The Theosophical Library

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Animated Statues

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, November, 1886

To whatsoever cause it may be due matters little, but the word fetich is given in the dictionaries the restricted… Read More »Animated Statues

A Few Questions to “Hiraf ”

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Spiritual Scientist, July 15-22, 1875 [Serialized]

Among the numerous sciences pursued by the well-disciplined army of earnest students of the present century, none has had less… Read More »A Few Questions to “Hiraf ”

The Science of Magic

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Spiritual Scientist, October, 1875

Happening to be on a visit to Ithaca, where spiritual papers in general, and the Banner of Light in particular, are very… Read More »The Science of Magic

The Heritage of the Brahmans

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, January, 1894

It is said that long ago, in the childhood of the world, the senses were so fine that we could… Read More »The Heritage of the Brahmans

The Mahatmas as Ideals and Facts

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1893

A visitor from one of the other planets of the solar system who might learn the term Mahatma after arriving… Read More »The Mahatmas as Ideals and Facts

A Buddhist Doctrine

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, September, 1888

There are twelve principal Buddhist sects in Japan. These are: Ku-Sha-Shiu, Jo-Jitsu-Shiu, Ris-Shiu, Ho-so-Shiu, San Ron-Shiu, Ke-Gon-Shiu, Ten-Dai-Shiu, Shin-Gon-Shiu, Jo-Do-Shiu,… Read More »A Buddhist Doctrine

Apollonius Tyaneus and Simon Magus

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, June, 1881

In the “History of the Christian Religion to the year two hundred,” by Charles B. Waite, A.M., announced and reviewed… Read More »Apollonius Tyaneus and Simon Magus

The Tree of Life

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), June, 1899

“Rooted above, with branches downwards, stands the immemorial Tree of Life. This, verily, is called the Shining, the Eternal, the… Read More »The Tree of Life

The History of a Planet

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, September, 1887

No star, among the countless myriads that twinkle over the sidereal fields of the night sky, shines so dazzlingly as… Read More »The History of a Planet

On “The Good” and “The One” of Plato

Note(s)/ by Thomas Taylor, 1804 [From an extensive note in Taylor’s translation of The Republic]

The good, which is here celebrated by Socrates as that which reigns in the intelligible place, is neither the same… Read More »On “The Good” and “The One” of Plato

Buddha: The Life of Siddhartha Gautama

eBook Format (Kindle) Contents INTRODUCTION SETTING THE STAGE THE BIRTH STORY CHILDHOOD RENUNCIATION IN THE FOREST TEMPTATIONS, ASCETICISM AND VICTORY… Read More »Buddha: The Life of Siddhartha Gautama

The Bhagavad-Gita [Notes, Chapters 8-18]

Article/Commentary/ by Robert Crosbie, Theosophy Magazine, July, 1915; May-December, 1916; January-February, 1917 [Serialized]

[Note: the following was meant by Mr. Crosbie to be a continuation of the Notes on Chapters 1-7 by W.… Read More »The Bhagavad-Gita [Notes, Chapters 8-18]

Tattvasamasa

Translation/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, July, 2015 [Last Updated: May 27, 2021]

Introduction: “On the Tattvasamāsa and its place in Sāṃkhya,” by Prof. Max Müller SANSKRIT TRANSLITERATION (IAST) TRANSLATION 1. aṣṭau prakṛtayaḥ… Read More »Tattvasamasa

Occultism: What is it?

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, May, 1890

Not only in the Theosophical Society, but out of it, are tyros in Occultism. They are dabblers in a fine… Read More »Occultism: What is it?

The Septenary Principle in Esotericism

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, July, 1883

Since the exposition of the Arhat esoteric doctrine was begun, many who had not acquainted themselves with the occult basis… Read More »The Septenary Principle in Esotericism

The Dual Aspect of Wisdom

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, September, 1890

“No doubt but ye are the people and wisdom shall die with you.”—JOB xii. 2. “But wisdom is justified of… Read More »The Dual Aspect of Wisdom

A Bewitched Life

Story/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, August-September, 1885 [Serialized]

[Note: the following is a verbatim reproduction of the story as it first appeared in The Theosophist. For the enlarged, posthumous… Read More »A Bewitched Life

Uncomfortable Brothers

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Irish Theosophist, July, 1895

“To freedom you are called, Brothers!—only that your freedom be not a pretext for the flesh. But serve each other… Read More »Uncomfortable Brothers

Sāṃkhya Kārikā

Translation/ by Har Dutt Sharma, 1933 [Scanned PDF]

Salutations to that Kapila who, feeling compassion on the world sinking in the ocean of ignorance, constructed a boat in… Read More »Sāṃkhya Kārikā

A Hundred Years Ago

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophy, January-February, 1897 [Serialized]

I. Here is a curious old book, duskily venerable in paper and binding outworn in the fashion of the German,… Read More »A Hundred Years Ago

The Arya Samaj

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, New York Echo, June, 1878

Madame Blavatsky Narrates the History of the Brahmo-Samaj and the Ârya-Samâj.—The Conflict of Faiths in India.—Why the Theosophists Now Receive… Read More »The Arya Samaj

Vivekachudamani (Crest Jewel of Wisdom)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, July, October, 1923; January, April, July, October, 1924 [Serialized]

[Translation] Invocation To Him I make obeisance, who is the end of all wisdom, the goal of all attainment, the… Read More »Vivekachudamani (Crest Jewel of Wisdom)

Olympiodorus’s Life of Plato

Translation/ by Thomas Taylor, The Works of Plato, 1804

[p. 1] Let us now speak of the race of the philosopher, not for the sake of relating many particulars… Read More »Olympiodorus’s Life of Plato

The Chain of Causation

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, 1927

It is the custom of Orientalists to speak of Buddhism as a religion, and a very beautiful and intuitional book… Read More »The Chain of Causation

Katha Upanishad (In the House of Death)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, July, October, 1921; January, April, 1922 [Serialized]

Seeking for favour, verily, Vajashravasa made a sacrifice of all his possessions. He had a son, named Nachiketas. Him, being… Read More »Katha Upanishad (In the House of Death)

Lao Tzu

Article/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, February, 2013

Lao Tzu (or Laozi), an honorific title meaning “Old Sage” or “Ancient Master,” is the name used to indicate the… Read More »Lao Tzu

“Esoteric Buddhism” and the “Secret Doctrine”

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky with A. P. Sinnett, , Lucifer Magazine, November, 1888

Letter by A. P. Sinnett | Notes and Closing Remark by H. P. B. In reference to various remarks concerning “Esoteric Buddhism” which… Read More »“Esoteric Buddhism” and the “Secret Doctrine”

The Abstract Algebraical Formula

Article/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, November, 2015

The history of cosmic evolution, as traced in the Stanzas [of Dzyan], is, so to say, the abstract algebraical formula… Read More »The Abstract Algebraical Formula

The Cycle Moveth

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, March, 1890

Let the great world spin for ever down the ringing grooves of change.—TENNYSON The goal of yesterday will be the… Read More »The Cycle Moveth

A Memory of Madame Blavatsky

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Lucifer Magazine, June, 1891

The first and earliest impression I received from Madame Blavatsky was the feeling of the power and largeness of her… Read More »A Memory of Madame Blavatsky

“The Collapse of Koot Hoomi”

Interview/ with H. P. Blavatsky, Pall Mall Gazette, October, 1884

[Note: for background, see “[On the Coulomb Forged Letters]”] Madame Blavatsky leaves London for India today (Friday). Last night she… Read More »“The Collapse of Koot Hoomi”

Masons and Jesuits

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April, 1882

Our Masonic readers, of whom very respectable numbers are scattered throughout India, ought to be on the lookout for recent… Read More »Masons and Jesuits

The Esoteric Character of the Gospels

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, November, December, 1887; February, 1888 [Serialized]

Part I “. . . . Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of… Read More »The Esoteric Character of the Gospels

The Sevenfold Division

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, April, 1890

MR. Sinnett’s book Esoteric Buddhism has done a great deal towards bringing before the West the Eastern philosophy regarding man… Read More »The Sevenfold Division

[Review:] Qabbalah, The Philosophical Writings of Solomon Ben Yehudah Ibn Gebirol (or Avicebron)

Review/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, February, 1889

Such is the title1 of an admirably thoughtful, learned, and very conscientious volume (for full title vide infra note), by… Read More »[Review:] Qabbalah, The Philosophical Writings of Solomon Ben Yehudah Ibn Gebirol (or Avicebron)

The Skin of the Earth

Story/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, October, 1889

The cold materialism of the 19th century paralyzes sentiment and kills mysticism. Thus it commits a double crime, in robbing… Read More »The Skin of the Earth

Exploring Isis Unveiled

Article/ by Mark Casady, Theosophy Nexus, October, 2016 to November, 2017 [Serialized] [Draft]

Volume 1 Part 1: Do flying guitars unconsciously cerebrate? Blavatsky’s Isis Unveiled was tremendously well-received at the time, an instant… Read More »Exploring Isis Unveiled

The Seven Dwipas

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Path, April, 1889

I. It is the opinion of many at the present day that the almost grotesque myths and fantastic geographical and… Read More »The Seven Dwipas

Theosophy (Lecture)

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1923

It may be asked how the single word, Theosophy, can stand as the title of a lecture. It is because… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)

Occult Knowledge

Article/Lecture/ by Robert Crosbie, Theosophy Magazine, August, 1922 [Posthumously Published]

Occult Knowledge means knowledge which is “hidden,” but it also means knowledge which is known. If it is knowledge that… Read More »Occult Knowledge

Milk for Babes and Strong Meat for Men

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April, 1882

When the great poet and writer, Coleridge, tried to establish his Watchman—a periodical in prose and verse, intended to advocate… Read More »Milk for Babes and Strong Meat for Men

The Devil’s Own: Thoughts on Ormuzd and Ahriman

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, March, 1891

“Hail, holy light, offspring of Heaven first-born. Or of the Eternal co-eternal beam. . . . . . . Since God is light Bright effluence… Read More »The Devil’s Own: Thoughts on Ormuzd and Ahriman

The Origin of Evil

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, October, 1887

The problem of the origin of evil can be philosophically approached only if the archaic Indian formula is taken as… Read More »The Origin of Evil

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1909; January, April, October, 1910; January, April, July, October, 1911 [Serialized] [Published as a Book, First Edition, 1912; Revised Edition, 1917. Audiobook version]

[Note: The following is Johnston’s second, revised edition of the Yoga Sutras (1917), which is updated from the initial serialization… Read More »Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Thoughts on Karma

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, August, 1892

Every day in life we see people overtaken by circumstances either good or bad and coming in blocks all at… Read More »Thoughts on Karma

Chhandogya Upanishad

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, October, 1925; January, April, July, October, 1926; July, October, 1928; January, April, July, October, 1929 [Serialized]

Part I, Sections 1-6 [Introduction] The Powers of the Logos The great Upanishads were compiled as Instructions for disciples preparing… Read More »Chhandogya Upanishad

Atmanatmaviveka (Discrimination of Spirit and Not-Spirit)

Translation/ by Mohini M. Chatterji, The Theosophist, November, 1882 & December, 1883 [Serialized] [Reprinted in Five Years of Theosophy, 1885]

Introductory Note An apology is scarcely needed for undertaking a translation of Sankara Acharya’s celebrated Synopsis of Vedantism entitled “Atmanatma… Read More »Atmanatmaviveka (Discrimination of Spirit and Not-Spirit)

The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac

Article/ by T. Subba Row with H. P. Blavatsky, , The Theosophist, November, 1881

The division of the Zodiac into different signs dates from immemorial antiquity. It has acquired a world-wide celebrity and is… Read More »The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac

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