An Introduction to Tantric Philosophy

The Paramarthasara, or `Essence of Ultimate Reality¿, is a work of the Kashmirian polymath Abhinavagupta (tenth and eleventh centuries). It is a brief treatise in which the author outlines the doctrine of which he is a notable exponent, namely nondualistic Saivism, which he designates in his works as the Trika, or `Triad¿ of three principles: Siva, Sakti and the embodied soul (nara). This book presents, along with a critically revised Sanskrit text, the first annotated English translation of both Abhinavaguptäs Paramarthasara and Yogarajäs commentary.