an immense Śrīcakra (see Figure 2) arises from the great sacrificial fire. The astounded devas watch as this Cakrarāja Ratha grows out of the pit that had consumed so many of their comrades. Ratha is chariot; Cakrarāja is the King of Cakras. It simultaneously emits the brilliance of a million suns and the cooling effect of a million moons. Seated

It is particularly auspicious to chant the LSN on one’s birthday, initiation day, Fridays, full moon days, and other days as instructed by the guru. There is no prescribed auspicious time, and it can be chanted any time during the day or night. However, it does caution against chanting it in a hurry or rushing through it for the sake of getting it

The best-known English translation of Bhāskararāya’s commentary is by R. Ananthakrishna Sastry via the Adyar Library and Research Centre, Madras (first edition 1899, last edition 2010).

Hādividya was precepted by Lopāmudrā, Agastya’s illustrious wife. The Yoginīhṛdaya and the Khadgamāla Stotra are examples of Hādividya texts.

The devas hold a meeting and decide that the best course of action would be to restore Kāma, the primary force of creation and Bhaṇḍāsura’s original form. Bhaṇḍāsura gets wind of this plan and decides to render all the devas impotent by drying up their rasa (see Chapter 12). Bhaṇḍāsura and his army assume the form of wind and enter the minds of the

With this book comes access to audio files of the Sanskrit texts contained herein. Look for them on the New Sarum Press website.

This fundamental, universal sense of lack is known as āṇava mala. The word mala means impurity, and āṇava finds its root in the word aṇu, which means an atom or a miniscule entity. We feel small, unimportant and not good enough even when we are well-accomplished by common standards. It may not seem like it, but inflated egos and superiority

Ritual worship is certainly an integral part of Śrīvidyā, but the word worship also refers to the many ways in which we pay attention to Devī’s presence. Examples include chanting the LSN, mantra japa (systematic repetition), meditation, reading relevant books and texts, discussions with other sādhakas, sacred art (such as drawing or constructing a

One of the remarkable features of the LSN is that a variety of meanings can be gleaned from each nāma depending on how we approach it. These meanings may not be evident immediately, but reveal themselves over time, with ongoing practice and bhāvanā