Sanskrit & Trika Shaivism (English-Home)

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 Tantrāloka (Tantraloka) - Non-dual Shaivism of Kashmir

Light of Tantra


 Introduction

This work was composed by the great Master Abhinavagupta and is a compendium of Tantra in all its facets. Anyway, it is predominantly a kind of commentary on the celebrated Mālinīvijayottaratantra (the most important Tantra according to Abhinavagupta himself). It is his most important and voluminous work. So many people have already written about the "historical" Abhinavagupta, who was the teacher of Kṣemarāja --wrongly-written Kshemaraja or Ksemaraja-- (the author of the celebrated Śivasūtravimarśinī --wrongly-written Shiva Sutra Vimarshini-- and Spandanirṇaya --wrongly-written Spanda Nirnaya--) and lived about 975-1025 AD in Kashmir, etc. If you are interested in time and space, simply search the Web for "Abhinavagupta" and you will receive tons of information about the historical Abhinavagupta. But all that has nothing to do with the real Abhinavagupta. My statement is valid regarding all saints, obviously, because they merged their individualities into the Supreme Self, but as far as the most remarkable ones among them are concerned, my statement is even more valid. In my own case, having studied Trika for so many years, the act of adding time and space to Abhinavagupta is absolutely nonsensical. Abhinavagupta is my own Self and his Tantrāloka --wrongly-written Tantraloka-- is His Revelation. So, my approaching Tantrāloka now is something that took me innumerable births.

That is why I will be reading and writing it completely, God willing, and translating it to the extent of my own capacities, God willing again. Without His Grace, it is impossible to translate it properly. It was even His Grace which let me approach this treatise, in the first place, and it will be His Grace which will decide if I am fit for fully translating it. Let us see what He decides then. As the sage is speaking from his enlightened state, the act of reading/writing/translating his work amounts to attaining full Enlightenment too. Therefore, this is the most important action I have done in my entire life. By publishing this document, I wanted to share my experience with the rest of people. "Kimatra", i.e. "What else could I say about it then?".

Let the holy Tantrāloka begin!Start reading! 

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 Further Information

Gabriel Pradīpaka

This document was conceived by Gabriel Pradīpaka, one of the two founders of this site, and spiritual guru conversant with Sanskrit language and Trika philosophy.

For further information about Sanskrit, Yoga and Indian Philosophy; or if you simply want to comment, ask a question or correct a mistake, feel free to contact us: This is our e-mail address.



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