Eastern

One of the most distinguished Orientalists of the last century, Daniélou explores the significance of the most prominent Hindu deities as they are envisioned by the Hindus themselves. Hinduism recognizes for each age and each country a new form of revelation, and also for each person.

Celebrating the masculine symbol of creative energy in the religious traditions of East and West, Daniélou surveys its expression through the phallic Neolithic amulets, obelisks and the ithyphallic pharaohs, mukha lingams of India, and European standing stones. Considered also are diverse mythologies of the Celts (Cernunnos, the Horned God, Greek [Pan, Hermes, Priapus] and Hindus [Ardhanarishhvara, the androgyne]). Manifestation of the creator, a source of bliss and transcendence, Daniélou argues, the phallus must assume this symbolic role again, if the link to the divine is not to be sundered.

Exploring the relationship between Shaivism and the West, Daniélou—who lived in India for 15 years, using only Sanskrit and Hindi and studying music and philosophy with eminent scholars—provides an extensive examination of the chief tenets underlying Shaivsim and how they relate and bridge the gap between science and religion.