Dictionaries Tantrashastra

SR No.: 020799
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ramkumar Rai
Publisher: Prachya Prakashan
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 180
Language: Hindi, English
Classification: Book_Devnagari
File Size: 45 MB

Page 6

Preface
It was customary with Ācāryas of the past to make excerpts from Tantras of such portions as might be of general importance and current use. The various Mantrābhidhānas and Nighaņķus are such excerpts which were originally parts of bigger Tāntrika works. Besides, there are certain other works of Dictionary class which were written exclusively to facillitate deciphering of the Mantras which are usually given in the Texts in a covert form.
Most of these Koşas are, however, either lost or not available. Long back Sir John Woodroffe collected and published them, but only in their Textual form. His edition also is not available, although its necessity was always being felt. Therefore, when the Publishers proposed to bring it out not only in its original form but with an English translation, I readily agreed to it although fully conscious of my limitations.
The works of Dictionary class included in the present collection can be placed under different categories. The Prakārāntara Mantribhidhāna is reputed to be a part of the Rudrayāmala Tantra. The Mätskānighanțu and the Bījanighantu by Bhairava are Dictionaries of the single vowels and consonants of Devanāgarī alphabet. The Ekāksara-kosa and Dvayākşara-koşa are also of similar character. The Ekākşara-koşa gives the meanings of one lettered words and Dvayākşara-koşa of two-lettered words. Both are ancient Dictionaries, but differ from Måtskānighantu and Bījanighantu in as much as the Ekākşara and Dvayākṣara state the general literary meaning of the words. While the latter give their technical meaning according to Tantras. Thus, whereas the letter Ka (**) in its general sense means 'water', in special or technical sense in the Sāstras denotes Krodhīsa who is one of the Bhairavas.
The Bījanighanțu, Mātrkānighanțu, and Mudrānighantu are divisions of Mantra-koşa.