The Essence of Tripurarahasya (Tripura Rahasya): The Mystery of Supreme Consciousness

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The jnanakhanda of Tripurarahasyam, which is an important work of the srividya school of saktas, contains 2163 verses dealing with the nature of Consciousness and the Ultimate Reality and the liberation of the individual by realizing it. The advaita (or non-dual) philosophy of the saktatantra-s is lucidly explained in this work through many fabulous and interesting stories interspersed with a logical exposition of Transcendental Consciousness which is the Ultimate Reality. Srini vasapandita, a great scholar and initiate of the srividya school of sakta-s has written an excellent commentary on the work.

This work is an attempt to present in a condensed and simple form the philosophical foundations of spiritual quest according to the srividya school of sakta-s in the words of Tripurarahasya, providing the necessary links in the text for its proper understanding. The text, along with the translation and notes based on the Commentary of Srinivasa, will be of great help to spiritual sadhaka-s of Yoga, Vedanta, Srtvidya and Self enquiry by providing the philosophical foundations of their sadhana and its Goal.

The Way to Supreme Bliss. (24th chapter of paramanandatantram being an exposition of the Path to Self-realization) Translated with extensive notes by Samvid, This is a companion volume to the "Essence of Tripurarahasya", containing in a short compass, the most effective practices leading the sadhaka to Self-realization. Mahesvaranandanatha has written an excellent commentary on this esoteric work which is an invaluable guide to the understanding of this crowning chapter of paramanandatantra.

Samvid's translation and notes closely follow this superb commentary of a great scholar and initiate of the srividya school. This work will serve as a reliable guide to all spiritual seekers in their practice since it gives the quintessence of sadhana for Self- realization and liberation.

Publisher's Preface:

Our recent publication, "The Way to Supreme Bliss", has been well received by spiritual seekers as an authentic manual of sadhana for Self-realization. The scope of that work, which forms part of Paramanandatantra is to guide the seekers in the Path to Self-realisation by explaining the most effective practices that lead the sadhaka to the Goal. The philosophical foundations of the Path are explained in detail in the voluminous work "Tripurarahasya" consisting of 2163 verses. Samvid has given the essence of the philosophical foundations of the Path in this condensed work containing 321 verses of the original (counted as 302, due to reckoning 3 half-verses as one verse in some places for completeness of the meaning), for the benefit of spiritual seekers. We have pleasure in publishing this work as a companion volume to our earlier publication.

Samata Books

Introduction:

Tripurarahasyam, of which sage Haritayana is the author, is at present available in two parts: (1) Mahatmyakhanda dealing with the greatness of Goddess Tripura in 6687 verses and (2) Jnanakhanda dealing with Supreme Knowledge in 2163 verses. Srinivasa has written an excellent commentary called tatparyadipika on the jnanakhanda which is the subject matter of the present work. He was a great scholar and initiate of the Srividya school of worship, the philosophy expounded in it does not have any sectarian stamp, religious or intellectual. Its chief concern is with the nature of Consciousness and the Ultimate Reality and the liberation of the individual by realizing it. The advaita (or non-dual) philosophy of the Saktatantra-s and Kashmir Saivism is lucidly explained in the work through many fabulous and interesting stories interspersed with a logical exposition of Transcendental Consciousness which is the Ultimate Reality. There are a few fundamental differences between the philosophy of the non-dual Self presented in this work and that of the traditional teachers like Gaudapada and Sankara. But the end sought to be achieved is the same, viz., cessation of all sorrow and liberation from bondage through the realization of the Self which is Pure Undivided Consciousness, the Ultimate Reality.

Great sages like Sri Ramanamaharsi have referred to this work as a valuable text capable of guiding a spiritual aspirant in the path of Self-realization. The voluminous nature of the work containing many narratives interspersed with philosophical discussions have acted as a deterrent to the proper study and appreciation of its greatness. This work is an attempt to present in a condensed and simple form the philosophical foundations of spiritual practice as laid down in the Srividya school of saktatantra-s in the words of Tripurarahasya, providing the necessary links in the text for its proper understanding. Throughout this work, I stands for introduction to the passages that follow, T for the translation of the verses, N for notes thereon and L for the link connecting the earlier passages with the latter. The translations and notes are based on the brilliant commentary of Srinivasa in his tatparyadipika. While condensations are no substitutes for the original work, they provide the opportunity for spiritual sadhaka-s to appreciate the philosophical foundations of their sadhana and its Goal. This increases their conviction about the Goal to be realized and the value of their Quest.

Samvid