The Yonitantra probably belongs to that kind of Tantric literature which gave Tantrism and its concepts a rather bad reputation. According to Sir M. Monier-Williams, ‘Tantrism or Saktism, in Hinduism arrived at its last and worst stage of development`. But in present times Tantrism has become rather popular outside the Indian subcontinent, a popularity, however, which is based mainly upon those aspects of Tantrism formerly looked on with so much abhorrence. The Yonitantra particularly deals with that side of Tantrism which seems to appeal most to the average Western adept of Tantric religion.

The text of Yonitantra, based on the microfilms of six MSS, provides information on religious practices with Yonipuja at the centre which most probably are closely connected with similar practices in Kamarupa but which have remained virtually unknown until today.

The editor has added a valuable introduction that deals with the origin of this tantra, Madhavi and Visnu, Visnu and Yoni, the Yonitantra and Kamarupa, the Kulachara and the Yonipuja, and also contains an evalu­ation of the Yonitantra. The volume fills an important gap in the study of tantric religion and practices.