The Advaitika and Tāntrika Philosophy of Śaṅkara

Śaṅkara is well known for his Advaitika philosophy expounded through his commentaries on the Brahma-sūtra Upaniṣads and the Bhagavadgītā. However his independent works on Tāntrika philosophy are not commonly acknowledged and appreciated. This book seeks to analyze and understand the metaphysical and conceptual framework and nuances of his Tāntrika philosophy especially with reference to his Saundarya-laharī. Apart from this it also examines the compatibility of this Tāntrika framework with the Advaitika framework as elaborated by Śaṅkara and Gauḍapāda. The course of this enunciation and examination also presents a lucid discussion of the Śrī-vidyā tradition of Tantra as well as the significance of devotion (bhakti) in Śaṅkaras philosophy. It is a must read for understanding Śaṅkaras philosophy holistically.