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Ornament of Reality: Language Ideology in a Tantric Śākta Text

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Catalogue identifier
kali-0073
Alternate titles and import identifiers
KALI-0073; doi:10.3390/rel14040456
Author or attribution
Stephenson, Jackson Barkley
Record type
Article
Language
English
Date / edition
2023/4
Source / repository
Religions
Access
Open access
Subjects
Kali Library Research Catalogue; Academic Research and Peer-Reviewed Articles; Tantras and Esoteric Literature

Description and curator notes

Reassesses the language and religious setting of Śitikaṇṭha’s Mahānayaprakāśa, a text associated with the Krama tradition. Stephenson argues that its verses should be recognized as Apabhraṃśa and studied alongside related Buddhist esoteric verse rather than being separated as evidence of early Kashmiri. The article includes a translation of the fourth chapter, where the body becomes the sacred destination and ritual space of tantric practice. It is valuable for Kali-related Krama philosophy, embodied sacred geography, and the movement of language across tantric traditions. The translated chapter is complete within the article; this is not a translation of the entire Mahānayaprakāśa.

KALI-0073 — Kali Library Research Catalogue.
Access and reliability assessments below are supplied by the curator's 4–5 November 2026 research release, not a new independent verification.

Author / attribution: Stephenson, Jackson Barkley
Publication: Religions · 2023/4
Religions 14(4), 456
Format / language: Journal article · English
Identifier: doi:10.3390/rel14040456
Kali relevance: Direct discussion of the Kali-centered Krama and a relevant Śākta text.
Context: Kashmir Śaivism; Krama; Apabhraṃśa and Sanskrit; includes chapter translation.
Subjects: Academic Research and Peer-Reviewed Articles; Tantras and Esoteric Literature
Evidence / reliability: Peer-reviewed scholarly journal
Access / rights: Complete text checked 2026-11-04. CC BY 4.0 as stated on publisher page; attribution required.

Source and alternate access links:
Read complete text: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/4/456

Source access

Read or locate the original source at Religions

Rights and reading conditions

Complete text checked 2026-11-04. CC BY 4.0 as stated on publisher page; attribution required. This library links to the source and does not reproduce its full text.

Citation

Stephenson, Jackson Barkley. Ornament of Reality: Language Ideology in a Tantric Śākta Text. Religions · 2023/4.

This page supplies catalogue metadata and links. It does not reproduce the underlying source text. Historical, religious, healing and interpretive claims belong to the cited sources, not to an independent verification by this catalogue.