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Tripura Rahasya: The Secret of the Supreme Goddess
A beautifully realized synthesis of the ancient tradition of Advaita Vedanta and Tantra. Ramana Maharshi often quoted the Tripura Rahasya; he considered this Sanskrit classic of Hindu spirituality to be one of the greatest works that expounded Advaita philosophy.
- GenresHinduismSpirituality
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 3, 2012
This is the essence of all yoga methods and paths. Its a conversation between Lord Datta and Parshuram who seems to be going in the direction of realization with having lot of dispassion to surroundings. A master piece. After reading and practicing yoga this final book answers all questions, and best part is a good for beginner since its in form of parables.. Awesome!
January 9, 2026
Tripura Rahasya (“the hidden truth of nondual consciousness that transcends all distinctions”) is a classical Advaita Vedānta text presented within a Śākta / Śrī Vidyā framework.
Śākta refers to Hindu traditions that center Śakti (the divine feminine power or creative energy) as absolute and foundational to reality.
Śrī Vidyā (“the sacred knowledge”) is a Śākta tantric lineage centered on Tripurā Sundarī (Lalitā Devī), understood not merely as a deity but as nondual consciousness itself, expressed through beauty, play (līlā), and self-recognition.
In sum, Śākta / Śrī Vidyā is a goddess-centered nondual tradition that views reality as consciousness–energy, in which awakening (mokṣa) consists of direct, deeply known truth.
Tripura Rahasya teaches nondual realization (brahma-jñāna) through dialogue, narrative, and direct instruction, emphasizing recognition of the Self rather than ritual, technique, or effortful practice.
The text presents a rigorously Advaitic teaching within the Śākta / Śrī Vidyā system: liberation is not produced by spiritual practices (e.g., meditation or yoga) or by attaining exalted states (e.g., nirvikalpa samādhi), but rather recognized as the lived, transformative knowing of the ever-present, always prior nondual nature of awareness.
At the heart of the text is a decisive critique of samādhi as liberating in and of itself. According to Tripura Rahasya, transient states—no matter how profound—cannot permanently dissolve egoic identification. Experiences arise and pass within the ego structure; they do not, by themselves, uproot it. Only clear, stable nondual recognition dispels the illusion of ego.
The text advances a nuanced and technical account of samādhi:
1: Savikalpa samādhi (with subtle distinctions) can refine the intellect. Because some structure remains, it may support discriminative insight—the recognition that appearances are not other than awareness.
2: Nirvikalpa samādhi, when treated as a temporary state of total cessation, is insufficient on its own. While profound, cessation alone does not eradicate avidyā (misidentification with the self).
This point is captured in the famous mirror–flame metaphor: attempting to burn the mirror by burning the flame reflected in it. When the flame (the samādhi experience) disappears, the mirror (the ego structure) remains intact—unless understanding has occurred.
Tripura Rahasya therefore reverses a common hierarchy: it is not the absence of thought that liberates, but the end of misunderstanding. When the false assumption dissolves, the mirror shatters and pure awareness stands self-evident, regardless of mental activity.
This culmination is termed jīvanmukti—freedom amid activity. Action continues, personality functions, and devotion and symbolism remain meaningful, yet bondage does not recur.
In this sense, the text anticipates what later traditions call
3: Sahaja Samadhi: nondual clarity fully integrated into ordinary life, without dependence on trance or withdrawal.
Tripura Rahasya cleanly bridges tantric symbolism and Advaitic rigor. It affirms devotional language while insisting that no experience—however extraordinary—substitutes for abiding nondual recognition.
Samādhi may polish the lens; recognition shatters the mirror.
5/5 ⭐️
Śākta refers to Hindu traditions that center Śakti (the divine feminine power or creative energy) as absolute and foundational to reality.
Śrī Vidyā (“the sacred knowledge”) is a Śākta tantric lineage centered on Tripurā Sundarī (Lalitā Devī), understood not merely as a deity but as nondual consciousness itself, expressed through beauty, play (līlā), and self-recognition.
In sum, Śākta / Śrī Vidyā is a goddess-centered nondual tradition that views reality as consciousness–energy, in which awakening (mokṣa) consists of direct, deeply known truth.
Tripura Rahasya teaches nondual realization (brahma-jñāna) through dialogue, narrative, and direct instruction, emphasizing recognition of the Self rather than ritual, technique, or effortful practice.
The text presents a rigorously Advaitic teaching within the Śākta / Śrī Vidyā system: liberation is not produced by spiritual practices (e.g., meditation or yoga) or by attaining exalted states (e.g., nirvikalpa samādhi), but rather recognized as the lived, transformative knowing of the ever-present, always prior nondual nature of awareness.
At the heart of the text is a decisive critique of samādhi as liberating in and of itself. According to Tripura Rahasya, transient states—no matter how profound—cannot permanently dissolve egoic identification. Experiences arise and pass within the ego structure; they do not, by themselves, uproot it. Only clear, stable nondual recognition dispels the illusion of ego.
The text advances a nuanced and technical account of samādhi:
1: Savikalpa samādhi (with subtle distinctions) can refine the intellect. Because some structure remains, it may support discriminative insight—the recognition that appearances are not other than awareness.
2: Nirvikalpa samādhi, when treated as a temporary state of total cessation, is insufficient on its own. While profound, cessation alone does not eradicate avidyā (misidentification with the self).
This point is captured in the famous mirror–flame metaphor: attempting to burn the mirror by burning the flame reflected in it. When the flame (the samādhi experience) disappears, the mirror (the ego structure) remains intact—unless understanding has occurred.
Tripura Rahasya therefore reverses a common hierarchy: it is not the absence of thought that liberates, but the end of misunderstanding. When the false assumption dissolves, the mirror shatters and pure awareness stands self-evident, regardless of mental activity.
This culmination is termed jīvanmukti—freedom amid activity. Action continues, personality functions, and devotion and symbolism remain meaningful, yet bondage does not recur.
In this sense, the text anticipates what later traditions call
3: Sahaja Samadhi: nondual clarity fully integrated into ordinary life, without dependence on trance or withdrawal.
Tripura Rahasya cleanly bridges tantric symbolism and Advaitic rigor. It affirms devotional language while insisting that no experience—however extraordinary—substitutes for abiding nondual recognition.
Samādhi may polish the lens; recognition shatters the mirror.
5/5 ⭐️
January 22, 2022
The best book I've ever read. Specially chapter 20 - Vidya Gita. A must read for the seekers of Truth to Self Realization. 🙏Om Sri Matre Namaha 🙏
July 30, 2023
Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi spoke highly of Tripura Rahasya. This book came as a recommendation from a fellow spiritual seeker. Tripura Rahasya is a synthesis of everything that a seeker needs to know, I felt. One of the chapters towards the end of the book is Vidya Gita. It is quite inexplicable for me - so I am really lost for words to describe how moving it was to read and contemplate. The book itself is eye-opening and cleared a number of doubts I personally had. This chapter felt like a jewel of non-dualism.
February 29, 2024
Wonderful little book.
December 21, 2023
Good introduction to the Advaita philosophy of non-duality. Have to skip over the misogynistic parts though.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews