Gopīnāth Kavirāj e la scienza solare

This paper outlines the richness and complexity of Gopīnāth Kavirāj’s (1887-1976) contribution to the Indological studies, in particular in the field of Tantric studies. Kavirāj was at the same time an important academic scholar acknowledged both in India and in the West, a traditional paṇḍit and a Tantric sādhaka . These three experiences were inextricably connected: for him the only valuable knowledge was the one that allows spiritual achievements. The focus is in particular on sūrya - vijnāna (solar science), a nearly unkown technique to materialize objects seemingly from nothing, strictly connected to Kavirāj’s guru, Viśuddhānand Paramhaṃs. In my opinion Kavirāj’s treatment of sūrya - vijnāna is an interesting example of the link between sādhanā world and critical thought in his work.