Pratyabhijnahrdayam: The Secret of Self-Recognition

I knew what I was getting into before I bought this book, so I was not surprised to see Sanskrit throughout. There are literally sentences where every other word is Sanskrit, so be warned. My wife, who is not a language student, was boggled when she opened the book to check out what I was reading.I have a linguistic background and read German, French, and a little Latin, so I don't mind learning new source words in a fascinating language like Sanskrit. It gets me closer to the original and I can explore connotations not immediately obvious in English. In this respect, Singh absolutely excels. If you're a student of Sanskrit this book is a great learning tool in itself as you'll get original Sanskrit (which I do not read myself), the transliteration (which I tackle just for fun), and the translation for reference.In terms of content, this book is a great primer for Shaiva non-dualistic thought. It's maybe the best place to start, though it's hard to ignore the primary sources themselves because most of them are so short if we exclude the (much-needed) commentaries on the sutras.Why do I deduct one star? Well, beloved Singh has used most of the immediate page notes to bash a predecessor translator who obviously missed the mark as many early translation runs on classic texts do. I'm sure this was interesting for Singh to dissect at the time, but for a modern reader with no knowledge of the predecessor translator or his translations, I could not care less.Unfortunately, some of the immediate page notes actually are useful, so I have to weed out the near-continuous translator critique from the useful info. Meanwhile, at the back of the book there are copious notes of pure gold that would have been far more useful in place near the source text. (There are a few extensive explanations in the notes that could have served well in an appendix.)In the end, do these organizational nits matter? Not really. It's a minor irritation, but there is so much good stuff that Singh brings to the table I can overlook the translator shadow boxing. Also, Singh provides a proper index in both English and Sanskrit for the serious study this work deserves.If you're a student of Shaivism, Singh's translation is deservedly a seminal reference in English. I'll probably be reading and rereading this volume until it falls apart or I pass from this world.

When reading spiritual classics it is essential that the translator be a great swami or at least be a serious practicioner who has regular access to a great swami. The translator claims, and I believe him, that he had help and guidance of both his guru and Swami Laxmanjoo, the most famous modern luminary of his lineage. It is important that a spiritual system or way of looking at the entire creation be helpful, or at least a way to focus on the divine. This book delivers, though it is not necessary that all contents of the book be true. A great piece of music may have a story line that is part or all fiction, yet be true as far as getting you to experience what the composer was trying to convey. The original Pratyabhijnahrdayam was a masterpiece, the commentaries in this book are very helpful.This book is excellent because it offers some understanding. Ultimately the mind needs to be transcended, but it is easier to do so if you have some spiritual understanding first, and most spiritual traditions are quite limited compared to this one. Reading this book is a kind of spiritual practice, like yoga, chanting, or meditating. Beats shopping. Many people will not read this book because it takes more attention than reading for cheap entertainment. Spirituality is worth some effort. This book is one of the all-time greats. Every library should have one.Please buy a copy, loan it to a brainy friend who can get engrossed in spiritual teachings, you can be of service to others this way.

I got this as another translation of the Pratyabhijnahrdayam. I am most familiar with that of I.K. Taimni, the Secret of Self-Realization. This book is harder to read because of its organization. Most of the explanatory material is in endnotes at the back of the book, so you have to flip pages a lot. Humorously, in the footnotes, the author bashes a translation by a white guy who apparently got it all wrong. In the main text most explanation of each sutra is via translations of other Indian writings that pertain to the subject of each sutra. This is good for getting a broader view of the Indian literature. Compared to Taimni, Singh's work is more technical. He goes into more detail of a lot of the concepts in Kashmir Shavism, -that is to say, lists of technical terms- whereas Taimni tends to paint in broader brush strokes. To really grasp the material will require several readings and serious attempts to memorize the concepts. While one can see the similarity between Taimni's and Singh's interpretations, Singh's is clearly more technical. If you are interested in a comparative translation, or want a more detailed understanding of technical concepts in Kashmir Shavism, and also a broader introduction to this literature in general, then this is a fine book. If you are a complete beginner to the concepts, I would recommend Taimni's Secret of Self-realization first, it's a lot easier to understand.

Primo book to enhance philosophical notions of the divine.

This is not an easy text to read. It is very rewarding in focusing attention on spirituality. In addition, you would learn Sanskrit words for spiritual terms. Many of the words are not translated as there are not direct English equivalents. This text has helped me in explanations of metaphysics.

This extremely esoteric read belongs in the spiritual library of every true Seeker.I had to be ready to read this.. but once I was it became my keystone. It opened up all the other sacred texts.

And it is Good in the sense that it will uplift the sincere seeker of Self to the Realization of their own true nature. Bhairav.

if it is this book you need to know about it is fantasticly interesting.However I am studying this with a Professor at LMU in Los Angeles. Shaivism is the oldest philosophy it says and I find it brilliantly written as well.It is sad so few people know or study these books.I am not a computer lover so I do not want to read any responses etc.thanks

Uma das melhores introduções a tradição filosófica tantrica

On the first opening pages fell out. Really very poor and unacceptable for a €30 book. The photos of my review aren't so clear, but you can see the binding is just awful.

Again, another excellent rendition by Jaideva Singh to complement his Kashmir Shaivism series. There are at least two other versions that have been available by my knowledge, but this is by far the most authoritative and accessible.

Great

This contains the essence of all the scriptures. Must for all those who strive to know about self.