Illness and Immortality

Preface Introduction A. Summary B. Importance of Study Chapter One: Mantra I. Om Jum Sah: decoding the mantra A. Overview of Tantric mantras B. Encoding the mantra: NT 2.17-33 II. Language, the Body, and Mantra A. The Nature of Mantra B. Mantric Physicality: Siva, anu, and consciousness, NT 21.1-19 C. The Mrtyuñjaya Mantra: Exposition on the components of om jum sah NT 22.5-18 Chapter Two: Iconography I. Iconography: the various forms of Ametesa A. Visual representations in art history B. The mythology of Siva II. Mrtyujit in literature A. Worshipping Amrtesa B. Deities in the Netra Tantra Chapter Three: Mandalas I. Mandala: locating the divine in the physical world II. Conclusion Chapter Four: Diksa I. Creating the Tantric Identity II. Caste: initiation and purity III. Purity and Interpretation: auspicious and inauspicious in the Svacchanda Tantra Chapter Five: Nirajana I. Diksa: building a new identity through initiation A. Transgression: the benefits of breaking the rules II. Religion of Monarchs A. Kings, Poets and Patronage B. Protecting the King: Netra Tantra 19.84-133 C. Private nirajana: Netra Tantra 15.1-19a III. Conclusion Chapter Six: Yoga I. Conquering Death Through Ritual A. Impurities, Kapalikas, and Exorcism B. Vanquishing Death: mrtyu vañcana II. Sthula Yoga A. Maintaining the Physical Body B. Easing the Pain of Death and Disease C. Mandalas of Protection D. Mantra and Color III. Visualizing Amrta: Svacchanda Tantra 7.207-225 IV. Conclusion Conclusion