Occult Science in India and Among the Ancients

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Occult Science in India and Among the Ancients

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Louis Jacolliot explores the origins of Western esoteric traditions in ancient India, detailing the secret doctrines of the Brahmins and the practices of initiated sects. This travelogue recounts the author's firsthand encounters with fakirs in India, documenting their extraordinary feats, evocations, and the philosophical tenets of the Pitris, while comparing these ancient beliefs to those of the Jewish Cabala, Plato, and early Christianity.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Occult Science in India and Among the Ancients* (1875), Louis Jacolliot presents a comprehensive survey of esoteric traditions, arguing that many Western doctrines, including the Cabala and Platonic teachings, originated in ancient India before spreading to Greece, Rome, and Chaldea. Grounded in his long residence in India, Jacolliot distinguishes between the elevated, secret doctrines reserved for initiated Brahmins and the vulgar magic practiced by lower priests to maintain public apprehension. He emphasizes the strict secrecy surrounding sacred syllables and creation histories, which were forbidden to the 'vulgar herd' under penalty of death or madness. The text details the rigorous initiation process, the hierarchy of the Brahmins, and ceremonies required to attain higher spiritual knowledge, focusing on the doctrine of the Pitris (ancestral shades). Jacolliot describes phenomena produced by performing Fakirs, including levitation, the 'leaf dance,' and the 'harmoniflute' played by phantom musicians. He recounts a specific séance where he conversed with the spectre of an old Brahminical priest, who appeared in a fluidic body and wrote words of fire upon his own chest. Maintaining a neutral stance, Jacolliot refuses to decide whether these events resulted from occult intervention or hallucination, leaving the judgment to the reader. The work compares the Indian doctrine of the Pitris with the Jewish Cabala, the Zend-Avesta, and Christian theology, highlighting similarities regarding mediating spirits, the trinity, and the transmigration of souls. Jacolliot notes that while popular sorcery was common, the true philosophy of the ancients focused on the perfectibility of the soul and its eventual absorption into the Great All. The text concludes by emphasizing the enduring nature of these ancient beliefs and their relevance to understanding the history of human thought, asserting that all ancient religions acknowledge extraordinary beings and the constant perfectibility of the soul.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/louis-jacolliot_occult-science-in-india-and-among-the-ancients.epub

Local file path

data/epubs/url-548885a1f2b43a58.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-06-30 13:09 UTC

Categories

• Philosophy
• Occultism