Dupuche, John, “„The “Scandalous‟ Tantric Hymn to Kālī Karpūrādi-stotra:an Unexpurgated Translation,” International Journal of Tantric Studies 8:1 (2012). Vol. 8 No. 1 (June 22, 2012)

http://asiatica.org/ijts/8-1/scandalous-tantric-hymn-kali-ikarpuradi-stotrai-expurgated-translation/

Abstract:

Through his ‘Tantrik Texts Series’ (1913-1940) Sir John Woodroffe initiated modern Western studies of the tantra. However, his 1922 translation of the Karpūrādi-stotra reveals how much he and his collaborators felt constrained to purge the scandalous aspects from the text. It is seriously flawed, and yet still commonly used.

A new unexpurgated translation is needed.

This article describes the rather complex story of the editions and commentaries on the stotra, together with some suggestions on date and authorship: in short, its context. It then provides an unexpurgated translation of the Karpūrādi-stotra along with the Sanskrit text. Lastly, it provides a short commentary on the structure of the text and its purpose.

If Woodroffe had to conceal essential elements of the Karpūrādi-stotra, how reliable are the other translations and commentaries in his ‘Tantrik Texts Series’?