The Theosophical Library

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Amritanada Upanishad

Translation/ by K. Narayanaswami Aiyer, Thirty Minor Upanishads, 1914

[Amṛtanāda-Upanishad]1 The wise, having studied the Śāstras and reflected on them again and again and having come to know Brahman,… Read More »Amritanada Upanishad

The Six Paramitas (Perfections)

Article/ by Mark Casady, Theosophy Nexus, July-November, 2014 [Serialized]

HPB gives them as: 1. DANA, the key of charity and love immortal. 2. SHILA, the key of Harmony in… Read More »The Six Paramitas (Perfections)

[Note to “Practical Work for Theosophists”]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April, 1884

Letter by Raj Coomar Roy | Note by H.P.B. The objects of the Theosophical Society are very laudable, and if… Read More »[Note to “Practical Work for Theosophists”]

Was Cagliostro A “Charlatan”?

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

To send the injured unredressed away, How great soe’er the offender, and the wrong’d Howe’er obscure, is wicked, weak and… Read More »Was Cagliostro A “Charlatan”?

“Children of Light”: A Commentary

Article/ by Kristan Stratos, Theosophy Nexus, July, 2015

This present blog might be seen as an extension of a topic previously posted, “The Voice (of Conscience) and the… Read More »“Children of Light”: A Commentary

The Vedanta Philosophy and the Doctrine of Maya

Article/ by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, International Journal of Ethics, July, 1914

The doctrine of Maya is considered by many thinkers, both in the East and the West, to be an integral… Read More »The Vedanta Philosophy and the Doctrine of Maya

The Most Ancient of Christian Orders

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April, 1881

Bent upon searching for the origin of all things, the etymology of names included, and giving every religious and philosophical… Read More »The Most Ancient of Christian Orders

The Ancient Druids

Article/ by Rev. W. Williams, Universal Brotherhood Magazine, May, June & November 1898 [Serialized]

I Their History and Religion The Science of Comparative Religion originating out of the philosophic spirit of the age, has… Read More »The Ancient Druids

Vajrasuchi Upanishad

Translation/ by K. Narayanaswami Aiyer, Thirty Minor Upanishads, 1914

[Vajrasūchi Upanishad]1 I now proceed to declare the vajrasūchi—the weapon that is the destroyer of ignorance—which condemns the ignorant and… Read More »Vajrasuchi Upanishad

Answers to Correspondents—Mr. “Joseph Wallace”

Editorial/ by Mahatma M., The Theosophist, March, 1882 [see “Mahatma Letter No. 48” where M. states that the following was authored by him.]

No names—but one—having been mentioned in the article “Western ‘Adept’ and Eastern Theosophists;” and positively not one word of an… Read More »Answers to Correspondents—Mr. “Joseph Wallace”

Our Second Year

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, August, 1880

Like all other pleasant things, our first year’s relations with The THEOSOPHIST’S subscribers are about to terminate. The present is… Read More »Our Second Year

The Enquirer

Q & A/ by W. Q. Judge, The Vahan, June & August, 1891; January, May-June & August, 1892 [Serialized]

[Jun 15, 1891] Query—Is it well to talk about Occultism to the ordinary enquirer into Theosophy? W.Q.J.—It is better not… Read More »The Enquirer

[An Appeal to Honest and Honorable Foes]

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Epiphany, December, 1883

Letter to the Editor by H.P.B. [Note: for background, see “The Saracens of Theosophy and the Madras Crusaders”] Dear Sir,… Read More »[An Appeal to Honest and Honorable Foes]

Subala Upanishad

Translation/ by K. Narayanaswami Aiyer, Thirty Minor Upanishads, 1914

Khanda I Then he (Raikva1) asked: “What was at first?” To which (He the Lord) replied: “There was neither Sat2… Read More »Subala Upanishad

Heralds from the Unseen

Article/ by Julia Keightley, The Path, March-April 1887 [Serialized]

Part I “Behold, I show you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.”—I Cor.… Read More »Heralds from the Unseen

Sankaracharaya, Philosopher and Mystic

Article/ by Kashinath Trimbak Telang, The Theosophist, December, 1879; January & May, 1880 [Serialized]

At the request of Col. Olcott I have permitted the following paper to be published with materials collected by me… Read More »Sankaracharaya, Philosopher and Mystic

H. P. B.

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1931

When I first met H. P. B. in the spring of 1887, she was already an old and valued friend. I had… Read More »H. P. B.

The Poetry of Reincarnation in Western Literature

Article/ by Edward Dwight Walker, The Path, July-October, 1887 [Serialized]

The poets are the seers of the race. Their best work comes from the intuitional heights where they dwell, conveying… Read More »The Poetry of Reincarnation in Western Literature

Civilization and Religion of Egypt

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, May, 1927

When broke the dawn of that civilization in Egypt whose wondrous perfection is suggested by the fragments supplied to us… Read More »Civilization and Religion of Egypt

William Quan Judge

Article/ by Anon., Hermes Magazine, December, 1976

The logic of discipleship is implicit in the fundamental law of cosmogenesis and cosmic evolution—the law of sacrifice. The disciple… Read More »William Quan Judge

Sarvasara Upanishad

Translation/ by K. Narayanaswami Aiyer, Thirty Minor Upanishads, 1914

[Sarvasāra]1 [In the text, all the questions are given first and then the answers follow. But the following arrangement is… Read More »Sarvasara Upanishad

Philosophy of the Yogācāra

Article/ by D. T. Suzuki, Le Muséon: Revue d'Études Orientales, 1904

The Indian Mahāyāna Buddhism, as far as it is known in China and Tibet, divides itself into two great schools,… Read More »Philosophy of the Yogācāra

Appendix to “Devachan”

Article/ by Mahatma K. H. with Anon, , The Theosophist, March, 1883 [for evidence of authorship, see Mahatma Letter No. 104]

[For the article to which this is an appendix, see “Fragments of Occult Truth,” No. 6] Appendix A It may… Read More »Appendix to “Devachan”

“The Claims of Occultism”

Editorial/Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, September, 1881

This is the heading of an article I find in a London publication, a new weekly called Light, and described… Read More »“The Claims of Occultism”

Kosmic Mind

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

Whatsoever quits the Laya (homogeneous) state, becomes active conscious life. Individual consciousness emanates from, and returns into Absolute consciousness, which… Read More »Kosmic Mind

Maitreya Upanishad

Translation/ by K. Narayanaswami Aiyer, Thirty Minor Upanishads, 1914

Adhyāya I A King named Bṛhadratha, thinking this body to be impermanent and having acquired indifference (to objects), retired to… Read More »Maitreya Upanishad

Plotinus, The Enneads [3:1-9]

Translation/ by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie, 1918 [Originally published in Plotinus: Complete Works]

Ennead 3.1. Concerning Fate. POSSIBLE THEORIES ABOUT FATE. 1. The first possibility is that there is a cause both for… Read More »Plotinus, The Enneads [3:1-9]

[Note on the Baser Branches of Occultism]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April, 1881

[Note: the following comment by H.P.B. follows an article describing some phenomena performed by a fakir.] Note.—It certainly is not… Read More »[Note on the Baser Branches of Occultism]

Knowledge and Negligence

Article/ by Anon., Hermes Magazine, January, 1979

Fix thy Soul’s gate upon the Star whose ray thou art, the flaming Star that shines within the lightless depths… Read More »Knowledge and Negligence

Idra Rabba Kadisha: The Greater Holy Assembly

Commentary/Translation/ by S. L. MacGregor Mathers, Kabbalah Unveiled, 1887

Chapter I.The Ingress and the Preface. 1. Tradition.—Rabbi Schimeon spake unto his companions, and said: “How long shall we abide… Read More »Idra Rabba Kadisha: The Greater Holy Assembly

Over-Soul

Article/ by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Essays: First Series, 1841

“But souls that of his own good life partake, He loves as his own self; dear as his eye They… Read More »Over-Soul

Continuity of Consciousness

Article/ by Anon., Hermes Magazine, April, 1983

What does modern science know of the duration of the ages of the World, or even of the length of… Read More »Continuity of Consciousness

The Tendency of the Present Civilization

Article/ by Julia Keightley, The Path, January, 1887

Pretty much every subject comes up for discussion at our afternoon tea table. Hence I was not surprised lately, walking… Read More »The Tendency of the Present Civilization

Basic Principles of Theosophy

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, October, 1956

It would be natural enough, perhaps, to suppose that a subject such as Basic Principles of Theosophy—or “basic principles” of… Read More »Basic Principles of Theosophy

Poetical Occultism (2)

Article/ by Julia Keightley, The Path, November, 1886 [Serialized]

[For Number I of this series, authored by “S.B.J.”, see here.] II. Perhaps no passage in Light on the Path… Read More »Poetical Occultism (2)

The Planes of Consciousness

Article/ by J. D. Buck, The Path, December, 1888

There are three conditions of consciousness in ordinary daily experience, that of ordinary wakefulness, that of sleep with dreams, and… Read More »The Planes of Consciousness

Chwang Tzu

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, March, 1927

Lao Tzu is austere and serene; Confucius is the ritualist in life; but now we approach Chwang Tzu — the… Read More »Chwang Tzu

Hypatia: The Last of the Neoplatonists

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, March, 1937

The fourth century was the turning point in the history of the Western world, the period in which Christianity took… Read More »Hypatia: The Last of the Neoplatonists

The Children of the Sun

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, November, 1927

The ancient glory of America is to be sought in Mexico, Central America and Peru. In impassable valleys or on… Read More »The Children of the Sun

The Feathered-Serpent

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, December, 1927

Under the distinctively American name and symbol of the Feathered-Serpent are to be found the Great Teachers of Mexico and… Read More »The Feathered-Serpent

Naradaparivrajaka Upanishad

Translation/ by K. Narayanaswami Aiyer, Thirty Minor Upanishads, 1914

Upadeśa I Om. Once upon a time, Nārada, the ornament of Parivrājakas (roaming ascetics), after roaming over all worlds and… Read More »Naradaparivrajaka Upanishad

[Septenary Division in Different Indian Systems]

Article/ by T. Subba Row, The Theosophist, June, 1884 [Originally signed “T.S.”; reprinted in Five Years of Theosophy, p. 185 and The Secret Doctrine; authorship verified as T. Subba Row in the latter.]

We are in a position to state that Mr. Sinnett never intended to maintain that Buddhism, as popularly conceived, is… Read More »[Septenary Division in Different Indian Systems]

The Great Master’s Letter

Letter(s)/ by Mahatma K. H., Late 1881 or Early 1882 [Exact Date Unknown] [Posthumously Published]

(Strictly) (Private) & (Confidential) Several good reasons, given to Mahatma K. H., why the T.S. should be a Brotherhood of… Read More »The Great Master’s Letter

Kama-Loka and the Bearings of the Esoteric Doctrine on Spiritualism

Article/ by A. P. Sinnett, The Theosophist, February, 1885

Students of the information lately obtained from Eastern sources for the elucidation of what is known as the Esoteric doctrine,… Read More »Kama-Loka and the Bearings of the Esoteric Doctrine on Spiritualism

Brahma Upanishad

Translation/ by K. Narayanaswami Aiyer, Thirty Minor Upanishads, 1914

[Brahmopanishad]1 [This Upanishad is intended to give a complete and clear idea of the nature of Ātmā, that has four… Read More »Brahma Upanishad

Pronunciation of Sanskrit & The Sanskrit Language

Editorial/Q & A/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, June, 1886 [Incl. Follow-up(s)]

[Note: the following are two parts published in June and July, 1886] [June, 1886] Dear Brother: Is there any dictionary… Read More »Pronunciation of Sanskrit & The Sanskrit Language

Kalisantarana Upanishad

Translation/ by K. Narayanaswami Aiyer, Thirty Minor Upanishads, 1914

[Kalisantārana Upanishad]1 At the end of Dvāpara yuga, Nārada2 went to Brahma and addressed him thus: “O Lord, how shall… Read More »Kalisantarana Upanishad

Tarasara Upanishad

Translation/ by K. Narayanaswami Aiyer, Thirty Minor Upanishads, 1914

[Tārasāra-Upanishad]1 Om. Bṛhaspati asked Yājñavalkya: “That which is called Kurukshetra is the place of the sacrifice of the Devas and… Read More »Tarasara Upanishad

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