been a major seat of learning for thousands of years. The country was home to Takshashila, the first university in the world and Aryabhama, the inventor of the digit Zero. In fact, education in Kerala has now become more value added and affordable, thanks to the pro-active initiatives of the State Government and active involvement of the private sector. Moreover, in the higher education market, Kerala has a significant edge in respect of cost which means that there would be growing influx of candidates into the state from outside the state for better and affordable professional education in the days to come. With the most sought after professionals and excellent network of institutes Kerala is becoming the very preferred educational destination in the world. And, we are equipped for you with some elucidations which step-up her significance in the educational map. In Campus Plus, we propose some valuable information along with a number of educational institutes in the State which will be useful for the students and parents in the higher education scenario.

Narasimha is one of the least studied major deities of Hinduism. Furthermore, there are limited studies of the history, thought, and literature of middle India. Lavanya Vemsani redresses this by exploring a range of primary sources, including classical Sanskrit texts (puranas and epics), and regional accounts (sthalapuranas), which include texts, artistic compositions, and oral folk stories in the regional languages of Telugu, Oriya, and Kannada. She also examines the historical context as well as contemporary practice. Moving beyond the stereotypical classifications applied to sources of Hinduism, this unique study dedicates chapters to each region of middle India bringing together literary, religious, and cultural practices to comprehensively understand the religion of Middle India (Madhya Desha). Incorporating lived religion and textual data, this book offers a rich contribution to Hindu studies and Indian studies in general, and Vaishnava Studies and regional Hinduism in particular.