Tantra Granthamala No. 11. Vamakesvarimatam.
Varanasi: Prachya Prakashan, 1986. First English language edition. Hardcover. Octavo. Eccentrically paginated [approximately 78pp]. Plain red cloth binding. SANSKRIT text with ENGLISH translation. The first English language translation of Vamakesvarimatam, one of the major works of the Sri Vidya tantric system. This copy from the library of British artist, writer and musician DAVID TIBET (founder of the music group Current 93) with his contemporary OWNERSHIP SIGNATURE on the first blank.
From the publisher: "This is the first translation into English of Vamakesvarimatam, on of the most authoritative and oft-quoted manuals of Sri Vidya, and one, furthermore, with decidedly a Kaula slant. This Tantra is said to consist of two parts- that published here consisting of five patalas - and a second part known as Yogini Hrdaya which has three Patalas. However, it has been common practice for both parts to be treated separately and the Translator has followed this custom. It has been claimed that this Tantra is the 65th independent Tantra referred to in the famous "Saundaryalahari" (Verse 31). Because of its emphasis on Antaryaga, or internal worship, the Vamakesvara is thought of very highly.
In common with many other Tantras, Vamakesvara is also hard to understand owing to its use of codings and language meant only for the initiates. The detailed understanding of these codings depend on Oral instruction, for initiates only, and Mr. Magee being one such, has very successfully decoded the hidden meaning and made them clear in his Translation. Vamakesvara Tantra is noteworthy for its fine style and content. Therefore its English Translation has made it accessible to the English speaking community for the first time.
The translator, Michael Magee (b. 1949) is a journalist and writer, who is most widely known as a former editor of Sothis magazine, and more recently for his books on tantra and translations of tantric texts. In 1978, he travelled to India and met Dadaji: Shri Paramahamsha Mahendranath (born Lawrence Amos Miles: 1911-1991), was an Englishman who is said to have had a youthful acquaintance with Aleister Crowley and who in later life embraced Indic religion and Tantrism, becoming a guru of the northern Indian Uttarakaula Tantric Order having received initiation under Shri Pagala Baba of Ranchi, Bihar. Magee was given instruction and initiation into the Order by Dadaji, and took the tantrik name of Lokanath. He was also given a charter to teach and form his own group, which he did back in England, where in 1982 he founded "Arcane Magical Order of the Knights of Shambhala (AMOOKOS). Magee began his study of Sanskrit in 1976, and since has devoted much of his time to the study of the language and the translation of tantric texts
The book has the typical rather shoddy South Asian book production quality of the time. Front free endpaper splitting at gutter, otherwise just light shelfwear. A solid, clean VG copy in mylar protected VG dust jacket (jacket a little rubbed, more heavily so at the edges). Quite scarce in this edition. Item #68456
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