The Theosophical Library

Filters

Filter by Year

[Note: Use the sliders from both ends to define your date range]

Filter by Exact Date

[Notes: Articles published in monthly magazines are dated on the 1st of the month. Books where the exact date of publication are unknown, are dated as Dec, 31st, of the year they were published.]

Filter by Authors

Search for an Author

Select an Author

Filter by Co-Authors/Collaborators

[Note: first select the main author, then this will show co-authors, collaborators, compilers, etc.]

Filter by Recipients

[Note: this applies to recipients of letters and other correspondence.]

Filter by Source

Filter by Content Type

Filter by Keywords

Other Filters

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

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 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

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

Research: On the Etymology of Senzar

Research Paper/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, October, 2020 [Last Updated: January 8, 2021]

Senzar in the Writings of Blavatsky (In Chronological Order) Yes, the letter-tree of Tibet is a fact; and moreover, the… Read More »Research: On the Etymology of Senzar

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 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 Moral Law of Compensation

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Theosophist, October, 1881

“For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field; and the beasts of the field shall be… Read More »The Moral Law of Compensation

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 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]

Theosophy in Daily Life

Article/Lecture/ by Robert Crosbie, Theosophy Magazine, May, 1921 [Posthumously Published]

Many people think that religion means a preparation for death or the states of the future. Religion really means a… Read More »Theosophy in Daily Life

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 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

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?

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

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

The Doctrine of the Bhagavad Gita

Book/Commentary/ by Bhavani Shankar, 1928 [1st Edition]

Contents The Doctrine of the Bhagavad-Gita Kshetra and Kshetrajna Mulaprakriti, Daiviprakriti and Ishwara Worship Me with All Bhavas Glossary The… Read More »The Doctrine of the Bhagavad Gita

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

Much Reading, Little Thought

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

The wise man sagely said that of making books there is no end. If true in his day, it is… Read More »Much Reading, Little Thought

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

Charles Johnston

Editorial/ by Henry Bedinger Mitchell, Theosophical Quarterly, January, 1932

Charles Johnston died on Friday, October 16th [1932], at about twenty minutes past three in the afternoon. His death was… Read More »Charles Johnston

Echoes from the Orient

Book/ by W. Q. Judge, September, 1890

ECHOES FROM THE ORIENT A BROAD OUTLINE OF THEOSOPHICAL DOCTRINES BY W. Q. JUDGE dedicated to Helena Petrovna Blavatsky with… Read More »Echoes from the Orient

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 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

Proclus, Commentary on the Timaeus of Plato

Translation/ by Thomas Taylor, 1820

Introduction Of that golden chain of philosophers, who, having themselves happily penetrated, luminously unfolded to others the profundities of the… Read More »Proclus, Commentary on the Timaeus of Plato

Conversations on Occultism [1st Series]

Article/ by W. Q. Judge with H. P. Blavatsky, , The Path, April-October, 1888 [Serialized]

The Kali Yuga—The Present Age Student.—I am very much puzzled about the present age. Some theosophists seem to abhor it… Read More »Conversations on Occultism [1st Series]

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 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

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

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

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)

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

A Bewitched Life [1st Ed.]

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 [1st Ed.]

Marinus’s Life of Proclus, or “Concerning Felicity”

Translation/ by Thomas Taylor, 1792 [Drawn from The Philosophical and Mathematical Commentaries of Proclus on the First Book of Euclid’s Elements etc.]

[Introduction] Marinus, the author of the ensuing life, was the disciple of Proclus, and his successor in the Athenian school.… Read More »Marinus’s Life of Proclus, or “Concerning Felicity”

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

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

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

A Dissertation on the Life and Theology of Orpheus

Article/ by Thomas Taylor, 1787 [From the introduction to the Hymns of Orpheus, 1st Edition]

Section I The great obscurity and uncertainty in which the history of Orpheus is involved, affords very little matter for… Read More »A Dissertation on the Life and Theology of Orpheus

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

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

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

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 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”

Tao Te Ching: A New Translation (in progress)

Translation/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, June, 2016 [Last Updated: July 2, 2025]

Tao-teh-king (Chin.). Lit., “The Book of the Perfectibility of Nature” written by the great philosopher Lao-tze. It is a kind… Read More »Tao Te Ching: A New Translation (in progress)

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

Proclus, On the Theology of Plato

Translation/ by Thomas Taylor, Proclus: On the Theology of Plato, 1816

Book I. Chapter I. O Pericles, to me the dearest of friends, I am of opinion that the whole philosophy… Read More »Proclus, On the Theology of Plato

The Buddha’s Life

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), February, 1903

We first heard of Buddhism, it may almost be said, through the works of Brian Houghton Hodgson, and his explorations… Read More »The Buddha’s Life

Traces of India in Ancient Egypt

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Lucifer Magazine, September, 1889

“Who is the God to whom we shall offer worship? He whose shadow is Immortality!”—Rig Veda. “The Egyptians are the… Read More »Traces of India in Ancient Egypt

The Theosophical Library

Filters

Filter by Exact Date

Search for an Author

Select an Author

Filter by Co-Authors/Collaborators

Filter by Recipients

Featured Content

Collected Writings

Authors

Publications

Browse by Keyword