{"product_id":"yoga-bhoga-and-ardhanariswara-hardback","title":"Yoga, Bhoga and Ardhanariswara - Hardback","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis book offers a social–scientific interpretation of the Hindu and Buddhist traditions of Tantra dating back 15 centuries. It is a self-reflexive study approached with an insider’s empathy and the perspective of an Indologist, anthropologist, mystic and practitioner of the cult. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe work includes a discussion of non-modern Indic themes: mandala as a trope and its manifestations in South Asian regions such as Nepal; yoga and Indic individuality; the concept of bhoga; disciplined wellbeing; gender; and Indic axiology. Using personal praxis to inform his research, the author examines three core themes within Tantra — a ‘holonic’\/\u003cem\u003emandalic\u003c\/em\u003e individuality that conduces to mystical experience; a positive valorisation of pleasure and play; and cultural attitudes of gender-mutuality and complementarity, as neatly encapsulated in the icon of Shiva as Ardhanariswara. This analysis, as captured by the Tantric \u003cem\u003emandalas\u003c\/em\u003e of deities in intimate union, leads to his compelling metathesis that Tantra serves as a permanent counterculture within the Indic civilization. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis second edition, with a new Afterword, will greatly interest those in anthropology, South Asian studies, religious studies, gender studies, psychology and philosophy, as also the general reader. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Taylor \u0026 Francis","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45548010537198,"sku":"9780815380214","price":244.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0630\/9612\/7726\/files\/9780815380214.jpg?v=1720258411","url":"https:\/\/bookland.com.au\/products\/yoga-bhoga-and-ardhanariswara-hardback","provider":"Book Land AU","version":"1.0","type":"link"}