Kamadeva: An Exploration by Two Students
The following is not meant as an exhaustive treatise on Kamadeva, but rather as an outline of certain ideas, from… Read More »Kamadeva: An Exploration by Two Students
To the Spiritualists of Boston
In a private letter received by me from A. N. Aksakoff, Counselor of State in the private Chancellery of the… Read More »To the Spiritualists of Boston
Aryan Origins and the Primeval Savage
In discussing the question of Indian Chronology, and the almost inextricable confusion it had been thrown into by the conjectures… Read More »Aryan Origins and the Primeval Savage
Two Systems—of Lust and Sorrow
The great Buddha referred to two systems for the government of life which he said were each ignoble, and one… Read More »Two Systems—of Lust and Sorrow
An Ancient Telephone
It has been the custom of many people to belittle the ancients by assuming that they knew but little of… Read More »An Ancient Telephone
Explanation of Certain Platonic Terms
As some apology may be thought necessary for having introduced, in the course of the following translation, certain unusual words… Read More »Explanation of Certain Platonic Terms
Tao Te Ching: A New Translation (in progress)
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)
The Law of Cycles
It is a matter of the deepest interest for every thinking man to obtain as clear an idea as possible… Read More »The Law of Cycles
Emerson and Occult Laws
“It is true that a little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about… Read More »Emerson and Occult Laws
Death and Immortality
Letter by N.D.K. | Reply by H.P.B. [Note: it is quite possible that this reply to N.D.K. was authored by… Read More »Death and Immortality
Stray Thoughts on Death and Satan
TO THE EDITOR OF THE THEOSOPHIST Madam,—Since you have published a posthumous letter of my Master and beloved friend, the… Read More »Stray Thoughts on Death and Satan
Rig-Veda on Gambling
The following excellent remarks are probably the oldest in the world upon the vice of gambling. They are found in… Read More »Rig-Veda on Gambling
Our Sun and the True Sun
Considering how little is known of the sun of this system, it is not to be wondered at that still… Read More »Our Sun and the True Sun
The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac
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 Message of India
“In the highest golden veil is the stainless, partless Eternal, the pure, the Light of lights, whom the Self-knowers know.… Read More »The Message of India
The Author of Isis Unveiled Defends the Validity of Her Masonic Patent
[Note: for some background, see “Honours to Madame Blavatsky,” by Charles Sotheran, Banner of Light, February 2, 1878; H.P.B. in her Scrapbook… Read More »The Author of Isis Unveiled Defends the Validity of Her Masonic Patent
Paul the Disciple
[I.] Paul’s life is supremely valuable because it shows the method of the Master, after the resurrection, in training his… Read More »Paul the Disciple
The Story of Adam and Eve in the New Testament
In trying to realize the thought, feeling and aspiration of the people of Palestine in the time of Jesus, with… Read More »The Story of Adam and Eve in the New Testament
Aitareya Upanishad (Father, Mother and Son)
[Translation] Self was here verily in the beginning; nothing else opposing at all. He beheld, saying: Let me now put… Read More »Aitareya Upanishad (Father, Mother and Son)
Indian Ideals
The breath of the Indian Renaissance, so long foretold, so long in coming, begins to blow in our faces; to… Read More »Indian Ideals
The Origin of Evil
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 Esoteric Character of the Gospels
Part I “. . . . Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of… Read More »The Esoteric Character of the Gospels
Astral Intoxication
There is such a thing as being intoxicated in the course of an unwise pursuit of what we erroneously imagine… Read More »Astral Intoxication
Theosophy and Miracles
Article selection by Gilbert Elliot, Esq. | Note by H.P.B. . . . The main difficulty in the way of ascertaining the… Read More »Theosophy and Miracles
The Dweller of the Threshold
Has such a being any existence? Has any one ever seen it? Are there many or several, and has it… Read More »The Dweller of the Threshold
A Hindu Professor’s Views on Indian Yoga
We lay aside other matter already in type to give place to the essential portions of an “Introduction to Indian… Read More »A Hindu Professor’s Views on Indian Yoga
Life and Teachings of Pythagoras
I. Life “Pythagoras, the pure philosopher deeply versed in the profounder phenomena of nature, the noble inheritor of the ancient… Read More »Life and Teachings of Pythagoras
[Was Jehovah Inspired by Indra?]
Article selection from “Indra”, by Rajendro Nauth Dutta | Notes by H.P.B. Indra1 is the name of one of these… Read More »[Was Jehovah Inspired by Indra?]
The Uttarādhyayana Sūtra
Contents Introduction First Lecture: On Discipline Second Lecture: On Troubles Third Lecture: The Four Requisites Fourth Lecture: Impurity Fifth Lecture:… Read More »The Uttarādhyayana Sūtra
Mesmerism and the Higher Self
Recently a book on the subject of the “Rationale of Mesmerism” having been published in London, written by Mr. A.… Read More »Mesmerism and the Higher Self
Buddhism in America
To the Editor of The Sun: Sir—As, in your leading article of May 6th, I am at one moment given credit… Read More »Buddhism in America
Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad
Part I, Sections 1-3 [Introduction] Building the Cosmos Like the Chhandogya Upanishad, the Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad consists of a series… Read More »Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad
Is the Desire to “Live” Selfish?
The passage “to Live, to live, to Live must be the unswerving resolve,” occurring in the article on the Elixir… Read More »Is the Desire to “Live” Selfish?
Contemporary Literature and Theosophy
There is growing every day among contemporary writers a strong disposition to take up theosophic doctrine, and especially in those… Read More »Contemporary Literature and Theosophy
A Dissertation on the Life and Theology of Orpheus
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 School of Pythagoras at Crotona
[Crotona] This was the ancient city of Magna Graecia, Italy, and has no reference to modern places of that name.… Read More »The School of Pythagoras at Crotona
Theosophy and Epidemics
[Note: the following article appeared almost word-for-word in at least two newspapers on the same day. The version given here… Read More »Theosophy and Epidemics
Chandogya Upanishad 3:1-11 (Honey for the Gods)
[Translation] That sun is honey for the bright powers; the heaven is the curved support of it; the mid-world is… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 3:1-11 (Honey for the Gods)
Conversations on Occultism [2nd Series]
Occult Teachings Student.—What is Occultism? Sage.—It is that branch of knowledge which shows the universe in the form of an… Read More »Conversations on Occultism [2nd Series]
The Ethics of Study
“Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but… Read More »The Ethics of Study
The Path
This magazine is not intended either to replace or to rival in America The Theosophist, nor any other journal now… Read More »The Path
The Logos and the Mind
Io veggio ben sì come già risplende nello intelletto tuo l’eterna luce . . . —DANTE, Paradiso, V. “Well do… Read More »The Logos and the Mind
The Sankhya and Yoga Philosophy
These two systems are so closely linked together that any attempt to treat the one without the other would be… Read More »The Sankhya and Yoga Philosophy
[On the Siddhis “Anima” and “Mahima”]
Article selection from “An Indian Aethrobat”, by Babu Krishna Indra Sandyal | Note by H.P.B. In the November issue of… Read More »[On the Siddhis “Anima” and “Mahima”]
Letter of Madame Blavatsky—Dr. Rotura’s Discovery
You do not write to us any more then? And to diversify your Parisian amusements you demolish me in the… Read More »Letter of Madame Blavatsky—Dr. Rotura’s Discovery
[The Mayavi Rupa]
Article selection from “Nanga Baba of Gwalior”, by M.B.V. | Note by H.P.B. “In a corner of the parade ground… Read More »[The Mayavi Rupa]